Replies

1. 
   K1500 | Sep 16, 2005 06:33pm | #1

   I have the T² fence on a Delta Contractor Saw.  The fence is fine.  It is not as robust as my father's Bessie, but it does the job well.  I modified mine by removing the rear 'clip' so it can ride on top of my outfeed table.  Functionally, it works just like a Bessie (but everything is a bit smaller/less beefy).  The cursor on the scale is mounted too high and gives parallax problems if you don't hold your head just right when reading it, but it can be fixed (or you can learn to look straight at it when setting up).

   That said, if I were buying a cab saw I would pony up for the Bessie.  What's the price premium for the Bessie over the T²?

1. 
   ffournier | Sep 16, 2005 06:45pm | #2

   K1500,

   Thanks for the information. It was also my impression that the T2 wasn't as beefy as the Biesemeyer. The difference in price to move up to a Biesemeyer fence is 200$ (CDN) on a TS that retails for 789$ (CDN) with the T2 fence. That's a 25% increase!

   Thanks again.

   Francois

2. 
   Knotscott | Sep 17, 2005 02:52am | #3

   I have the Sears 22124 which uses the exact same motor and drive system....they're rumored to be made by the same company, but am not positive. Anyway, with the right blade you can definitely rip anything to full blade height. I had no trouble at all plowing through 9/4" red elm with 24T DeWalt 7124.

   The Biese is really nice. I've played around with the T2 in the stores. It's a nice upgrade to their old Delta T-fence, but is definitely lighter duty than the Biese or Unifence. It should still work fine. It'd probably be best to go to a store that has a T2 and play with one.

   edit:
   In addition to considering the 22124 also, you might want to look into the GI 50-220CM1 hybrid or the 50-220CLM1 with longer rails. They also offer the 50-220M1 with less expensive fence for ~ $750. Woodcraft may carry them as well.

   
   

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   Edited 9/16/2005 8:24 pm ET by scotty

1. 
   John_D | Sep 17, 2005 03:13am | #4

   If I were considering the hybrid I'd be tempted to contact Woodcraft.  It's on their site, but marked with "Woodcraft no longer carries this item." It sure looks very like the 22124, so if you're considering the Delta hybrid, you might consider the 22124 if the Sears brand works for you. I've heard there are often discounts, but I know they've just raised their US prices from $949 to $999 (Bies version).

1. 
   n8ivkjun | Sep 20, 2005 02:53am | #5

   I just got the Delta Hybrid with the 30" Bies fence.  The saw went together well and cuts great.  I've cut  some 4x4 poplar with on hesitation at all.  Have not had to opportunity to cut any hard oak or something similar but do not expect any problems. 

   I don't have much experience with other saws but I think this was a great buy.  I purchased it through woodcraft during a 10% off sale.  I did also notice they removed it from there site.  Probably because Delta kept changing the delivery date.  I ordered mine in February and just got it first week of September.

   Hope this info helps.

1. 
   John_D | Sep 20, 2005 03:55am | #6

   I was lucky -- I found a good deal on my saw, and the dealer had it in stock.  Ordered last Thursday, should arrive this weekend.  I was just inches from ordering the Craftsman 22124, but decided to wait for a sale... considered your saw but Woodcraft didn't have it and I couldn't find a better price than the 22124's...  So you were a better shopper than me!

   Did you look at / consider the 22124?  Do you think they're the same saw?  I've seen some say they're the same, but one guy told me the Delta trunnion is table-mounted rather than cabinet-mounted, but I don't know that I trust that source (he works for Sears and wanted to scare me off the Delta, heh)...

   Plus I still have to wire for 220, but eventually I'll be up and running like you. Enjoy. :)

1. 
   Knotscott | Sep 20, 2005 11:02pm | #7

   I'm pretty sure the Delta hybrid and 22124 aren't exactly the same saw, but they do share alot of the same parts. The trunnions are definitely different...the 22124 uses cabinet mounted trunnions and the 36-717 uses table mounted trunnions. Obviously the fences are identical, but so are the motor, motor mount, belt and drive system. The cabinets share the same basic hull, but the Delta adds a kick molding to the bottom....even the screw locations are the same. The DC ports, on/off switches, angle pointers, blade guards, accessory hooks, blade wrenches, and throat inserts are the same. The manuals are very similar too, but with subtle differences....Delta uses photos where Sears uses what appears to be sketches of many of the same photos. The motor covers are slightly different and the handwheels are different. Oddly enough, the 22124 uses 4 bolts to hold each wing, and the Delta uses 3, so they don't share the same wings....maybe b/c the 22124 has 12" wings.

   It appears as though either Delta uses alot of parts sourced from Orion, or uses Orion to produce the saw for them, but I'm really not sure.

   Edited 9/21/2005 1:57 pm ET by scotty