Table Saw Size Questions

Two, relatively small answers:
a) Leeson is a brand. It has an excellent reputation. I understand some of their motors are now made in the far east but I don’t know if there is any way to tell, or if there is any quality difference

b) a 1” arbor is surely going to limit your blade choice, and probably raise your cost

The Leeson motor also requires less current than the motor on the 1023, one reason I bought the G0690. Can’t prove it, but I think someone bought the Leeson name and started selling motors made in Asia based on old reputation – not to knock that motor, it seems fine so far.

-- Don, Royersford, PA

For a hobbyist a 12” blade with a 5 horse motor is quite a bit of overkill unless you are planning to work with some really thick tough stock. I too am an avid hobbyist but lean more towards the accuracy and reliability of Delta or Powermatic.

-- Roger M, Aiken, SC

http://www.leeson.com/Contact/moreleesonhistory.html

I’m in the process of switching over to an old Powermatic 72, which takes a 12”-14” blade.

As brtech stated: the 12” saw has a 1” arbor. your blade costs will go up slightly, moslty because you need to re-equip your shop with all new table saw blades. you will need to buy a new dado set up for a 1 inch arbor. As far as blade selection…. yes there isn’t as much selection, but if you put a Forrest WWII, you don’t need much else. forrest 12” blades are only $15 – $20 more.

The nice thing about the 12” blade is you can rip some serious stock. The 12 inch longer tables are great for stock support. And overall the 12” saw are heavier, reducing vibration, allowing for better cuts.

Personally, I’d keep the old saw….. if it aint broke, don’t fix it. If you want an upgrade, then make upgrade to a delta or powermatic.

-- There are many ways to skin a cat...... but, the butter knife is not recommended

Thanks for posting brtech, I stand corrected.

-- Don, Royersford, PA

1. I sold my SS and bought a Unisaw. I love it, it is the best saw I have ever used. I am sure that I would love a PM2000 aswell.

2. I think having a 12” saw would get old. I am not sure of the selection of 12” blades and dados that the local store would have if you needed to run out and get a new blade.

3. I like that I can swap blades from the TS to the CMS so if you do go 12” you may want to think about getting a 12”: CMS so you don’t have to keep two size blades around.

4. 12” ?? Are you trying to cut James Bond in half or something :)

Just my $.02

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I just got the 2012 Grizzly Catalog today. Maybe it has been this way for a while and I have just missed it, but the 1023 Series (1023RL,RLW,RLWX, and RLX) table saws are promoting a new (I guess it is new) Quote “Blade encapsulated below table for superior dust collection”. There is also a picture of the trunnions show this encapsulating funnel. This statement or picture is not on the G690 and G0691. In the past that is one of the things that I hated about my old saw, you would get covered in saw dust no mater where you stood behind the saw. Now I know good safety practices dictated that you do not stand directly behind the saw because of Kick Back. So with all that said I am wondering about the G0690 G0691 dust collection efficiency.
Doncutlip
I don’t know when you bought your G0690 but I would like your thoughts on this. In fact I would like everyones thoughts/comments, they are always appreciated.

-- Mike

I’m a hobbyist and I have a 12” saw it is not over kill, neither is my 80% 4 HP motor

For a lousy couple more Gees you could be looking at a Hammer K3 Slider.

-- When the moderator chooses sides, his site sucks.

Would you not at least consider a European saw with a sliding table sold in America now quite a lot they make for a safer better design? good luck in any case and remember have safe fun and lot’s of it.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Mike, I bought my saw last fall. Follow that link for my initial impressions of the G0690. I have the Grizzly 2hp dust collector mated to it and I see very little dust on the top of the table – but I suppose that some dust is to be expected. I have the new Grizzly catatalog too, and I see that new dust collection funnel, for sure the 690 doesn’t have that, looks cool. If you want even more info you can go on the Grizzly website and download product manuals for the saws. I had read the 690 manual a couple of times before I bought the saw. There are also a number of 690 review on LJs.

-- Don, Royersford, PA

It’s not the SIZE of the saw that matters, it’s how you use it!

-- "Hard work is not defined by the difficulty of the task as much as a person's desire to perform it.", DS251

Ive had the 1023rlx for over a year and while the dust shroud is cool, and works; I dont believe it does anything different than a grizzly without one. The 2” port limits the suction, and it also makes the bottom cabinet hole smaller for the 4” dust port.