Replies

1. 
   CJH | Jul 18, 2005 06:11am | #1

   I'm a newbie on these forums and am in a similar situation as you. You should type the model names of all of these saws into the search function here as well as over on the Knots forum. Lots of good information. Google will also help, especially if you include "forum" and/or "review" in your search. You may have already done this, but I see this is your first post on this forum so I thought I'd mention it anways.

   Good luck and let us know what you decide. If you're anything like me, the more you learn the more difficult the decision will become.

2. 
   Dustmight | Jul 18, 2005 04:45pm | #2

   The DW746 typically gets higher marks than the Jet SS.  That said, neither has a great fence for this price range, or a full cabinet.  The Jet has received criticism for the fence, lack of power, and for problems with the height adjust mechanism.  There are now three newer hybrids that offer Biesemeyer fences and a full cabinet....the Craftsman 22124, General International 50-220CM1, and the Delta 36-717.  Workbench reviewed the 22124, Jet SS, DW 746 and GI 50-220 and picked the 22124 as best with the GI as best buy.  The 22124 actually has cabinet mounted trunnions like a cabinet saw, and gets very positive reviews from owners and often goes on sale at very attractive prices. 

   In April I sold an excellent GI 50-185 contractor saw in favor of a 22124 and am very pleased with the added stability, ease of blade adjustment due to the cabinet mounted trunnions, improved DC, smaller footprint, the fence and even the stock Leitz blade.

   Good luck!

   http://www.epinions.com/content_184778395268

    

    

1. 
   CJH | Jul 18, 2005 10:42pm | #3

   Sorry for the threadjack...Have you by any chance shifted the rails on your 22124 to the right? I need at least 47.5" right side rip capacity for my business and don't really want to pay full price for the saw and have to buy new rails - it's already priced close enough to a cabinet saw as is and I don't know if I can wait until the next sale.I know I have read a post on this but cannot find it. I believe the RSRC was only bumped up to 44" but I want to double check.Thanks.

1. 
   Dustmight | Jul 19, 2005 12:03am | #4

   HI Chris - No I haven't shifted the rails....don't really have the space and haven't had the need yet. Will consider doing it when the need arises. There's alot of rip capacity to the left and I never move the fence over there other than to get it out of the way w/o taking it off. It looks fairly straight forward....it's possible some drilling would be required, and you'll want a new tape rule for it.

   Edited 7/18/2005 6:13 pm ET by knot scott

3. 
   kellyanderson | Jul 23, 2005 03:40am | #5

   I have SS and love it.  The only thing I would say is get the one with the Xata fence.  The original fence on mine moved on me during a rip cut.  That was not a good time.  My distributor got Jet to replace it with the Xata and I love it.  They had some problems with the belt on the higth adjustment when they first came out but that seems to have been worked out,  mine has a Gates brand (automotive) belt and I have had no problems.  Also there is a group on yahoo for the SS,  and they get information from Dewalt and other brand users too for comparsion.

1. 
   polarsea1 | Aug 18, 2005 10:54am | #6

   I don't have one but given the choice I would go with the DW and the sliding table.

1. 
   dave15 | Aug 20, 2005 02:08am | #7

   Thanks for your response.  Any particular reason you favor the DW over the JetSS and 22124?

   Dave

1. 
   polarsea1 | Aug 20, 2005 03:39am | #8

   Dave, I like Jet Tools but I have heard. and this is just second hand, that the slider is better on the Dewalt. I would go to Woodnet and do a search on both the machines. I haven't really heard any strong negatives about either. (Other than the fact they aren't PM66s or Uno-who-saws). I've heard nice things about the Craftsman but my preference for a even a small sliding table would put me on one of the other two.

1. 
   Knotscott | Aug 20, 2005 06:23am | #9

   A slider can be added to most saws. I've heard of more than one person adding the DW slider to a Griz cabinet saw. If you want a slider, you don't necessarily have to buy the saw with it.

2. 
   polarsea1 | Aug 20, 2005 06:55am | #10

   That's perfectly true Scotty, I've got a slider on my Jet contractor's saw. I was making that observation about the saws that he mentioned. I would rather buy a saw with a slider that is intended and engineered for that saw than add one later. Just my opinion.

4. 
   stanleyj2 | Aug 20, 2005 12:56pm | #11

   Dave:

   I have the Dewalt 746 saw equipped with cast iron extensions and a mobile base.  I build everything but furniture and am very happy with this saw.  The saw is very stable with no vibration on my concrete basement floor.  I use a CMT brand 8" dado and combination blades and am very happy with those also.

   Stan