Table saw: DeWalt General Grizzly

[Peter De Smidt]

Hi Folks. I've finally decided to get a table saw for my garage shop, and I'm having a tough time deciding on which one to get. Yes, a common problem.

My nearest dealer suggests the DeWalt hybrid saw, which at the moment comes with a free mobile base. However, after doing some researching, I've come to the conclusion that I'd have to add two cast iron extension wings, which brings the price up to about $1060, which is about the same as a Grizzly G1023sl. I've heard mostly good things about the Grizzly, but I'm a little disturbed at all of the quality control issues that I've read about. Plus, while I have 220 15 amp in my garage, the Grizzly is rated for 18 amps, which means that I'd have to rewire.

That brings up General International. I've heard good things about their saws, but are they really much different than Grizzly? I could get a 50-185L M1 for $679 with a 52" fence. This nice price would mean that I could buy some more tools, but I don't plan on ever getting another table saw, unless I win Lotto. This contractor saw (with a mobile base) is about $250 less than the cabinet/hybrid saw. Next, a General International 50-260 M1 with a 50" fence. This would set me back $1270. Is this saw significantly different from a Grizzly? GI lists the amperage draw 12.7 versus the Grizzly's 18, but otherswise it's hard to tell. Is it worth $250 more?

Finally, I could get a General Canadian Made 650-T50-M2m for $1869. I'd probably have to sell more camera gear and write of a Leigh jig, but I suppose that I could just swing it and a great blade or two. Is it really worth almost double the Grizzly and Dewalt? Final quation, even if I get or build a mobile base for a massive saw such as the

650-t50-m2m will I be able to push is around? My garage floor is concrete, but there are a few cracks. Has anyone pushed one of these beasts around?

Regards, Peter De Smidt Fond du lac, WI

[V.E. Dorn]

You're obviously thinking this through. Unfortunately, I can't really speak to anything other than the Griz 1023sl which is the one I purchased - so far, so good. I'm sure I'd have been at least as happy with the General, but IMHO, there I wouldn't buy the DeWalt if your spending the same money in which you could get a 1023 for. I'm not aware of the quality control problems you speak of, or at least any that are in excess of other brands. The other thing that confuses me is your need to re-wire if you already have

220v. If you simply put a 20amp breaker in you should be fine unless you have anything smaller than 12-2 going from the breaker to the outlet. Possibly there is something else I'm unaware of.

Don

[Wayne Brissette]

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 13:31:31 -0600, Peter De Smidt wrote (in message ):

Peter:

In talking with the General Distributor today (I'm also in the market for nice cabinet saw), I found that the 260 is basically the same saw as the 185 with exception of the base (at least that's what he claims). It seems that you and I are looking at very similar (and some of the same) saws. Since this saw will be my last, I'm leaning towards the 350. I have to make up my mind by Wednesday of this week since the distributor is placing his order then. He'll order any other time, but then I would have to pay freight. If he puts it in with his order I wouldn't have to pay freight, but I would have to drive 100 miles to his store to pick it up.

Hope the info on the 250/260 helps.

Wayne

[Tom Wojeck]

I just got the Dewalt 746x. I've been very happy thus far. Mine came with

30" rails and extension wings and a mobile base. Total cost with tax was just under $900. I upgraded from a Craftsman, so the difference for me is tremendous.

[john moorhead]

Hello -

FWIW, when I see a post about "which saw" and the normal repies, I feel obligated to "cast my vote" for the General 350 or the left tilt version the

650 I think. I purchased the saw used, and it's about 8 years old - I have used Uni's and I have to say I am VERY happy with this saw. DAGS on General 350 or TS in newsgroups and you'll find a wealth of posts. I think that General, like Bridgewood, doesn't always have people's attention and they get locked into Delta/PM/Griz/Jet when there ARE other GREAT tools out there.

I was in your situation, I did LOTS of checking looking and reading, and nobody had anything bad to say about the general. Not so with PM and Delta, much larger companies, and more out there, so that has to be taken into account, but I wanted to fly the Maple Leaf for General.

John Moorhead Lakeport, CA

[Ed]

I've been looking for a General 50-185 LM1 since Thanksgiving and the dealers answer is three to four weeks. Yesterday it was still three to four weeks. I think I'll drive to Canada next week and see if I can find one in Winsdor, Ont.