Tablesaw #1: New Unisaw or Sawstop

I think Saw Stop is first on my list.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Hi Mike,

I recieved my new unisaw about 2 months ago. I like everything about it. Now keep in mind that this is the first “real” table saw that I have ever owned so I can not say how it compares to other “professional” grade saws. The unisaw replaced my 1st and only other table saw which was a 25 year old craftsman, shaft drive unit. I literally wore it out. I suspect that you will be very happy with the Delta. I made my decision based on the fact that I found that Sawstop to be more expensive to purchase and to operate down the line. I still have all 10 digits on my hands and plan on keeping it that way.

Changing the brakes out on the Sawstop is a minor annoyance but it can be done from above the table by raising the blade up to its maximum height. Switching them out takes about 5 minutes. Either saw will be a quality tool that will serve you well in your shop for years to come. For me the safety of the brake system was the deciding factor between the Sawstop and a PM2000.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

My local community woodshop upgraded to a Sawstop less than a month ago. I was in there for the first time this weekend and asked (jokingly) how many fingers it had saved. The manager said “One, so far.”

It’s almost a crime that Sawstop won’t license their technology, but nonetheless I don’t think I’d buy any other saw at this point.

Who told you they wouldn’t license their technology?

That technology is owned by Stephen Gass. He is perfectly willing to license to any saw manufacturer… for 8% of the wholesale price of every saw sold with it. Normally such inventions are licensed for a percentage of the build cost, not wholesale price and 8% was thought to be excessive even then. They declined. He started SawStop when no other table saw manufacturer would pay up. Gass has since started a huge negative PR campaign claiming that saw manufacturers are not interested in making safer saws and petitioning the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make his technology mandatory on every table saw sold in the US so he can charge whatever he wants.

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

Thanks… I just got off the phone with the technical support at Sawstop and those guys are great. It didn’t take long to get a call back, less than 5 minutes. They are making a new blade guard which should be out in about a month.

-- Mike, VT

While I hate the approach the inventor of SawStop is taking with trying to use the courts to advance his business, I love the technology, and the saw. If I had the $$ I would get a SawStop for sure…

-- Trying to follow the example of the master.

We cant get any of these brands in England but from what i’v seen and read and was able to purchase any one of them i’d go straight to the SAWSTOP i like it lot just ashame they dont ship to England

Andy

-- cut it saw it scrap it

If I had the money, I’d get a Sawstop, no questions asked.

-- Ryno

If I had the money, I’d get a Sawstop, no questions asked.

I rest my case!

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

I am about 1.5 hours away from the nearest Sawstop Dealer, I called today and he has them in Stock, so will be going down to look at them, he also has the Powermatic 66 and Unisaw as well. I will let you all know my findings.

-- Mike, VT