Replies

1. 
   MikeMD | Nov 09, 2004 07:10am | #1

   I started out with the general 185 contractor.  Was new to woodworking wasen't sure if I could justify money for cabinet saw at that point in my woodworking development.  Absolutely love the saw, there are days I wish I had a bigger, faster and stronger saw, but for just over $600 the fit and finish of the saw and fence I think is unmatchable.

2. 
   BG | Nov 09, 2004 03:16pm | #2

   Charlie,

    A Grizzly 1023 S....but it would have taken lots of courage to do. 
3. 
   mudman | Nov 09, 2004 06:08pm | #3

   The new Ridgid looks like a great saw and it will leave enough dough to buy a jointer. Better than that is to be patient and look for a used cabinet saw.

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.
1. 
   Vamonos97 | Nov 09, 2004 07:40pm | #5

   Rigid tools get panned in the reviews. Check it out.

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 09, 2004 08:21pm | #6

   The newest version of the Rigid table saw is a signficant upgrade over their old one.  Not saying it's the best buy, by any means, but I wouldn't dismiss it out-of-hand.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

4. 
   bones | Nov 09, 2004 06:51pm | #4

   I went with the grizzly 1023s. Don't regret it one bit! I will clarify that I upgraded to the 7' rails add 300. Good luck on the decision.

5. 
   forestgirl | Nov 09, 2004 08:42pm | #7

   If I had plenty of $$ left over to buy all my other needed tools, I'd get the Grizzly 1023S.  Probably would buy the longer rails later, if needed, unless I knew they were crucial to have now.

   If I was passing on other important tools to gather the $1000, I'd get the General mentioned above, or the Grizzly equivalent (maybe -- don't have much data on that saw yet), and use the money saved to buy other stuff.  A jointer, a planer, clamps-clamps-clamps.  Keep in mind, one of things you'll probably want not long after you get the TS is a very good aftermarket miter gauge, which will cost you about $140.

   Whatever you get, opt for the cast iron wings over the stamped steel.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

6. 
   JohnJohn | Nov 09, 2004 10:03pm | #8

   I'm willing to go along with the folks recommending the Grizzly 1023. Never heard a bad thing about it and its a great price for a cabinet saw. I can't hardly imagine getting a cabinet saw for my first table saw, but if you do, you'll never have to suffer. I am on my fifth table saw now and its a Unisaw. Go ahead, spoil yourself. If you stay in woodworking, you will get to a cabinet saw.

7. 
   DougF | Nov 10, 2004 05:08pm | #9

   Charlie,

   Another vote for Grizzly 1023S.  Had mine for 2 years and have no complaints.  $ for $, I'm not sure you can go wrong.  Grizzly Tech suport has been excellent.

   Doug

8. 
   MarkRoderick | Nov 10, 2004 05:19pm | #10

   The Grizzly.

1. 
   RDale | Nov 10, 2004 11:05pm | #11

   My first tablesaw is a Sears 10''.  I have had it for 10years and had to work with it, replaced the rip fence.  I have kept it because I really couldn't get any $ out of it if I sold it.  My point here is, hold off until you can spent more than $1000 and get a real good one, Delta.  Those of use that are week-end and vacation time woodworkers only really buy one in a lifetime unless it falls apart.

   Rex

1. 
   GForcier | Nov 11, 2004 06:09am | #12

   I'm one of those weekend woodworkers, and I'm still quite happy with my first, a Grizzly 1022 contractor saw, which is lots less than $1,000, allowing money for that planer and jointer you'll want, not to mention the drill press.......Maybe some day I'll graduate up to the 1023 cabinet saw, but right now, there isn't anything I can't do on the contractor saw.

9. 
   brianmexico | Nov 12, 2004 05:27am | #13

   Charlie,

   I posed the very same question in this forum only two weeks ago with one difference. I realized some time ago that I wasn't going to be satisfied if I didn't get the saw that I REALLY wanted. So I held out and stashed a little extra until I had about $2,000 to play with. I have to add that it took a lot of will power to wait and save the money instead of impulse buying. I have had crummy contractors saws all my life and had drempt of one of these saws for a long time. Anyway, I asked the folks here on the forum which one was better PM 66 or Unisaw. The general consesus was that the unisaw was a fine machine and I would have some cash left over to buy some goodies. This is exactly what I did and I walked out of the tool depot with the unisaw, a reconditioned stationary sander, and a Lie Nielsen for good luck. It was excelent advise and I'm still grateful for it. The first thing I do everyday (after making coffee of course) is step into the shop and eyeball that beautiful saw. I happy I waited and I'm very happy with the performance of the saw. It's a pleasure to use and brings a whole new joy to my hobby. My advise is to hold out and buy the better machine, it may seem hard now but you'll never regret it once you have it.

   Keep Makin Shavins,

   Brian