Replies

1. 
   riverr1 | Feb 01, 2003 06:51am | #1

   Toad,

   I have a 350, but I'm not sure what you're asking. All 3 are good saws. I just thought the General was on par with, and even better then the PM for less money. I picked mine up in Canada so it was even a lot less money. With NAFTA, no duty.

   The saws are hand assembled from start to finish by the same person, or so I was told. That person knows the saw inside and out, and makes all the adjustments flawlessly. Even after shipping, I didn't have a single adjustment to make. The wings are shimmed and installed at the factory. Seemless fit. That might be a hinderance if the saw is to go down basement stairs. The General miter gauge is a stock gauge which isn't much, but still better and heftier then the others. Baldor motor. I'm not sure I'm correct on this, but the trunion on the General is like the PM's except it has a wing on each end on both sides and is bolted to the cabinet with 4 more bolts. I'm writing that based on pictures that I can verify to be PM beyond being told that the picture was of a PM. The directions for the Fence and saw weren't the best, but for the saw itself, the only thing to do was hook it up to power. The saw comes with a better then average combination blade. It's a much better color! ;-) Also, I didn't get this, but they are now polishing their tops to show that the quality of the casting is every bit as good as the PM. While looking the castings over, I could not find a single area in the rough casting I thought should have gotten a better grinding job. Not a single burr. Etc. etc. etc.

   Not sure what else I can tell you. Definetely the least amount of backlash of the 3 saws. Actually, none you can feel but still moves smooth as silk.

   Don

2. 
   Lar55 | Feb 01, 2003 07:01am | #2

   Toad,

   Like Don C. I also have the General 350 and have no complaints.  The saw has performed flawlessly over the past 1.5 years that I've had it.  I'd agree with what Don C. said on the technicalities of the saw.  I looked at the Powermatic and Delta and had a hard time deciding.  All 3 are great saws from what I've heard from folks who have them.  I'm very happy with the General and glad I have it.

   Good Luck,

   Lar

3. 
   jako17 | Feb 01, 2003 08:19pm | #3

   I've had my General 350 with an Excalibur fence on it since 1987 and I use it professionally .The only parts I've replaced have been bearings and belts 2 years ago .It did not really need the bearings but I felt they were humming slightly and for 25 bucks who cares .One belt was split and stretched so it was on one belt! I find General (not GI  ) machinery to be excellent if a little low tech.But there again "pay little ,get rubbish".  If possible I try to buy good equipment then work it really hard.Any dealings I've had with General have been good When the diecast locking lever on the shaper broke a new one was received in the mail in 3 days with a note asking me to return the broken piece to them to look at.

4. 
   mbosadchuk | Feb 01, 2003 08:38pm | #4

   I've had General 350 w/ 3hp for about 5 years, and like the others who have so far posted, have been very satisfied:  lots of power, little vibration, great alignment, sturdy fence. Incidentally, one of the options, is a 5 hp motor.

   Out of curiosity, what state/province do you live in, and what prices are you being quoted on the three machines?

1. 
   toad | Feb 02, 2003 07:05am | #5

   Prices vary quite a bit.  Mostly near $1900.  Found one mail order joint in Fl for $1400 delivered to my door.  I live in St. Louis area.

   I thought the General looked like a well made piece of equipment.  Delta's quality has generally dropped off in recent years.  PM is also very good.  Thanks for your input

1. 
   riverr1 | Feb 02, 2003 07:18am | #6

   Where in Fl. did you find the saw for that price? Just some friendly advice, but make sure the saw is the millenium edition.

   Don

1. 
   toad | Feb 02, 2003 07:25am | #7

   it was an ebay deal who represented themselves as a wholesaler.  Needless to say, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.  I'm going to WW show next w/e to check them all out.  Will probably pay extra to buy local....

   se la vie!

1. 
   toad | Feb 02, 2003 07:27am | #8

   it's called utterguys.com.  Does not appear to be Millenium editon.

2. 
   riverr1 | Feb 02, 2003 07:42am | #9

   Toad,

   I went and looked at the saw. It is a General International. Not a bad saw at that price either. Since they only have one, it may be a close out. ???

