Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Nov 19, 2007 11:25pm | #1

   I'm sorry for not answering sooner, several questions disappeared off the bottom of the list of questions sent to me a few weeks ago and I am still discovering them two weeks later.

   You might notice the increase in horsepower if your old saw was poorly set up so that the blade would bind and slow down or stall when taking a cut, but for most operations with a 10" saw blade two horsepower is adequate.  Taking a rip cut through 2 inch or thicker stock sometimes bogs down a two horse saw but using a sharp rip blade, instead of a combination blade, will usually correct the problem. 

   That said, a three horse motor will give you a nice cushion of additional power if needed and you won't be taxing the motor as hard in day to day cutting.  Going up to 5 horsepower is only called for if you are going to use a stock feeder for ripping large amounts of stock in a hurry.

   Three phase is an advantage for commercial machinery that is heavily used, but it isn't worth the extra expense to upgrade your wiring or to install a converter for home shop use of three phase equipment.  In most residential areas three phase simply isn't available or will be very expensive both to have installed and for the monthly charge.

   John White

    

1. 
   4runner | Dec 09, 2007 03:57am | #2

   Thank you! Now I can continue shopping. Do you have a recommendation Powermatic, Delta, Grizzly, etc.

   Happy Holidays,

   John

1. 
   JohnWW | Dec 09, 2007 11:36pm | #3

   The Fine Woodworking Policy is that we, as individuals, aren't allowed to make specific tool recomendations, no matter what we say somebody won't be happy and will think we're biased. If you go to the tool reviews, elsewhere on this site, you'll get find a lot of up to date information and recommendations.John White

1. 
   4runner | Dec 10, 2007 04:35am | #4

   Good job.

   Thanks