: I have no problem with a direct-drive saw- I would actually prefer
: the smaller portable saws except I'm wondering will it handle
: ripping lots of strips from mahogany? Most of the table saw cuts
: will be ripping,

: Anyone out there got experience doing lots of ripping with a
: portable contractor style table saw?

I have a large older Delta Contractor's saw with Unifence which is great. But it's huge, with table extensions on both sides of the blade and even though it's on a rolling base unit, it takes up a lot of real estate in my shop and a lot of space to set-up.

I also had one of the old Makita portable contractor's saw (that wouldn't die) and I added an after market fence and extension. It too
took up a lot of space to set-up, so I sold it and looked for a small dedicated rip saw.

Most of the portable saws have gotten too big. I finally found the Dewalt DW745 Compact Job Site Table Saw. I like the rack and pinion fence and easy blade adjustment. Great little saw. I built a 2x base with locking casters and hardly ever use my big saw.

Rob