Table Saws

The Ryobi is a functional table saw within its limits. I would say get the Bosch (6100) or the Dewalt (7491) but I know you want to keep the outlay low. Maybe at least consider the Ridgid.

One note, those small low weight table saws are the most dangerous saws on the market. I know they serve their purpose so I am not going to preach against them, I had one too at one point in life. When you use it attach it to something solid or weigh it down in some way. I assume you plan to do some ripping otherwise you would use a miter saw for crosscut and ripping is a dangerous operation on a lightweight saw.

Now that I have answered your question let me give you some real advice, forget the table saw and buy a track saw. I am not going to tell you to buy a Mafell or Festool and not even going to tell you to buy a Bosch, Makita or Dewalt because there are some very inexpensive ones that will do a better job than a Ryobi site saw.

Watch some YT videos on track saws, get yourself a piece of rigid foam insulation put it right on the floor of your garage or driveway and you will be much better off and safer than a small table saw. I have both a cabinet saw and a slider and honestly for just DIY stuff I use my track saws more than either of them.

Most of the job site saws suck for accuracy. Like mentioned, it takes forever to get them square each time you move the fence. The Dewalt is about the only one I'd want for that as it seems to be much better than the rest.

Not sure what type of cuts the OP is going to be doing, but the track saw is a really good idea. Even the cheap ones are ~$400 though. You could look at something like the Kreg accu-cut to turn a regular circular saw into a track saw. I have no experience with one of these so not sure if they are as good. I do know that before I got my cabinet saw, I pulled my Festool track saw out for a precise cut way before trusting my jobsite saw.

Thanks obtuse for the long explanation. Makes a lot of sense now to get a track saw. Long rips is what I really needed it for and also nice straight / angled edges. I’ll be in the market pretty quick for one. Thx again.

I have the decent Dewalt table saw (7491) but I rarely use it. I don't even have a track saw, but I just use a straight edge and clamps to use my circular saw to break down sheet goods.

What kind of projects are you doing? A table saw might not be the best option.

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I have a Ridgid job site table saw and got a wild hair to make an end grain cutting board from some antique super tight grained wood chunks I have laying around. I’m pulling my hair out trying to make precise enough cuts to laminate this stuff.

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You need to go to the dark side. Jointer and planer. You can set up a router table to joint edges but you will be limited in the thickness of your cutting board. It is amazing how well two pieces of wood passed through my jointer fit together.

I wish. I’ll build one by hand before I have space for that. In other words, it just won’t happen.

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got a wild hair to make an end grain cutting board

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I've made about a dozen cutting boards using my ryobi and I can attest to the frustration. I've just added extra waste to my calculations and send then through the planer to get them flat, which is sketch, but I've turned out some nice pieces.

Bosch 4000 model here. Had it for 12+ years and the first issue developed a month ago which was the ceramic inserts for the motor. Replaced and back in action.

I haven't had much luck with Ryobi products although I do have a bandsaw made by them. Their sliding/bevel miter saw sucks which I gave away.

Look for a jobsite saw with wheels. Easy to store out of the way.

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Table saws have their benefits especially if you have a nice sled.

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I probably wouldn't have an Altendorf slider and a SS ICS if I didn't think that was the case.

However, my post was written for an apparent DIY guy that had decided on a very low budget. Sleds and sliding jigs aren't really of much use on such a small saw and just making them on a Ryobi would be hard to get accurate.

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