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Table saw pre-purchasing research

4K views 69 replies 26 participants last post by  RibsBrisket4me 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This is not another "which TS should I buy" thread, but rather just some thoughts and observations running through my head as I get ready to buy my first cabinet saw.

I had a chance to play around with a few cabinet saws today, as part of my pre-purchasing research. I looked at the Delta Unisaw, a General 350, and a Laguna LTS-260. These are the saws that are available in my neck of the woods.

The Unisaw was really nice but it's a bit more than I want to spend. The General is also a nice saw, Canadian made, but it's also stretching my budget and to be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about buying a saw that is no longer going to be manufactured.

So that left me with the Laguna. I've read all of the horror stories about their customer service, and I told the sales guy at the store that I was concerned about it. He acknowledged that there have been some problems in the past, but he claims they have improved in that area in recent years. He also made the point that if I have a problem with the saw, I won't be dealing with Laguna, he will be. The sales guy was actually very helpful, pointing out the various features of the saws, and even encouraging me to wait until next month to buy as they have a sale coming up then.

The Laguna saw itself is an exact clone of the Grizzly G0691 with a different paint scheme. I'm on the fence (no pun intended) as to whether I want a 52" rip capacity. Laguna doesn't offer a 30" version of their saw, so if I decide to go that route I'd have to look at the G0690 (or cut down the rails on the Laguna).

I'm going to make a trip down to the Grizzly showroom this weekend, just to check out their machines in person. I was initially considering a G1023RLW, but I don't think I can live with a 26" rip capacity.

Too many freaking saws to choose from… what a problem to have, eh? :)
 
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#28 · (Edited by Moderator)
Have you looked into the General International line? Same family owned company as General, but the machinery is mostly made in Taiwan/China (like so many others) instead of Canada. Grizzly tends to offer a great bang for the buck, but a 21% tax premium puts a pretty good dent in that value.

Any Shop Fox dealers near you? Have you looked into any of the Craftex or King Industrial tools?

It's farther than Bellingham, but a sweet deal on a General 350.
http://lumberjocks.com/topics/46490
 
#31 · (Edited by Moderator)
Sorry life hasn't worked out as you would have liked…it probably wasn't fair, but it's still your burden to bear, not ours, so please take your meds, talk to your pastor, keep the mental health issues to yourself, and quit lashing out at the world around you. There's no shame in needing help…but for Pete's sake, get it. You might try doing something you enjoy for a change….
 
#33 · (Edited by Moderator)
SawSucker- Just a shot in the dark here but I think Scott is talking to you. I read and reread the posts and for the life of me can't see that it would be anyone else…..
If I am wrong, which is certainly possible, then KnottScott must be a very busy guy. A salesman for Grizzly, General, General International, Craftex, King, and Shop Fox, wow ! When and how Knottscott do you find the time to offer good unbiased advice ?
 
#34 ·
Welcome to the sawsucker nightmare. For some reason he thinks discussions about cabinet saws are really a veiled attempt to undermine his manhood. He's done this on every discussion board around, and consequently has been banned from them all as well. Looks like he wants to do the same thing here.

KnottScott contributes to a number of sites and gives some of the best advice around. Quite the contrast to sawsucker's vitriol!
 
#35 ·
Knotscott. You made a comment on 21% tax premium. Can you expound on that? I'm thinking of heading south to the Griz show room for a band saw. I spoke to the Canadian customs people and got the impression duty would be minimal. I believe the Washington sales tax is 8.2%. Any thoughts in this regard.
I apologize to nwbusa for hijacking his thread.
 
#40 ·
I have not personally looked at the Laguna saw but have looked at the grizzly, General, and Unisaw.. If its a matter of money than I think getting the cheapest of the four would still be an upgrade over what you have now. My father has a 36 inch Grizzly table saw(dont remember model number) and loves it. I have used it a few times and it cuts the wood just as well as my Sawstop TS. I just went through this same thing a few years ago. I was driving myself crazy trying to get the perfect saw I guess, but in the end just tried to look at how well the machines were made. I would rather have a machine that although might not be the prettiest out there, will hold up to whatever I throw at it. Just my 2 cents.
 
#41 ·
Knotscott: I have looked at those other lines you mention, and am considering them, although they are not at the top of my list. The General saw for sale here is a really nice saw, but I want a left tilt saw, otherwise I'd snap that one up in a heartbeat.

Rick: tax law changed in 2011, and BC residents are no longer exempt from WA sales tax. If you know something I don't (which is entirely possible) then please PM me!

Sawsucker: If you don't have anything of value to add to this thread, then please don't post. Thanks.
 
#43 ·
I have a Bosch contractor saw. It cuts. If I had the money and space and not move often, I would go with cast iron stuff. Yes, contractor saws do what the others do but so does a handsaw. Ripping is fine but I needed to make a crosscut sled for any hope of accurate cuts. the original miter gauge wabbles in the slot. Clint is right, it's fine, but if I could, I would get a better more solid table saw. That said, I am really happy with the Bosch because before the Bosh, I did everything with a handsaw.
Good luck and have fun.
 
#44 ·
Okay, I have kept trying to tell myself, "don't feed the troll", but this salesman line sawsucker keeps throwing at people is a large reason why he was banned from other boards, as well as the otherwise belittling of everyone who may just disagree with him.

Lets look at this picture. We have people who give advice based on their own experiences, which can or cannot be followed by the person requesting advice. Those advice providers get called childish and claimed to be salesmen. Not to also mention he has scared away new posters on other boards because they were looking for free advice from those willing to give it.

Now, lets look at who has been saying this. Someone who (and I do believe quite a bit of time and money were spent on this endeavor) developed and sold a product that is solely geared towards, get this, a contractor table saw. Sounds to me like someone is making an attempt to expand the market base of his own product to me.

Oh, and my day job is I.T., and my T.S. is an older open bottomed contractor table saw.
 
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