Replies

1. 
   woodensplinter | Jan 27, 2005 04:30am | #1

   According to the 2005 FWW Tool Guide, the 2 HP motor on the GI was an advantage when ripping 8/4 hardwood.  The Powermatic would do it fine, just with a slower feed rate.  Unless you use thick stock on a regular basis, either saw will do just fine.  Even the reader ratings on these two saws were reasonably close.  Pick one and make sawdust.

   Your choice of right or left tilt may be more important, depending on how you work, than the actual saw brand.  Contrary to what's currently in vogue, I have the right tilt saw (50-175L M1).  It works better for me.  That doesn't make it better for you.

   
   

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   Edited 1/26/2005 8:44 pm ET by wooden splinter

2. 
   Dustmight | Jan 27, 2005 02:20pm | #2

   Hi dlb - These two saws look like they roll off the same assembly line. (they might!).  The biggest differences are the fences, miter gauges, and blade guards.  The GI has a licensed Biese, the PM has a good knock off....you pick.  The PM has a better blade guard.  The GI has a much better miter gauge.  The GI also has higher stated HP, but I'm not sure how much of that claim is "optimism" or fact.  FWW noted the power in their review.  The GI comes with a dust tray, dado insert, and accessory racks.

   The PM typically sells for > $900, which gives the GI @ $699 a $200 value advantage.  Both have good customer service.  PM's distribution is much larger.  In my experience GI has been terrific to deal with....still a family owned company.  (The GI manual is a....well, let's just say it's a right of passage to the General brotherhood!)

   If you can find a dealer locally, grab the one you like best or that you can get a good deal on. Both should serve you well.  IMO dealer support is a big plus and worth some premium over mail order....you get to define what it's worth!  If you need to mail order, Hartville Tool and Tools-Plus both ship the GI (no big savings vs dealer).  Amazon has the PM on sale for $769 delivered right now.  (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005OQM5/qid=1106824634/sr=8-5/ref=pd_bbs_5/104-9235120-2578341?v=glance&s=hi&n=507846).  Don't confuse this with the PM version with the cheaper Microglide fence. 

   Good luck and keep us posted.

1. 
   dlb | Jan 31, 2005 02:51am | #3

   Went to the wood working show today and ran into Kelly Mehler who I asked about table saws. His recomendation was the DeWalt 764(?) because it has the motor directly below the blade, has a dust port in a housing which covers the blade from below and has a 1 piece trunnion bracket. I was favoring the General 50-185 until I saw the DeWalt.  The problem was that the DeWalt was ~$249 greater than the General! That, to me, is a lot of $$$ so I investigated the General line a little closer. I ended up purchasing a General cabinet saw which General had just come out with. It is basically the 50-1(78)5 but in a cabinet. I got a very good deal. I am thankful for the input of everyone on the forum and do appreciate their time & advice very much.

   Thanks,

   dlb

   .The Undisciplined Life Is Not Worth Examining.

1. 
   MikeMD | Jan 31, 2005 04:11am | #4

   let us know how you like the GI, I looked at that "cabinet" saw - true its a contractor in a cabinets body.  If you look at the canadien built cabinet it's much heavier (trunions etc) but also about 800 dollars more.  I love my 185 but have pondered upgrading at some point and wondered if the GI cabinet version would be acceptible or is the leap to the full Canadien version worth it???  What do you guys think?

2. 
   Dustmight | Jan 31, 2005 02:54pm | #5

   Sounds great dlb!  It sounds like what you got is the GI 50-220 hybrid.   Did you get the 50-220"C" with the Biesemeyer fence?  My complaints with the DW746 are the fence and steel wings....nothing wrong with either, but for $850 -$900 I want a steel t-square fence and cast iron wings.  Hope all goes well for you!

1. 
   dlb | Feb 01, 2005 06:09am | #6

   the model is a 50-220c which comes w/ the general t fense system. it is basically a 50-175 in a cabinet so i guess that you could stretch the point and call it a cabinet saw. the table is 4" larger than the 50-175. so, that's the story & i'll see what it is like in a couple of weeks. thanks for the encouragement.The Undisciplined Life Is Not Worth Examining.