Replies

1. 
   djpp | Apr 02, 2002 04:07am | #1

    I don't have the eighteen inch grizzly, I do have the sixteen inch grizz. At first i was very happy with it and it worked fine. It has ample power and is a hefty machine. Over time it has become loose and sloppy, requiring some simple modifacations. The table started slipping on me and sometimes it takes a superhuman effort to tune it after blade changes. It is not put together very well (fit & finish).   I wish to god I spent more money in the first place and saved a few headaches.

                                           just my humble opinion,

                                                  Dave

2. 
   TomFerreira | Apr 02, 2002 04:27am | #2

   I would never again buy Grizzly. I've had two of their machines and they are junk. Take a look at the Jet 18". I think Jet has come a long way. It's not top end but a good "chevy" of a tool. Remember (and I'll keep saying this guys...) Long after you've forgotten what you paid, your left with what you bought.

   TDF

3. 
   IronDog | Apr 02, 2002 03:02pm | #3

   Hi, I guess this might be a bit out of your price range but I bought a 16 SEC from Laguna and am very happy with it. I use it for resawing and invested in a carbide tipped blade. About 150 for the blade but it should last a nice long time.

   Laguna sometimes has scratch and dents or demo models for a few hundred off.

   Good luck!

   Tom

1. 
   tablesaw635 | Apr 03, 2002 12:54am | #4

   And now to hear from the used machine crowd:

   I just picked up a 16" Wallace (no longer made, mine dates from the early 50's) in great condition for $350.  It came with new tires, and has run like a gem from the get-go.  I've been working it pretty hard for about two weeks now, and I'm thrilled so far.  Time will tell how it works out, and on the flip side, parts availability could become a nightmare if something breaks, although I'm confident that my machinist friends could fabricate or fix pretty much anything I'd need.

   I'm not wholly a used machine advocate-- I've bought most of my tools new, waiting and saving until I could buy at a level of quality that I knew I'd appreciate in the long term, but I do have a couple of vintage machines that I'm thrilled with.  I got to inspect them closely and see them run before purchasing (they were in the area), and because they're older, I got a higher level of machine for the same amount of money that I would've spent on a brand-new entry level one.

   Just something to think about, have fun in your search.Chris Gleason

   Gleason Tableworks

   http://www.interestingfurniture.com

4. 
   Hophornbeam | Apr 03, 2002 06:15am | #5

   Just wanted to thank you guys for your imput. Good food for thought.

   Thanks.