To buy or not to buy a new table saw?
Just retired from the Air National Guard, after 26.5 years.
Wife has given me the OK to purchase new Delta Unisaw. I like it and it is made in the USA!
Do I need this saw? Can I get by with my Festool MTF and TS 55? Yes, I am a hypocrite when it comes to Festool. Is this too much saw for my needs?
My new shop space is roughly 16’x20′. Old space was 24’x60′ barn style garage with a full loft above it. Oh I miss that space.
I have done so much research, read the blogs that I am in information overload and am moved to inactivity.
Dust mitigation is a high priority, thus why I like Festool products and am considering new Unisaw.
Information overload has set in with, cheaper cabinet saws made in China, that get good reviews by the users. Ran across sliding table saw on Grizzly web site, but can cut sheet goods with Festool.
OK looking for input and thoughts.
Oh yeah, Lowes can order Delta Unisaw with 36″ table for $3096, plus they will honor 10% military discount. Plus, Delta has rebate.
Eric
Edited 12/13/2009 7:30 am by EricArey
Replies
Armed with spousal-unit approval, there should be little cause for delay. I say go for it, before she changes her mind. ;-)
More seriously, you may want to do a scaled drawing of your shop and all of the machines, so you can be sure that everything will be usable in some kind of layout. A big saw with a big table and outfeed, plus the infeed space required for whatever materials you commonly use will likely dominate your layout. It's good to make sure it will work before you get there.
You're situation is something you've waited a long time for, and you have spousal approval....do you really want to "get by" this time? Get what you like/want...
(slap upside the head goes here! ...wink)
Working in only 16x20, I would be very hesitant to install a full size cabinet saw. To be effective and safe, you also need an adequate runnout table. The whole thing is a pleasure to use but a space hog. The Festool saw is a dream. I love mine. I also love my unisaw but I have the space for it. But it all really depends on what you want to cut and build. Sometimes a tablesaw just can't be replaced.
I'll chime in because I have a cabinet saw and a Festool TS55 with rail.
In my shop, the Festool cannot replace the table saw. They are used for different functions. I use the Festool to break down sheet goods into manageable pieces for cabinet building, and I take it with me for slight adjustments to finished cabinets in the field.
I use my cabinet saw for accurately ripping hardwood, for joinery, and for accurately duplicating sizes for cabinet parts which have previously been broken down by the Festool.
I used to rely on the Festool to cut sheet goods, and go straight to construction. What I found is that there was always a little "pilot error", and, say, all 20 cabinet side parts were not exactly the same. I could only get that duplication from my cabinet saw, with the fence set, and untouched during the process.
In the long run, you'll be happy that you have the cabinet saw.
Jeff
Eric,
Congrats on the "go ahead." I got the go ahead this past summer. I also struggled between the new Unisaw and the Grizzly slider. And, I also have a Festool T55 with the MFT, I totally agree with you on the amazing dust collection capability of Festools.
It's a big and fun decision! Good luck. BTW: Don't listen to the guy that says to think twice about buying a table saw... Of course you need one!
I just got the new Unisaw for my Dad (long story). The features on it make it a very comfortable, stable and easy to use machine.
Denny
Hey Congrats on the retirement! I have a TS (bought first) and the MFT3/TS55 combo that I use and can give you some comparisons. While I now use my mft3 for most cutting operations now, there are times when the TS is the right tool for use. The TS55 will not handle the real thick stuff nor will it be practicle for the real small stuff. Ripping long sections will be a challenge but can be done. I myself have the Grizzly 1023slx with 7' rails and its a great saw and its been serving me well for over 5 years now and very cost effective. To me I think you need both but there are those that have done away with their cabinet saws. Go over to http://www.woodshopdemos.com and you will see an example of what I'm talking about.
Someone even came up with and is selling a device that turns your mft3/ts55 into a ts insert into the top. He calls it the TSCK1. Go Here to see it in action. If you have any questions, the dude that came up with it is a regular over at http://www.festoolownersgroup.com Next to here, I spend most my time there and http://www.talkfestool.com. Take care and if you do get the unisaw, enjoy and post a review. Have a good one!
...Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off , painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it’s worth – lyrics from the song wear sunscreen
Eric,
If you need it buy it! If you only think you need it, then step back and pause awhile.
I am on the other side of the fence when it comes to table saws. I have one, but just recently put it away just to see if I can live without it. It looks to me like you have already accomplished this with your Festool items. I don't have a nice circular saw like you do. I will need one someday, but for now I am trying to make my bandsaw my main saw for long cuts. So far so good.
I am 60. I don't live to haul 4x8 anything around. I recently brought home 3 sheets of 3/4" plywood in the back of my '91 Escort. The supplier has a great panel saw!
You have learned to take the tool to the work, which will be of great benefit as you move into smaller quarters. My shop is 15 X 25 and manhandling sheet goods in that small space is not easy. You will need full clearance for the full length of your shop to cut anything 8' long. With your plunge saw, you only need the length of the work.
This is a big decision for you as this new saw will take up a significant amount of precious floor space. If not fully utilized, it will become a convenient surface for storage, glue ups etc. How do I know this?
For occasional use the are a number of very good portables on the market right now.
Being the devils advocate for you on this. Just really be sure you have a real need given your space constraints.
Don
Assuming you want the big #### table say because you will have a lot of time on your hands, and working with the thing will make you "happy" in your retirement, and assuming you can easily afford it, go for it.
Yesterday, however, I used my dying Ryobi benchtop table saw to cut a 7 foot long 2 inch square pole out of a 7 foot long 4 inch square piece of very heavy hard maple. The set up took some time, and it would have been nice to have had a helper, but I was "happy" when it was done.
In other words, don't kid yourself into thinking you are getting the fancy saw because you need it.
Dear Eric,
First and foremost, thank you for your service to our country!!! I would like to suggest a couple of things :
1) Amazon.com lists a 5 hp unisaw for less $ :http://www.amazon.com/DELTA-36-L51X-BC50-5-Horsepower-Biesemeyer-Extension/dp/B0000A25YU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1261065439&sr=8-6
or : http://www.amazon.com/DELTA-36-831LA-3-Horsepower-Biesemeyer-Extension/dp/B0007KQXSQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1261065648&sr=8-4
I bought my Powermatic from Amazon and am VERY pleased with the service provided.
Now, just to muddy the waters a bit, although made overseas, the "Sawstop" could be a consideration: http://www.tools-plus.com/sawstop-pcs31230tgp5.html
If you've never seen it :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esnQwVZOrUU
Again. thank you for your service, Merry Christmas, God Bless.
John
Eric,
All I can say is I have the new style Delta 36-L352 that's the 3 hp with the 52" fence system plus I also have the outfeed table. I Love the saw and have no regrets about buying it and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a long term solution. It is everything they say it is. Of all the big saws out there this is as close as you will get to being made in the USA. They say that some "components" like some bolts or some thing like that could be imported. The table, cabinet, motor, fence are all made here in the US. What they say is everything is made inthe US, but if someone was to find a small part not made here in the USA they tell you that some part maybe imported. But everything is assembled in Jackson TN.
Myself I like the Festool line of tools, but I just can't give up my big tools.
Taigert
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