Replies

1. 
   BillBrennen | Dec 27, 2004 07:32am | #1

   Hi Chuck,

   Welcome to Breaktime. The G1023 is a very good saw for the money; the Craftsman is not. G1023 is a Unisaw clone, so not portable, but you already knew that, right?

   Bill

2. 
   notrix | Dec 27, 2004 08:37am | #2

   Welcome,

   You'll get tons of opinions on TSaws. Since your here as opposed to Knots, which is Fine Woodworking forum, I'll assume your looking for something more mobile. As the previous poster mentioned a cabinet saw is NOT portable. 3hp 220 a beatiful thing but unless you have a liftgate it's staying at the shop.

   I'm sure your aware of Contractor style saws. Generally 1 1/2 hp to 2hp and 110v or convertable to 220v. This is what I have, a recent model Delta 10". Has a 30" Biesmeyer and does most tasks up to 8/4 "almost" as well as a cabinet saw. The trick is to tune them up. I have a link belt and turned sheaves (pulleys) as opposed to the pot metal,on mine and I can stand a nickel on edge and fire it up and it stays. I've also managed to get mine with only .0001" runout on the flange, about as good as can be expected on any saw. Biesmeyer spot on accurate.

   Contractor saws have always been the quality alternative but I know some that are very happy with their portables. A friend is selling his Powermatic 66 cab. saw as he can do all his work nowadays on a portable Bosch. More a matter of space but that's what they give you. I've also used a Hitachi to good results but it has minor issues that keep me from giving it a recomondation. But this class of saw has improved greatly.

   You may want to make the jump to Knots forum if you've got the time space and money and you'll get more shop inclined input.

   Good luck,

   Corrado

1. 
   bmca | Dec 27, 2004 11:10am | #4

   My story reads like chucks and after researching the Delta 650 looks like the choice. I am really intersted in your up grades cost ,ease of install, point of purchase. Although after years of making 3/16 kerfs I don't know if ready for thar kind of accuracy.

1. 
   zendo | Dec 27, 2004 03:24pm | #5

   Is yours a portable?  I saw delta had some small ones, but most people here swear by the Bosch or Ridgid?

2. 
   notrix | Dec 27, 2004 08:34pm | #8

   Hi, I can't recall the exact costs, it's been a couple years but it was less than $100 or there about. Mine is a Delta that was a special edition about 2 years ago. I paid $900 out the door for it. Link belt, turned pulleys, the only additional purchases and musts if you want accuracy over time. I also added a Forrestt WW2 saw blade for about $100. Most of the improvement came from adjustments. Gotta have a dial caliper. My flange was out about .003! And that telegraphed to .010 at the teeth. There's your
   3/16" kerf! I found on Knots a guy that made a grinding attchment that was basically a machinists square with some sand paper glued to the bottom. Here's a link to the discussion:
   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E
   If that fails search for "unisaw arbor runout" Mike posted it.To get a good cut the arbor runout must be minimum. I think the error is x7 at the blade. It must also be perfectly paralell to the miter slots. You then have to have your fence dialed in as well. Mines open about .010 to help prevent kickback.My particular saw is a Delta but I hear the General is the cadillac of CSaws about now. I think most major brands are good and it'll be hit or miss wether you get one dialed in or with a perfect table. It took me about 1/2 day to dial mine in and it was kind of a pain. A freind had some aftermarket jig that he swears by and he was able to make his perfect in an hour or so.As for portability, well I can move it if I have to by myself in my Tacoma, but if I was always using a TSaw on small jobs I would get a portable. Also if I hade the space and money I'd get a cabinet saw. The contractors saw is just a perfect fit for my situation. I will take it to jobs that need it and last more than a couple weeks. HTH
   Cor.

2. 
   WHATSUPCHUCK | Dec 27, 2004 07:00pm | #6

   Thanks for the input. This saw would be for my shop; I've got a hitachi 10" that I take to the job site but it has a crappy fence. It does the job though. Chuch

1. 
   Sancho | Dec 27, 2004 07:17pm | #7

   Chuck, workbench this last issue has a article on the hibred type saws. They rated the craftsman as their best overall value. But If ya got the dough, and sense its for a shop ,I would look seriously at the jet cabinent saw. They got one with a router set up fence and router at a pretty reasonable price. Also shop fox is a nice saw made by grizzly I think but its a higher quality saw. I would look at that one also. 

    

1. 
   WHATSUPCHUCK | Dec 31, 2004 07:19pm | #9

   Thanks for the feedback. I went for the sears prof. and after assembly I think it will meet my shop needs. It's a sweet fence! It was on sale as is often the case and the at home warranty is almost a necessity at the price. Chuck

1. 
   jarcolio | Dec 31, 2004 07:34pm | #10

   go with a Bosch -- bought one in March and am really pleas ed -- plenty of power and a soft start -- Amazon $499 delivered to your door no taxes great stand, good fence and table ahs extenders that are thrown in with the deal -- stand folds up for easy taking to job site -- lots of engineering -- like the fact that is has a lock on the arbor for blade changing and the side has a place to keep extra blades

3. 
   Ribeye | Dec 27, 2004 09:12am | #3

    I have the Craftsman 22124 table saw. I bought it in October after doing some long hard looks at many other available machines. Over the years I have had experience with the Grizzley saws, the Generals and the Delta Uni in a variety of shop situations.

   When I made my decision, I was very comfortable with it. Now after about three months of steady use I am thrilled with my choice.  

   Other than the saw itself, I had a couple of other major (to me) considerations: I could see it and explore it on a store floor near my home,  the seller is right near my home, "bang for buck", service, and delivery.

   I have posted elsewhere (also in Knots) about the absolutely superb service I got from Sears during the delivery of the machine. 

   I am familiar with many of the other saws most folks will toss out for consideration, and for the most part I like them.  I still prefer my choice of the 22124 Craftsman Professional.  Sears, through Orion, has hit the long ball and they are definitely back.  This saw is Not the "crapsman" of yore.  

    

   -- Steve

   Enjoy life & do well by it;

   it might well be the only chance you get.

   http://www.ApacheTrail.com/ww/