Replies

1. 
   BG | Nov 14, 2003 05:46pm | #1

   Ask,

   I know that look your wife is giving you.  DO NOT point out that her shop, the kitchen, has maybe $20,000-30,000 in equipment and cabinetry....DAMHIKT, not a winning argument.

   I looked at the saws your thinking about but really wanted a cabinet saw.  Why?  better dust collection and a smaller footprint...that was my excuse anyhow...nad of course quality.  I needed to pretend I was concerned about cost...therefore I decided to look for a used Delta or a new Grizzly.  After a suitable search and various facial expressions...we bought the Grizzly....terrific saw.

   The problem with the hybreds is you'll always wonder if the cabinet saw would have been better....
1. 
   ASK | Nov 14, 2003 07:02pm | #3

   BG,

   Thanks for the thoughts.

   ASK

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 15, 2003 08:33pm | #13

   I'll second BG's comment about the Grizzly cabinet saw (1023S).  Although, if you do alot of work with sheet goods, the sliding table on the hybrid saw might outweigh the benefits of the cabinet saw without a slider (in that price range).

   From watching the reactions to the DeWalt, it seems there were some problems when it was first released that have since been solved. 

   Grizzly has just introduced a new contractor's saw, which looks very impressive.  May not be what you have in mind -- just thought I'd throw it out for consideration since it's so new:http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G0444Z

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

2. 
   rhrasna | Nov 14, 2003 05:58pm | #2

   I've got the 746 and am very happy with it though it does have a few quirks. First of all, throw away the miter gauge. Its a piece of junk. After I lock mine down the head still moves a bit!!! And this is the second one. Dewalt customer service replaced it with no questions asked but now this one does the same thing.

   The fence is OK for all but the most demanding tasks. If you are into really fine joinery you will probably want another. I run mine on 220v and it has plenty of power for my needs, dust collection is pretty good though I do want to get a zero clearance insert and over head dust collector (Penn State maybe??).

   The saw is easy to use with smooth mechanisms allowing easy adjustments to blade height and angle. The table was VERY flat (within .003 at any point on the table) and arbor flange is parallel to the miter slot within .002. All told better than I expected.

   I don't have a sliding table so I can't talk about that though a friend has one and loves it.

   All told its a great machine though a bit more pricey than the Jet.

   Good Luck choosing. The process is fun!

   Ron H

1. 
   ASK | Nov 14, 2003 07:05pm | #4

   Ron,

   I have the portable Dewalt that I've been using for about 4 years which is why it's time to upgrade. It's probably the same miter gauge. You're right it stinks. I hardly use it. I don't expect to get the sliding table either. How are the wings? Are they flat enough? Any problem with the belts? Dust collection? My Dewalt is terrible on dust collection.

   Thanks

   ASK

1. 
   rhrasna | Nov 14, 2003 11:30pm | #8

   Dust collection is pretty good but it can be improved with an overhead collector Ala Penn State and others and a zero clearance insert. I pulled off the little (2 1/2"?) outlet and put in a 4" outlet. No problem at all with belts. The wings are OK (not great) for stamped metal. I'm thinking of getting at least one cast wing but am holding off until I figure out if I can get a router table into the other. Just not sure which side I can mount a table on yet, if any. As you face the saw there is a large shroud on the right side that sticks way out and would interfere with a router mounted under the table. maybe the shroud could be modified. On the left side is the wheel that controls blade angle. I could offset the router to get it out of the way of the wheel but I'm not sure what effect that would have on router operations. Still mulling that one over.

   Hope this helps

   Ron H

1. 
   ASK | Nov 15, 2003 12:21am | #9

   Ron,

   I like the left side. My current saw is build into a 7' X 8' wood topped table and when I get to it I'm going to build the router into it on the left. The advantage I see is when routing something long you can walk it through. I'm right handed and the left side feels the most comfortable.

   ASK

3. 
   scooter1 | Nov 14, 2003 09:39pm | #5

   What kind of saw do you have now, if any?

   What kind of work are you intending for the saw?

   How many hours a week will you use it?

   What is your budget?

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

1. 
   ASK | Nov 14, 2003 10:00pm | #7

   Boris,

   Thanks for the questions. I have the portable Dewalt built into a 7' by 8' work table which I have been using for about 4 years. I have a pretty decent shop in the cellar with most of the necessary power tools, Jointer, planer etc.

   I build furniture on weekends for the family. Chairs, beds, tables. Whatever we need that I can design and figure out how to build.  I am finishing up a 1/2 round bubinga table for the foyer and have a dining room table and buffet on the drawing boards and some day I want to design and build a grandfather clock.

   That's what I do.

   I would appreciate thoughts you might have

   ASK

1. 
   scooter1 | Nov 15, 2003 12:38am | #10

   You are, in my opinion, a regular user, and would benefit from either a contractors saw or cabinet saw.

   I can tell you that actually wore out a contractor's saw in about 10 years, and if I were you I would buy a top of the line contractor's saw or a small cabinet saw.

   I am very prejudiced in favor of Delta and Powermatic. These are top of the line tools in whatever price range you select.

