So, I've received the go-ahead from my wife to buy a TS.
I've never owned anything but a bench top TS, and I know that a new bench top TS won't cut it for making cabinets and furniture. I want to build a shop that is free of fine dust. I don't want to add to the noisy activity of woodworking buy getting tools that make more noise than they should. Thus, I'm going to purchase a Pro Cabinet TS. I wired the garage for 220, and that means I can go 3HP. I know 5HP is more saw than I will ever use. I don't have a issue spending the money on GOOD quality and lots of options, but I won't waist money on something I'll never use - like the 2 extra HP. So, what Brand of TS should I buy?
A little about myself: I play guitar for pleasure, and I'm a computer consultant. I make my living with my fingers. All my friends and family tell me, "You should hire someone to do that home construction!" or "Just go out and buy that piece of furniture you want!" because "Someone that makes a living typing shouldn't be near a saw!" I understand those opinions, but they just don't cut it. I love working with the wood and building things. But, most of all, I love counting on my fingers with my four year old.
I've used Jet and PM saws over the years. I liked them. Several years ago, I almost pulled the trigger on a Grizzly, but didn't because I don't usually go for the bargain brand. I know that if I get a saw that isn't REALLY good, I'll always regret not spending the extra cash to have the saw I REALLY wanted. After many hours of scouring reviews on this and other sites and talking to people at pro shops, I don't think I want to buy a Delta. They seem to be on the down side of their reign. Then I cam across what I think is the one for me…the SawStop. If all things where the same, I'd choose the SawStop for safety and safety alone.
So, that's the question, are all things the same? SawStop is "Top In Class?" but when one spends that kind of money on a saw, shouldn't all the top saws perform pretty much the same? Shouldn't they all have the same: options, build quality, ease of use, noise level, dust collection, ease of alignment, cut quality, etc?
If there is a really good reason, other than price, to choose a saw other than the SawStop, I will seriously consider it that saw. Especially since there are after market safety devices like the WhirlWind that will hopefully be coming to market soon.
I am inviting the mud slinging. I'm calling the fighters to their corners so the fight can begin. Please save me from drinking the SawStop Kool-Aid and convince me to save the money and still end up with a GREAT saw. I'd love to tell my wife I'm saving money….so I can buy a great dust collector.
I know there's a lot of politics involved with SawStop. I've read all about it. I personally love politics. I'm a free market/fewer government regulation type, and usually vote with my wallet. Those types of issues are not what I want to discuss. I'd like to hear the reason why I should buy "x" as apposed to "y" based on manufacturing quality, the saw's capability, ease of use, etc.
I've read all sorts of reviews of lots of brands, but none that I've come across really do a comprehensive apples to apples comparisons of the saws, like Consumer Reports does for TV's.
Of course, at any time, anyone could save a lot of the mud slinging by providing a link to that elusive and comprehensive Consumer Reports review.
I've never owned anything but a bench top TS, and I know that a new bench top TS won't cut it for making cabinets and furniture. I want to build a shop that is free of fine dust. I don't want to add to the noisy activity of woodworking buy getting tools that make more noise than they should. Thus, I'm going to purchase a Pro Cabinet TS. I wired the garage for 220, and that means I can go 3HP. I know 5HP is more saw than I will ever use. I don't have a issue spending the money on GOOD quality and lots of options, but I won't waist money on something I'll never use - like the 2 extra HP. So, what Brand of TS should I buy?
A little about myself: I play guitar for pleasure, and I'm a computer consultant. I make my living with my fingers. All my friends and family tell me, "You should hire someone to do that home construction!" or "Just go out and buy that piece of furniture you want!" because "Someone that makes a living typing shouldn't be near a saw!" I understand those opinions, but they just don't cut it. I love working with the wood and building things. But, most of all, I love counting on my fingers with my four year old.
I've used Jet and PM saws over the years. I liked them. Several years ago, I almost pulled the trigger on a Grizzly, but didn't because I don't usually go for the bargain brand. I know that if I get a saw that isn't REALLY good, I'll always regret not spending the extra cash to have the saw I REALLY wanted. After many hours of scouring reviews on this and other sites and talking to people at pro shops, I don't think I want to buy a Delta. They seem to be on the down side of their reign. Then I cam across what I think is the one for me…the SawStop. If all things where the same, I'd choose the SawStop for safety and safety alone.
So, that's the question, are all things the same? SawStop is "Top In Class?" but when one spends that kind of money on a saw, shouldn't all the top saws perform pretty much the same? Shouldn't they all have the same: options, build quality, ease of use, noise level, dust collection, ease of alignment, cut quality, etc?
If there is a really good reason, other than price, to choose a saw other than the SawStop, I will seriously consider it that saw. Especially since there are after market safety devices like the WhirlWind that will hopefully be coming to market soon.
I am inviting the mud slinging. I'm calling the fighters to their corners so the fight can begin. Please save me from drinking the SawStop Kool-Aid and convince me to save the money and still end up with a GREAT saw. I'd love to tell my wife I'm saving money….so I can buy a great dust collector.
I know there's a lot of politics involved with SawStop. I've read all about it. I personally love politics. I'm a free market/fewer government regulation type, and usually vote with my wallet. Those types of issues are not what I want to discuss. I'd like to hear the reason why I should buy "x" as apposed to "y" based on manufacturing quality, the saw's capability, ease of use, etc.
I've read all sorts of reviews of lots of brands, but none that I've come across really do a comprehensive apples to apples comparisons of the saws, like Consumer Reports does for TV's.
Of course, at any time, anyone could save a lot of the mud slinging by providing a link to that elusive and comprehensive Consumer Reports review.