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Delta 36-5000 model tablesaws

12K views 20 replies 13 participants last post by  FraserValley 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I know I know, another Delta TS inquiry. I have been looking at these models for a while. Mainly the 5100 because I like the cast iron. There is not a whole lot of documentation or reporting about these saws. I have checked the reviews of every retailer and searched every forum, but have not found anything to be definitive. Meaning not alot of people are really sharing their real-world experiences.

Is this due a lot of people considering these to be "low value" in comparison to other machines (mainly Grizzly models or even the 36-725). Amazon/HD/Lowes has mixed reviews but I think the knowledge base (or lack thereof) of people posting those reviews is different in comparison to the fine folks on here.

FWIW - I have been aggressively cashing in credit card rewards and trading in old, unused electronics for Amazon gift cards, as well as having been gifted many - so I have kind of pigeonholed myself to Amazon as the place to purchase. I believe they at one point sold the Laguna Fusion (very highly regarded on Amazon and Rockler - oddly not so much at woodcraft) but everybody seems to have that on backorder, including Amazon. If they cant get it back in stock, looking hard at the 5100 as a backup plan.

As I am sure it will come up, I am just not crazy about the Grizzly - by time you make it mobile, it costs pretty much the same as the Delta anyways.

Anybody want to share their experience with any model in the 5000 series? There is a lot of documentation about the 36-725 - I am pretty sure i have read every post (twice) Is there any reason to think this saw should perform any differently different, save for a few (expensive) upgrades? Are there any satisfied customers?
 
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#2 ·
I have the 36-725 and it's a lesser featured version of the 36-5000 version. I really like the 36-725 but if I had the money at the time I would have purchased one of the 36-5000 versions. On the 5000 version I like the higher amp motor, the one piece fence rail and the double site glass on the fence for setting measurements and the option to get cast iron extension wings.
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
I think the lack of info on the Delta 36-5000 is due to it's newness, and not having many units in the field….it just hasn't been out that long, and I haven't heard from many folks who've bought it. AFAIK, it's essentially the same saw as the 36-725 with a bigger motor and single piece front fence rail….some variations offer cast iron wings, longer rails, etc. IMO the 36-725 represents a good value relative to the R4512 and 21833 in the $550-$600 price range…..I just don't think the 36-5000 offers enough more "stuff" to justify a $350 premium over the 36-725. At $1000, it also pits the 36-5000 against the well proven Jet Proshop base models, and costs the same or more than the Grizzly G0715P and G0771 which offer full enclosures and solid cast wings. That doesn't make the 36-5000 a bad saw or a bad choice, just a lesser known entity, and a more questionable value in my eyes.

The Laguna Fusion has very similar guts as the Jet Proshop, but offers a lesser aluminum two-piece front fence rail, which is kinda lame considering it's price point. The Jet Proshop fence is easily the better fence IMO. Since the Jet has the better fence and better CS reputation, as well as similar warranty, I'd pick the Jet over the Laguna in a heartbeat.

Amazon also offers the Grizzly and Shop Fox saws, including their hybrids and industrial cabinet saws. If you're at all considering saws in the $1300 range, the Grizzly G1023RL and G0690 are considerably more substantial saws than any hybrid for very little extra money. The G0690 is essentially the same saw as the Laguna Platinum saw. The 3hp saws would require 220v though….food for thought.
 
#4 ·
Thank you all for the feedback. The $1000 range is difficult becuase while it may be hard to justify the extra $350 over the $600 saw, does the Jet Proshop offer enough stuff to justify a $350 premium over a $1000 saw? I guess that's up to me to decide. Believe me, if i wasn't pretty much committed into Amazon I would be wheeling this into my shop this weekend:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/5543786856.html

However, since I cant really spend household income on this, I think I might stick to the $1000-$1100 range and spend the extra on a planer or a drill press. Looks like there are plenty of good ones out there in the sub $400 range.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
The Proshop is a nice saw, but I don't think it's $350 nicer than the Delta or the Griz G0715P. I do like the features of the G0715P over the Delta though….great fence, full enclosure, and solid cast iron wings for the price of an open leg enclosure and steel wings.

I'll reiterate that if you have 220v available, I do think the G1023RL is worth an extra $400 over the hybrid saws….even if it means waiting a while for a planer.

Either way, set aside at least $30 for a decent blade(s)....
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
My wife surprised me with the 36-5000. And I absolutely love it! Cast iron wings weren't a necessity for me because of the limited realestate in my shop, I installed a router table to the left of the saw in place of a wing. Only (minor) gripes are that the riving knife is a pain to remove and the wheels aren't multi directional like the Ridgid. After the set-up, I checked the blade with a dial indicator, and the blade was out .003, and the fence was out .005!
If you do go with this saw, I strongly recommend that you reverse the wheels upon installation. Put the swivel to the left and the two stationary one to the right.

