This really is kind of a tire-kick question while I drink my coffee.

I’ve heard a lot of buzz about this new Sears saw and I think every company should have the chance to redeem itself. I mean, remember Chrysler in the 80’s?

I was in Sears the other day and looked “under the hood” of this saw and saw what looked to be a standard contractor’s saw trunnion assemble with the motor mount turned backwards so the motor just hangs under and can be covered.

I did notice that the arbor tilts left which is good. The three new Sears contractor saws all seemed identical underneath save the size of motor.

Has anyone checked or know of a review that checks whether this style of trunnion/motor arrangement improves the tendency of contractor saws to twist when you heel over the blade for a bevel. That seems to be the Achilles heel of contractor saws and I had written them off as a useful tool because of that.

The thing I’ve liked about all cab saws that I’ve used is their stability and power. Unisaws, PM 66, Grizzly. There is a difference between the three but it is still less than the jump from contractor to cabinet. I’m back to the contractor saw I started on and I know how to make it do what I need, but will upgrade. Don’t have time to tiptoe around my tools.

It seems like Sears is trying to produce a good product, or they just accidentally hired a good tool designer. The Inca saw I used to have was not heavy and was rock solid but I couldn’t deal with the tilting table as I still handle sheet goods.

Anyway, any thoughts on this aspect of the trunnions? Maybe with the left tilt it removes the issue because if it does twist it moves the back teeth further away instead of binding?

I’ll crosspost in Tool Talk.