Big Saw On a Budget || Delta Contractor Table Saw 36-725T2 || Ridgid R4560 || Tool Review
Big Saw On a Budget || Delta Contractor Table Saw 36-725T2 || Ridgid R4560 || Tool Review
Do you really need to spend twice the price of this Delta table saw??
Is it junk or a hidden gem?? Follow along with me as we check out this $680 table saw. Considering the recent price increases in shop equipment this may be a good option. Equipped with an amazing fence and a strong, quiet motor its definitely worth a look!
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Table Insert Link to Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/759834028/delta-36-725-36-725t2-and-delta-5000?click_key=d0e2449d8d429f372895268cbec67bd0069cefb7%3A759834028&click_sum=6f11047d&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=delta+36-725+calyssa+woodworks&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&pop=1
====Power tools are dangerous!! Unplug tool before servicing!! Please work safe!====
00:00 Intro
00:35 Saw base/cabinet Features
02:43 Throat Plate
03:30 Fence
06:09 Table top and Extensions
09:48 Blades
12:27 Miter Gauge
13:57 Conclusion
Thanks For Watching!!!
just get the sawstop contractor saw extension wings at rockler for $158 each. i have heard of others using them on delta saws
That was an excellent review for this saw thanks mate
Nice honest review, thanks.
I also have this saw and have had it for almost 2 years. It replaced a Delta bench top saw, that I now only refer to as a "table saw shaped object". Absolutely a Night and Day difference.
One note to all of the folks comparing this to the DeWalt Job Site saw that another reviewed mentions. I looked at that saw, and for about the same cost, it also is a GREAT saw. The difference is really about what you want to do with it and if you really need portable. This saw has wheels, but is NOT portable. For me, the DeWalt would not have done the job. If you really want to use it for breaking down sheet goods, the DeWalt (in my opinion) simply doesn’t have enough table surface. You would either need support on the left and outfeed, or have it built into a larger bench, or a helper, or two. Just my opinion.
I too have upgraded the insert (same Etsy shop) and have several, including one for dados and one for 45 degree cuts.
You are right that with the wings the table top isn’t perfectly flat, but I don’t have the rubbing and knocking that you do. I used a level across the top and clamped it to the cast iron and wings before tightening and that made a big difference. I have checked and adjusted it once (at about 1 year).
The dust collection, as you noted is better than nothing (but only by a little) and to make real improvements I think you would need over the blade collection.
The fence is, as you noted, rock solid and is one of the saw’s strongest points. Absolutely no complaints here.
I have taken the time to adjust both the blade and the fence to the miter slots as well as the riving knife to the blade. Kind of a pain, but worth the effort.
I am using CMT full kerf (1/8") blades and have no issue with power. I have used the rip (24T) and cross cut (60T) blades on 8/4 Hickory and the saw does fine as long as you don’t try to force the feed rate too fast.
For me, the things making me consider upgrading are the fact that the cast iron top is not dead flat over its entire surface. When I am trying to do detail work, I have to spend a bunch of time fiddling with the blade angle because it is a few 10ths off if you are cutting 2" strips vs 12" strips. The slight variance in the cast iron on the right of the blade makes the smaller piece sit slightly differently. The other thing is I would honestly like a wider rip capability. I don’t think I need anything crazy like 52", but 36 would be nice. And hey, who doesn’t dream of a 3HP 220V Sawstop. One "accident" will pay for the difference, my issue is I don’t really have a place to "semi-permanently" set up a saw like that. I have to roll mine around in the garage to cut larger stock.
You noted that the wheels get caught in the expansion joints in the garage floor. That drove me nuts. I solved the problem with Sikaflex. You buy it in 10 oz caulk tubes at the orange big box store, and it self levels. I used sand to fill the deep part of the joint and then put this over it. I wish I had done it much earlier.
Bottom line, for the $550 I paid in March 2020, it was an easy choice, and for a cast iron top table saw, you can’t touch it for under $1000.
Just go buy Laguana saw!!
Great review. Thank you.
Thank you for the great review. Purchasing one now from Lowes. I was primarily concerned with the fence and you definitely answered that question.
Brother, I love your reviews. I am replacing a Craftsman (no judgment :)). It’s between this and the Dewalt DWE7491RS. You reviewed both. Really timely that I found you now. Thanks! Great job.
Is it belt drive or direct drive?
I ran a contractor saw for a long time before I found a Unisaw. ALL of the accessories that fit ANY Delta cast iron saw will fit. I have had a Unifence 52in on mine for many years now. I would also add a metal blade plate. They are NOT flexible. Cast iron extensions or at least one are devinitely an option. Delta has made a version of this saw for well over 40yrs. A melamine extension would stay flat. Hey, you are a woodworker so maybe just make your own extensions. FWIW ANY cast iron extensions are likely to fit as they are all the 3 bolt pattern they have used since the 60s.
