Replies

1. 
   Knotscott | Jan 18, 2007 02:53pm | #1

   I'm not sure what to make of the Delta findings in that test.  It could be just an isolated case.  The Uni did great in the Wood Mag comparison two years ago, and it was the PM and Jet that had the runout issues. 

   In any event, I'd add the General, Shop Fox, Grizzly 1023,  Bridgewood, Jet, and the bigger Griz G0606 to my consideration list.

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/g0606x

   Steel City's brand name may be new, but they're associated with Orion who have been around for 6-7 years AFAIK, and before that many of the founders were associated with Delta, and possibly some from PM.

   Good luck.

    

2. 
   merlvern | Jan 18, 2007 03:24pm | #2

   here's one vote for the General, mine is a dream, came virtually setup for use, and i've never had power issues of any sort

1. 
   kdrab206 | Jan 18, 2007 03:48pm | #3

   I bought the left tilt unisaw about a year ago and I’ve been very happy with it.  It was quite a upgrade from my contractors saw.  I haven’t experienced any quality problems with my saw.

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   Two thumbs up for Delta.

   <!----> <!---->

   Trevor

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 18, 2007 04:27pm | #4

   We have a left tilt uni also, and I have had not real issues with it. The belts took a bit of a set so the things banged on when we first got it but this seams to be getting better. The saw was bought about 13 months ago but we did not have a shop to put it into until about 6 months ago. But it works well for me. Cant tell you about the numbers as I have never bothered to measure anything but I can tell you that everything I want to cut comes out well and if anything the saw is better then I am.

   Doug Meyer

3. 
   bones | Jan 18, 2007 06:31pm | #5

   Since you are looking at the PM2000 you must not have budget constraints.  I do think the Delta's are still fine saws.  The PM2000 was not out when I bought a couple of years ago, but it is very nice. I looked recently at a woodcraft very closely at the Delta and 2000 side by side. The PM2000 has a lot of nice bells and whistles for sure.  But for the money they charge, I still think my Grizly 1023SLX is a better deal. You get a quality saw, at half the price.  You should take a look at their saws. If you like the riving knife feature, then they have a new 12" model for the same price as the PM2000 and unisaws.  Looks very nice.  Go check them out at http://www.grizzly.com.  I would sell my 1023 and buy the new 12", but I cant justify it.  The 10" does everything I need and besides I need a new jointer more.  Take care and good luck on the choice and enjoy the new toy whatever you get. 

    

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
4. 
   forestgirl | Jan 18, 2007 06:36pm | #6

   Unless the new Unisaw comes with a quick-release splitter and blade guard, I'd go for the PM2000.  What about the SC saw?  Is it a "thoughtful" design with quick-release and riving knife like the PM2000.  If it is, it's worth serious consideration.  See Sarge's long review on their bandsaw.  Not the same tool, but they put alot of thought into their design and production.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 18, 2007 10:03pm | #7

   IF the other option has a Quick release that would be a big plus. The Delta is a joke in that area. In fact I am looking into getting a quick release knife for the Delta (they do make them)

   Doug Meyer

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 19, 2007 12:44am | #10

   Amazing that Delta hasn't come up to speed with the Unisaw in the guard/splitter dept., eh?  The PM2000 has quick-release riving knife and blade guard.  (Edit:  SC saw still has standard equip, IIRC).

   (forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 1/19/2007 12:01 pm by forestgirl

1. 
   mike_b | Jan 19, 2007 01:25am | #11

   <<The PM2000 has quick-release riving knife and blade guard. I'm pretty sure the Steel City does too, ...>>I looked at the Steel City table saw a while ago, and as I remember, it has a standard splitter and guard combination which is fine for me. BUT, there seem to be many fans of the riving knife, especially here on Knots, which makes me wonder a bit about Steel City. You would think that with a clean sheet of paper, and with the enthusiasm of their market, they would have considered incorporating a quick release riving knife into the saw's design.Mike

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 19, 2007 08:00pm | #16

   Ah!  I remember now.  There was conversation about this several months ago, when Matt went to the big tool show (Atlanta????).  He was going to pass along thoughts about a different splitter/guard arrangement.  I'll go back and edit my post.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

5. 
   Troy | Jan 19, 2007 12:08am | #8

   My father has a unisaw that is about 4 years old and he loves it I have a jet contractors saw and when the time comes I will replace it with either the saw stop contractors saw if it is out or the saw stop cabinet saw if I can swing the bucks. I think the added safety features are worth it. From reading these forums I think you can have a good idea on the merits of all of these tools, plus its fun to see the various opinons about them. Now if we can start a Saw Stop vs. Festol debate we can have even more fun:)

   Troy

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 19, 2007 12:20am | #9

   If you started a debate between the SawStop and FT folks I think that you would rip a whole in the fabric of space and suck the whole internet down into it.

