by David Frane Go to any residential construction site and chances are, you'll find a table saw there. Many carpenters make do with aluminum and plastic portables. But for performing a full range of carpentry tasks, you can't beat the real thing — a cast-iron-top contractor saw. I've got nothing against 81/4-inch tablesaws; I've had one for ten years and it's a handy little machine. But the only thing it has over a fullsize saw is portability. Contractor saws have the rip capacity to handle full sheets of plywood. And they cut cleaner because their heavy construction reduces vibration. Finally, the 1.5-hp induction motors that power contractor saws are a lot tougher
