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Whip out my big 12 inch

2K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  ArtMann 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
If you are going to spend say $2,000 -$3,000 on a 10 inch Table saw, why wouldn't you go for a 12 inch TS? Horse power and VOLTAGE not withstanding???

For one, most people that have a good chopsaw they are usually 12 inch
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm not going to spend $2000-$3000 for a 10 inch table saw. Haven't done so yet, and not going to do so in the future. What I got now will last me the rest of my life, and it was a fraction of that amount. If I ever did feel the need for a 12 inch saw, I'd set a budget for around $500 tops.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#3 ·
Well I used one at my last job and at first I was like SO! But i Liked it. Trust me If I was gunna spend 2 grand on a TS I would get a SAWSTOP 10 inch, But have read a few posts about which 10 inch TS to buy and they seem to itmeize them to about 2 grand

I m not going to spend $2000-$3000 for a 10 inch table saw. Haven t done so yet, and not going to do so in the future. What I got now will last me the rest of my life, and it was a fraction of that amount. If I ever did feel the need for a 12 inch saw, I d set a budget for around $500 tops.

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix
 
#4 ·
Unisaws and PM66's show up all the time for a lot less than $2000 (my Unisaw set me back less than $500). PM72's and Delta 12/14's as well. Grizzly and Jet machines even less. If you are going to spend $2000 on a Sawstop, then you would be getting a portable jobsite saw, as even the mid-range 1.75hp PCS starts with a base price a few hundred more than that.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#5 ·
I have had several 12" saws and I prefer
them. They are louder though. Blades are
arguably more costly but since it's a less
common size bargains can be found closeouts
and stuff.

Many of the saws are heavier than 10" cabinet
saws, etc. but not all.
 
#6 ·
Hey Woodworm,
The few 12 inch cabinet saws I've seen weigh a ton (pun intended) but most 10 inch saws are much less. No, I have not researched some newer 12 inch saws like the Grizzly's but I'm certain they weigh hundreds of pounds more than say, a Unisaw, which I was able to get into and out of my basement with a heavy duty refrigerator cart.
I think the weight would be one of the biggest detractors to getting a 12 inch saw.
How much greater depth of cut can you get from a 12 inch? I don't think it is a full inch more but I could be wrong.

Also, off topic was your avatar originally black and white and facing the other direction (or am I hallucinating?)?

Marc
 
#7 ·
Well I dream about owning this one:

NO. 4 NORTHFIELD TILTING ARBOR VARIETY SAW WITH REGULAR ROLLING TABLE - equipped with 5 HP
heavy duty 3,600 RPM TEFC arbor motor - magnetic starter with 110 volt at push button - rolling table 17 1/2" x 45 1/2"; stationary table 22 1/2" x 45 1/2" - adjustable table dado capacity to 4" opening rip gauge extension
19 1/2" - rolling table crosscut capacity 31" - two dovetailed mitre gauges 60°-0°-60° - one stationary mitre gauge on rolling table with right and left degree quadrants and positive locators - rack and pinion type fence - filter strips - four stock stops - 1 1/8" arbor (1" or 1 1/4" optional - advise). Rip capacity 36". 16" Lexan guard, Warner electric brake.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 20,400.00
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
We have a northfield 18 inch table saw in the Purdue shop. I wouldn't want to own it personally as the kerf is an entire 1/4 inch! Its also something like 10hp. (not entirely sure about this, Its yuuuge) So. Much. Saw. Its a screamer. The saw itself is nearly silent but when you have a blade on, it reaches that resonate frequency of a gazillion hertz at a bazillion decibels (super-accurate terminology) We use it for ripping 12/4 + boards in the rough before doing other milling. It is surprisingly accurate though. I have used it on occasion when the other cabinet saw is in use. Its just a little scary. It has all these guards on it that obscure the blade. Stupid osha. I think it can really be a hindrance sometimes.

I will keep my vintage unisaw thank you very much. I wouldn't want it any other way. Plus, I am with Brad. I would never spend that much on a saw anyway. ; )
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
Those Northfields and similar direct drive variety
saws have to use larger blades because the motor
can't get as close to the table surface as a
belt drive arbor. At the very least you'd have
to run a 12" blade on one to get a depth of cut
similar to a Unisaw.

I have a Tannewitz sitting in storage. I've fired it
up but never really used it. I've considered selling
it but it's so heavy I dread dealing with loading it
without a forklift. At 1800lbs. it exceeds the capacity
of common lift gates.
 
#12 ·
Woodworm…..you ll find that many will find all sorts of reasons to justify their actions.

You seemingly are a hobbiest,,,,so you will probably get by fine without a 12 inch saw

The common reasons seem to be,,,,,not enough space,,,,,capacity is not that much more,,,,,don't need that much power,,,,,blades cost more (thats one of the corniest ones),,,,,difficult to move,,,,,,( your definitely a hobbiest if you need to move your table saw) Im sure you have heard that once you have a piano tuned DONT MOVE IT,,,,same thing here

You probably are aware of the benefits of using a router with a 1/2 inch collet rather than a 1/4 inch,,,,well sorta applies here as well…...when the saw has a one inch or larger arbor…..you will experience smoother operation…...not to mention the additional weight benefit.

Enjoy the journey
JB
 
#13 ·
Someone here posted about American Made saws and this Northfield company was brought up. I looked, very impressive piece of machinery. That said way beyond what I will ever need as a hobbyist for projects for me and the wife. But I did print it out and the price and have it in the shop. Anytime anyone asks what they can "get for me" I pull it out. How about this I ask. yeah sure…what???

Priceless…. I know I am a jerk!

LOL
 
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