I’m considering getting a hobby sized table saw, for cutting my own stripwood and such. Can someone recommend a good brand that’s not too expensive? Is there any particular brand or model that I should avoid?
MicroMark has them in their catalog…at least the last time I looked. They are a very reputable company in the hobby. A lot of the guys buy tools from Harbor Freight…(see above article) and I’ve seen them there also. They are more inexpensive. Though I’ve not bought one of them there, I have bought power tools from them and know of others that have too and they are well worth what you pay.
Warren
Proxxon make a good high precision model, if you wanna pay the bucks.
http://www.miniaturetree.com/viewproduct.asp
But as Warren says, MicroMark has a good model.
jb
MicroMark & Proxxon are great saws, but because they are specialized, they are limited in what they can do, & more expensive than a regular table saw equipped with small blade.
Craftsman 10†saws start at 1/3 of the cost and can also be used on almost any home project.
On a side note I prefer a band saw for small up close work. I have both types and prefer the band saw for strip wood because it won’t kick back or shoot wood caught between the blade and fence.
Marv.
I agree with Marv, you are better off getting a regular sized saw that you can use for other things as well. I also agree with the idea of using the band saw for strip wood. Besides being safer, there is less waste because the blade is thinner.
SteveF
Not knowing what’s on the market over there , I cannot make recommendations as to manufacturer .
I have a normal size table saw , complete with universal tool table for use with “normal” size milling and routing . Say down to 1/2" square .
But I found these a bit coarse , so got a Bandsaw from Proxxon , and a Proxxon Table saw—this latter being the one that sliced the end of my finger off , it being a bit like a razor when in use .
I must say that the smaller slices of wood come out much better on the Proxxon . There is a good range of blades available .
The Proxxon bandsaw has a 3/16 blade , which is super for shaping timber when scratch building .
I would get a laser cutter if I could afford one . No doubt they will come down in price .Then 'elf’nsafety will step in 'cos they’re dangerous .
BUT , I bet Proxxon are expensive in the USA . Which might stop you dead in your tracks .
Whatever , you are wise looking to getting a table saw , I would be lost without mine now .
Mike
If you decide to go with a fill size saw, be sure it has the capability to make a throat plate from wood. When cutting thin strips on a table saw you must have a 0 clearance throat plate. Otherwise what you cut will end up down inside the saw.
It is easy to make one from wood by covering the throat opening then raising the blade through the wood plate. I have the low-end 10" Craftsman saw. I had to fool around a bit with the mounting, but was able to make a very useful 0 clearance throat plate from a piece of scrap wood.
Also look into finger boards. You can make your own on the saw from board stock. They are very helpful in keeping small stock in the correct alignment. My biggest problem on the Craftsman saw is that it does not have an easy place to attach things like finger boards.
Good luck in your quest 
JR
I cut all of my strip wood on a bandsaw. It is much safer and less wood is wasted as the blade is much thinner.
Glen