Replies

1. 
   GForcier | Aug 23, 2002 04:38am | #1

   SLM643:

   Can't offer help in Michigan, but check with me in about a week or two and I should be able to offer some first hand info from Massachusetts. I just agonized over a tablesaw purchase and have ordered a Grizzly 1022Pro contractor saw. That's after talking with three referrals in Massachusetts. They all praised their saws, although none of them, for one reason or another, was able to let me run some wood through theirs. I nonetheless took the plunge sight unseeen based on my budget, lots of research and their comments. I've been using a Delta contractor saw for the past couple of years and should be able to offer a comparison when I get the new saw set up. I'm hoping that for my weekend furniture hobby I won't be able to tell the difference in performance.

   gaf, 48, capricon in western Mass. hills

1. 
   slm643 | Aug 23, 2002 04:50am | #3

   Thanks Gaf; I will get back with you in a week or so. Steven.

2. 
   RSRose | Aug 23, 2002 04:46am | #2

   SLM,

   What models are you looking at? I have the 10 " table saw, 14" bandsaw, 8 inch jointer.

   Rich

1. 
   slm643 | Aug 23, 2002 04:53am | #4

   Hi Rich; I'm thinking about the 1023sl and 1073z, any info would be apreciated. Steven.

1. 
   RSRose | Aug 23, 2002 08:50am | #5

   Steve,

   The grizzly line, especially at the low end, are no-frills products. The machines that you mention are more "comfortable" in their features and controls. They are good machines. There are no hidden gotchas and the service/support is excellent. These are not the best machines on the market, but they will get the job done very well, and will not get in your way because of poor design or execution.

   However, there are a few almost infuriating things that manufacturers do to cut costs, and Grizzly is as guilty as any of them. They supply parts which almost seem to be an after thought, but which cripple the machine.

   I have the 10 inch contractor's saw, 1022 series. Like most such saws, the motor hangs off the back end and drives the arbor with a 4' v-belt. The supplied v-belt was such a piece of junk that I could not operate the saw because of the vibrations it set up. No amount of adjustment worked. I replaced the belt with a link belt, also from grizzly. It completely eliminated the problem. The saw is now vibration-free.

   My 14" bandsaw is well made. It does everything it's supposed to do, although it may take me a few minutes longer to get things set up than on a fine machine. At its price, it has nothing that can be justifiably criticized. Except for the tires! They were so poorly made that the saw and blade oscillated like crazy. Grizzly sent me a new set overnight. They were worse! I got a pair of urethane tires from Rockler, and the saw is fine.

   I think the models that you are after are high enough up in the Grizzly line that you will find them problem-free.

   Oh, one more thing, the table saw, like every other saw for the North American market has no proper riving knife or blade guard. It comes with a typical cheap splitter, anti-kickback pawls and blade guard.

   Rich

   Edited 8/23/2002 1:54:08 AM ET by Rich Rose

1. 
   slm643 | Aug 23, 2002 01:26pm | #6

   Thanks Rich, great info!