   Don

3. 
   jako17 | Feb 02, 2003 10:32am | #10

   I hope you are aware that General International is a company owned by General that has it's machinary made in Tiewan and conseqentley the price and quality are significantly different to General tools made in Quebec

5. 
   DennisS | Feb 03, 2003 04:04am | #11

   When shopping for my new cabinet saw, General was at the top of the list. The trunnions, as was described in another message, are better supported than on the Delta. The finish on the top is far superior to the Delta. None the less, I don't have a local General dealer and for the kind of money I was spending, I wanted to make eye contact with a real person so I bought Delta from my local, trusted saw shop.

   The Delta will do everything I need it to and for my current and probable forseeable future will continue to do so. But once home and assembled (I had to install the wings and found the table somewhat warped but managed to horse the wings flush), I judge from the replies you've received thus far, the General is a better built piece of equipment. Not General International, but the line of General tools built in Canada.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

6. 
   user-108033 | Feb 03, 2003 06:52pm | #12

   Toad,

   I have a 5hp General 350 Millennium Edition that I got last October. I got the 5hp because it was only $100 more than the 3hp.   All I can say is ditto to what the others have said.  It came fully assembled bolted to a pallet, all I had to do was install the fence and extension table, add power, and start to make sawdust.   If you're looking for power, this is your machine.  The Baldor motor is as silky-smooth as they come.  I put on a WWII blade, and a Freud superdado set, and I am 100% satisfied that I will never need to buy another saw.  The dealers may be few and far between, but if a 350 made it out of their factory, it has been tested to make sure it meets their specs already.  

   Also, I've never seen a negative comment about a General 350 made by a person who owns one.

   Paul

1. 
   richtes | Feb 03, 2003 06:59pm | #13

   I bought a used General 350 (not Int'l) with a Para-lock fence from a guy in my town and have been very happy with it. No complaints at all.

   It has a Leeson motor, but a new one I saw at a show had a Baldor.

   Rich

2. 
   unTreatedwood | Feb 03, 2003 09:43pm | #14

   I just spent some time on the web trying to locate a vendor here in the States.  Who sells these?  Where can I get some info on this?

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Feb 03, 2003 09:58pm | #15

   big bob

      Sorry to but in. I looked at General here in Atlanta. Had no clue we even had a dealer. Go to their web-site and hit the US thang and then distributors. It will ask you where you're at and show the nearest dealer to you.

      I am happy with my old modified TS, but if I ever buy a new one, make mine General. Especially since I discovered we have the dealer about 45 minutes away here in Atlanta.

   http://www.general.ca

   Have a good day...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   unTreatedwood | Feb 04, 2003 03:49am | #16

   great. thanks.

2. 
   DennisS | Feb 04, 2003 07:49am | #18

   Looking for a General dealer? Location doesn't matter?

   Try http://www.barbomachinery.com in Portland OR. I bought a Powermatic lathe from them at a recent WW show in Seattle. Wasn't keen on buying from a dealer out of state but - had a problem with the remote kill switch and they jumped on it. Even though Powermatic sent them the wrong switch (grin).

   Ask for Rand Robinson if you call and feel free to tell them Dennis (the lathe guy in Seattle) sent you. Rand's a pretty savvy guy but does have the 'salesman hype' profile.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   unTreatedwood | Feb 04, 2003 09:25pm | #22

   great website.   thanks.  I added it to favorites.

   bb

3. 
   WoodChuc1 | Feb 04, 2003 09:49am | #19

   big bob,

   Here are a few places that carry General machinery.

   http://store.yahoo.com/woodsmithstore/general.html

   http://www.brentwoodmachine.com/Merchant/bmshome3.html

   http://www.toolsplus.com/

   Bill B.

1. 
   Adrian | Feb 04, 2003 03:15pm | #20

   More of the same....I have a 350 in my shop, a 350 and a 14" General in my school shop, and plenty of General green machines of other types in both. Top of their class as far as I'm concerned.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing

2. 
   unTreatedwood | Feb 04, 2003 08:58pm | #21

   checked it out.  That's what I was looking for.  Thanks.

7. 
   mtr | Feb 04, 2003 06:36am | #17

   I don't own a 350 but I have two other General machines.  I have the model 130 14 inch planer and the model 26020 lathe.  Both wonderful machines.  I find it interesting that I rarely see any used General machines for sale.  I know I will never sell mine.  I own a unisaw which has performed well for me.  I bought it new for under $1,000.  (It was a floor model.)  If I didn't find such a good deal, I would have bought the General.