What kind of project are you doing?

An inexpensive saw and a REALLY GOOD blade is better than buying a high-priced saw and not having enough money for the right kind of blades.

Buying/using a table saw and getting the right one depends on the type of work you want to do.

Buying an inexpensive saw and a $100 blade is going to be a HUGE safety hazard when ripping plywood sheets or dimensional lumber. Because the saw itself is way too small to be stable. Even with outfeed/infeed supports(about $50+ each), the dangers are inherent.

I have had $100, $200, $400, and $600 saws. I now have a $600 Rigid contractor saw that is 8 years old and will meet my needs in a woodworking shop for the rest of my life. I also have a $400 portable saw that is 10 years old and will also last me. I have used $2000 saws. All have different strengths and uses and none of those three can do everything.

So, explain what types of things you want to do and we can narrow the choices.

Thank you for the replies! I have been online all day researching table saws. It looks like it will be better to spend a bit more to get a decent saw and a good quality blade. I'm not a professional woodworker but spend most of my free time in the garage building stuff. My next project is a picnic bench for the patio. I've been using a circular saw but can't say that it's my favorite tool.

And you need two decent blades, one for cross cutting and one for ripping. There are combo blades out there. In my opinion, combo blades are like committees, you get a little of one side and a little of the other and the result is serviceable, but lacking. A decent ripping blade is $10 to $20(has 24 or so teeth). A really smooth cross cutting blade runs from $30 to $120.

If you don't need portability consider an older, used contractor or cabinet saw from the likes of Delta or Powermatic. I've seen decent Delta Unisaws on CL lately in the $5-800 range, for example. (Don't buy anything new from Delta, but their old stuff is solid)

My little $129 ryobi table saw works for me, but I mostly rip pine 1x trim and narrow sheets of thin plywood. I bought it to rip composite decking. It is not stable enough for big wide sheets without additional support. It came with a stand and is easy to pick up and move around.

I mostly use a more expensive ridgid 12" sliding miter saw for shorter cross cuts since it is more precise. I needed it to cut up to 2x8 and 4x4 cross cuts.

You can look at harbor freight if you don't want to pay much. Some of their tools get good reviews; others not so much. The warranty is short and parts/repairs are iffy. I look at HF as an alternative to renting a tool when I only plan to use the tool a few times.

I second the advice to ask yourself what types of sawing you'll be doing. I cut a lot of very long wood, as well as big sheets of plywood, and I am very happy with my decision to buy an older, used saw (a Craftsman) with a huge cast-iron top.

I'd recommend considering a big, used saw, and then make a list of aftermarket upgrades that will turn it into a smooth, precision machine. Definitely get a couple of good blades. Depending on the type of work you're doing, upgrades might include getting a link belt, a high-quality fence, a precision miter gage, and some type of outfeed support. You can also make yourself a nice crosscut sled once you have a table saw.

After making all of these upgrades to my old Craftsman, I wouldn't trade it in for a brand-new contractor saw! I paid $150 for the saw and a total of about $350 for my accessories. I think it performs much better than most $1,000+ saws, plus I learned a lot about what makes a good saw.

For building a deck, you might consider a power miter saw with at least a 10" blade. A craigslist search could find you a used one at a decent price.

Rigid makes the best small tablesaw.

I have 3 saws - My workhorse, craftsman that cost $500 20 years ago, a harbor freight cheapo one for $80 with a coupon, and a super top of the line sawstop for $2000. They all work for basic stuff.

If I had $100 to spend, I'd by a craigslist delta or craftsman

$200 - ryobi new

$400 - small Dewalt or Ridgid new

I'm not a professional woodworker but spend maximum of my loose time in the storage constructing stuff. My next task is a picnic bench for the patio guide. I've been the use of a round noticed but can't say that it is my favourite device.