Replies

1. 
   Knotscott | Apr 17, 2007 10:56pm | #1

   I had the General International contractor saw for a couple of years. IMO, it's among the best contractor saws you can buy at any price. It's well made, solid, and has about as good a stock fence as you can get...even the cast iron miter gauge is decent I've since upgraded to an Orion made Craftsman 22124, which is nearly identical to the new Steel City 35601. The hybrids eliminate the issues of an outboard motor, and offer many of the same advantages a full size cabinet saws has (with less power and lighter duty rating)....better DC, smaller footprint, shorter drive belt, and more mass. They run from $400 to ~ $1200.

   The 22124 has a huge loyal following. It has cabinet mounted trunnions for easy alignment, a full enclosure, weighs 425#, and has a commercial Biesemeyer fence. There are several other good hybrids from Jet, Delta, Steel City, Sunhill, and General International that he could also consider. Only the Steel City and the Craftsman offer the cabinet mounted trunnions.

   
   

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   Edited 4/17/2007 4:09 pm ET by Knotscott

2. 
   Vic Damone | Apr 18, 2007 06:03pm | #2

   I wouldn't dare recommending any product without first experiencing ALL the other products in its class, an almost impossible task. Industry publications offer shootouts and the descriptive portions and not the outcome should be considered.

   That said: After the failure (my fault) of their bench top saw and without a receipt I was given a store credit and stepped up to their ten inch contractors saw. The Rigid TS3650 comes with cast iron wings with clamping slots, a mobil base with four rotating wheels, an aluminum fence and guide that may seem cheesy but works extremely well, a 1 1/2hp grooved belt left tilting motor spinning a universal thin kerf blade. The weak spot is the splitter/blade guard IMOH.

   The assembly was substantial but I enjoyed the confidence and knowledge gained in doing the assembly myself. Both the blade and fence were within .002" in relation to the miter channel right out of the carton. After the assembly I fabricated supports for the side legs and a bracket to locate the on/off switch so I could power down with a bump of my left thigh. Rigid has a website with a useful wood working forum which can be a great resource for issues and upgrades.

   The saw runs smooth and I'm impressed with its quality but again I have nothing to compare it to. The saw is selling from between $499-560.

   I plane on purchasing another brand of contractor or hybrid saw as soon as they become available but in the mean time the Rigid is serving me well.

   Vic

3. 
   steveky | Apr 25, 2007 03:54am | #3

   Tell your son-in-law General makes good products, and I promise I don't work for them.

4. 
   terrylee86 | Apr 25, 2007 02:55pm | #4

   General International makes a very good saw as does Steel City and the Sears unit.  The Sears saw has a Biesmeyer fence that makes it very attractive.  The Steel City has an excellent warranty (5yrs.) that make it very attractive.  I would check out those three as a starting point and look for sales.  That fence on the Sears is nice.

   Terry

5. 
   PeterThomson | Apr 25, 2007 06:34pm | #5

   I looked at General International, Delta, Rigid and several others before purchasing a 2 HP, 10" General International hybrid saw about a year ago.  No complaints, very happy with my decision.

6. 
   user-211435 | Apr 26, 2007 06:37am | #6

   Hey Groucho,

   This is a silly question to ask on this forem. 

   What you are going to get is a lot of guys that will say that whatever they have is the best, or the other guys that tell you what they read is the best.

   I personally don't have a Powermatic but would buy one if I were in the market.  They cut well, will last his whole life, and do anything he could ask of it.  A Unisaw would do the same.

   Hal