I am an experienced woodworker (used to work in a cabinet shop) and now a hobbyist who intends to upgrade from my Shopsmith to a “regular” table saw. Due to finance and space considerations, I have narrowed my choice down to a contractor or hybrid saw.
I am also an experienced internet user, and for the life of me cannot find a definitive comparison of the different brands and models. I have found a hybrid on Woodworkers supply’s website that claims a Woodtek hybrid earned “Best Buy” from Fine Woodworking. I am a recent subscriber, and a paid member of the .com site, but cannot find the article that makes such a claim, nor any other recent comparisons of these saws.
Can anyone give me:
A web site that does a decent job of comparisons
Where I can find comparison here at Fine Woodworking
Their experience/suggestions on purchasing a contractor or hybrid saw
Thanks! Rob
Replies
Another option.....
I'll be the first to try and drag you off in another direction -- have you thought about getting a good used cabinet saw instead?? In most populated areas of the country, you should be able to pick up a used Unisaw in the $700 range, and it'll be much better than a hybrid or contractor saw.
Thanks for the advice
I have considered a cabinet, but I am unable to find a unisaw (or other quality cabinet) in my area (Front range of Colorado, Southeast Wyoming) for under $1K. I have checked Craig's list and Ebay.
Also, I have a small garage shop, and would need to move the saw out a bit on occasion to cut sheet goods.
Look Outside Your Immediate Area
First, let me clarify my recommendation on 120/220. Most home shops I have had lacked enough 120V circuits to adequately run the tools I needed at one time. Given the option, I generally choose 220V because of lower amp draw. Hopefully you have a friend skilled in electrical work.
If not, and you're inclined, here's what I did in upgrading the wiring in my photography studio: I hired a certified electrician to inspect my work and to advise on any questions. I also paid him to install the service and the breaker box. After I ran all the wiring, he checked it out, got the inspection, and connected the main. This saved approximately $4000.
Now to Craigs list: Consider expanding your search to maybe a 2-3 hour drive. Would it be worth a 4-6 hour round trip if you could bring home a good saw that would improve the pleasure of working in your shop?
Table saws
Rob:
I can't give you a comparison tip, but I agree with forestgirl about trying to find a good used cabinet saw. However, if you are unable to find anything and want a good contractor's saw check out the Grizzly 0661. It has a 2 hp motor which is better than most contractor saws and it has a riving knife that moves with the blade when raised or lowered, a good safety feature. It appears to have the motor on the side, like a cabinet saw and has good dust collection. It looks like a nice saw for the money, $850 + shipping.
I have a Grizzly cabinet saw and am very happy with it. It might be worth checking out.
Good luck,
Jim
What about voltage?
I did check it out, and also the other saws they offer. I see that many in this price range say they are 110/220 volts. I do not have 220 in my garage, would it be worth it to hire an electrician to give me a 220 outlet? Does the motor run significantly smoother or more powerful?
220V Advantage
Absolutely get a knowledgeable electrician to help you.
If at all possible, I would run it at 220V. The power required to run the motor does not change. But a motor wired for 220V pulls 1/2 the amps than it would if it were wired for 120V. If it's a 3HP motor it will need the equivalent of 3HP in Watts of electricity. (Power=Current x Voltage). Many 110V Circuits use marginally sized wiring, especially in some older garages that may have been added on by a homeowner. Powering lights and a circular saw or drill is one thing. Running a tablesaw is a different requirement.
Most contractor saws I've come across are run at 110V and are fine as long as you have the proper sized and type of wiring.
However, consider that most contractor saws are not going to handle the needs of the "fine furniture" builder. Read the reviews on Tablesaws in the FWW archives. In this economy there are many good used choices available.
On the way
Thanks, and I did contact an electrician to come out and give me an estimate.
This may be what you're looking for, Rob.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/fwnpdf/011195060.pdf
Thanks, this helps.
Porter Cable saw
Anyone know anything about this saw?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_101711-46069-PCB270TS_0_?productId=3161103&Ntt=table%20saw&Ntk=i_products&pl=1¤tURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=table%20saw$y=9$x=35
I noticed it at Lowe's yesterday, and could not find much at all online as far as reviews. It is apparently new on the market, and I have trusted the brand in the past, but have doubts about any new product - but the price is really good for a hybrid (which is how it is being marketed).
This saw represents a significant break in tradition for Porter Cable. It looks like something that would have previously been marketed under the DeWalt brand. So, I suspect it is the result of the parent company's attempt to reshuffle the brands, along with a special marketing deal with Lowes.
I would not touch anything new from porter cable if i was looking for something on par with their older offerings. Black and Decker (owner of porter cable) has set about making PC their mid range offering and Lowes version of ridgid. This is a sad state of affairs because portercable was a great tool company.
Note that Black & Decker is
Note that Black & Decker is now owned by Stanley Works, as the result of a recent stock-swap deal. The new company is called Stanley Black & Decker, and is now the largest toolmaker. I don't see that changing what the parent company has been doing to Porter Cable and Delta, though.
Lowes new brand
They used to sell a Hitachi table saw in the same price range. I know the tool guy at our local Lowes, and he said Lowes makes big time marketing aggreements, thus out with Hitachi and in with PC. He has not sold one yet, and has no idea of the quality.
I have a 2 1/4 hp PC router I love, and also a belt sander I like, too.
However, I just do not trust some of these companies any more - I used to have several Craftsman power tools, but I wouldn't buy one now! I wonder if PC is headed down that same road?
Most Craftsman tools are junk, agreed. There is a hybrid saw, however, that several from this forum have said is a good value. Possibly you would want to check it out.
I am anxious to know just where in Wyo-Colo you live. I am from Albin, Wyoming and know the area fairly well. I think some folk from more populated areas don't realize how wide open the spaces are and that a two to three hour drive is nothing to get to a shopping area. Best of luck on your search.
Howdy neighbor!
I live just outside Cheyenne. Nice to chat with someone so close!
Wide area
Thanks, I did. Still nothing worth checking into, but I will keep at it.
hybrid saw evaluation
The 2009 taunton tool guide for March from the editors of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking has an excellent evaluation hybrid table saws.
tool review site
have you tried looking at newwoodworker.com? Tom Hintz does some fairly decent tool reviews. There are a couple of saws on his site. He likes his powermatic.
I bought a saw
Well, after much research, I dragged my wife off to "Tool King" just west of Denver to check out the line of saws they had. The SawStop interested her, and after she discovered the safety features she told me she wanted me to have one. My future son-in-law wants to learn woodworking, and she said if he was going anywhere near my saw, buy the SawStop (I am not sure if she was at all concerned about me!)
Anyhow, I bought the 3 hp Professional cabinet saw, and so far just love it!
Thanks much for all the great advice, everyone.
hybrid saws
for your info
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