Sawstop Hybrid or Cabinet Saw Lite.
That is what I wish was available. I’ve been fighting the flu this week so I’ve had more time to think than usual.
I’m at the point where I need to replace some equipment. I’m on my own now and after having worked in pro shops for a few years I don’t want to deal with the issues of my little Grizzly contractor saw. I need something more stable.
Sawstop technology is a great option to have but there are only two choices, basic contractor for $800 and the primo for 2500 without fence, add probably $200 for shipping. With a fence its an almost 2K jump.
Their cabinet saw really does seem like a great tool even without the Sawstop, there are a lot of improvements over other designs but frankly a full production cabinet saw is overkill for a small custom shop. How often is the full 3-5 hp utilized?
The best thing about cab saws to a custom shop is the precision and how well they hold settings. Mass isn’t necessarily the only factor, remember Inca? Some shops will need the top of the line, but I think there are many shops that would take precision and stability over more mass.
Its too bad they don’t make a saw that:
-holds its settings
-holds alignment when heeled for bevels
-SawStop brake
-riving knife
-left tilt
-dust shroud
-2HP quality motor
-cabinet mounted trunnions for easier adjustments
Maybe they will try eventually to fill that niche but who knows. Too bad they didn’t take the old Inca 2200 design, use a standard t-square fence and just rework the trunnions/carriage to add their brake.
Point is you don’t look at a piece of furniture somebody has done and say, “Why you obviously own a big, heavy saw.”
Last shop I worked we had a Unisaw and a Grizzly, before that was all PM 66’s. The difference? PM was nicer quality, Delta second, Grizzly third. Did they cut any differently? No. They all got the job done and held adjustment. Never stalled the PM, once in a blue moon for the Uni and Grizz.
I guess the frustration is that I really would like to have the Sawstop tech but feel like the choices are pretty extreme. Mini-pickup or fifth wheel?
Like I said I’ve had more time to think than usual this week.
Replies
That's the problem with new companies. Have to limit their offerings.
Let's hope other companies license the SS technology.
And I have, with my 1HP (1955 rating) run into wood that I have to go through very slowly to cut it... so I'd like at least 2hp...
Mark
(Did you see the pics of the SS cabinet saw in the other thread on table saws - great looking machine inside and out)
Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.
Yup, I'm sure its a great tool and they are a new company so its not like they can have every niche taken care. Like I said I have had probably too much time to think this week.At the production shop the saws were running probably 40-45 hours a week. In those situations a cab saw is probably necessary to take those hours for twenty years. In a smaller fabrication shop the saw isn't running nearly as much, but the precision is still needed. The SawStop cabinet saw is probably out of the question but I have about six months to decide. There are some other tools that are necessary for me to add to increase efficiency. Maybe down the road that efficiency will allow me to add that technology to the shop.Odds are that I won't have an accident, I do take a lot of precautions but it would be nice to have that last line of defense.
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