Yet another table saw post...

[Longfellow]

Newbie here.

A few years ago, I had the misfortune (read: ignorance) to buy a Delta

36-600 table saw. Paid

[CNT]

Something wrong with JET/DeWalt 2HP?

Chuck

[Duane Bozarth]

...snip long ramble on saw selection...

Firstly, you seem to be comparing wide range here...what are your use criteria first, budget lmitations second?

FWW had a review not long ago of cabinet saws and I believe it was FHB that had one on contractor saws...

I, of course, say you can't go wrong w/ the PM66, but that's me... :)

[Clint]

If it was me, I'd be looking at the GI (General International) or Delta hybrid saws. Primarily for better dust collection, and no motor hanging out the back. I've got the GI 50-185 saw (left tilt contractor), and I'm pretty happy with it even if I don't work it that hard. But in the limited space in my garage, that motor hanging out the back is kind of frustrating. And as I understand it, the cost is pretty close.

Clint

[RonB]

Cannot comment on Grizzly contractor's saws; but I have owned a 1023S cabinet saw for nearly four years. No complaints - love the machine.

My son-in-law owns: one of the big Griz surface planers, a radial drill press and the G-0500 jointer. Good luck with all so far.

RonB

[Longfellow]

Dunno. Will look into them. Thanks.

Longfellow.

[Longfellow]

Home use. Don't need a saw worth thousands, or a cabinet saw, for that matter. A good contractor saw seems about right, but now I know better than to get one with a universal motor (I think...). I'm thinking somewhere between $500US and $700US should be reasonable.

FHB?

Ah yes, presumably pre-Jet?

Thanks,

Longfellow

[Longfellow]

Thanks for this! I completely missed the idea of the hybrid saw, which I gather is basically a light-weight cabinet saw: Good for dust collection and footprint, and not that much more expensive than the contractor saws.

I'll look into this!

Thanks again,

Longfellow

[Longfellow]

Thanks for this. I've looked at Grizzly and liked what I saw ;)

Longfellow

[Duane Bozarth]

I don't have specific recommendations for them, sorry. I'll look and see if I can find that review and see who came out on top in theirs...

Fine Homebuilding, companion to FWW...

Industrial line is still good...

[James "Cubby" Culbertson]

Here's my story. Bought a Jet Contractor saw. Works great. I've built a number of pretty nice things with it and never had a single problem with it. It is the JWTS-10 I believe. I decided to upgrade to a cabinet saw and bought the Grizzly 1023SL. I'm more than happy with that one as well. True, it's a full cabinet saw but it's price is virtually unbeatable. I also have heard good things about the GI stuff but alas, have no experience with them. I had planned to sell the Jet once I had the Grizzly up and running. 7 months later and I've still got the Jet (the Grizzly works great....I just don't want to give up the Jet!). So that's really all I can add. Ultimately, you have to decide just how big and heavy a saw you want. Generally, the heavier, stronger units will give less vibration than the contractor versions but for all but the diehards, a contractor saw works pretty well. Cheers and let us know what you decide. cc

[No]

Longfellow - First of all, thanks to responding to those that are offering you advice. Nothing frustrates me more than someone asking a question, I or someone else responds with some great info, and perhaps a follow-up question, and then silence. Nothing, like they fell off the face of the earth.

Anyway - I was recently in the same boat as you. I was looking for a 'real' tablesaw after dealing with a POS craftsman 1956 model. (Its all that would fit in my old, so called, shop). Anyway - I moved and I had the room for a proper shop and figure I needed a proper saw.

I looked around at various things, read reviews, read old posts here, etc. I came to the conclusion that, dollar for dollar, feature for feature, the Grizzly 1023S was a good choice. It was similarly priced to the big named contractor saws yet had some features similar to the unisaws, PM66s, and others yet was 1/3 the price.

Griz raised their prices a bit recently but they do also have sales. Check it out.

A few years ago, I had the misfortune (read: ignorance) to buy a Delta

[J]

I've got one too. Their prices have gone up, but the 1023 used to be at about the top of your price range. Very solid and trouble free so far.

-j

[Steve DeMars]

If it is of help . . I just bought a Delta 36-507X with a Biesemeyer 30" commercial fence two months ago. ($995.00). It's the last of the American Made Contractors saws by Delta. My dealer had bought a load of them before they went Chinese . . . Mine says "Proudly Made In America" . . . Reason I am telling you this is because he told me just about all the Delta Industrial Dealers were encouraged to do the same . . . So you might can find one. Delta will give you a list if you call . . . . Call them and ask where they were made . . By the way, the saw is very well built and aligned true on the money out of the box with a (5) year warranty . . .My neighbor is a millwright & helped me check the trueness.

Steve

[AAvK]

Comments, sure. Research the old Oliver, and other pro level table saws, and get the right one. Famous woodworker Sam Maloof uses an old Clausing. I have semi-access to an Oliver 270D 16" saw, an amazing piece. With some of this equipment you'd think aliens came and designed them and designed the manufacturing for them, out of this world quality. Especially compared to what is being made for common market these days.

[AAvK]

Actually never mind, upon reading further I notice you want to spend up to $700... a saw like I suggest can cost $3000... even if it's 50 years old. Sorry.

[Bob G.]

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I was startled by your comment scratch Powermatic... and Scratch Ridgid.... I never thought to much of the powermatic Contractors saw (Artisan model I think) and I do not see any proof that Jet has downgraded any powermatic product...and I sure can not hold Emerson responsible for making a product to Sears Specs...garbage in always means garbage out...

My only advice is to look a several saws...UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL NOT ... in catalogs... and really look and evaluate the fence on the saws... Just can not tell you how much a good fence is worth...

Lots of luck...

Bob Griffiths

[Frank Boettcher]

Pay a little extra and buy a Delta American made contractor saw. New (there still may be a few left) or used. All American made, Motor included. Will last a lifetime in hobby use. Can will it to you're heirs and they will probably still be able to get service parts unless B & D changes the Delta service philosophy.

[Gus]

Nayayers be damned! Look at the Craftsman 22114, 22124

Both wonderful hybrid saws.

22124 has Biesemeyer fence and a "full" cabinet.

I have the 22114 and love it.

[Dave]

It is very difficult now days to buy American in tools. I don't care if it's Delta or not. Even they have some of their stuff built in China. I would be inclined to buy from Taiwan. at least they are built in an ISO shop.