Delta Model 36-717

[John Smith]

Anyone have an opinion about this saw?

Thanks, Mark

[Jim]

You've seen one Chinese saw, you've seen them all. Jim

[John Smith]

Well.....did you have a better suggestion??

[Leon]

What an ignorant comment.

[Jim]

You need to look at all of the hybrid saws. Dewalt was the first. Jet and Grizzly make good ones (well, I should say sell) as well. Isn't the Delta a little underpowered at 1 3/4 hp? They all look like they were made in the same factory. Jim

[wood_newbie]

I saw one on display at a Rocklers.

Now, mind you, display models have a way of being set-up piss poorly, so my comment may not TRULY be indicative of the real quality of the saw.

Caveats aside, I have to say I was underwhelmed. The blade raising and tilting mechanisms had an incredible amount of binding in them, an issue that was compounded by cheap plastic handwheels.

The tabletops had a mirror finish on them, however...which is better than you can say about the Unisaws. Didn't have my 36" Starrett on hand, so didn't check for flatness. :-)

Other than getting some fingerprints on it, that's my only experience with the saw. I can't say how it cuts or how smoothly it runs.