I’m back from Grizzly – empty handed.
Okay, so I went to Springfield all set to drool on and then buy a Grizzly 1023 table saw. I was sooo close. They almost had my money. And then I started talking to them about getting it home in my wagon. They told me I’d have to sign a warranty waiver if I was going to lay it on its side in the car on the way home. Huh? I asked another sales person – same story. I called their 800 number – same story. So this tells me that they’ve had problems with the motor mount breaking, and I’m immediately suspicious of the quality and hardiness of their cast iron. At first I was severely dissapointed, thinking that I would still order it and deal with the shipping. Later, however, it really started bugging me, and I decided to look more closely at the Unisaw. I found a store in Springfield that carried Delta. The motor mount looked beefier to me, and when I told the store people about the Grizzly shipping issue they immediately chuckled and said, “Boy, they must be afraid their motor mount will break!” So I’m home empty handed and looking again at the Unisaw.
Here’s one way I’m justifying the expense. The Grizzly left tilt is $895. Add the 50″ rails and table $258, the mobile base $70, and shipping $75 and you’re spending $1298. I found a place (the Springfield store) that offered me the new Unisaw Limited Edition package deal for $1625 – including shipping (they were out). I’d only be spending an additional $327! No brainer?
Now if I can just decide between the 30″ and the 50″ Bies. Another post…
Replies
If it's going to be the Unisaw, go with the bigger fence. Another no-brainer.
John
Campbelldust,
I'm sorry you came home empty handed, but it appears you did it for the right reasons. It is true when Grizzly ships the box is straped upright on the pallet. Of course there are many reasons why laying it on its side could hurt the machine...I wonder if this is unique to Grizz or if it is true with the other machines too? When Grizz has their tent sales..do all those customers sign waviers? ..very curious a company that only has three warehouses would have an issue like that ..
At anyrate, there is just an outside chance you won't be disappointed with the Delta...lol..congrats !
You'll have to sign a waiver for any Grizzly machine you haul yourself on its side. It's not just the 1023 saw. I ended up signing one for a metal cutting band saw we set on its back in a truck. Grizzly is just pretty picky about how things are moved and they hold trucking companies to the same standards.
I really wouldn't have let that deter me. Crates and boxes are usually marked "this end up" for a good reason.
The question I pose is about the value of the 1023. Granted, you can buy a 1023S for $900 with shipping. However, the 1023SLX, which includes left tilt, 50" fence and extension table will run you $1200 with shipping. That's $300 more for a saw that includes the features most of us want.
Well, I bought a new Jet last July for $1280, and my dealer still has them for that price. For a few bucks more I got a better machine, a local dealer, and Jet's outstanding service. Really makes me pause and wonder where the great value is in Grizz, and what happened to their "no middle man" savings.
Jeff
Those guys at ballew tool and saw in springfield are great folks (im guessing you went there, i ooh and awe more at that shop then grizzly) I buy from them. But youre right, after you upgrade your fence and get the other needed stuff youre close to the Jet and Unisaw price.
As far as the 50inch fence, if you but lots of sheetgoods then its wise to get that. If you cut the occasional sheet, then its a luxury. however if you opt to mount a router on your tablesaw, go with the 50inch to provide some room.
If you dont want to be disappointed, get the PM66.
I'm sorry about your experiance. I just unpacked my Grizzley and I found the motor was straped with a one inch wide and about a 1/4 inch thick strap that must be removed before you move the motor.. in addition the motor was sitting on a foam block that would have withstood a four foot drop from the loading dock.
In retrospect I think your conserns were unfounded.. but you got what you really wanted so everything is fine..
That's good information Frenchy. Thanks! I'm really surprised they wouldn't let me take it home if it is that well packed. I was ready to go! :) I just didn't want to have to sign away my warranty. If I got the thing home and something else was broken I would have been hosed. Anyway, I still haven't purchased anything. We'll see...
My experiance and that of others who have posted here is that Grizzley bends over backwards to make their customers happy. I'm certain that they were trying to look out for your interest..
