Help me decide - Sweet Deal on a BNIB SawStop PCS 3HP or SawStop Jobsite + TS75

joetucker

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Joined
Dec 2, 2015
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19
Hey Fellas.

First off - please no commentary on the politics of SawStop.  I'm sold on the technology (my wife is also basically insisting) and I am almost certainly going with one of these two options.  I currently have a Dewalt DW7491RS that I've enjoyed using, but I'll sell it once I've made my new purchase.

I have an opportunity to buy a still in the box PCS 3HP 52" for $2,400 locally.  This is a whole lot of table saw and I don't really 'need' the HP or cabinet saw feature-set, (I didn't need my DF700, either, but now wouldn't be without it).  I do see this as a saw I could have for a really, really long time though and it offers a ton of flexibility and an opportunity for me to grow into it and I'd also have an option to add an integrated router table (I currently only have a very rudimentary shop-built router table).  I would frankly prefer to have the 36" in my relatively small shop but the 52" is what has presented itself.  I'm going to have to have 220 drops done in my shop for it but I've been thinking about buying an 8" Grizzly Jointer and will need it done sometime soon anyway.  I'll also need to buy a base for it - probably the ICS base which will bring my all-in cost to $2,700 not including extra cartridges and a dado throat plate.

The other option would be to buy the SawStop Jobsite for $1,400 and then use the extra to buy a TS75 (I already have a TS55) or perhaps the jointer I've been thinking about.  I've watched all of the Paulk videos on the saw and it seems like a great option too.  I don't anticipate needing to ever do any actual 'jobsite' type work, though, so my use-case is quite a bit different than Ron's

I'm currently a hobbyist woodworker, but have begun to get requests to build simple furniture for friends and acquaintances and can see the beginnings of a very small scale for-profit venture (by for-profit, I mean for-extra $ to buy tools and lumber, who am I kidding, right?) that could lead me to asking more and more from my tools and my shop.

Any thoughts or wisdom you folks might offer is greatly appreciated.
 
For a new in box sawstop cabinet saw that's a darn good price.  You will definitely appreciate the stability and feature set that a full cabinet saw provides vs a jobsite saw.  I always say buy the best you can so you won't need to upgrade for a very long time, if at all. 

If it was me I would go for the cabinet saw, then save up for the other tools you want in the future.  You already have a ts55 so the 75 is most likely not a pressing issue.  A jointer is definitely a good thing to look at for the future.

Hope this helps.

Ken
 
If you can fit this size cabinet saw in your shop and do not plan to move it to job sits I would not think twice. 

I had a contractor saw before I purchased my saw stop cabinet saw and the extra power and accuracy was well worth the price.  The other major improvement was the dust collection of the cabinet saw.  Very little cleanup compared to my old saw.  Even with my ts55 and MFT/3 I would never consider giving up my saw stop.

Good luck with your decision.
 
I thought the same and bought a contractor saw last June.  I now own a cabinet saw.  Stability, power, and dust control are far superior. 
 
If you don't have the need to bring the saw with you to various places I'd suggest the cabinet saw. One of the main safety issues is kickback so having a larger work surface will give you better control of the workpiece. Best of luck with your decision.
 
I can't tell from your description why in the world you'd need a TS75 ?  Especially when you don't have a jointer and already have a 55.  What would it do for you that the 55 won't already ?

Also, I think the SS jobsite saw with a universal motor is overpriced for what it is.  Not a good value in my opinion.  If you NEED portability and safety that's one thing.  But it doesn't sound like that's your situation.

Their contractor saw (30") for a couple hundred more is a better value.  TEFC motor, more power, can run on 240v, better dust collection, more capacity, cast iron top, router could be integrated as well as the sliding table if that's your thing.  I'd get that and take the other $650 of the $2400 towards the jointer. 

I also agree with the others.  Get the cabinet saw, it's all you'll ever need in a table saw and it's a great price.  You could always trade or cut down the fence rail if 52" is too much.

