Time to upgrade my tablesaw

I was in that same position 2 years ago. Didn’t want to spend $1800 on a unisaw, so I was strongly looking at Grizzly and I too lived about 150 miles from springfield store. Call it luck, but searching online, I kept looking for used saws, somehow I stumbled across a delta industrial unisaw for $1200. It was worth the extra $200 to get the unisaw versus the grizzly, plus it was delivered to my door. Haven’t regretted the decision even for a minute. The only torture was that it was ordered while my house was on the market, and a week later it sold. The saw showed up and we were in the process of packing prior to closing day, so it sat packed up for about 3 weeks and I had to look at it every day until we moved.

Check out SawStop. If money was no object, it is the one I would buy. Besides the safety features I have heard it excels in accuracy and all that other stuff.

http://www.sawstop.com

-- Joe

do you need the 5hp? My unisaw is a 2hp and it handles 5/4 oak without a problem. 2 of our 3 saws at school are 3hp and one is 2hp, can’t tell the difference when using them. Although I am comparing delta to grizzly, my 3hp shaper has never bogged down taking raised panel passes in one cut. You will need 220v 30amp instead of 20 amp for 5hp. Good luck in your decision.

I’m with tooldad. I have a 3hp Jet cabinet saw and I can’t imagine why I would need 5 hp. It never bogs down at all even in 5/4 hard maple.

I suppose the 12” blade might be handy if you were ripping 8/4 material but I have never needed to do that.

The 12” blade might cost more and you will need a 10” dado unless you want to keep changing the arbor.

Sure looks like a nice saw though.

and

thats just my .02

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I have been running 10 quarter western maple a lot, and it has been putting a strain on the saw, and also looking on Craigslist for other table saws with a great fence and the ability to handle sheet goods. This seems to meet all my needs, and is quite a bit cheaper than the delta 10 inch saw. I all ready have 100 amp 230v in the shop, and will in the next shop, so power is not an problem.

-- Life is to short to own an ugly boat.

You really should have a 5 hp motor or bigger for cutting thick stock. I have a 7 1/2 hp saw and it can handle most everything. The one thing you will need to be is very careful. The 5 hp and larger saws will not be kind to the operator who is careless. It is so powerful that it will grab a board and throw it across a room. You might consider attaching a slider accessory such as an Excalibur. It will make the saw much safer and easier to use.

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

I would stick to the 10” saw. The difference in arbor size is why. You’ve got a way bigger assortment of blades to choose from. 5hp would be great. 3hp is enough for everything but breaking down logs. I haven’t experienced ANY deficiencies with my pre-owned 3hp PW 66 since getting it in ‘04. Otherwise, go for weight. Mass is a good thing in your “stationary” tools. Less vibration, smoother running, nice controls, better fence et al. Whichever brand you go with, apples to apples, you’ll be satisfied.

always,
J.C.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein