Table saw purchase?

[Jim Heinbuch]

A couple of questions: Which type of adjustment is easier, the trunions on the table or not? Should this be a deciding factor? Any other things I should look for?

[knotscott]

Cabinet mounted trunnions are easier to reach and easier to align than those that are table mounted. The yoke style trunnions also add considerable mass, which helps stability. I prefer cabinet mounted trunnions and consider them an advantage, but it's only one aspect of a saw. Table mounted trunnions would not be deal breaker by any means if a given saw otherwise meets your needs.

IMHO, the desirable features of a good saw include a good fence, solid cast wings (granite would be ok too), ample power, smooth accurate operation, sound design, and good construction. How the saw feels to you, how the handwheels operate, the warranty, retail circumstances, safety features, accessory compatibility, price, etc., should all be considered. The end performance is largely determined by setup and blade choice, assuming the saw is well designed. Cabinet mounted trunnions sure don't trump an otherwise poor design or significant weaknesses....as an example, the Porter Cable PCB270TS has cabinet mounted trunnions, but also has a plastic elevation gear, flimsy steel wings, and what I consider a fairly lame fence. In the same price range, the Ridgid R4512 and similar Craftsman 21833 both have table mounted trunnions, steel wings, and only slightly better fences. Even without cabinet mounted trunnions, I'd give the nod to these two saws over the PCB270TS....just an opinion, not meaning to knock the PCB270.

[minorhero]

It is less important whether they are mounted to the table or to the cabinet then how they are constructed. Crapy cabinet mounted trunnions are not as good as beefy solid cast iron table mounted trunnions.

The real question that will determine the quality of your saw is 1) how much do you want to pay, 2) what features are "must haves" and 3) whether used equipment is on the table as an option or not.

Answering those questions will put you into certain categories where it is easy to see what will be your best saw. So for instance, if your price range is 600 dollars and less. Must have a riving knife, and do not wish to buy used equipment. Then you will be looking at various hybrids and contractor's saws like the above mentioned ridgid. If however your price range is 1200 dollars, must have built in dust collection and riving knife, and used equipment is not an option, then you are looking at a grizzly cabinet saw or some such. If your price range is 400 dollars, you only need a splitter and a good fence, and used equipment is an option, then an old unisaw or Powermatic 66 is probably your best option.