 
That's a great price on the PCS!  If you look at the job site and PCS side by side, you won't be pondering which one you want/desire/lust for!  And since you're already on the hook for a 220 circuit when the jointer comes, that's not an added expense.  TS75 doesn't add much that the PCS can't do in this scenario.  So you know my vote!  Enjoy it!
 
I have the SawStop Industrial and it's a fantastic tool. My decision on cabinet saws is that heavier is better. I've seen all 3 SawStop saws in person and they are all excellent tools, but I think the cabinet saws are far superior to the portable saw. The hydraulic base is excellent and allows me to move the saw around in my limited space. The over arm blade guard and dust collection is a good addition. Be aware the dado blade has to be a specific diameter and requires a different cartridge than the regular blade. I run a Forrest blade in my saw. The stock SawStop blade isn't nearly as good. You will need a high volume dust collector with a 4" diameter hose capability. I use two Oneida cyclones with one dedicated to the SawStop. Please read the manual carefully when cutting into the table insert the first time for both the regular blade and the dado blade. It can be dangerous if the correct procedure isn't followed. The SawStop customer support people are excellent as is the manual.
 
Don't even think twice if you have the room. I paid $2400 for my 36" PCS and it was a great deal, you'll love it.
 
The job site saw is very solid and a good performer.  I bought it due to space constraints in a rented house and I have been very happy.  I have used it to cut 8/4 Maple with great results.
I DON'T think it is equivalent to the cabinet saw, but it certainly performed better than I expected.
 
As others have said, if I had the space and didn't need to move it around so much I'd have the cabinet saw. I have the SS Jobsite and while I like it it is no comparison to a cabinet saw. Blade adjustment, the fence, the heavy flat cast iron magnetic table are simply far more precise and superior in their cabinet saws
 
joetucker said:
Hey Fellas.

First off - please no commentary on the politics of SawStop.  I'm sold on the technology (my wife is also basically insisting) and I am almost certainly going with one of these two options.  I currently have a Dewalt DW7491RS that I've enjoyed using, but I'll sell it once I've made my new purchase.

I have an opportunity to buy a still in the box PCS 3HP 52" for $2,400 locally.  This is a whole lot of table saw and I don't really 'need' the HP or cabinet saw feature-set, (I didn't need my DF700, either, but now wouldn't be without it).  I do see this as a saw I could have for a really, really long time though and it offers a ton of flexibility and an opportunity for me to grow into it and I'd also have an option to add an integrated router table (I currently only have a very rudimentary shop-built router table).  I would frankly prefer to have the 36" in my relatively small shop but the 52" is what has presented itself.  I'm going to have to have 220 drops done in my shop for it but I've been thinking about buying an 8" Grizzly Jointer and will need it done sometime soon anyway.  I'll also need to buy a base for it - probably the ICS base which will bring my all-in cost to $2,700 not including extra cartridges and a dado throat plate.

The other option would be to buy the SawStop Jobsite for $1,400 and then use the extra to buy a TS75 (I already have a TS55) or perhaps the jointer I've been thinking about.  I've watched all of the Paulk videos on the saw and it seems like a great option too.  I don't anticipate needing to ever do any actual 'jobsite' type work, though, so my use-case is quite a bit different than Ron's

I'm currently a hobbyist woodworker, but have begun to get requests to build simple furniture for friends and acquaintances and can see the beginnings of a very small scale for-profit venture (by for-profit, I mean for-extra $ to buy tools and lumber, who am I kidding, right?) that could lead me to asking more and more from my tools and my shop.

Any thoughts or wisdom you folks might offer is greatly appreciated.

PCS only. Jobsite saw has too much plastic and is overpriced for what you get.
 
Thanks again to everyone who took the time to respond - I was leaning toward the PCS but now it looks like my mind is made up.

Can't wait to get that bad boy home!
 
Just wanted to thank everyone again for the advice.  Haven't had a chance to start assembly yet but I'm glad to say that she has made it home.

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