Dunno if anyone has mentioned, but Rockler sells cast iron wings for the SawStop CNS-175 that fit this Delta. Just need to drill two mounting holes and be rid of the stamped steel wings!
Appreciate your videos, after looking at a bunch of options I got the Delta home today. I just don’t see anything better at this price point! Out of curiosity, what dado set do you like? Are you running 6" or 8" on your Delta? Thanks again! One of my favorite channels!
I was just googling around, and someone was getting sawstop wings to replace the stock ones for this, if you are still needing an upgrade idea.
I had a General International for 20+ years, and with the exception pf the cast-iron wings, this a near to copy as you ever find. The General was very good but needed alignment often. Based on what I see in the video, I would but, simply from a price point of view. For the DIYer it will more than adequate, A little attention to alignment, and it will produce accurate cuts.
Thanks for your efforts. I was ready to pull the trigger on a one year used rigid for 250 and saw your reviews. Both are well done and a big help. I may stick w/my current rigid jobsite saw for now and step up to this Delta in the near future. But your advise is appreciated.
This is the same saw as the 36-5000 T2 (which cost 2x as much), except this has a two-piece track/rail for the fence. So what? We’ll the 36-5000 T2 is the same as the 36-5100 T2 except the 5100 has cast iron wings. So it should be possible to purchase cast iron wings as parts from Delta. There are also cast iron router tables available from several vendors that can be fitted to replace the sheet metal wings.
Great review! Your honest and informative review of the fence (and price!) was my deciding factor. I have my father’s 65 yo craftsman 8", with a little jointer that shares the motor with a belt drive. Time for it to go. My space is limited, which was steering me towards a job site saw. Now am considering building the 36-725T2 into a table on casters, with a wide wing to the right, and maybe a swing-up on the left. Ditch the lower tubular support. Outfeed is an issue. Would LOVE to be able to handle 4×8 sheet goods. Anyone tried this?
Nice cut sled, by the way. Gonna copy it!
Good review
Well done review. I’ve a possible solution to the extension issue. Both sides (as you show) seem to be high. Would it be possible to use a file to ream the top of the thru hole which bolts/mounts the extension to the saw so that the extension would sit slightly lower? A diagram or picture from me would be helpful I know, but you’re familiar with the unit and you’ll know whether it would work. I saw this saw at Lowes last night and I’m intrigued with the possibility of it as a jobsite saw versus the Milwaukee. A great fence and vastly increased stability argue for it. It’s only the weight that’s dicey. Next time I’m in Lowes I’ll look underneath to see how the extension is mounted in case I buy one and am facing the same issue. Also, I’ll check back here to see if you have had success with the idea. Thanks for your review.
I have the T1. Great saw. Great videos.
Awesome! I’ve looked at this saw several times at lowes, and this was the review that’ll have me in my truck to get one tomorrow morning.
I got this same saw a year ago from Lowes. My current saw at the time crapped out and I could not find a replacement motor. I was searching for a replacement and saw this on sale for 50% off so I immediate called and had one put one hold and then drove out and bought it and do not have a single regret.
On the fence, the rear piece of metal isn’t for clamping. It’s just a guide. All of the clamping is done from the front side. That’s why it’s able to be self aligning.
Great review on this DELTA saw my bro.. I’m looking for a great saw atm but I’m not sure if I can get one from Europe.. I live in IRELAND and right now it’s very hard to get stuff shipped from the US bro.. I’m going to have a butchers hook at the description to see where or if I can get one bcos I badly need to upgrade my saw and i WOULD DEFO upgrade those wings on the saw as well man.. It’s a sweet looking saw tbf.. For 700 euros I would snap ur hand off for that.. LOL,,
Great content again man.. Keep up the great work..
I guess the plastic inserts at the back of the throat plate should be for the anti-kickback to rest on so they dont damage the paint
Yeah so those black plastic things on the throat plate are actually blued steel. They are almost always on plastic throat plates that come with anti-kick back pawls to keep the teeth from digging into the plastic throat plate.
Thanks for picking this saw apart after using it for a while. I was wondering if you have it plugged in to a 15, 20, or dedicated 20amp outlet. Also I saw some of the comments say their cast is not flat, like its concave or convex? Is yours?
Got the Ridgid version this past summer (basically the same thing) – it’s great if you don’t require a flat cast iron surface (the wings are a lost cause too). Mine cuts well enough for basic rip/cross cuts, however today I tried out a dado stack and quickly learned that the non-flat surface makes it not very ideal to use for that.
