Replies

1. 
   woodworm62 | Oct 31, 2003 05:38am | #1

   sawgeek,

   No, but I will tell you you cannot go wrong with the PM 66. I have had mine for a little over a year and I love it.

   Carlos

   "Driving a car is more like riding while riding a bike is more like driving"

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/30/2003 10:43:25 PM ET by WoodWorm62

1. 
   sawgeek | Nov 06, 2003 01:26am | #4

   My thought exactly. Thanks

2. 
   TOOLBOX | Nov 04, 2003 08:24am | #2

   I too was recently in the market for a new table saw.  I did extensive research, looking at everything available on the market.  Regretably, I did not look very hard at the Bridgewood saw until after making a purchase.

   I live just a few miles from Wilke Machine, and after visiting their showroom and speaking with one of their tech's, it was clear that I had bought the wrong saw.

   Wilke has in their showroom a line of saws (cabinet saws) consisting of top models from most of the major manufacturers, including the Powermatic 66.  All of the saws sit side by side with the tops removed revealing the trunnions and inner workings of the saw.  The Bridgewood, while priced considerably less than the others, outshined all of them as far as heft and quality of construction.

   I don't know how much you are willing to spend on a saw, but keep in mind that most of the widely available saws are made in Taiwan.  Some have proudly displayed stickers that read "Made in U.S.A.", when the reality is that they are "assembled" in the U.S.A. from Taiwanese made parts.  There are a number of true U.S. built saws on the market, but from what I have found, their prices were so significantly higher it put them out of my reach.

   The saw I purchased performs exactly as I would expect a saw of this type and price to perform, smoothly and accurately.  But I'd be lying if I said I didn't want the Bridgewood.

1. 
   sawgeek | Nov 06, 2003 01:32am | #5

   Thanks for the info! Hows the fence system? Compatibale?

3. 
   mike4244 | Nov 05, 2003 06:21pm | #3

   The powermatic and general are top of the line saws. I have no knowledge og the bridgewood saws. Check out grizzly saws, they are a very good quality saw with excellent customer service. I have the G1023s, grizzly cabinet saw, 220 volts, biesmier clone fence(called  classic fence). I have used most of the top line saws in my career( 42 years) and would rate the Grizzly cabinet saws just behind the Powermatic and General.

   mike

1. 
   jc21 | Nov 06, 2003 05:53pm | #6

   How do you rate the Unisaw in the big scheme of things?

1. 
   mike4244 | Nov 06, 2003 09:13pm | #7

   The unisaw, Jet, and Grizzly are about the same in my opinion. All have good customer service. I have only used the Jet  for a month, even though it is rated 3hp same as Delta unisaw and Grizzly, it seems to me it does not have the power of the other saws.I base this on ripping 6/4 birch and 6/4 white oak . I ripped about 900 lf of both woods combined. I started with the Jet as the unisaw was tied up, ripped about 300lf , then switched to the unisaw. I used the same blade ( Amana full kerf rip blade). A power feed was used on both saws, had to slow down the feed with the Jet. The Jet is still a fine saw, my observations aren't scientific but I believe accurate. Personally I bought the Grizzly (G1023s). I bought this saw when I retired and built my own shop, very happy with it. This was the fifth saw I bought from Grizzly, others were bought for shops I worked for. All of these saws are running strong, oldest is about 8 years old.

   mike

1. 
   jc21 | Nov 07, 2003 03:33am | #8

   Thanks for your comments. Over the years I've used the Unisaw and the Powermatic at different places I've worked at. The Powermatics seemed a bit smoother but other than that I didn't see that much difference. I haven't had a chance to use one but I've been very impressed the construction of the General. The cabinet seems to be heavier gauge metal, the trunnion more massive than the Unisaw, and the cast iron table extensions seem match perfectly, something that wasn't true of the Powermatics and Unisaws I've looked at. I'm not sure I could justify the price of any of those three. Anything you don't like about the Grizzly? I haven't had the chance to look at or try one but they seem like a great value for the money. Do you really give up anything?

1. 
   mike4244 | Nov 08, 2003 01:42am | #9

   JC, the Grizzly has been trouble free since i bought it about 3 years ago. When delivered the red off switch button was broken. I emailed Grizzly and recieved new button in two or three days.Other than that no problems at all. I use the saw 5 days a week and have not had to recalibrate the fence or the table top to the blade. My saw has the classic fence which is similiar to the beismier home shop fence. I bought the saw with standard rails. I installed the rails so that all of the rip capacity was to the right of the blade. I can rip 38" to the right, not at all to the left. I never rip to the left anyhow. Grizzly supplies the correct machine bit and tap to install rails. If I recall the standard rails rip 26" right and 12" left. You can order the saw with the long rails which i believe give you 52" to the right. If I had more room in my shop I would have gotten the longer rails, but the way I set up the rails takes care of 99% of my rip needs.I found that the miter gauge is very good, much better than standard ones with Jet or Delta . It is heavy, has T- slot, holds position and once you set the 90 degree and 45 degree stops they stay accurate.Very surprising for a standard miter gauge.I have a 1 1/2 hp dust collector hooked up to the saw and a jointer. I had to  move the bottom sheet metal to a steeper angle for better dust collection. Some dust still accumalates on the bottom, I clean it out once in a while.Grizzly stands behind their tools, most of their machinery is quite good . This saw probably will run for many years without trouble, even in a production shop.As far as giving up anything, only the name of a more known  saw like the Powermatic or General.There was a time when I refused to buy any tool that was not made in the USA, in todays world that's almost impossible if you buy new.

   Good luck with what ever saw you purchase.

   mike

2. 
   anderda | Jul 29, 2004 10:29pm | #10

   Mike, thanks very much from an interested observer for your extensive comments on Grizzly's 3 hp table saw. It does seem like a very good buy, even to a newbie like me. In fact, so good a buy that I was a little suspicious of quality and fit and finish. You laid those concerns to rest for me, and after visiting their Pennsylvania facility

   on Sept 18th (tent sale), I will probably buy one. Thanks for shedding the light to us rookies.