Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Dec 25, 2002 12:35am | #1

   I've owned several contractor's saws through the years as well as two Jet cabinet saws (a 2hp, and a 3hp).  Let me say first off that the two machines really can't compare.  A cabinet saw is heavier, more powerful, and (usually) better made.  These big boys are made for heavy stock and  production cutting.

   That being said, many contractor's saws are fine machines as well.  I gave my Ryobi BT3000 to my dad, and he loves it, just as I did.  My only reason for replacing it was lack of power.

   Were I in your shoes, I'd ask myself a few questions:

   • Will I be sawing a significant amount of 8/4 hardwood?
   • How often will I actually be using my saw?
   • Will I, in the foreseeable future, have need for a heavy duty machine?

   A good contractor's saw will fill your needs well if you'll be using it less than daily, or working with mostly 4/4 stock  If you expect to use it more frequently now or in the near future, or will be cutting a lot of heavy stock, then look at cabinet saws.

     All of the brands you named are of good quality, the only exception being the Jet Supersaw which I think is underpowered, overpriced, and unworthy of the Jet name.  Most of us would like a 5hp Powermatic, but I find the price prohibitively high and difficult to justify.  The Jet and  Delta are about on par, and the Grizz is just a helluva deal.

   I chose Jet over Delta only because my dealer had a good sale and I got the Jet for less than $1300 with the extension table.  The only reason I didn't consider Grizzly was lack of local service, something that means a lot when problems occur.

    Jeff

2. 
   JamesC67 | Dec 25, 2002 06:22am | #2

   Cool, Doc here I just bought a Grizzly 1023 SL cabinet saw last spring I have to say from the day I had it delivered it's been an excellant tool. It took very little to set it up and has performed flawlessly every time I use it   I've used Delta, Jet, and Powermatic at either fellow woodworkers workshops or at the local university to me they have absolutly nothing on my Grizzly. Good Luck with your decission but dollar for dollar for what you'd pay for the big doller saws you can buy a Grizzly saw but also buy another tool.   I bought a Grizzly "6 jointer at the same time I bought the saw Like the saw the jointer's also an excellant tool.

    Happy Holidays,

   Jim Clark

3. 
   EvanEvan | Apr 21, 2021 03:14pm | #3

   A Sawstop would be an excellent choice. They are of top quality, and you won't cut your fingers off.

4. 
   _mj_ | Apr 21, 2021 03:23pm | #4

   Sawstop only started making saws in 2004. The OP is from 2002.

1. 
   stantheman | Apr 21, 2021 11:44pm | #6

   Yes, so he should be ready for a new saw by now 🙂.

5. 
   jfsksa | Apr 21, 2021 06:05pm | #5

   I had the Grizzly 1023RL, 3HP, and loved it. It did everything I needed it to do. I'd still be using it but for the chance to get a Sawstop PCS at a bargain price. The Grizzly is a good saw, but the SS is better - heavier components, more solid construction, better fence, bigger table and of course there's the finger touch technology. New SS PCSs are pretty pricey, but you can sell one in a heartbeat if you find you don't need it.

6. 
   DRBWWing | Apr 22, 2021 10:29am | #7

   IMO any of those brands of 3HP saws are going to be pretty equal.

   I can only speak for Jet. I have 2 Jet table saws, the 3HP one is 21 years old and I just replaced the bearings. The trunnion and the whole mounting mechanism is one beast of a mass of cast iron. This is true I'm sure of any table saw in that tier. I've never had to realign anything in all that time.

   The other is a 1 3/4 cabinet saw. Again, very solid machine but noticeable less power and cheaper, flimsier plastic hand wheels. Also right tilt, which I hate.

   So, 3HP is best. SawStop if its in the budget.

7. 
   hotdogman | Apr 22, 2021 05:12pm | #8

   I have used a Jet 3 Hp cabinet saw for at least 10 years without any complaints at all. I am a serious woodworker and make furniture all of time using my Jet Xacta saw. The dust collection is adequate with my cyclone collector. I have also owned a Jet contractor saw but out grew it after a few years. They are well built but have issues with accuracy when tilting the blade and also under powered for anything over 5/4. I have not considered a Saw Stop because I often use a dado blade and the cartridge for the Saw Stop needs to be changed.

8. 
   gulfstar | Apr 22, 2021 05:52pm | #9

   Jet, Grizzly, shop fox, etc are generic machines made in China, only the color is different.

9. 
   hoovermd | Apr 22, 2021 11:10pm | #10

   So, I risk the wrath of the Interweb here but my opinion is that most of the stuff made overseas is crap compared to the old US made stock.

   I know the question was really about Grizzly ves Jet but I surmise the real issue is about quality vs price point... A Shop Fox W1888 goes for about $1500. Depending upon where you are in the US you can find a used PM66 with a decent fence for the same price!

   A used Powermatic 66 is a far better value than any of the newer stiff IMHO.
   My 30 year old PM66 is like the freakin' energizer bunny. . It just keeps goin' and goin'!

   Plus you aren't funding the race to the bottom on tool quality and price.

1. 
   esch5995 | Apr 23, 2021 10:24am | #13

   Multiple thumbs up on not supporting companies who first stole designs from once proud tool manufacturers and then put them out of business(or bought them) by undercutting them in price and quality. We are quick to condemn the loss of jobs and scream for politicians to do something, but when it comes to our wallets we buy the cheapest thing we can.

   I recently broke a 30 year oath to never buy a Jet or Grizzly tool when I purchased a 12" Grizzly Jointer/Planer and everytime I use that machine I wish I could push the undo button. The build quality is horrible, some of the engineering just makes me shake my head and the output is mediocre at best. Never again.

   You can pry my dead fingers from my 35 year old Unisaw before I buy another piece of Imported Junk.

10. 
    gulfstar | Apr 23, 2021 08:20am | #11

    This is an evidence, the generic machines imported have the advantage of affordability to the hobbyists but I would not want to rely on them to earn a living. I recently purchased a 20 inch helical planer from Grizzly’s Canadian counterpart. I just love the low noise and effortless operation and impeccable result but, as frequent with those, initial quality is compromised by cost cutting exercises, in this case the motor fan. After a few hours of operation, the machine became very noisy, felt like a motor bearing squeaking and yelling. So I called them and they suggested I inspect the fan. I did and it’s a plastic fan with a slotted collet squeezed by a screw on a smooth shaft, ne serration no key, it’s bound to come loose, and it does. They don’t carry spares but had a used plastic fan on hand a proposed to send it or else replace the motor. I now have a backup fan and shimmed motor shaft to increase the friction and keep it turning. While under there I read the motor nameplate, unknown brand , class A rated. I had never seen a class A before, it’s the lowest heat rise rating listed, even cheap motors used to be class B and better, most woodworking equipment had Class E ! So with a heat sensitive motor and a I’ll designed fan, I will keep an eye on this fan spinning.

11. 
    stantheman | Apr 23, 2021 09:15am | #12

    "This is an evidence, the generic machines imported have the advantage of affordability to the hobbyists but I would not want to rely on them to earn a living. "

    Yes this is a crucial point when giving buying advice. A hobbyist doesn't need the same level of equipment as a pro, so value is a different equation for us.

1. 
   esch5995 | Apr 23, 2021 10:27am | #14

   Hobbyist can buy used equipment and end up with better tools in the long run. Supporting companies that destroyed the North American Tool Industry is not the only way to enjoy the hobby on a budget.