From FWW #244 (Tools & Shops 2015)
By Roland Johnson
Street price: $1050
Motor (HP): 2
Resaw capacity: 10 in.
Ease of blade changes: Good
Ease of guide adjustments: Good
Guide-post alignment: Very good
Guide-post rigidity: Good
Dust collection: Fair
Fence: Excellent
Resaw cuts: Very good
Curve cuts: Very good

Great two-position fence changes over quickly. Table height is perfect for detail work. Base cabinet provides convenient storage for blades and gear.

From FWW #193 (September/October 2007)
By Thomas McKenna
The Grizzly G0457 saw has plenty of resaw power and capacity. The fit and finish are great. The wheel covers are hinged, and they slide off easily so you have greater access to the interior and you don’t hit your head on a corner (don’t ask) when the door drifts closed. Dust collection works well, though installing a blade is tough. The tension is easy to set and adjust, with an intuitive quick-release mechanism. The tracking knobs are a good size. The tall fence included with the saw slides smoothly, locks surely, and is great for resawing. Curve cuts were no problem, and resaw cuts were of fine quality.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

DeWalt 735X Planer

At high speed, the planer works fast and leaves a smooth surface. But the slower, finish speed produces an almost glass-smooth surface. Knife changes are easy.

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Makita LS1219L Miter Saw

This is the saw I want in my shop. For one, it’s easy to use. All of the controls are easy to reach and manipulate, and the glide mechanism is both robust and smooth. The handle works well for righties and lefties. Then there are added bonuses that no other saw has. For instance, its hold-down is superb, as it can move to different locations, hinges for a greater range of coverage, and actually holds down the work. In addition, the saw has two points of dust collection, letting it firmly beat the rest of the field. The one downside was the saw’s laser, which was so faint we had to turn off the shop lights to see it. Still, all these pluses in a package that fits tight to the wall? That’s a winner for me.

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Ridgid R4331 Planer

Priced nearly $300 less than the DeWalt 735X, the Ridgid R4331 is an excellent value. Its three-knife cutterhead left wonderfully clean surfaces on plainsawn white oak and white pine. It did not perform nearly as well on curly maple as the 735X.

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