I have an opportunity to buy a 2003 Grizzly 5HP 1ph 12″ table saw. It also comes with outfeed table, 2003 Delta 12″ Bandsaw, and small air compressor. He is asking $1,550. Any opinions on if this is a good value? I am a hobbyist and know this is too much saw, but it might be too good of a deal? SC
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If it works, it's a good deal. How could it be too good?
Too good to pass up is what I meant. Sorry for the confusion.
The shop I'm building is only 10x18, and I will need to run wiring to support it. But for $1,550 for all, I almost feel I can't pass on it.
MiterDude,
Grizzly cabinet saws are very good saws! I own a 3HP 10" 1PH and love it. Absolutely no issues with it at all. My shop is 11 x 22, so not too much bigger. And, I have the 7ft rails, a router in the extension, and plenty of room around the saw. My outfeed table is my bench. I do mostly hand tool work, but use the saw when necessary! Love it.
The price is very good. Enjoy the saw, if you purchase it. Is the saw a right tilt?
It is a right tilt. Do you have an opinion on right tilt? I’ve never worked on one before.
There are pluses and minuses to both R & L tilt saws. My dad had an old Delta Homecraft 8" that was a right tilt. I can remember many times dicey cuts being made on that saw! I learned at a young age to respect the hell out of that thing.
I would say that if I were in your shoes, I'd make sure the saw had a riving knife, or at least the ability to mount one on the saw. Or, maybe someone can chime in on the use of a splitter. I've never used a splitter. My saw has a riving knife and it is so much safer to use. I would seriously do anything possible to keep that kerf open and the wood off the back of the blade. You are not likely to stop a 5HP beast too easily.
Take all of this safety stuff from me with a grain of salt. I'm a handtool guy with limited TS experience. There are others out there with way more experience.
Here's a link to the R vs L tilt issue.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2007/05/01/left-tilt-vs-right-tilt-tablesaws
Check out 12 inch blades with the proper arbor size before you pull the trigger. 12 inch blades are a lot more expensive, and there are fewer choices. Same goes for dado sets. The arbor may not let you use a ten inch blade at all.
Those costs will add up over time. But right now, it's a good deal.
I would be hard pressed to buy a right tilt saw. For many this is a non-issue but, due to primarily left tilt experience I find the right tilt awkward and at times, challenging.
The point about blades is a good one. The arbor may be 1" with pins or just 1". Dado stacks are available but, like the blades, are more expensive than those made for 5/8" arbor saws.
I would factor in increased cutter costs over time and weigh that against what appears to be a good deal on the saw. From a platform standpoint it should certainly meet your needs for many years.
John beat me to it on the arbor size.
That said, theoretically you don't need to sharpen as much?
I have one left tilt and one right tilt saw. IMO the left tilt is safer and easier the fence needs to be on the left of blade with right tilt (IMO).
I just sold a Grizzly 1023RL when I upgraded to a sawstop after finding a good used machine. I loved the Grizzly but wanted the extra safety features. I totally recommend Grizzly products - I also have a bandsaw and a lathe from them. I don't know the implications of right vs left tilt. 99+% of my cuts are at 90 degrees. If you want the blade tilting away from the fence, just move the fence to the left side of the blade.
You can get a 12 inch Freud 1 inch arbour for 10-20$ more than a 10 inch, sounds reasonable to me .
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