Replies

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 21, 2002 04:12pm | #1

   Just bringing this back to the top.

2. 
   Andrew | Sep 21, 2002 06:33pm | #2

   Don, they usually go for $2400 up here, but i frequently see them at ww shows for $2300.

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 21, 2002 06:44pm | #3

   Thanks Andrew. If this is all correct, I could get a General in Canada for less then $1600 US. Is that worth looking into? I go up to Windsor for plasters a couple of times a year, and for the US dollars, the Ontario sales tax is usually omitted if I pay in Greenback cash. Hmmmm.

   Don

1. 
   Adrian | Sep 21, 2002 08:38pm | #4

   C. $2200-2300 in the east.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 22, 2002 01:18am | #5

   I was offered a General International for $1599 plus a $35 delivery charge to the US and they take care of the border paperwork. Dave's Woodworking in Chatam. This I'm told is a Millenium with 50 inch fence and table. What do you think compared to to a Delta, I pick up for $1699 with the same plus blade and mobile stand?

   Don

1. 
   Biscardi | Sep 22, 2002 04:02am | #6

   I went over a General once. The fit and finish were absolutely lovely- a wonderful tool.

   Frank

   PS is this the 3 or 2 hp saw?

2. 
   riverr1 | Sep 22, 2002 04:16am | #7

   Frank,

   It's a 3 hp. What I want to know is if the General and General International are the same machines, different names? I called about the Milenium, but was responded to with a General International. Best I can tell is the Milenium is only a General saw, not General International. If they are not the same, what effect does that have on the quality and price. The sales rep tells me the difference is scale units, inches and metric. If so, why do so many take the time and effort to point out if something is an General or General Int.? I'm not that familiar with the company to know. I have only heard good things about General though. I don't feel what I hear about the international is quite as positive.

   Don

3. 
   Hempstalk | Sep 22, 2002 05:24am | #8

   General is Canadian made.  General International is made overseas and is just a import line their using the General name on.  Trying to cover the entire scope of woodworkers I guess.  General International tools in my opinion are no where close to the quality of the Canadian made General tools.  General totally redesigned their saw recently and I think that is the millennium saw.  Very nice saw.

4. 
   Adrian | Sep 22, 2002 03:46pm | #9

   Yeah, exactly....the international line, though, according to the company, is made to higher specs than some of the other international stuff from other companies. You can believe it or not; I've looked at a few pieces, and they are rougher than the Canadian versions, but they look like decent quality (I think some of those Taiwanese machines are really underrated).

   For the price Don mentioned though if I'm reading him right), that should be a Canadian made 350, not an International whcih has a different model number.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

5. 
   riverr1 | Sep 22, 2002 04:59pm | #10

   Thanks everyone. I have to say I'm disappointed in what I have found out. For what they are asking, that would put this saw at almost $2600 Canadian. As Adrian said, noticeable more then what the going price is for the General, let alone the General International. Fortunately there is more then one General dealer in Canada. No one has had anything bad to say about the General saws yet.

   Don

3. 
   riverr1 | Sep 23, 2002 07:32am | #11

   Richard,

   The 2600 was Canadian. I've only talked to one place in Canada so far, and I less then pleased with all the info I've had come my way concerning the deal they offered and for a machine which was not what I asked for. I might end up with the Uni or PM if this keeps up. Thanks.

   Don

1. 
   Adrian | Sep 23, 2002 04:13pm | #12

   Just checked a couple of flyers....not this month current, but pretty close. A 350 Millenium, 3 HP, 50" fence, (includes ext. table and legs, and a blade), is (was?) $2299...they usually go for about a hundred more than a Unisaw. That was an advertised price; may move a little, maybe not. Two sources in the east: Fundy Grinding in Truro, and J.A Normand, in Quebec....web search on those names will turn up the contact info.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 23, 2002 05:00pm | #13

   Good morning Adrian. I just spoke to another dealer in Windsor where I can get the Canadian made Millenium saw, 50" with extension table, 3 hp and blade for $1500 US. Add a mobile stand and that works out to be the same price as the limited edition Delta Unisaw. Not one person I have corresponded with has told me the Delta is as good or a better saw and that's from a lot of Delta owners.

   Don

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 24, 2002 12:49am | #14

   Adrian and all,

   Spoke to Dave's Woodworking again today and got things straightened out. I bought a 450, the same as the Millenium 350 but left tilt for $1599 delivered to the states. I spoke to a local dealer here in the states that had the saw for $1899 and he said he couldn't touch the price I was getting. Thanks everyone.

   Don

1. 
   AlanTurner | Sep 24, 2002 12:55am | #15

   Is this at all related to the fact that you are buying a Canadian saw from a Canadien reseller?  The Liegh Dovetail Jig sell for $389 or $399 in all of the US catalogues, but Lee Valley/Veritas, a Canadien company, has the D-4 for $339.  Pretty staggering difference, it seems to me.  Don't see how it could be related to exchange rates, but I do not claim knowledge on such a subject.  Anyone else notice this pricing difference in other CAnadien made tools?

2. 
   riverr1 | Sep 24, 2002 01:42am | #16

   s4s,

   This is exactly related to the exchange rate along with trucking, marketing, etc. I also think that one of the problems is a lot of US dealers of Canadian products have to buy through an importerbroker and have to buy at their price, not the manufacturers. For those that live along the borders, take advantage of it. I buy a lot of decorative plasters in Canada. $70 to $80 a gallon here, and $45 to $55 for the same plaster there. When buying 40 or 50 gallons, that adds up fast! If you go to Canada and spend that $339 Canadian in US dollars, you will spend about $220 US for it.

   Don

   PS...BTW, I'm told no sales tax either.

   Edited 9/23/2002 6:45:34 PM ET by Don C.

   Edited 9/23/2002 6:53:30 PM ET by Don C.

3. 
   AlanTurner | Sep 24, 2002 02:45pm | #17

   Just to calarify, it was $339, USD.  Unfortunately.

4. 
   petersenpete | Sep 24, 2002 03:56pm | #18

   Don,

   I think you mean the 650 left-tilter.  I just bought it in Indianapolis at Superior Woodworking.  The list price is 1,899 but they sold it to me for 1,799.  It was down to either it or the PM 66 and I just liked the feel of the General better.  Man that 3 hp baldor motor hummmmms.  I'm putting the finishing touches on my dust collection system so I should be making sawdust soon.  Also, I bought they're 1/3 hp air cleaner.  It was $289.  I little more expensive than the Delta, Jet or JDS but it has a heftier motor.  Now all I need to do is decide on which 8" jointer to buy......."He who is not busy being born, is busy dying."  Bob Dylan