My wife knows that I want a new table saw and asked if that was what I wanted. I mentioned that I was thinking of one of the new hybrids, but didn’t sound all that enthusiastic. “Would you like to upgrade?” Well, what could I say. I got her blessing for a Powermatic if I want. So, guys, should I spend the money on a PM2000, drop down to a Jet, Delta, Grizzly, Steel City? or do I stick with the hybrid? I now own a Jet blue contractor and it has served me well for the past 15 years. But… only needing the 3 hp every once in a while, but desiring a Cabinet saw… is it worth it? Should I take my wifes advice and take the plunge?
Thanks all, Greg Alexander
Replies
Hi Greg - About the only disadvantages of a full cab saw over a hybrid are cost and electrical requirements. If those aren't obstacles...."don't be a fool boy!" ;-)
Seriously, any of the industrial style cab saws you mentioned are really nice saws that all trump a hybrid. The better hybrids will do a terrific job of just about anything you ever ask, and offer some advantages over a contractor saw, but depending on sale pricing (or lack of), a good hybrid can get within a few bucks of a Griz 1023, which puts you into a different class of saw....more power, more mass, more robust, higher resale.... The 1023 (or variation) is a heck of a hobby saw for just over a grand. Not quite a PM2000 IMHO, but a legitimate full blown cabinet saw with a legion of happy fans. The Steel City saws are getting raves from owners too. The Jet, Unisaw, Shop Fox, or GI saws would all be welcome additions to my shop. If you've got 220v, I'd go with a 3hp cabinet saw...which one to get is the only decision I see.
Good luck!
If My Young Bride were to give me that kind of green light it would be "Hello, SawStop!" for me!
The PM2000 is a really great saw, and you've already received sound advice for the Grizzly 1023 and others. If you have the opportunity to go to a place where you can give the saws a try, that will help in your decision making.
What sort of stuff are you making now? Are you wanting to go into higher production or just improve the quality of your pieces?
Yes, I am a luck guy! My first thought was Saw Stop, but even though she had given me carte blanche, I felt that would be pushing it a little. This will be my last saw I buy, but why spend more money on a saw than is necessary. The Powermatic would be great, but I feel the other "lesser" saws would also. I am not going into production but improving the quality of the saw, and hopefully, by default, the quality of my work. This will be my retirement saw. I plan on building custom furniture to start making money (relatives don't pay well). I'm heading to the Woodcraft store this week end for some hands on touchy-feely.
Thank you everyone for the input
Greg Alexander
http://www.dreamingfurniture.com
If you are really going to get serious--and particularly if this is to be your "retirement saw"--I highly recommend the SawStop for a couple of reasons: 1) it is just an amazing saw with an incomparable fence and the very best mobile base around, 2) it is the safest saw available. Our reflexes don't improve with age, and the safety blade brake on the SawStop more than pays for itself whenever that feature is activated.
Just for fun when you are "test driving" table saws, try both some left as well as right tilt saws. (The suggestion of a saw with a riving knife is a good one).gmg
Well, Woodcraft should have a SawStop on hand too. I'd bet if she sees the video showing how the safety feature works, she'd be all for it.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
The recent FWW article on SawStop is pretty impressive. (For a hot dog to have only the slightest nick is amazing). Yeah, SawStop!
Perhaps, she has already seen the video and would rather pay for a SS than take a chance of a big buck charge from the ER.
Should I take my wifes advice and take the plunge?
ALWAYS take your Womans advice! Whatever she said if you want a happy life. Damn man! She is trying to be nice to you!
Edit: Maybe deep in her heart she wants one!
Edited 6/19/2008 2:22 pm by WillGeorge
What a lucky guy! Kudos to the LOYL. I would encourage you to go modern, and get a cabinet saw with a riving knife. If it's your saw-for-life, then it shouldn't be one that'll be outdated in 5 years because of all the new ones that follow with updated safety features. Any chance for a SawStop? Never hurts to ask, LOL!
Oh! Happpy Birthday! Hope you had a better one than I did on May 23rd.....
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 6/19/2008 9:58 pm by forestgirl
Greg,
This might be the time to follow Lataxe's advise and look into the Euro style saws. Not that much more expensive. I have a PM66 saw and it satisfies my work needs but in doing it over again or if I added another, I would look into a slider. The riving knife is only one of it's benefits.
Regards
Greg,
I'm trying to talk myself into a Sawstop and it would be fo shore if my wife was on board. There's a video out on "gluetube" talking about all the great features BESIDES the hot dog trick go take a look. Surely one of the more computer savy folks reading this has the link. . pardon my ignorance
A link to SawStop Videos.
http://www.sawstop.com/
Mr. John White of FWW did one! Even had a HotDog!
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuideArticle.aspx?id=30456
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