LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Is bigger always better?

2K views 22 replies 16 participants last post by  khays 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
When choosing between table saws, are there real performance differences between 3 and 5 HP motors? (bet you thought I was going somewhere else with this)
 
#3 ·
my opinion is the 5 horse is by far better if you are doing alot of ripping in hardwood. for the average sop jock at home you will never need more that 3 horse. unless you just wanna brag a bit about owning one. i have both in our shop and for our use the 5 hp is by far the best deal
 
#5 ·
I have both, too. I have a 3 hp. old Craftsman, and a 5 hp. Unisaw….The Uni out performs the other by a long shot….When ripping 8/4 or thicker, you don't slow that beast down…..And…I got it for the same price as the 3 hp. Unisaw…Why not go for it?
 
#6 ·
Substantial differance yes. You dont have to worry about whether your blade is sharp or not, just push it will take it. Really though I like a five hp simply because its brawny and doesnt cry as much under load. I have had two unisaws with 3hp and dont get me wrong they earned there keep for sure but I had no problem bogging it down at times. If your looking for occassional use as in hobby and such you probably will not even need the 3hp. 1 1/2 will do lots of work. Good luck
 
#7 ·
the 5 HP is by far better, but it comes with a higher price tag$$$$.
would I like a 5 HP, oh yes, but woodworking is a hobby for me not a business. I have a Grizzly G0715P 10" with a 2 HP motor 220 VAC Single phase, and I have not had trouble ripping walnut, cherry, or Maple.
So I would think the 3 HP would be find.
AZMac
 
#11 ·
It depends on what you are doing, how fast you want to do it, and how often you want to do it. I haven't tried anything with my 1.5HP saw that it won't handle at a slow feed rate, fast enough to avoid burning, but slow none the less… A 3HP saw would plow through faster… I would agree, a 5HP saw would fling the board further than a 3Hp saw when it does kick back…

I think if you are doing nothing but ripping or crosscutting hundreds of linear feet of hardwood every day all day, you might want to opt for the 5HP saw, otherwise, it's just bragging rights. Like the Camaro and Mustang guys bragging about whos car is faster. Who cares? If you use either one to its limit on public roads, you will likely go to jail…
 
#14 ·
If it's just a couple hundred bucks price difference and you have it to spare, I would go for the 5HP. Probably the last saw you would ever need for a very long time. Getting into that price rance with such little difference in price you might as well go for the 5HP.

Would the 5HP be overkill, probably so unless you are doing what a lot of other people have said already. My point is the price difference for the 5HP is worth it.

Kevin
 
#17 ·
I agree with the addition of more power. (Tim Tool Man ) But on the other hand the addition of the ability to rip wider board at additional cost, bigger table, and so many other options cost so the 3 hp might be OK to get all the extras.
 
#18 ·
I have a G1023SLWX (pre riving knife) and am very pleased. I wouldn't have bought a 5hp but I picked mine up on Craigs List and that's what I got. I think the 5hp is great but 3hp would get 99% of jobs done. Also, I had to install a 220/30A line…wonder how many cents/minute that is?
 
#20 ·
Jason: Luckily, I already have a 220/40A line for my bandsaw, so all I need to add is another feed. As long as I don't try to use both machines at the same time, I should be good.

a1Jim: If I have to cut large panels I'll use a Festool plunge cut saw with rail guides, which I already have. I debated long and hard about all the possible options and decided the bigger motor with the router insert was the best choice. I can always add longer rails if I find I made an error in judgement.
 
#22 ·
Is it quite possible Jim and I can agree. Well it looks as though we do. It happens. Beth as Jim has said the longer rails are nice with the table length. I don't care how good festool is nothing beats a good table saw with a good rip capicity.
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
Everytime I order with grizzly I always call and ask if they have my machine I want to buy in stock. My friends that bought TS's in the past were on backorder, but they usually got a call about a month after they ordered saying it was shipping.

In my case, the longer rails was not an option, I don't have the room for it.

Kevin

PS: I'm sure you will be pleased with your new TS!!!!!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top