I haz a tabel sawz.

After my friend Chris was forced to recall his long-borrowed Ridgid TS2400LS portable table saw, the woodshop that had sprung up around it in my garage suddenly felt...

Empty.

So I fired up the old Manifestation Engine, and went through the following steps: For reference, the saw retails for $450.

Day 1) Found similar saw at pawn shop for $320. Seemed to be in pretty good condition. Left $200 offer, which they threw away.

Put add on Craigslist for $250.

Day 2) Discovered Home Depot offered refurbished saw for $350! Tried to order one. Discovered that, after tax and non-negotiable shipping, the saw cost more refurbished than new! And with no warranty!

Called both their online people and a local store, plus sent e-mail. First two attempts yielded the expected "we understand it's stupid but will do nothing."

Day 3) Pawned some Goodwill-level stuff to get extra money for saw. Went to visit Pawn Shop saw, discovered it's fence was slightly bent, meaning it won't cut straight.

Got home to discover e-mail from Craigslist asking $350 for exactly the saw I want in good working order.

Hoping seller won't notice "little details" of shipping and tax, go to Home Depot website in search of "hey, I can get it refurbished for $350" link. Discover that *SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM IS NOW FREE*! Would still have to pay tax for a total of $375.

Forward link to seller. He replies with "will go no lower than $325 before Craigslisting own ad." For $50 difference and saw I can *see* before *buying* it, I figure it's worth a try.

Day 4) Investigate saw. Buy saw for $325. Get great advise from and make good contact with long-time woodworking contractor, plus get a free Porter-Cable 14V drill, because the Universe wasn't done with me yet.

The $500 I'm winning for completing the 5-minute pawn shop phone survey should arrive any day.