   Doug Meyer

1. 
   Troy | Jan 19, 2007 02:00am | #12

   no doubt.Troy

1. 
   cjc | Jan 19, 2007 04:58am | #13

   All,

   Thanks for your responses!  I will be heading to the Woodworking Show in St. Louis, I called Steel City and they are going to have a rep there.  I have a few questions for him.  I plan on talking to a few of the reps.  It will be interesting to see what they have to say.  I appreciate the Delta owners chiming in.  I hope the cases I read about on the web in regards to quality issues are few and far between being the Unisaw is still made in the US.

   Thanks,

   Curt

1. 
   Nathan Barnard | Jan 19, 2007 05:38pm | #14

   You should watch Amanzon.com. I just picked up a Delta 3HP unisaw on clearance with 30" Unifence, board and legs for $1140, with free shipping. This is even cheaper than a Grizzly, but is made in the US. There was only 4 left at the time.

   Nathan

2. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 19, 2007 06:42pm | #15

   Please keep in mind that for the most part those that are happy just keep it to themselves.  It is those are are unhappy that post a lot. So on the internet you will find a HUGE amount of post about how something sucks but very few about how good something it. It is just human nature. So just because something has a lot of bad post does not mean it is bad, it could just be that it is very common and thus has more of them out their. When you produce 50 times the number of another guy then even if you have half the error rate you will still have 25 times the number of bad items.

   So you really need to look at the types of things that are being reported and then look at them for yourself.  Like the saw with the .012 out of flat surface this may be nothing to you.

   As far as the review of the SC saw (the smaller one) that was just in a Mag I picked up yesterday it says it has a quick release but a standard guard and spitter.  Better then Deltas, but not as good as (dare I say it) Sawstops.

   As for when Delta will revise their that is a good question. I know that their are splitters with quick releases available for them (I think these are after market) but If I was Delta I would revise this saw (what was for a long time the defacto standard saw in the class) with a Riving Knife (quick release) and a quick release guard, and if they were smart figure out a way to do dust collection with the guard. But I am sure that the accountants are saying they can make more money selling it the way it is.

   Doug Meyer

2. 
   wiskytango | Jan 20, 2007 08:27pm | #18

   Troy
   do you know if saw stop is going to come out with more models? I love the safety feature but the price on the cabinet saw is pretty steep.
   If they are coming out with more saws where can i find this info?
   WHisky

1. 
   Troy | Jan 20, 2007 09:27pm | #19

   Take a look at their website I see that they are working on a contractors saw that is going to have their sawblade brake. The website says they are in the testing phase and are aiming for mid 2007 I belive. Anyway I am thinking that might be a good replacement for my Jet contractors saw.Troy

1. 
   wiskytango | Jan 20, 2007 10:48pm | #20

   Troy
   I just looked on there web site http://www.sawstop.com/index.htm and i cant see any news on any new saws.
   Do you happen to have a link to where you where looking.
   Whisky

1. 
   Troy | Jan 21, 2007 06:28am | #21

   If you go to their website click on products then future products you should be able to see the new saw.Hope that helpsThanks

2. 
   Troy | Jan 21, 2007 06:29am | #22

   Heres the link http://www.sawstop.com/products-contractor-saw.htmTroy

3. 
   wiskytango | Jan 21, 2007 06:45pm | #24

   Thanks troy. Didnt see the link there. But i got it now.

   Edited 1/21/2007 10:54 am ET by wiskytango

4. 
   Troy | Jan 21, 2007 11:42pm | #25

   You bet.

6. 
   frenchy | Jan 19, 2007 08:03pm | #17

   CJC

    I had terrible luck with a Delta saw (contractors not cabinet) After less than two years I gave it away!

    That's right!

    gave it away!

    

    I bought a Grizzly and have been happy as a clam ever since..  How happy are clams ?   <G> 

    

7. 
   UnclePablo | Jan 21, 2007 02:39pm | #23

   If I were buying a new saw today it would be the Sawstop. I my opinion, better than the rest.

   -Paul