Although this subject has been beaten to death, I’m going to ask everyone’s opinion again. I’m just completing building a detached 27′ x 24′ garage that will be my workshop, AND ONLY A WORKSHOP, that my wonderful wife allowed me to build. I finally have the space to fully enjoy a cabinet saw, and retire my DeWalt 744 except for outdoor projects.
Now, what are your suggestions, experiences? I know I want a 10″ on a mobile base. In the running: PowerMatic, Jet, Delta and General. I can buy each brand locally and with all of the horror stories relating to shipping damage, I’ll probably buy from a dealer that I can have a relationship with if I have questions or problems(yeh, I will have to pay sales tax). This will be something that will last a lifetime (and hopefully my grandson’s), so I want to get it right. Thanks in advance for your help!!!
Replies
Pete, heres what I know as of today -
Powermatic - Upper end Jet same great support service - Would be my first choice.
Delta - Last I heard they were 6 months behind in production trying to improve the QC problems. I'd give it some more time before recommending it. If you can find an older one then move it to the top of your list.
General - Can be in the same class as the Powermatics, (possibly above) if you find a good dealer who is willing to provide support directly.
Jet - Great customer service and support - A notch down from the Powermatic and Generals but still a great piece of equipment.
Mobile bases - Bolt it down on and isolation pad if possible but if the mobile base is a must you will notice that small vibrations are slightly amplified.
John
Just one clarification on mobile bases. The HTC type where the machine is always supported by the casters would fit your statement re: vibration. That's why I went with the Vega Machine Mover which uses a walking bar with wheels to lift one end. When it's down, it's down on the floor. I just added 3 1/4" oak beams across the base to raise the saw. What a back saver! I wish I had done that a long time ago.
John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
PS: BTW I have a Jet, Left-tilt cabinet saw, 50" fence. Beyond FS-Tools blades, I whole-heartedly recommend; 1st the Biesmeyer splitter and 2nd the Excalibur Overarm blade guard.
Edited 6/12/2002 3:53:54 PM ET by ELCOHOLIC
LOL.. not at you but because I have the same problem. I'm 6'4" and most of that is legs so I raise everything in my shop. My benches are to high for anyone else as well as my tools. Its even funnier when I hang a mirror or a picture. People that visit always complain of having stiff necks.John
I have a General 350 and it's a great saw. vibration is almost non-existent, and i have it on a mobile base (it passes the dime test with no problems). my saw is around 20-30 years old, and is still running like new and has held excellent tolerances after going through 4 production cabinet shops. i think that says a lot for their quality. hope this helps
HI Andrew
Whats the dime test??????
I've heard of the nickle test, but since an American dime dosen't stand on end.
I'm wondering what The Dime test is?????????
John G
This is the test you have heard of.................this saw is a Dewalt 746
Anyone that wouldn't stand behind a shipping damaged product pobably won't be in business much longer. Keep in mind, the saw is still shipped to the local shop and, if you drop it ...
I think he was saying that he didn't want any out of the box problems. Its been my experience that these are much easier to resolve when you buy from a local dealer. However, if I drop it and break it then it is my fault and I wouldn't expect anyone to pay for my mistakes.Steve - in Northern California
Go big or stay at home.
I'm gettin the grizzly 12 inch as soon as I deliver this damn Delta to it's new owner. Sure the local dealer will help me with it, he sure knows how to get here, he's been here enough. As for the Grizzly 's I gotten only one wasn't perfect out of the crate. a phone call and everything was made perfect. I know I run a lot more wood thru them then most do by a lot.
But your experiance may be differant. objects in the mirror are closer than they appear close cover before striking....
Indianapolis Pete,
If you are looking for "top of the line", just consider the Powermatic 66 and the General 350. Both are available in left or right tilt.
I have a 5HP left-tilt PM66 and love it. A friend of mine who swore by his Delta Unisaw for years just "traded up" to a PM 66.
The Jet is a good machine, but is not in the same class as teh PM and General machines.
I have heard that service from General can be less than desired, so buy from a dealer than can support it.
In the US, you can often get teh General for less than the PM due to the Canadian exchange rate. That might save you $300-$400 US.
By the way, Powermatic is not the "upper-end" Jet. Jet DOES NOT own Powermatic. There is a holding compnay that owns both. They combined the support services into one and it is excellent.
Mike
I bought a 5 hp Unisaw 5 years ago and have had no problem with it after hard hobbyist use. I've resawn lots of old heavly timber with it. Mind you, I don't think any Delta machinery is good enough forheavy commercial use, but the Unisaw is an exception. Good value for the money, and I've always had good luck with Delta service. If I say a part is bad, they ship a new one, no questions asked. As for shipping damage, there was none because it was packed in a heavy wood crate.
BTW, the Unifence is great for small shops where you have need to frequently remove the fence, for example when you have a router table hung off the extension table and the fence collides with router fence, forcing you to move one or the other. The length of Unisaw fence can be changed so this doesn't happen. I wouldn't want it for daily pro use, however because moving left of blade takes a bit too long.
Design criticism: the dust removal door on the right side under extension table is a pain to clean out. This is a hands and knees job So why on earth don't the put the dust door on back or other side? In fact, I think most saws are like this.
If you drop the fence, it is toast. Mine fell off a wall hook and fence bar got bent, a hundred dollar mistake.
If money weren't an issue, I would go with Power or General, that are a bit heavier built but only a couple hundred difference, I think.
Dave
I bought a Unisaw in 1998 and it sure isn't what it's forefathers were. If I were to buy a saw today I'd consider the 66, the General, or the new slider at http://WWW.LAGUNATOOLS.COMRichard James Tolzman
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