Hello everyone,
I’m going to buy a cabinet saw. I think I’ve just about exhausted all the research on all the Typical brands that are in the literature all the time and the subject of many of these kinds of discussion groups. I’m ready to take the plunge. So, I have a question for you all. What would I get for the approx. $1,000 difference in price between the Grizzley G1023 series 3hp and the Powermatic 2000?
Replies
The Griz 1023 series has long been recognized as a great value in 3hp cabinet saws. Well made and well liked by serious hobbyists and pros alike. The PM2000 is a newer entry with some new design features/advantages. Whether or not they're worth a grand is your call.
The PM has a 30" deep table vs the standard 27" of the 1023. It also features built in mobility which is a nice feature that can save ~ $100 if you need to buy one. From a safety standpoint, the PM offers a riving knife vs the traditional splitter. It also has a beefier cabinet.
In your price range, I'd add the General 350 or 650 to the list...long time top rated saw. The new Grizzly G0606 12" saw offers a whole lotta saw for about the same price. Steel City Toolworks has some interesting new cabinet saws too...5 yr warranty.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0605X
http://steelcitytoolworks.com/products_tools.cfm?section=2&category=12&tool=35623
http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/0general/650_350t50a.html
Pef,
I bought the Grizzly 1023SL approximately 5 years ago,I have to say it has to be one of the best purchases that I've ever made. The saw never seems to run low on power no matter the wood that's being milled be it hard or soft wood and even though I check the saw
periodically do to general maintenance it's never had to be readjusted or reset in any way shape or form.For my money its the very best "BANG" for the buck. Like you when I purchased my saw I invested the money that I saved from purchasing a
Delta,Jet or Powermatic and purchased a "6 Grizzly jointer at the same time,Like the saw the stories the same the joiners also a very good buy.
Good luck and have fun creating sawdust,
Sincerely,
Jim at Clark Customs
I have the 1023S and am in the process of making a new top for a workbench. I was doing some work in the shop yesterday and needed to move the boards and when I looked at them, I had to think about whether I planed the edged. One board is bowed a little and had a bit of burn on it but I couldn't see or feel any saw marks on the straight ones. I'm waiting to let them normalize after planing and rough cutting them but the edges are awfully smooth and clean. It's about 6 years old and I have done no maintenance or repairs on it. I plan to keep it for a long time.
To add to Knotscott's list: PM2000 - quick-release on the riving knife and guard. Easy-on, easy-off for non-through cuts.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Isn't it fun and frustrating when buying time comes along for a table saw. I too went through what you are going through now a couple years ago. I looked at used deltas' with a rehab in mind. I looked at new PM, General, and about every other brand known. I ended up going with the Grizzly 1023slx. I weighed the risks .vs. cost. End the end I was very well pleased, and continue to be pleased, and would do it again. Do an advanced search here and you should find my review and pics. My first one was damaged in delivery by the carrier and I had to refuse shipment. The CS response was fantastic and the second arrived quickly and was perfect. I have looked closely at the PM2000 at the local Woodcraft store. It is definitely a very nice tool. It has built in riving knife, and wheels. I use a splitter and overarm guard, and bought a mobile base for my Grizzly. The fit and finish is excellent, but so is my grizzly. It has a bessy fence, the Grizzly has a bessy clone. If money is no object the PM is a very nice tool. For me even if I bought today, could not see twice the price. That's just me. If I were going to spend that much, I would get the new 12" Griz or the Sawstop. I bought an excellent TS & 17" bandsaw for what the PM2000 costs. Again, I am not besmirching the fine PM saw. I just don't see it as worth twice the price, but value is in the eye of the consumer. If you feel that's a fair price then great. Anyway what ever you get have fun and enjoy the new toy! Take care.
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Edited 1/19/2007 4:23 pm by bones
i have the griz 1023 and am happy w/ it. if i were looking at TS's today, i'd strongly consider the sawstop.
Brad
I've had the 1023 since the early 90s and I had to replace the motor a couple of years ago. I didn't think that was unreasonable given the amount of work the saw has done, and no other problems.
pins
Last year I tried to buy a Grizzly 1023. On paper it was by far the best choice. I have other Grizzly machines that I've been very happy with. I ordered the machine and the wait started. Long story short, after six months, I gave up, cancelled my order and bought a Jet. Very happy with the Jet. I don't know what's going on at Grizzly, but I work in manufacturing and can recognize potential trouble when I see it. Production backlog usually equals quality problems. This is only SPECULATION on my part, but Grizzly never could give me a REAL answer on when I could get my machine. They kept telling me what I wanted to hear, six weeks, six more weeks, six more weeks. Like I said, I went thru this for six MONTHS. No machine. Too bad, I REALLY wanted the 1023. Same goes with their new 8" jointer. Had that on order too and had to cancel for the same reasons. Good luck. Let us know how it works out.Jeff
A couple of things I would add...
I have the 1023 for eight years and love it. I went from a bench top sears to this and never regretted it.
I work alone and in a small space so I added wheels and an outfeed that collapses so that I can move the saw out of the way. These factor into the over all price.
Buy the best blade you can. This is one area where price does make a difference. I have an Ohlam and get glass smooth cuts.
I did alot of research, like you, on TS and was still unsure when I made the leap but was glad I did. Got to say though, Steel City seems to build a good product and they have caught my eye. Their new TS tops have a titanium coating to prevent rusting and make the wood slip easier. I think they are going to be real competition for Griz.
pef,
I don't know!
About 5 years ago I bought my first piece of grizzly equipment and since then I've been so happy I don't even bother checking about other brands..
I own the G5959 12 inch saw and am extremely happy with it! I throw 4x4 inch hardwoods at it and it shrugs and rips them for me, what else to you want?
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