Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Dec 14, 2003 08:48pm | #1

   I own and use to earn a living general 350 saws.IMO they are great simple ,strong ,proven design.In 18 years several sets of belts one set of bearings which really were ok,but I figgured after 15 years it needed a treat.Tough to take on site but worth it if you are doing a really big build.ie whole house of`custom work.Two guys on steroids no problem,took 3 of us mere mortals!My advice is save your cash and buy right first time.Don' t confuse General with General International.If you settle for the oats that have been through the horse once they are considerably cheaper.Good luck Jako

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 14, 2003 09:19pm | #2

   I have been using a General 350 for about 4 years now.  Bought from Wilke Machinery in York, PA.  Great saw, good company to buy from.

   Spend the money and do it right, whatever you buy.

   Alan -- planesaw

3. 
   sharp | Dec 14, 2003 10:51pm | #3

   i am in la,ca and am selling my 2 year old general (made in canada). i am upgrading to a felder. the general has been very solid. you wont find anyone with a bad word about them. let me know if you are in my area and we can talk price.

   email

    [email protected]

   jeremiah

1. 
   oms | Dec 15, 2003 01:14am | #5

   I live in central Connecticut. This is a solid 6 hours to the Canadian border in Quebec. I liked the offer, but moving cabinet saws is not an easy proposition even under the best circumstances. I appreciate your feedback, and will keep looking a little closer to home.

1. 
   makita | Dec 15, 2003 01:37am | #6

   Rob,

       I believe that la ca meant LA California, not Canada.

                     Chris

1. 
   oms | Dec 15, 2003 01:47am | #7

   Oops. Thanks for the clarification.

2. 
   chillywilly | Dec 15, 2003 06:52pm | #9

   Tools Plus in Waterbury carries General.

   I haven't heard many nice things about them from a customer service perspective.  But, you can take a ride to their store and look at the machine and buy somewhere else.

   http://WWW.TOOLSPLUS.com

4. 
   SWOE | Dec 15, 2003 01:08am | #4

   The General saw is to supposed to be a solidly built unit.  If you purchase one, be sure to check the top for flattness.  When I purchased mine many years ago my top was out.  When I called (at my cost), I was told that it was in acceptable flattness. I was told to use the washers that came with it. I got no washers and the ones they promised to send never came.  Over the next couple of years the bow got worse. I had it reground, but after a few months it was back to unacceptable. I have a friend who does woodworking for a living and his General is perfectly flat after many years of use.  Just be sure you check out the saw in time to return it if there are any major problems.  I did not care for the companies attitude when I called for assistance.  But this is just my experience.

5. 
   Dustmight | Dec 15, 2003 06:30pm | #8

   The General 350/650 is Canadian made and will run ~ $1800.  The General International 250/260 is made in Taiwan as General's economy line @ ~$1200.  (At least they're honest enough to differentiate!).  I've heard that the 250/260 are made in the same plant as the Jet cab saw, but I'd consider that info hearsay at this point.  Still a decent saw for the $ from what I know of it.  General/GI has been an excellent company to deal in my experience. 

   FWIW, their saws have had a good showing in the mags recently and owner comments tend to be very strong in general (pun intended):

   - last October Wood mag ranked the General 650 #1 over the Uni, PM66, Griz, Jet, Craftsman, Shop Fox, et al. 

   - FWW mag's latest issue ranks the General Intl 50-185 contractor saw #1 over the PM64a, DeWalt 746, Delta X5, Jet SS, Griz, Bridgewood, Woodtek, et al. 

   Good luck!

     

6. 
   JeffKurtz | Dec 16, 2003 04:12pm | #10

   I would suggest you buy whatever quality machine (General, Powermatic, Delta, Jet) your local dealer sells, and buy it from him.  In my book, dealing face-to-face with people who value your continued business is always preferable to an online or mail-order purchase from unknown, unseen persons who may not really give two hoots if they ever hear form you again.

   Should a problem arise, you're sure to find friendly, helpful service.

   Jeff

7. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 16, 2003 06:12pm | #11

   Rog

      We have a General dealer here in Atlanta. The cabinet saws are great. I think the dealer can make the difference in the actual service after the sale. Redmond & Son here are great folks to work with. You could run across another distributor that does not have the service they give. Kind of like franchises, it depends on the attitude of the franchise owner.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)