Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Sep 18, 2007 03:23pm | #1

   Although I am reluctant to say it, the Craftsman hybrid has actually gotten some pretty good reviews, so don't rule it out. In your price range as well.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

2. 
   Jfrostjr | Sep 18, 2007 03:39pm | #2

   Look at the post titled "Power Bench".

   Frosty

   "I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

3. 
   bones | Sep 18, 2007 05:17pm | #3

   For that money, you can get a great cabinet saw.  You have quite a few options.  You can go with the craftsman saw that has had good reviews.  You could check out the local papers or go to http://www.irsauctions.com (its not the IRS with taxes) They liquidate furniter factories and cabinet shop equipment and you could get a used one there. Or, as I did, go with the Grizzly 1023 saw.  There are several flavors. I got the slx with the long 7' rails. Excellent saw and you can't beat the price.  Anyway if you do a search here on 1023slx you should find my detailed review. Good luck on the decision. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
4. 
   frenchy | Sep 18, 2007 08:51pm | #4

   V1kk1

      Grizzly get's my nod. I'm not a fan of the tablesaw,  it's basically a rip saw and requires a lot of adaptors and jigs to do any other task.. I own the 5959Z Grizzly but use it mostly as an assembly table. 

    Whatever you do buy the moble base for it!

     It takes up too much room for as little as it's used..

5. 
   hulio | Sep 19, 2007 12:20am | #5

   I bought the craftsman hybrid and am very pleased. Suprisingly pleased.  I found that I got more saw for my money with Sears than Delta, or Jet.  I got the local Sears to assemble and deliver. I checked It out; blade was parallel to miter slot and both 90 and 45s were set. The full cast iron top was level and flat to 0.001.  The only thing I do not like is the splitter/ blade guard, seems to flimsy. I spent 950.00 tax, del, and set up. Catch it on sale or closeout and maybe save more.  Happy cutting

6. 
   Drew1house | Sep 19, 2007 01:29am | #6

   I saw a 2004 unisaw with full rails and beisemeyer fence in really pristine condition with the low voltage thingie on the back go for $950. Single phase 3 horse... less wear than mine purchased in January... At Timberline Woodworking Supply here in Utah... All the schools are trading up to SawStops and trading the old stuff in... By buddy who owns the store was actually a bit ticked as this was really more like a 11-12 hundred range saw..

   Drew

7. 
   Knotscott | Sep 19, 2007 06:56pm | #7

   Your price range would just get you into something like a Grizzly 1023 3hp cabinet saw, which is a pretty substantial saw but it'll require 220v. 

   If you don't have 220v, I can heartily recommend the Orion made Craftsman 22124 hybrid, which I also find to be a surprisingly good saw for a hobbyist.  Most of the hybrids will run on either 110v or 220v.  Orion is owned by Steel City who offers a nearly identical saw.  Both have cabinet mounted trunnions which set them apart from other hybrids. 

    

    

1. 
   willy | Sep 20, 2007 12:56am | #12

   Go with the 220 volts - - I had my craftsman wired for 200 and never regretted it.

8. 
   PanBroil | Sep 19, 2007 07:04pm | #8

   The grizzled veterans will come out of the woodwork on this topic.

9. 
   forestgirl | Sep 19, 2007 07:16pm | #9

   Vikki, you might want to call Steel City and find out if there's a new hybrid on the way soon.  Seems to me I read about a new model coming out that will have a riving knife rather than a splitter.  This would be an option you won't find on other saws in this price range (unless Grizzly has one now, don't know).  It might be the saw that will have an option of a granite surface or a cast iron surface (go for cast iron).

   Of the hybrids available, one that has cabinet mounted trunions would get my vote (yes, the Craftsman -- and it's gotten great reviews by owners for quite a long time).

   If you're willing to shop used, try http://www.craigslist.org for local prospects.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   PanBroil | Sep 19, 2007 07:27pm | #10

   I can't wait until sawmakers offer a writhing knife as an upgrade.  Much more effective.

    

1. 
   par | Sep 19, 2007 11:41pm | #11

   After seeing, touching, and feeling the Saw Stop it's hard to justify anything less. Certainly alot more $$$ than you're ready to spend now but the investment in your well being is priceless. Suggest that you save up and get the best.

1. 
   PanBroil | Sep 20, 2007 04:28am | #13

   I'm not in the market.  I took a flyer on a Felder combo unit a few months ago.

10. 
    woodhacker | Sep 20, 2007 03:53pm | #14

    watch the offerings on craigslist.org for your area