Triton 1800W Contractor Saw Module 254mm TWX7CS002 (386907)

This was essentially a space saving downgrade from a DW745, which is a bombproof contractor saw. I’ve got a Triton belt/spindle sander and planer thicknesser and I think they tread the line of quality and affordability well for the most part. I actually wanted the router table module primarily, but the saw was very discounted on Amazon so bought it first along with the workcentre itself (from elsewhere).It wasn’t a particularly auspicious start. I could hear components clanging around in the box - the packaging left something to be desired, and when I unpacked the saw there was some indentation/scuffing to some plastic trim underneath, making me think it’s been kicking around on a warehouse floor somewhere. The surface is just about flat enough; it’s important to be aware that a contractor table saw is never going to give you the absolute cast iron accuracy of a cabinet saw. As with most Triton tools there’s a fair amount of plastic on it; the rack and pinion that adjusts the blade angle, the latches that lock the modules into the workcentre. One of the plastic inserts (pictured) had been hastily screwed down without being seated properly, bending the end - this was easily repositioned correctly, but not particularly reassuring.The instructions are poor, but thankfully Triton make good quality setup videos on YouTube so this doesn’t matter. The fence feels stiff and robust, locks firmly and glides smoothly.One frustration is that the adhesive scale that is pre-fitted (mine did not come with an alternative in the box, apparently this is a global region thing) is designed for use with the fence assembly extended well beyond the edge of the workcentre. Despite all their adverts with Proper Working Blokes, Triton must surely know that their tools are primarily bought by weekend warriors like myself, and therefore people with limited space (the space-saving/modular nature is the main selling point for me), and so must likely to be using the table saw in it’s most compact configuration. This means the scale is essentially useless; it cannot be calibrated to read zero with the fence against the blade. Perhaps I’m missing something but surely it’s reasonable to expect a scale that can reliably be used to rip strips of 10, 20, 40cm etc rather than being optimised for huge sheets?Despite these niggles, the actual performance of the saw is impressive. I cut first some 18mm ply, then some thick oak worktop, and the 60T blade cut comfortably through both, leaving no scorch marks and barely sounding like it was trying, which is actually better than I get with the DW745 with a Freud blade!The power cord that plugs into the TWX7 is conveniently short, so when you lift the saw in and out of the table you don’t endlessly get the cable caught up, a blessed relief. Still, one disappointment from Triton is that they don’t seem to have thought about storage options for the inserts/modules that aren’t in use. There is no caging or support in place to enable the saw to be placed on the floor right way up, so the saw feels vulnerable when not installed in the table, especially with the various flapping bits of plastic that make up the dust collection shroud. There’s a guy on YouTube who has made an ingenious trolley rack that can house both saw and router module side by side, and I plan on doing the same, but frankly this should be available from Triton off the peg - they have other accessories for the TWX7 after all.Overall, I’m fairly pleased with the saw despite the niggles above. I’m in touch with Triton to try to get a better scale, and I’m resigned to making my own storage solution. I guess I could have sent the saw back due to the minor cosmetic/QC issues, but it would have just ended up in landfill. I don’t think anyone should kid themselves that this system will withstand the rigours of a proper trade job, but the affordability and the compact/modular nature makes it a very reasonable option for someone in a small workspace who doesn’t have money to burn on the grey and grey stuff.