Unisaw X5?

Aug 24, 2008 13 Replies

What is the difference between the X5 version on the non-X5 model of the Unisaw? I'm finally in a position to buy a table saw [*] and the Unisaw is in the price range that didn't make SWMBO flinch, much. Is the difference ($500) significant?



Is there another saw I should be looking at? I considered Grizzly, as well. A Grizzly would save another $500.



Comments?


[*] I "retired" (though still working) a couple of years ago and moved from the frozen North and a couple of weeks from closing on a house in Alabama. I delayed buying a table saw for years because I didn't like the idea of hauling one into the basement and then back out.

I'd seriousely consider the "New" Unisaw that will be abailable early next year, the Saw Stop less expensive cabinet saw soon to be available, or Powermatic 2000.

The newer saws will be some what more expensive except fot the new SawStop cabinet saw, IIRC the 3 I mentioned above will be in the same price range. All 3 of the ones I mentioned will have riving knives as a minimum for safety features.

The X5 Unisaw was originally introduced as a package that offered a few differentiating features such as machined steel crank handles, chromed lock knobs but there were no differences mechanically or with the motor and guts. X5 was a package that offered a packaged price for the saw, fence, premium blade,and some free goods choices and some discounts onitems from other cooperating manufacturers. Additionally, the saw was warranted for five years, at the time unique.

It was originally introduced in the fall of 2002 or 03, I believe, a package that would only go a year or two, but Delta no longer had the Tupelo facility or the Pittsburgh marketing people to drive new marketing packages so it remains in force to this day there being nothing to replace it.

The difference you quote ($500) does not seem accurate, are you sure you are not comparing a cabinet saw model to the Unisaw? Generally speaking the X5 package was the lower priced option between true Unisaws because it was the highest volume unit.

However, things may have changed.

Welcome to the South.

Frank

Eh? Do you mean the Sawstop contractor saw that costs as much as a Unisaw with just stamped steel wings and crappy fence?

No, SawStop is coming out with a new pro line vs. commercial line cabinet saw. It is suppose to compete in price with the PM 2000, and the NEW Unisaw.

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wouldn't wait months to save a couple hundred bucks. Better to buy the better saw before the price goes up if you're willing to spend $3K

"Leon" wrote

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has sold 13,000 saws to date. They must be doing something right.

Hmm, I wonder if that's still true. Strange.

According to

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the X5 with Biesemeyer fence (36-L51X-BC50) is $2250, while the non-X5 (36-L51) is about $1600. I'm not so interested in the 5HP motor but these two models were as close to apples:apples as I could find.

Thank you. So far so good, well except for Fay. It took down the rock wall at the house we're buying. I didn't think it would stand long anyway, so I guess that's a good thing.

Somehow I think the new Unisaw will be substantially more expensive. The prices I've seen for the Powermatic are, as well. I don't know anything about Saw Stop.

I liked the demo of the riving knives on the new Unisaw in the video that was liked here a few days ago.

Read it carefully. The 36-L51 is "shown with optional ..... fence system". The BC50 in the X5 indicates the fence system is included.

For your use in comparing model numbers, 36 indicates Unisaw base, L indicates left tilt, 5 indicates 5HP, 1 indicates single phase, BC50 or U50 indicates either Biesemeyer or Unifence 50" capacity. If it doesn't have the BC50 or U50 or 30's indicating a thirty inch capacity fence, then the fence is an added cost option.

Good luck with your shopping

Frank

There are only two Unisaws, the left tilt version and the right tilt version.

Evertyhing else is window dressing, motor HP, voltage, phase, stickers, fence options and promo's.

David.

Yikes! I did miss that.

Ah! I'd decoded some of that, but it makes much more sense now. Thank you!

Thanks. It appears I have more homework to do. At least I have the teacher's answer book now. ;-)

Thanks. I should have guessed because I couldn't see any real difference. I don't think there is anywhere to actually touch these things around here.

National Woodworks, Inc., in Birmingham, is selling their assets via an online auction. Sale ends Sept 8, 2008.

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'm considering a few items.

Sonny

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