Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | May 28, 2008 08:34pm | #1

   Dale,

   The Sawstop contractor's saw is still a contractor's saw in its basic design so it probably won't be as accurate as a full sized cabinet saw, and it will need more frequent tuning up to keep it as accurate as possible.

   Hybrid saws are all over the place for accuracy and reliability since they use various layouts for the components, some are just disguised contractor's saws others are are designed to be much more accurate and stable, some are better designed than full sized cabinet saws.

   Article decisions are made by the editors of FWW, you should send your article idea to them, it seems like an it would be an interesting question to ask.

   John White

1. 
   dc206 | May 29, 2008 01:42am | #2

   Thanks for the response John.

   I will send a note to the editors as you suggested.

    

   Dale

2. 
   dc206 | Jun 03, 2008 07:27pm | #3

   Hi John,

    

   I have been thinking about your reply regarding the wide ranging quality of hybrid table saws.  As much as I am drawn to the Sawstop Contractor for it's quality and safety features, you mentioned it is still as contractor saw.  For the $'s I might spend on the SawStop contractor saw, I could buy a quality hybrid or a very good cabinet saw.  I am just a beginner woodworker, but find my bench top saw is inherently inaccurate.  I also know within the next year riving knives will be required with new saws, which is one reason to get a Sawstop.  So waiting a bit may yield other options. 

   You mentioned some hybrids were contractor saw designs while others are designed to be more accuracy and reliability. 

   Can you point me to an article or source that will provide me with more information about what to look for that will be a better predictor of a quality, accurate and reliable table saw?

   Thanks, Dale

1. 
   JohnWW | Jun 04, 2008 11:55pm | #4

   I don't know of any article that goes into the good and bad points of the various choices that machine designers make when they engineer a table saw. Tool reviews rarely get under the hood when they look at power tools. There is no perfect design, choices made as the design develops are almost always a trade off. I've been repairing, using, and designing machinery for over 50 years. it would be hard to distill all of my experience into a short article. On some occasions the best designed machine may not be the best made in terms of quality control and fit and finish, which makes choosing the "best" machine even harder.John White

1. 
   dc206 | Jun 05, 2008 03:47am | #5

   Thanks John for your reply.

   I understand your statement that even well designed machinery does not necessarily translate into a quality power tool for the consumer.

   Dale 

   Edited 6/4/2008 8:49 pm ET by dc206