Replies

1. 
   SCFrankland | Nov 26, 2003 12:55am | #1

   Have one and love it. I wouldn't have any problems in telling you to buy one.

   Scott C. Frankland

   "This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"

2. 
   wjcargill | Nov 26, 2003 02:04am | #2

   I am strongly considering this saw as well, as an upgrade to my Rockwell/Beaver. I can't quite afford a quality cabinet saw at this point, so this seems to be the next best thing. Any other opinions on this saw would be appreciated.

3. 
   Dustmight | Nov 26, 2003 02:48am | #3

   Todd - The GI is an excellent saw and likely the best value available near that price range. The tolerances on the 50-185 are very tight and General is very good to deal with. I've always thought it was more comparable to the top models from Jet, Delta, and PM @ ~$850 than it is to most other saws in it's own price range. (FWW seemed to think it was better). The fence is among the best stock fences available. (It's made in association with Biesemeyer, and is more than just a knock off...it's about identical). It also has one of the best stock miter gauges you'll find on any saw...machined cast iron gauge and ball bearing adjustments on the guide bar. (It takes a while to work in the bar and miter slots, but is well worth it). The solid cast iron wings, dust pan, accessory rack, metal handwheels, metal throat plate, and dado insert just kinda cement the deal IMO. GI is working on improving their notorious manuals...pretty soon they'll be almost no complaints worth mentioning.

   Other saws that I think are worth considering for comparison purposes are the Bridgewood and Grizzly 0444Z. The downsides are mail order only and a one year warranty. The fences are good, but not as good as the General's. S/H can be high on the BW, and it comes standard w/one ci wing for $579....second wing adds $70. The new Ridgid doesn't seem to be a bad saw, and has some nice features, but the fence isn't on a par with the others and IMO is not as well built (thinner ci table surface, thinner sheet metal, and uses die cast zinc trunnions instead of cast iron - it weighs 13# less even with the built in lift....take off the lift and there's more like 25# weight difference.)

   You'd likely have to invest about a grand for a cabinet saw to get a significantly better saw than the GI. Good luck with your hunt!

1. 
   Toddr | Nov 26, 2003 04:59am | #4

   Scotty , thanks for all of the info. When I was looking at the General saw today, they plugged it in and let me run a couple pieces of oak through it. The 2hp motor sure is a huge difference from my Dewalt benchtop TS!! For the money it sure seems like a nice saw.I just wanted to get some more opinions. Thanks