   I would select a Delta or PM contractor's saw or a used Delta Unisaw.Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

1. 
   ASK | Nov 15, 2003 12:58am | #11

   Boris,

   Thanks

   ASK

2. 
   pdeyoung | Nov 20, 2003 04:20am | #21

   I have the Powermatic (PM) contractor's saw.  Don't waste your money.   The saw came out of alignment and is very very difficult to bring into alignment.  The splitter was bent and to this day I've never been able to get it into alignment.  The poor quality splitter and blade guard actually CAUSE kickback, not prevent it.

   I made the mistake of thinking I was getting a superior contractor saw because it carried the Powermatic name.  In fact, I had full intentions of some day buying their cabinet saw. But based on may experience with the contractor's saw, I didn't even consider it.  I bought an European saw instead. 

4. 
   jimmyk | Nov 14, 2003 09:45pm | #6

   Grizzly 1023 is an excellent value.

5. 
   Telemike | Nov 15, 2003 07:33am | #12

   I've had the supersaw for about a year now. I put in the woodworker II thin kerf - the hybrids aren't overpowered. I've had no problems and no complaints. I looked at both the dewalt and the jet, along with cabinet saws, and chose the jet because the rails lent themselves better to a router table in an extension. A friend has the dewalt and likes it also.

   I put in some pictures in an earlier post on the jet of the saw, the outfeed table, and my router table extension.

   The best part about these hybrid saws is that you get a solid saw with a SLIDING TABLE that has a reasonable footprint. Note the sliding table in all caps - email shouting. Having one now, I cannot imagine life without one. There's lots of threads on that also.

   The issues discussed in the amazon reviews: I've had no indication of any of those problems. Power: I cut up enough 8/4 hard maple to make a laminated workbench with a heavy trestle base. It cut like a champ.

6. 
   fdampier5 | Nov 16, 2003 03:16am | #14

   If you really need a saw look at the Grizzley..

     I know that you may want to spend more money but take it from a former Delta owner,  the Grizzley is a far better saw.  So far it's been trouble free..

     for the same amount of money that a Delta would cost I got a 12 inch cabinet saw..   that or you can buy a contractors saw from grizzley and saver a bunch of money for all the jigs and stuff you will want to buy later..

1. 
   GForcier | Nov 16, 2003 05:46am | #15

   I'll second frenchy's endorsement of the Grizzly contractor saw for an amateur woodworker, at the least. I started out on a Delta contractor saw, and can tell no difference, except that I love the Biesemeyer clone fence on the Griz much better than the standard fence that came with the old Delta contractor saw. And the 2-horse motor provides lots of power. All that and a great savings over Delta and Jet. No brainer in my book.

   PS, I've recently puchased the new GRizzly 14-inch bandsaw and love that too, and the savings. although I can't claim to be able to compare it to other brands.

   gaf

7. 
   stanleyj2 | Nov 17, 2003 05:24am | #16

   I have owned the Dewalt hybrid saw for about two years and bought it as a package deal that included cast iron extension wings, mobile base, and a dado insert for about $1,000.  I am very happy with this saw.  I put the saw together very slowly & constantly checked for accurate settings and it is still very accurate today.  The dust collection shroud captures most of the sawdust when connected to a dust collector.  The fence has been accurate for my type of use but I do not build high-end furniture with this saw.  The compactness of the saw in my basement shop was also a selling point with me.  I built a large cabinet on locking casters with a plywood top at the same height as my saw table for cutting sheet goods and I store my blades, etc inside the cabinet.

8. 
   Dustmight | Nov 19, 2003 02:59am | #17

   For about the same money as the hybrids, something like a Grizzly cabinet saw offers alot of advantages...better: fence, motor, drive system, trunnions, DC, resale value, vibration dampening... The only negative is that it requires 220v to run.

1. 
   TomS | Nov 19, 2003 06:41am | #18

   On another forum there was some talk about 'upgrading' the Grizzly to the standard equipment on the Unisaw, bringing the price up another $400-500.  I didn't pay too much attention as I am not in the market for a saw at this time.  Does anyone here have information on this 'additional cost' of getting the Griz up to a Unisaw?

   My thought when I read this was 'now the difference between a Griz and the Unisaw is only $200...not much to think about "

   TomS

1. 
   Dustmight | Nov 19, 2003 05:25pm | #20

   There were some good Uni package deals last summer before they rolled out their X line, but they've been harder to come by.  Uni deals vary from dealer to dealer so I'm not as well versed on them, but I haven't seen any Uni deals for much under $1600 or so.  The basic Griz 1023S is < $900 delivered.  The left tilt version with 52" rip, motor cover, and extension table (1023SLX) is $1200 delivered.   

9. 
   Don2Laughs | Nov 19, 2003 11:37am | #19

   I recently bought a RIGID 2424 at HD for $200 (talked em down because it was a floor model missing insert & switch key) and I gotta tell ya...this is a fantastic saw.  The herculift stand makes it very easy to move, the blade guard can be removed with one thumscrew turn and replaced without having to recalibrate.  The blade it came with is worthy of comment (very good) since I never bought anything with a good blade from the factory.  The fence is smooth, strong and accurate (no need for after market upgrade) and the miter works great.  I had read good reviews about this saw for a long time before spotting it on the floor at a HD I rarely visit.  Once spotted, I began to work on the manager to drop the price.  Took about 3 weeks to get it down to $200 and I snapped it up.  But, I'll tell ya....knowing what I know now about this saw...I would have paid the original price and been happy.

   Don