Table Saw - $2000 Budget

Powermatic T66. IMHO the Cadillac of tablesaws.

What are you looking to get out of a new saw?

I m currently using a vintage era Unisaw, with a Biesemeyer fence installed.
[...]
I just want a quality tool that will last, and retain some resale value.

IMHO, you already have one. If all you are looking for is bumping up to 5HP, then just replace the motor. Buying new, you are going to lose a huge chunk of ‘resale’ value just placing the order.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

Why do you want a 5HP cabinet saw I’m just curious? If you come down to a 3HP there’s quite a few more options in your price range and if you can swing $3,000 somehow, you can get a PM2000 or a Sawstop.

-- Nick, “I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.” – Vincent Van Gogh

No reason for a 5HP.

The 5HP models from Grizzly & Delta are only about $200 more expensive than their identical 3HP models. If I wait out the urge a little, I can definitely swing $3,000, might even be able to find a Craigslist PM2000.

Grizzly G0691 (3HP). I haven’t used mine that much yet, but I can’t imagine ever needing more power. All in with liftgate service and the extra heavy duty Shopfox mobile base, I came in under $2000.

If you want a slider, check this out. http://us.feldershop.com/en-US/en-US/en-US/Sawing/Machines/Hammer-K3-winner-31x48.html It’ a much better saw then anything you mentioned and not that much more.

-- Earl

What are you looking to upgrade to?

You’ve got the best fence on the market and one of the best saws, too.

The only thing I can see is a riving knife.

As for 5HP, I’ve seen it debated and the guys who have them say there’s no realistic advantage to 5HP 10” blade saw unless you’re just working the crud out of it in a production shop.

If you go with a 5HP/12” blade, the blade cost/sharpening cost is more.

-- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!!

What are you looking to upgrade to?

You ve got the best fence on the market and one of the best saws, too.

The only thing I can see is a riving knife.

As for 5HP, I ve seen it debated and the guys who have them say there s no realistic advantage to 5HP 10” blade saw unless you re just working the crud out of it in a production shop.

If you go with a 5HP/12” blade, the blade cost/sharpening cost is more.

- rwe2156

Currently, mine isn’t equipped with any safety features (splitter, riving knife, etc..), and I’m limping along with a 1HP motor. I’m just looking to correct these issues, and hopefully add more capacity somewhere.

If you want a slider, check this out. http://us.feldershop.com/en-US/en-US/en-US/Sawing/Machines/Hammer-K3-winner-31x48.html It a much better saw then anything you mentioned and not that much more.

- retfr8flyr

That K2 Winner slider is interesting; I’m not too familiar with a true slider, would I be losing anything compared to a traditional cabinet saw?

Currently, mine isn t equipped with any safety features (splitter, riving knife, etc..), and I m limping along with a 1HP motor. I m just looking to correct these issues, and hopefully add more capacity somewhere.

If it were me, I’d upgrade the motor for a few hundred and get a disappearing splitter for about $90. The money you save would be better spent on other stuff,

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

Primarily Answer A but with para 2 and 5 of Answer B.

-- This is a Troll Free zone.

It’s tough to beat Grizzly for bang for the buck in this price range if you’re willing to be your own middleman. They offer a lot of saw for the money if you want a new saw.

A new motor on your Unisaw, and a BORK riving knife would be the cheapest approach.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

I currently have a 5hp and would never go back to a 3hp.
You may not need a 5hp, but when you have one, you will never worry that a 3hp would have been too small.

I think the extra power has probably saved me many times from my unorthodox, unsafe cutting practices.

Everybody has their own opinions, mine is get the 5hp.

-- -

Get a 5hp motor and a Bork. Then spend the rest on hookers.

-- Shooting down the walls of heartache. Bang bang. I am. The warrior.

Having used a variety of saws up to and including a 3HP one, I have a really hard time believe any 10” saw outside of a production shop needs a 5HP motor. All you’re doing with a motor that big is increasing the strength of kickback. 3HP is plenty for a 10” blade.

I’ve never had my 1.75HP saw at home not cut anything so long as the blade is sharp. That includes 12/4 hardwood, laminated 1.5” plywood, etc.

If the primary complaint about your Unisaw is a lack of power and of a riving knife, then Knottscott has the right answer. A new motor, new belts, and a Bork riving knife is what you want. If you absolutely need left tilt, then you should probably look into a new saw.