Give you one example when I ordered my Jointer it came from the frieght company in pieces.. the crate was smashed and I could see broken stuff. From the frieght office I called them and they offered to send me a new one immediately..
I took a second look and realized that only one casting was broken and a couple of bolts.. I explained that to them and the next morning Fed EX delivered the parts to my hands and twenty minutes later I made my first pass. They told me that if I had any trouble with the jointer they would replace it without question.. not repair, replace..
It was the fault of the frieght comapny and yet without a question they solved the problem.. No forms, no hassle just friendly perfect service..
I contrast that with my experiance with Delta. multiple calls, a lecture from customer service rep who failed me in the past and wouldn't forward me to a supervisor and a delay that took over a month to get the handles that should Have come in the box..
I had a Delta limited edition contractor saw (table saw) and it was terrible. The dealer claimed that it was working OK when they sold it to me and that was the limit of their obligation. Delta's solution was for me to pack it up and send it in to their service center where they would look it over. I bought new blades and had the motor checked over etc.. I evan got a machinist buddy to look it over and make certain that everything was aligned...again. ( the problem was that it would go out of alignment in a couple of boards).
I hated that saw. $1200.00 and I wound up giving it away.. I hated it that much.. (actaully I'd tune it up and then look for a buyer.. by the time I'd find one it wouldn't cut foam, let alone hard maple..) My last attempt was to offer it for $300.00 as is and I had a few lookers.. None left with it.. I gave it to my nephew and so far it's his dust collector..
Realize that one mans meat is anothers poisen and others may have had good luck with Delta..
Yikes, that Delta story is nauseating. Unreal! Have heard that they've cleaned up their act the last year or so. Sure hope so, it'll take a long, long time for them to overcome bad customer service like you received!!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I had assumed that Delta was a good brand, several friend had the old American made Delta saws and were happy so foolishly I bought Delta..
I hope they've learned that poor service leaves a very bitter taste and whatever they saved by getting rid of their old customer service wasn't worth the damage they did to their reputation..
That's the trouble with recommendations, unless you are talking about the exact same model used in exactly the same way, they really don't have a lot of value..
I remember I used to buy a lot of Sears tools. heck at one time they really had good stuff and quality service and parts to back them up.. In the last 30 years or so.. they are now on the bottom of the quality pile and their income suffered as a direct result..
Campbelldust,
Gee, Frenchy reminded me of that bar attached to the motor, I had to remove also. However, you still made the correct decision....having no warrenty regardless if you made it home safely was/is the issue. Good luck with your decision
Campbelldust,
My 1023 arrived this last Friday. It came on a FEDEX freight and the delivery guy unload the saw and put in my shop, he helped unpack it and make sure everything was ok. He also noticed that the fence box had a tear in it and gave me his cell number in case I found out there were parts missing, so he could check with the dock. Maybe I'm just lucky but my FEDEX ground delivery guy dropped a package off last Sunday in his own car because his truck broke down. What great service!
I set up the saw without any problems. It did have a strap from the table to the motor mount I had to remove and a block of foam supporting the motor. I checked the miter slots to the blade with a dial indicator, .003 inch. The fence to the miter slot, .002 inch. The table is flat but the wings need to be shimmed about .002 inch. I checked the amperage draw 8.4 amps with out a load.
Grizzly customer service has been great from the time I ordered.
Sorry to hear you came back empty handed. I understand your hesitation to sign away your warranty. I would have not done it. But there is a reason they don't want you to put it on it's side. I remember buying my first turntable and having to remove the transport screws on the bottom.
But it sounds like you might be set on a Unisaw. Good luck on your decision.
Len
P.S. You could always rent a trailer.
BTW. The pallet Grizzly put the saw on was pretty flimsy so FEDEX strapped it to a heavier one.
Hey, the stringers in my pallet (from Grizzlet) were made from black walnut. anybody want them? (before they become more fireplace wood)
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