Replies

1. 
   fdampier | May 07, 2002 04:00am | #1

   It's marketing.  Many craftsmen remember with fondness the fine quality saws that Delta used to make.  or they used one or had a friend who used one.  Thus there is a good opertunity to sell the Made in Tiawan saw that cost a lot less to make then the old Delta used to cost to make.  the differance is profit.  both for thr dealer and the mfg.

       In a "blind" test there would be some small differances between the Delta and the Grizzly but both are decent machines (if not up to the standards of old)  the differance is Grizzly sells direct and Delta goes thru middle men (dealers)    If you think that your local dealer will give you that differance in value somehow, then buy the Delta, as for me I'll take the Grizzly.

2. 
   forestgirl | May 07, 2002 04:50am | #2

   In addition to the factors mentioned above, the motor on the Delta might be more durable.  However, there are many, many, many very happy Grizz cabinet saw owners out there!  I've seen several posts recently (in another forum) from people who have them and really like 'em.  One guy even went so far to say he's been sleeping in the garage ever since he got his LOL!  Of course, we don't know if that's because it's such a "honey" of a saw, or because his wife threw him out for spending the buck$.

   I've been talking to a friend of mine about going in together and buying one of these saws.  I'm sick of my messed-up, used (very, very) contractor's saw, and would be more than happy to welcome one of those Grizzly cabinet saws into my garage, and would have no qualms about buying one.

   My own personal prejudice is that if I was going to spend the big bucks for a Delta/Jet, it would be a Jet.  I've not been hearing very terrific things about Delta customer service for a couple of years now, and I know that Jet has good service.

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

1. 
   sschefer | May 07, 2002 06:34am | #3

   Hi ya Jamie.... Well, the saw stop saw has been available for almost a year now. But..... again.... the price tag forbids most of us at this point. Then again, I know far fewer three fingered wood workers than I do full handed. The Delta has its problems but from what I've heard they are changing their ways. Grizzly.... sorry I know many are very happy with them but I'm still not buying. Would you buy a Master Craft when you could have a Skill... My impression is that the choice is about the same.Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   forestgirl | May 07, 2002 09:30am | #4

   Hello again....  I think Dave is the one who's waiting for Saw Stop, though I wouldn't complain if they started including them as a standard item.

   As to Grizzly vs. Delta (or Jet), if I wait until I have $1700 to spend on a saw, I'll either be too old to use it, or it'll be the only tool I own.  When I look at the contractors' saw that I'd want to own (Jet with cast iron wings, longish rails), I can get the Grizzly cabinet saw for the same price!

   No doubt, if money was no object, I'd choose a Jet cabinet saw, but that's just not reality.  If my Jet worked as well as your's does, we wouldn't be having this conversation, fer sure! but that's not reality either, sad to say.  Oh well.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   sschefer | May 07, 2002 06:50pm | #5

   Dave this is from some recent news:

   In another interesting development, SawStop is about to begin manufacturing its own cabinet-grade tablesaw, with the SawStop feature built into it, under a yet-to-be determined brand name. But because the production runs will be small, the cost is expected to be in the neighborhood of $4,000. They expect to show it in August at the IWF in Atlanta.

   Steve - in Northern California

4. 
   sschefer | May 07, 2002 07:21pm | #6

   Ahh... I was hoping for a lower end version... That's good news. I can't believe that someone has not sued the govt for allowing an unsafe consumer product when safe versions are available.

   BTW, that quote came from the FWW site.

   Steve - in Northern California

5. 
   bill_1010 | May 08, 2002 01:30am | #7

   Grizzly has no R&D department. They essentially have borrowed and adapted the current technology pioneered by other companies when any patent has run out.

   Youll never see grizzly as tool innovators like Delta/PC who designs new products like the portable 2-speed planer or the hand held osciallting sander or the cordless router. The top shelf companies either buy companies that create the new innovative products (dewalt) or design new innovation.

   This is one factor why they are so cheap. 

   I believe grizzly factories are in the land of china, where intellectual property (patents) have no basis.  I loathe the chinese govt, and frankly i strive not to buy jack sh#t from them if i can.  there is no OSHA or minimum wage in china. They just dont have many of the costs companies in first world have.