Grizzly G0661 Owners - Need Your Opinions on Stock Fence especially

Looking forward to hearing peoples thoughts about the 661 as well. I’m wobbling back and forth between the 444 and 661 myself, coming off a cheap Tradesman that I always felt was just waiting to lop off my arm. Motor went up in smoke today, so, I’m sawless.

At any rate, ditto on the above question. Since it’s not the Shop Fox fence, hard to find details and reviews on it.

I’ve got the G1023SL and I love the fence. Very accurate and smooth operation. I would think the fence on the 661 is similar.

-- The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. Aristotle

Not quite the same. It’s a T-square type, but that’s it. Smaller body, and looks like aluminum faces. I appreciate that they’re all very similar, but i’ve seen some that are solid as a rock and some that flex significantly across this style of fence. So, given a slightly different model, I’d like to know.

I might have to take a road trip. The PA showroom is 160 miles from me. Hands on means a lot (and no shipping fee, that might be worth it).

-- Eric ---- Wise Words T.B.D.

@Scott:

I like the idea of the extra HP on the 661, the cast iron wings and the riving knife as well as the built in dust shroud that moves with the blade.

Tho the 444 has an identifiable fence.

-- Eric ---- Wise Words T.B.D.

Hey Eric
Do a search hear on Ljs there have been a lot of great reviews on grizzly saws. I don’t own a grizzly saw but the 5 other grizzly products I have are great

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

@unkle,

The extra HP would be nice, but on 110v there won’t be much difference. Cast wings I can get with the G0444Z and wire it down to 110v (as my shop only has 110).

The big things I’m thinking of is the riving knife, the dust shroud and the fact that the G0661 is CHEAPER than the G0444Z right now. The G0661 also has a slightly wider ripping capacity.

Shipped out price wise it’s…
$789 for the G0661
$625 for the G0444

So is the G0661 worth $164 more? I think so, sure.. But DANG you can NOT find reviews on it. Just too new of a saw I guess.

@a1Jim, reviews on other Grizzly saws are fine, but hard to find real world reviews on the G0661.. Looking at a review of the G0444 to figure out the G0661 would be pointless. There are several changes, including what seems to be a unique fence, which one site only describes as proprietary.

Ah well.. Once I swallow my gut and grab my wallet (I hate spending $) will most likely buy the 661 sans any further reviews. Can’t seem to find one comparable for the same or less with a true riving knife or other features.

I’ve searched for the 0661 and found very very little. And nothing about the fence.

I don’t think I’m going to be able to buy without touching it, so I’m thinking a road trip to the PA warehouse will be in order. Then I can check out the fence and come home with one if I like it (my Baja can tote 1/2 ton). The 160 mile drive will be offset by the $100 I’ll save on shipping.

And face it. Visiting a 430,000 sq ft grizzly warehouse will be like a day at disneyland.

It’ll be 2 weeks before I can go (mom’s coming to visit next weekend). So if anyone can wait on me, I’ll have info then.

Of couse, I could get sucked into a G0690 if I touch it. Anyone got a forklift. so I can get it OFF my truck when I get home?

-- Eric ---- Wise Words T.B.D.

Oh I’ll be waiting. Going to get the FIL’s tablesaw as a loaner to use until I can get a good one. Looking forward to your thoughts and opinions.

Also looking forward to hearing about the motor mount location and how that seems. That’s the only saw they have that mounts in that manner, no?

@scott.

No chance to run a 220 Line to the shop? I’m grateful mine will be in the basement, not far to go to the panel!

-- Eric ---- Wise Words T.B.D.

Well, possible.. Any of the Grizzly saws are 110/220 though, so I always have the option to rewire.

I’ve never seen the G0661 in person, but I am familiar with the G0444 design….very similar to the GI, PM, older Jet, and old Bridgewood contractor saws. One good thing about Grizzly, is that they don’t typically redesign the wheel. Most of their tools are based on existing designs, or are enhancements to existing designs, so you don’t see many unusual or unproven designs. Grizzly only uses the major well established manufacturers in Taiwan and China, plus they tend to have a heavier presence to oversee the process.

The G0444/Z, 0575, and 0576 are older style contractor saw designs that have outboard motors and use the old style table mounted trunnions with connecting rods as an arbor carriage. It does offer a nice fence, but the trunnion system and motor location are antiquated designs that have some drawbacks. No way I’d pay the price of a new saw for that design.

The G0661 has a one-piece cast arbor carriage that’s a more elegant solution than the connecting rods on the G0444 series. Add the hybrid design with an internal motor, a riving knife, shorter drive belt, and a steel t-square fence, and you’ve got the makings for a nice updated home duty saw….theoretically anyway. AFAIK, that saw has been available in other countries with other accessories for a while….Carb-Tech in Australia comes to mind.

Deflection for most modern fences is a moot point. If you yank on the back end, you’re simply applying leverage at the end of a 38” to 40” lever, and it’s not representative of the forces the fence will see in use. Most of the real world pressure from woodworking is applied about 12” from the t-square clamp just before the board meets the blade….if you apply lateral pressure from that location, you’re not likely to see any significant motion.

Just my 2 cents…

@scott: Well, IF you ever go thru the trouble of running a 220 line out there, you may as well put in a sub panel. One line of 220v, 60A or so and then you can run everything back to THAT for the shop. Easier to add on later. And if you kick a breaker, you don’t have to go so far.

@knotscott: The input is appreciated! I’m of course interested in flex, adjustability, smoothness of function and of course, straightness.

One trick I did see to stabilize a flexing fence at the far end: Use a magnetic base (one of those cubes). Slide it up against the back side of the fence once you’ve set it, and engage the magnet. Pain in the butt if you are making frequent changes (like ripping strips), but for a large item that might tend to skew or put more pressure on the outfeed side, better safe than sorry and this is pretty quick.

-- Eric ---- Wise Words T.B.D.

It looks like, if I wind up buying this, or even seeing it. I’ll have the opportunity to write a review.

-- Eric ---- Wise Words T.B.D.

How about the Ridged 4511, how does that compare to the Griz?

-- Round tuit's don't do it, just get a round toit, avaiable where buckets of steam are sold.

Looks like the Ridgid R4511 is discontinued: http://www.toolsdirect.com/ridgid-r4511-10-granite-top-table-saw/p823853

I have to wonder about a saw that only lived for, what, half a year? What was wrong with it? in January it was yet to be released and in august it’s discontinued.

One HD around here has a single one for $599. But for another hundred I can get the griz with more HP, bigger table, better fence (the 4511 fence is kinda lame)

I’m also not sure about the granite top. I like the idea of magnetic accessories.

Now, if that 4511 were to suddenly go on a serious discount…then we might have a contest. Maybe I should talk to the manager over there.

-- Eric ---- Wise Words T.B.D.