Replies

1. 
   BG | Dec 15, 2002 02:17pm | #1

   Knobby,

   First of all, when you make the comment that General is in the same price catagory as Grizzly then I know your very much still in the beginning stages of your research.

   I consider myself a serious hobbiest, and while we are all different, there is a common thread to our logic with fairly clear decision points along the way.  The good contractor saw is more than adequate for our needs.  With a good blade, fense and cast iron wings, you can make smooth cuts, set up is easy and all add-on jigs fit it well.  About the only drawbacks are not such a small footprint (because the motor hangs out the back end) and dust collection is not great.  Lastly, we learn that less vibration translates into smoother cuts.  The contractor saw is less heavy and the design (trunnion attached to top as opposed to cabinet) makes it subject to more vibration....

   After all that research, we come to a decision point: what do I lust after and can I control my lust.  The cost of a good contractor saw is about half that of its big brother the cabinet saw.  If you lust after the cabinet saw then buy it.  It is probably the least expensive luxury with the biggest return you'll make in the hobby. 

   For some of us however, we have double lustings...big boy equipment, cheap as the day is long.  The Grizzly gives us the cabinet saw at the contractor saw price.  It allows us to balance the two lustings.

   The third alternative is to buy the expensive cabinet saw used.  That could balance the two lustings also.  The only real problem with that is a higher risk of being screwed.  Buying from a good dealer can help mitigate that risk.

   So there you have it. The logic and lustings of the decision.  good luck     

1. 
   chrislowery | Dec 18, 2002 05:16am | #3

   Thanks BG.

           I knew that one of them was dear, but Ive been having trouble trying to find certified dealers here in this area.Thats my fault for not having adaquate time ,what with the holidays coming up and me working overtime.It seems our Christmas up here in Canada is more like your Thanksgiving  in the states But thank-you for lifting the fog a little. Sometimes thats all we need to clear the mind that suffers from information overload ,is someone to point the way

                                                               KNOBBY

1. 
   WoodBeaver | Dec 18, 2002 06:54am | #7

   Knobby,

   Hi,

   I live in Newmarket and I have a great place for you to look into.

   The place where I buy ALL of my pro quality stuff (keeping in mind that I am a builder in the city)

   TJV is the store and you want to speak to Joe.  The # 905-640-3344.

   These guys carry everything that you WANT & NEED.  They give some pretty good deals too. These guys set my dad up with 1 big  tool at a time and they even delivered it. 2 1/2 hour drive from there store. The General is what I have just purchased in the last 3 days and I love it. I have used this exact same saw before and didn't even really check anything else out. I needed this saw but lust after the 10' Altendorf.  This saw will do everything that I need it to do on a daily basis and then some!!!

   Post back if you need more store info or more stores. Keep in mind that the great tool show comes to the International center (near the Pearson Airport) in Feb. of every year. I'll let the boards know when it is close.

   Happy hunting

   WoodBeaver 

2. 
   SCFrankland | Dec 16, 2002 12:48am | #2

   Grizzly and King are pretty much one in the same.  The General Int. stuff also falls into this group but the good old made in Canada General line is top quality.  As said though it pretty much depends on your budget and how much you are going to be using the saw.  I would be more likely to swing for the better built General over the the King or Grizzly saws.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Was the Newfoundland Wood Worker soon to be the Nova Scotia Wood Worker.

1. 
   chrislowery | Dec 18, 2002 05:21am | #4

   Thanks for the reply Scott;

    I did'nt know that General was made here in Canada.Would you happen to have any info. that might narrow the search and give me an idea on the price tag.

1. 
   SCFrankland | Dec 18, 2002 05:33am | #5

   There website is http://www.general.ca it is worth checking out.  E-mail them and they will send you out a catalog.  Only thing is you have to E-mail both General and General Int. get both catalogs.Scott C. Frankland

   Was the Newfoundland Wood Worker soon to be the Nova Scotia Wood Worker.

3. 
   ecomma | Dec 18, 2002 06:30am | #6

   Find a good used powermatic 65 or 66.  You will get o.k. service from the company.  They seem to always have parts, and you will be able to hand the tool down to your grandchildren.  Thanks,  Ecomma

4. 
   user-274461 | Dec 18, 2002 09:06pm | #8

   To clarify - General tools are made in Canada (Quebec) and are top quality but expensive.  General International tools, which is another division of the same company, are made in Taiwan (like most of the stuff these days) and have also proven to be faily good quality.  As a casual hobbiest, either the General Int. or the Grizzly would be fine.  King also has two lines these days.  King Canada and King Industrial.  Both are made in Taiwan but the King Industrial seems to be much more heavy duty and better quality than the King Canada stuff.

   It may be hard for you to justify the cost of a General or Delta Unisaw for what you are doing.  My first saw was a 1.5 HP Craftsman contractor saw with cast iron top and extensions.  It worked great for years and even the substandard fence always locked firm and parallel to the blade.  The Delta contractors saw is another good option for you...not too expensive with a nice fence design on the newer models.  Good luck with your choice.

5. 
   jgaiennie | Dec 19, 2002 07:34pm | #9

   Knobby,

   I have a Delta Contractor's Saw.  It's quite suitable for consistantly square work.  The user of course is responsible for the set up in all cases as with any saw.  My factory original / conventional fence is not perfect, but it's pretty good.  I can count on it being within 1/32" or so every time I adjust it, and for critical cuts, I just make a few trial and error adjustments.  I shopped around a bit before I bought this saw, and having some spare change at the time, considered the higher end cabinet saws.  Man, I'm glad I didn't spend that extra $1,200.00 on that cabinet saw.  I have a pretty nice band saw and drill press (and other stuff too) instead.  Now I'm sure that the cabinet saw would be sweet, but I just don't think that it's even close to being necessary, especially for how it sounds you may be using it.

   Contractor's Saw drawbacks- One can bog it down by feeding thick stock too fast and when tilted to a full 45 degrees, I have to lower the insert plate so as to keep the blade from hitting it.

   I use my saw almost daily, and remain pleased with it.

1. 
   chrislowery | Dec 21, 2002 03:12pm | #10

   Thanks for your reply jdq:

         I do presently own a European brand of contractor's saw that I have been using now for 16 years.I have been very happy with this tool but I am now aware of it's inadaquacies and I can see that manufacturers have'nt improved on their abilities.And yet ,the cost difference between these saws and low end cabinet saws is only $300-$500 difference(Canadian,which is quite a difference from American$)Now if a person (hobbiest )figures this into his first project at home ,say a new set of kitchen cabinets, would'nt that certainly pay itself back.I also cut a lot of heavy  rough-cut hardwood that I mill from my own bushlot on my ancient rotary sawmill, and some of these boards are fairly large.I think I'm trying to convince myself  to spend the money(sounds like it anyway)