Hi I’m looking to buy a new table saw. I have an old skill saw. it’s done a decent job, but it’s time to upgrade. I’m looking at the Grizzly G0661, Ridgid TS3660, and the Delta 36-980. Can anybody tell about me these saws if you have one of them or recommend one?
Thanks
Angel
Replies
Check out the new Sawstop contractors saw if you can pony up the extra $$.
If the Rigid ts3660 is the same as the ts3650 then get that one, it's my personal fav.
I'm just sayin'
John White, who ran the Fine Woodworking shop for a number of years, tested and worked with the Ridgid saw for "a few months" and had very good things to say about the design and performance. Click here to see his post detailing his opinion. I think he may have written an article about it too, but not sure when/where.
All three are good saws that will serve you well. The end performance is largely determined by blade selection and good alignment of the saw.
The Grizzly G0661 is the most modern design of those you mentioned. It has a riving knife as opposed to a splitter, uses a one-piece cast blade shroud for the arbor carriage, and houses the motor inside the enclosure...which actually makes it a hybrid by my definition. Locating the motor inside takes up less space, offers better DC, a shorter drive belt (lower vibration and improved power transfer efficiency. The G0661 also has a great steel fence.
The Delta has a nice steel fence also.
Edited 10/27/2008 1:53 pm ET by Knotscott
The Grizzly with the riving knife looks like a lot of bang for the buck. Does it exist yet? Last I heard about it was a complaint that the delivery date kept creeping further away, so the guy canceled his order.
ive had the ridgid 3650 for a couple of years, and its great, the trunnion adjustment is a piece of cake( ive adjusted once in two years), the fence is good not perfect(the vertical face is not square to the table surface) and the insert around the blade sucks
but for 500 bucks?, really good ripping, easy to add a crosscut sled, space for a router table between the fence rails
BUT, i see the newer models are not using the same fence system, my older 3650 has a really nicely engineered fence with a microadjust and easy square up adjustment(i've never had to but..), so watch out!!
the lift system is really good, but is tricky to set up, height adjustments of the legs is rather tight to allow movement in the raised position and freemovement in the dropped position
I adore my Ridgid TS. It is a fine saw for the money. I cant recomend the saw stop unless you are not good at keeping your hands where they belong then i suppose it would be worth it.
Cheers
I have a PM64A and like it. If you plan on using it as a portable saw don't get this one. It's about 300 lbs. But as a contractor saw for the shop, it's worth a look I think.
With Home Depot coming out with a new contractor soon... I have a feeling they will offer any existing TS 3650's for a close-out price. Just a haunch as that is usually the norm with the Box stores.
Sarge..
A new one? Is it that hybrid that people have been talking about? Is there a website that I can see the new saw at?Angel
I believe it is a hybrid, Angel. I saw it on a Canadian WW forum where the gentlemen posting linked it to some site. It had a granite top but... I called my sources at Steel City and it is not being made by them direct a the Sears hybrid marketed by Orion which is owned by Steel City.
The Saw is coming from the same plant after TTI (parent company of Home Depot now) signed a licensing agreement with Steel City to purchase the technology behind granite tops and the riving knife set-up that is necessary to go with a granite top.
You might do a Google on Home Depot granite table saw and see what happens as I am not sure when it will arrive but the first of the year is my guess? And just a guess!
Sarge..
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