Replies

1. 
   dukeone | Jan 14, 2007 06:59am | #1

   W.T.: I've have the DeWalt 746 which has been trouble free and has done everything I've asked it to do. A bit underpowered but I don't think you can get 3HP for your price range. FWW had a large round up of "mid-size" table saws in issue # 167. Duke

   "... Buy the best and only cry once.........

2. 
   bones | Jan 14, 2007 07:14am | #2

   You can have a cabinet saw. The Grizzly 1023 is an excellent saw. I've had mine for a couple years now and would not hesitate to get it again. It's an excellent choice solid and you would not regret it. What ever you go with good luck and have fun.  It's a $1,068 delivered. 

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/G1023S

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
3. 
   Omah | Jan 14, 2007 07:45am | #3

   Ditto on the grizzly. Take a look on they're web site.

4. 
   Knotscott | Jan 14, 2007 03:05pm | #4

   Your price range almost puts you into a full cabinet saw, assuming you've got 220v. If not, I think a hybrid offers several advantages over a contractor saw...no outboard motor issues.

   I'm really happy with my Craftsman 22124. It goes on sale for $800 often. Steel City has a very similar version for about that....both from Orion. Both have the cabinet mounted trunnions, and a Biese fence (or clone). 425# of mass make it really stable too.

   The Grizzly G0478 hybrid is in your price range too. It has a clone of a the Biese homeshop fence.

   http://www99.epinions.com/content_184778395268

   
   

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   Edited 1/14/2007 7:06 am ET by Knotscott

1. 
   Hanmol | Jan 16, 2007 06:38am | #14

   I've owned a Craftsman hybrid cabinet saw for about 2 years and run it from 110V without a problem. I looked at quite a few brands before making my purchase. My other saw is a high end 240V Delta. I prefer the Cratftsman for its accuracy, power and extra features such as a swing up outfeed table and a clamping mitre gage worth $150 or more if purchased as an add on for other brands. It cuts through 4/4 maple like butter. The Bese fence is parallel to the blade and the scale is accurate to 1/64". I purchased my Craftsman for $800, but have noted that some have found bargans for less than $600. Loaded it on a trailer and set it up in my shop by my 75 year old self. I do not understand what feature I would be getting with another make at three times the price. (I have a craftsman 15" 2 hp lathe under warranty and have been very pleased by the service from Sears.) The clowns who set up tools at Sears stores do not understand how to display and sell fine woodworking machinery.

5. 
   ChipTam | Jan 14, 2007 05:04pm | #5

   I have two used unisaws (both Rockwell vintage from the early 1970's).  One was purchased about 25 years ago for $700.  The other was purchased last year for $650.  I think these are a better bet than some of the newer alternatives.  Just my opinion.

   ChipTam

6. 
   stevemorris | Jan 14, 2007 05:10pm | #6

   i just got a ridgid 3650 table saw

   love it, but its also the biggest saw ive ever used on a regular basis

   great value

7. 
   forestgirl | Jan 14, 2007 06:17pm | #7

   Pass on the contractor's saw!!!  There's the Grizzly 1023S cabinet saw, or if you just can't squeak out the $$ for that, a hybrid saw.  The Craftsman "ZIP Code" saw is possibly the best bang for the buck in hybrid saws.  Plenty of people out there who can report their experiences with one, just ask.  The design is head-over-heels better than contractors saw.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

8. 
   RonInOttawa | Jan 14, 2007 10:49pm | #8

   If you don't have 220V, and/or just can't swing the extra $250 for the Grizzly, you should look at a hybrid. For my money, the best hybrid out there now is the SteelCity.

   Regards,

9. 
   wiskytango | Jan 14, 2007 11:39pm | #9

   What value to you all put on the Biesemeyer fence? Or has the other fences pretty much just started duplicating the Biesemeyer.

1. 
   Knotscott | Jan 15, 2007 01:17am | #11

   The Biese is a great fence, but a fence with the Biesemeyer name has no functional advantage over a clone or copy of a similar design. The copies from Grizzly, Jet, PM, GI, Steel City and others are very good....That's not to say there aren't minor differences, but they all get good reports. General's version is extremely close. Resale value will likely be higher with the Biese.

   Edited 1/14/2007 6:27 pm ET by Knotscott

10. 
    DJK | Jan 15, 2007 12:05am | #10

    Unless you live on an island in the pacific and can't get to the mainland, you should purchase a used saw even a contractor saw. I've sold rebuilt Unisaws that run on 115/230 v for less than $800. Like to have some of them back.

    DJK

11. 
    oldusty | Jan 15, 2007 07:11am | #12

    wiskytango,

                 I would agree with post # 6 chip tam's advice to try and find a used Unisaw or even a Powermatic in working condition , usually $600 - $1,000 dollars will buy a vintage work horse with several lives left to serve .

                  whiskey tango foxtrot

                                      good luck   dusty

     

    
    

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    Edited 1/15/2007 12:37 am ET by oldusty

12. 
    try50772 | Jan 16, 2007 05:09am | #13

    Grizzly 1023 Rt or left. You will never regret it unless you move around a lot, and I mean from home to home.