: I'm just returning to kayak building and this forum after a two year break.
: I've given myself more time, by retiring, and a much better workplace by
: buying a home in Canandaigua, New York (and I just moved from California)
: with a good sized workshop (and a wood stove).

: My other kayak builds were stitch and glue. Now I wish to make strip built
: boats, and need some tools.

: My first purchase will be a table saw. I'm confused about what I need.
: Friends have expensive cabinet saws that they argue for as the only way to
: make clean consistent cuts. However, it seems like adding the cove and
: bead edges with a router cuts down on the need for such a fine saw.

: My guess is that a good quality contractors saw will do.

: I've also been reading about in between saws called hybrid saws.

: I do expect to do some modest home repair work. The most complex of that is
: making replacement shutters.

: thank you in advance

LOL...been an awfully long time since I bought a table saw (obviously) looked at the current prices and was shocked

Couple things I'd say are required for decent work on a table saw, specially if you've got the room in the shop for it. One only a cast iron top, no aluminum and no steel stampings, neither will in the long term stay flat and smooth. Also cast iron table extensions, same reasons. Also a belt drive motor, if the motor ever does die (not likely) it is easy to change, also later upgrades to a bigger motor are possible, impossible with a motor built into the saw, and belt drive saws are alot quieter, makes a big difference when you're cutting a bunch of strips and you have to listen to it for hours on end, also belt drive motors cool better. Minimum of 1 1/2 hp btw, more is definately better. (careful, bigger motors draw alot of power)

Fence: I prefer the Vega fence if I had a choice, not the biggest name in saw fences, but to me the most repeatable and just as accurate as the big name.

Bill H.