General Contractors Saw or Bosch 4100 ?
I have been in the process of buying a saw for over a year now, doing all the right things I think, researching every saw etc and had decided that due to space and other issues, I would go with the General Contractors Table Saw, it performed well and seemed, although not cabinet quality to do alot of fine work and lastly at most of the tradeshows, this was the machine exhibitors used for demonstrating. In the last month there have been several articles on the new Bosch 4100 saw. My query to woodworkers in the know, this would solve my space issues and be more feasible, but it doesn’t have alot of the qualities I was told to look for in a saw ie. a cast iron top, its rip fence doesn’t seem as reliable as the biesmeyer style, and a few other issues. Could someone please advise there take on the matter. I have been doing woodwork for 5 years only, but want something that will stay the course and perform all the tasks. Thank you in advance
Replies
Do you have room for one of these? http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuideProduct.aspx?id=5709&tab=_editor
Quite a bit more saw than the ones you are looking at. It doesn't fold up like the Bosch, but it will roll into a corner easily. And that huge cast iron table and Biesy style fence has it all over those contractors saws.
Rob
Thanks Rob and JoePez for your input it is greatly appreciate, I'm at that place where I am a competent woodworker, but hardly experienced enough and don't mind paying a fair bit now, as long as it will not be obsolete in a year. Unfortunately because of space I am somewhat limited, but I will be able to fit in a contractors saw, so that is the way I will go.
Shesam,
the old saying goes, pay me now or pay me later. Save yourself time and aggrevation and go with a contractor saw. dont bother with a portable. a portable is great for just that, move from site to site, but for stationary woodworking, go with a contractor saw.
joe p in RI
I would do some serious looking at Jet. They have a promotion sale going on now till the end of Dec. I would look at the 1 3/4HP Proshop saw. I have looked and played with one and it is a nice little package. 30" Biesmeyer style fence, steel wings, arbor lock on top of the table, 90/45(bevel) miter stop adjustments from the top of the table, Back rail for easy sliding of the fence. Belt drive Motor is enclosed inside the cabinet for space saving, 4" dust collection port in the rear. List is $760 Sale$599. IMHO it's a big bang for the buck.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Edited 11/13/2007 8:30 pm ET by BruceS
Edited 11/13/2007 8:31 pm ET by BruceS
Edited 11/13/2007 9:30 pm ET by BruceS
Bruce, actually the jet was another one I was looking at, so glad you gave it the thumbs up,however I am in Canada and contacted jet directly, they have informed me there are no distributors here. I could probably get one delivered, but if I had any questions or if it was delivered not in working order, it would be a hassle to get it fixed, and future repairs, or accessories would be hard to get a hold of, etc. You seemed to know prices and such, do you know of an alternative to getting one? I am not far from the border in Ontario if this helps. Thanks
There is a Rockler store and Philips Bros in Buffalo...both Jet dealers AFAIK. Philipps Bros Supply RS
2525 Kensington Ave
Amherst,NY 14226
(P) 716-839-4800Rockler Companies
5085 Transit Rd
Buffalo,NY 14221
(P) 716-631-8922Teg's Tool in Hamilton took good care of me when I bought a GI contractor saw about 5 years ago...might be worth a call to see if they have the GI 50-220 hybrid.
Edited 11/14/2007 9:06 pm ET by Knotscott
Thanks for your help, will check out all three suggestions
Hello Shesam,
I am also in Canada (Ottawa region) and purchased a Jet contractor-style table saw 6 years ago or so when Jet had a presence in Canada. I love my saw and I think I got good quality for the money but a year or two after I bought it Jet left Canada and that meant my planned upgrade to cast iron wings had to be scrapped because finding someone willing to get me the parts was impossible. No one seemed interested in providing me this service. I think you are wise to be concerned about spare part, service and accessories availability. I personally would go with a brand that has had a long standing presence here like General or Delta.
Regards,
Senomozi
Hi Senomozi - Just about Any 27" deep cast iron wing should be capable of being fitted to your saw. Some will be a direct bolt on, but even if not, cast iron drills pretty easily. You might find that a wing from a GI 50-175/50-185, PM64a, King Canada, or Canwood is a direct bolt on to your Jet.
Thanks for the info. I solved my problem a few years back by creating MDF wings veneered with high pressure laminate. Not the same weight as cast iron wings but they are as flat, which is what really bothered me with the stamped steel wings I had.
Regards,
Senomozy
Once again, thanks for your input, I will take this into consideration.
A hybrid may be the answer to your quandry. They're comparable to a contractor saw in size, mass, power, duty rating, and price, but the motor is housed inside the cabinet which saves about 13" out the back, plus avoids the disadvantages of the open enclosure....you get better DC, smaller footprint, shorter drive belt, etc. A hybrid is essentially a modernized contractor saw... Win/win!
Jet, Delta, Craftsman, Steel City, Shop Fox, Sunhill, Grizzly, and GI all have at least one.
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