Rockler has the Cast Iron Extension Wing to upgrade that saw. The Item number is #43924 they are $158 at the time of posting.
Do it carry a belt drive motor?
Great review…thanks.
Thanks!
I also have this table saw. I had to adjust the blade insert so it was level with the cast iron top. If you are cutting small pieces of wood, then it has to be level with the top of the saw to get a perfect 90 degree cut. I wish that it was possible to wire the motor for 220 volts, but it is not. The motor draws 15 amps at 110v so it really puts a strain on the wiring in the shop. I will re-wire it in the (hopefully) near future. For the price of the saw, it will do what I need for now.
I’ve seen an udaate from someone who reviewed the Rigid 1 year after he first reviewed it, and the blade/motor lift mechanism completely failed. does the Delta saw you reviewed use the same lift mechanism? Thanks.
The black metal sections of the throat plate are to keep the "anti-kickback" pawls from jamming into the plastic, the metal section lets them slide.
The "Flip down" portion of the fence is for when you fence is out past the outline of the "Table" and it will go all the way down and be level with the table. This will help keep smaller sheets of plywood from buckling out by the fence.
I know this video is 9 months old, but you can install the SawStop cast iron wings on this saw.
A couple things to do and that saw will be money. It sucks you need to spend more money but it is what it is at this point. Scrap the two piece fence guide rails and get the one piece from Home depot its like ($85). Second scrap the fence face pieces and replace with either a super cool tools fence ($150) or like a t-track fence piece ($40). Third throw a tenryu gold medal blade on ($90). Also if you want cast iron wings. Sawstop makes aftermarket ones that will fit.
This was a very honest concise review, my partner has this saw, it is what it’s namesake calls it, a good contractor saw, not a cabinet saw by any stretch, if you want a cabinet saw, spring for the bucks and get a Powermatic, I have one, paid $3500.00, a huge departure from the Delta
5:02 I think you have your fence on backwards or something. That little flip down piece should flip down on the blade side. I think it also doubles as a material support when making really wide rips
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I bought the Rigid R4560 that looks exactly like that Delta except for the colors. It replaced my DeWalt job site saw. I’m a fairly new wood worker but it is so much better than the DeWalt.
Good video. I have an old 1992 Delta Contractors saw that I bought with cast iron wings. They were not perfect either. I am not exactly sure from your video what the root cause is for the wings not being level with the table, but what I did was to shim the wings at the table side with folded over aluminum foil at a few points for the right thickness. If you need a lot, then a cut up aluminum soda can would work (or a sacrificed cheap feeler gauge). Clamp the wings in place until you get them as flat and level as possible with the shims and then screw them down. That did the trick for me and it”s been in service since ’92 and working great.
I got say I think I’d rather have my 35 year old Craftsman. Has cast iron top and wings that are dead on flat. My miter gauge looks better with no indent slip. The fence isn’t the best but I’ve never had issues with it. I believe I paid $465 for it.
Doubling back because i just spent a bag on tools and the last thing on the list is a table saw. I did end up getting a wen track saw for long cuts, but for all the things a table saw can do, i’ll be getting one. Triton has a contractor saw module i was looking at as well and i’ve been surfing fb marketplace for compound miter saws for like 70-90 bucks. I’ve got a bunch of delta table saws marked on fb marketplace and craiglist too but i’m nervous about how well people take care of their fences and gauges.
I use a delta every day and cut hundreds of pieces of plywood.
3/4 CDX all the way down to 1/2 inch OSB. Sizes vary from large sheets to very small cuts. It handles very well and can take a hell of a beating. I’m a veteran at my job and abuse it daily. We’ve only bought 2 in the last 5 years. It’s made millions of dollars for my company.
Thanks for the review. I have the identical saw that I purchased from Lowes 3 months ago for $725.00 or so, could not be happier with the purchase. 2 weeks ago I purchased the Incra TSLS 36" positioner fence system and the JessEM stock guides. I took the Delta to the next level for accuracy. It was already accurate. Delta can hold its own against the likes of SawStop and Laguna. I have less money and more repeatable accuracy in my Delta by adding the Incra TSLS fence, JessEm Stock Guides and the Incra Miter5000 compared to Sawstop and Laguna.
Hey everyone I really appreciate the video and all your feedback… I just bought mine and in the process of assembling… do the new ones still have motor issues?… should I still be buying this $100 kit I keep hearing about? … I’m reading conflicting articles about Delta fixing this, love you to hear your opinions
I don’t know what happened but the 36-725T2 is out of stock everywhere. Anyone know if they’re coming back?
Great review! I’m looking to pull the trigger o this saw and the only thing holding me up is the metal wings. Have you seen or done any research to replace them with MDF or something laminated?