Best of luck -Jason
 
#8 ·
Thanks alot for all of your feedback I much appreciate it. Taking a look at the guts of these Delta saws. It looks like the motor is completely encased yet they say it is an induction motor. What does one do when it comes time to maintain the motor or replace a belt? Looking at replacement parts, a new motor assembly costs just as much as a new saw.
 
#9 ·
It's got a start capacitor, so it is an induction motor… not much can go bad on those, and properly cared for, it will last forever. Anything that may need addressing in the future (bearings, capacitor, centrifugal switch) should not be too difficult to fix if you have a modicum of mechanical ability. While I haven't played with one, based on the parts diagram, it appears to be a geared arbor coupling, so no belts involved.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#10 ·
I would recommend the Laguna Fushion. I purchased mine in February of this year and it has been a great saw.

When I got the saw and started the assembly of the saw it went together well. Only one corner of the extension table had to be shimmed to make it dead flat.

The blade was only a couple thousandths out of alignment with the miter slot. So I adjusted it accordingly. The cuts it has produced have been nothing short of awesome.

It seems everyone gets hung up on the two piece front rail of the fence. I haven't had any alignment issues because of it. I do recommend to wax the rail so the fence slides easier.

Genuinely the only complaint I have had so far is the factory insert that came with the same. It was garbage, but I've been making my own with mdf and it's been fantastic since pitching the factory one.

Dust collection has been good this far. The power of the saw is great and is more then adequate for my needs. The built in wheels are a nice feature for me because I park and work in my garage.

I'd hold out for the Fushion, but I'm biased.
 
#12 ·
Given your criteria for your future table saw: it has to be from Amazon and it has to be sub-$1000. In my opinion, you're getting more saw from Delta than Grizzly. Granted, the G0771 is $695. But, that's not including $100 to get it to your shop, while the Delta offers free shipping, and if you want the mobility of the Delta, that's another $100. Now you're looking at $900 as the final price you pay after everything is all said and done. Yes, the grizzly is a full cast table, but the fence isn't as great as the 36-5000. Down the road however, if you wanted to add a full cast iron table, they sell aftermarket ones for around $150. So basically, both saws are $900 with a 15amp motor, and it comes down to full cast table vs. fence.
Just my two cents. It really comes down to what's important to you.
 
#13 ·
After reading some of the other posts and seeing what others have done, I am really leaning towards the steel wings. I was initially leaning cast iron but I like the idea of a router table insert since I am trying to keep the shop "lean"

Going back to Mrunix reply about the motor being properly cared for and lasting forever. I am not a gear head but I do take care of my stuff, so How does one do that on an enclosed motor?

Curious Why does the motor assembly on this thing look so much different from any other saw that's out there? Is delta doing something new in this design?
 
#15 ·
My former employer used to have the version of this saw with a 36" rip compacity. I hated it. The fence was floppy and had to be measured at the front and back every time it was moved. It seemed to be way under powered compared to my Craftsman 351.221160 which are rated to have the exact same horse power. Plus getting any kind of customer support (not to mention parts) from Delta is next to impossible.

With that being said, it could be made to work. Perhaps the guy that set up the unit I used didn't get the fence properly adjusted and perhaps the fence could be adjusted to not require measuring at the front and back every time it is moved. That was my main gripe about this saw.

If I was going to drop $600 + tax + shipping for the Delta I think that I would spring for the extra $300 (or so) and get the one with the 52" rip compacity. It is the cheapest new saw that I am aware of with a 52" rip compacity.
 
#18 ·
I ended up buying the delta. 36-5100 Found out lowes sells gift cards on Amazon. So I stocked up and those waited for it to go on sale. Home Depot lowered the price to $862 and the. I convinced the lowes Rep to match that and take a 10% off coupon. So I was right around $800 after tax. I am happy with it for the price I paid. It has done everything that I have asked if to. When set up properly it is very accurate. My only negative about it is the dust collection. When hooked up to a 4" dust collector it only gets about half. The other half shoots out the top. Not ready to blame the saw for that yet though
 
#20 ·
I'm probably the newest member on here, and this is my first post, so take it for what its worth…. but I have been very successful in the past in buying used equipment so far, as I am putting together a hobby wood shop now. I found a local auction and bought a Delta 36-L500 table saw used for just shy of $550 (auction from a high school shop and it looks unused) and locally found a Jet dust collection system for $75, a Grizzy 6 inch jointer with added spiral cutter head and a 13 inch delta planer for $650.
Deals are out there if you look.
I am in the market for a band saw, drill press, another router and looking for lots of clamps.
 
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