Yet another table saw post...

[glyford]

I too purchased the 50-185. I got mine about 6 months ago from Bath Industrial Sales in W. Bath, ME rather than mail order so that I could look at it in person. I needn't have bothered, everything I read about it here was true: it's the same saw for the same price as the powermatic, but with larger handwheels, a nicer miter gage, and a real Bies fence. Looked the same as the Delta and Shopfox (Grizzly's line to resellers) as well. As he was ringing it up, the clerk indicated that it was their most popular saw, to the point where they had trouble keeping it in stock.

It went together perfectly right out of the box, but the instructions left something to be desired (again, just like everyone else has said). I have added a ZCI and a WWII and am very happy with it, it's done everything I've asked of it flawlessly. I love the fence and the cast iron wings. It easily passes the standing nickel test, so I have yet to bother getting billet pulleys or a powertwist belt. I'd definitely make this purchase again.

--Glenn Lyford

[RonB]

Agree with both of Bob's comments. I purchased a Powermatic 54A jointer about a year ago knowing full and well of its eastern origin. Nevertheless it is a fine machine that is worthy of the yellow paint job. I did have some issues with the owners manual but apparently it originates in the good old USA.

Do Not - I repeat, do not purchase a saw or other major tool based on catalogue info. Touch the machines you are interested in and use the internet for users opinions. In addition to Amazon and other suppler sites there are some sites that offer independent reviews (for example:

Granted, some user reviews are colored by emotion but several of these folks provide good, feature-oriented reviews. Also, a few suppliers, like Grizzly, will provide the phone numbers of one or two users in your general area. This gives you the opportunity to talk with a user and actually view the product if not available in a store.

Any major toy, ('er tool) purchase is worthy of our research and personal conclusions. To that end, it is our responsibility to serve ourselves.

RonB

[Frank Boettcher]

Difficult and moving rapidly toward impossible.

I don't care if it's

I would be

Taiwan is better, but not because of ISO. ISO does not insure a quality product. ISO just says that you have a system that meets their minimum standards and then they audit you periodically to see if you follow the system. The system does not have to be relevant to your product and my experience is that the auditors nit pick things that are not relevant when they do their audits.

Taiwan is better because they have been doing it longer and we taught them how to do it. We, (and the Taiwanese broker/owners) will eventually teach the Chinese how to do it. And you and I will be in a service and and government transfer payment economy.

"The only way to create true wealth in terms of GDP growth is to take something that is mined or grown and add value to it" Dr. Green, Dean of the School of Business, USM, 1975.

Frank

[Longfellow]

Thanks to all who responded!

There are indeed many options out there.

One of the newsgroups in which I lurk is rec.photo.35mm.equipment. Discussions of various brands of particular gear is both topical and... well, entertaining, I guess;) In comparing optics, it was said that there is more variation within a batch of lenses made by a given manufacturer than there is between those of the same specs by different manufactures. The general conclusion seemed to be that the more one paid, the less chance one had of getting a poorly made item, but that (except for Leicas, perhaps) the chance was always there.

Perhaps thats fair to say of most stuff, including table saws.

The small manufacturers probably have a better chance of maintaining real quality because of a lower rate of output means the possibility of a tighter, more quality oriented, manufacturing staff. Don't know, tho.

Clearly, overseas manufacture can be problematic, but I've seen really bad stuff made right here in the USA (automobiles come to mind...), so made American is not a guarantee. Brands owned by foreign manufacturing conglomerates typically do not represent dependable quality, and I get the impression this may be the case with most, if not all, traditionally US table saw manufacturers. Powermatic is long gone, and apparently now so is Delta.

It occurs to me that brands from other countries, especially smaller less high profile outfits, are much less likely to have been squeezed into compliance by a bottom-line oriented ownership. General Internation may be one of those.

Grizzly, IIUC, does not itself manufacture, but is very picky about the factories it buys from and demands a relatively high level of quality control.

I do know that Ryobi has a reputation for shoddy stuff, and so would expect that to perculate into Ridgid. I've read through several opinion sites, and found that the most recent opinions of several brands, Ridgid and Powermatic included, are markedly different from earlier posts. Talking years here: posts from 1999 to 2002/3 versus 2004/5.

If medical expenses hereabouts are reduced as expected, a new table saw is on the near horizon. I'll post here when (God forbid, not if) that happens.

Thanks again all!

Longfellow

[J]

Actually for tablesaws that is not particularly true. The design differences between saws ARE substantial, and as for achieving tolerances the saws are adjustable (even the best saw needs its alignment checked after shipping). For tablesaws you pay more for higher quality materials, higher quality machining, better electrical components. These contribute to longer life of the saw, easier adjustment and bragging rights, but you can get the same output (quality of cut) out of a moderately priced saw as you can from an expensive one.

[Longfellow]

Ah, okay. I should have thought that one through better.

Thanks for setting me straight!

Longfellow

[Andy]