Sawstop job site review

[glass1]

I am currently working on a project where there is a saw stop job site saw on site and I have spent some time behind it. Just as a note I own a dewalt dwe7491rs.
I am not going to comment on the safety nor do I wish to bring this topic up its just a mini review of the table saw itself. First off build quality is on par with the dewalt( and Bosch and makita and ridged for that matter), BUT does not surpass any of the other offerings in my mind. The stand is stable once set up. The riving  knife is nice(not as good as the current dewalt offerings). I find, just my opinion here that the saw is more pleasing to listen to than the dewalt and seems to vibrate less(ie belt drive). The fence is not as good as the dewalt as no matter how tight, it flexes on the exit end and moves when clamped. I find it ironic on the safe saw the fence is just average as a good fence definitely makes a table saw safer. It's better than the garbage on the makita. Power seems good. Maybe a little better that the dewalt definitely less than the makita. The flip out piece to support wide work is simply hinky and needs improvement. Well that's all for now. It's not worth 1500 unless you have to have the safety gizmo. I prefer my dewalt, why it's the fence stupid.  So to all the other manufactures please do not bother making a job site table saw unless it's as good or better than the dewalt's fence.

 

[w802h]

Thanks for writing a review that tries to compare some features of different jobsite saws that contribute to the saw's cut quality, accuracy, and performance.  A stable stand for example is an important, but often ignored feature.  You know what I mean if you've ever had to rip large framing material and this is something that I take for granted in a heavier cabinet saw. 

 

[grbmds]

I have used the Sawstop jobsite saw since March. It works perfectly for my use; not large sheet goods but for mainly ripping manageable sized pieces. I don't understand the comment about the rip fence flexing as mine is rock solid. Maybe the fence is defective in the other case. I find the fold-out support very useful although not frequently. The fact that the whole saw folds up easily and can be moved out of the way when not in use (even without folding it up) makes it very versatile in my shop. I only use it in the shop so can't say how it would stand up in actual joist use, but I didn't buy it for that. I know other who have the Bosch saw and swear by it so I know the other brands are also good. For me, after 30+ years of woodworking as a hobby, the Sawstop feature is the main reason I would pick the Sawstop over the others, not because I'm careless (haven't seriously injured myself in the 30 years) but because everyone makes a mistake at one time or another and I don't wish to be injured at that point in time. No argument about any of the other saws. They all have their own users and supporters. For me, the Sawstop is a perfect combination of quality and safety, but that's just me.

 

[fshanno]

I have used the Sawstop jobsite saw since March. It works perfectly for my use; not large sheet goods but for mainly ripping manageable sized pieces. I don't understand the comment about the rip fence flexing as mine is rock solid. Maybe the fence is defective in the other case. I find the fold-out support very useful although not frequently. The fact that the whole saw folds up easily and can be moved out of the way when not in use (even without folding it up) makes it very versatile in my shop. I only use it in the shop so can't say how it would stand up in actual joist use, but I didn't buy it for that. I know other who have the Bosch saw and swear by it so I know the other brands are also good. For me, after 30+ years of woodworking as a hobby, the Sawstop feature is the main reason I would pick the Sawstop over the others, not because I'm careless (haven't seriously injured myself in the 30 years) but because everyone makes a mistake at one time or another and I don't wish to be injured at that point in time. No argument about any of the other saws. They all have their own users and supporters. For me, the Sawstop is a perfect combination of quality and safety, but that's just me.

I assume you considered the Sawstop contractor saw.  Was small folded footprint the decisive factor?

 

[grbmds]

[member=2018]fshanno[/member] My intention was always to buy the Sawstop Profesional Cabinet saw, but, after buying an 8" jointer and moving that into my basement shop, I gave up on buying another large 400 lb tool. I purchased the TS55 and MFT3 in an effort to replace my old tablesaw and begin to downsize a little. However, I decided that I still needed a tablesaw but needed to be able to move it out of the way when I am not using it. The Sawstop jobsite saw is just the right combination of of a high quality, safe, movable/foldable tablesaw.  The Bosch or Dewalt saws would probably serve the same purpose minus the safety part (until the new Bosch saw comes out). Since this saw serves all my needs, I wouldn't gain much with the contractor's saw (possibly table size). I just have found it to be a great saw in a small fold-up footprint. It supplements my TS55/MFT3 perfectly for my use.

 

[somewhereinla]

I am really surprise about the fence comment and can only think that it wasn't properly set or defective... I have worked with most saw stop models, I owned a contractor model myself, and the fence have always been rock solid and one of their best feature... I must admit , I have not try the saw stop job site, but I have seen it while at Rockler, and it seem pretty well built....

 

[jeh]

I am currently working on a project where there is a saw stop job site saw on site and I have spent some time behind it. Just as a note I own a dewalt dwe7491rs.
I am not going to comment on the safety nor do I wish to bring this topic up its just a mini review of the table saw itself. First off build quality is on par with the dewalt( and Bosch and makita and ridged for that matter), BUT does not surpass any of the other offerings in my mind. The stand is stable once set up. The riving  knife is nice(not as good as the current dewalt offerings). I find, just my opinion here that the saw is more pleasing to listen to than the dewalt and seems to vibrate less(ie belt drive). The fence is not as good as the dewalt as no matter how tight, it flexes on the exit end and moves when clamped. I find it ironic on the safe saw the fence is just average as a good fence definitely makes a table saw safer. It's better than the garbage on the makita. Power seems good. Maybe a little better that the dewalt definitely less than the makita. The flip out piece to support wide work is simply hinky and needs improvement. Well that's all for now. It's not worth 1500 unless you have to have the safety gizmo. I prefer my dewalt, why it's the fence stupid.  So to all the other manufactures please do not bother making a job site table saw unless it's as good or better than the dewalt's fence.

Dewalt's fence is the best on any portable saw. I am surprised others have not moved to the gear system that guarantees no deflection and always square once setup.

 

[jeh]

Not to hijack the thread, but I talked to the Bosch rep at the Baltimore Woodworking Show and he said mid-year and that it definitely was not related to legal issues. Seems odd to me though that it has taken so long to bring to market. There is nothing worse than pre-announcements when the actual product takes more than a month or so to be available.

 

[grbmds]

I am currently working on a project where there is a saw stop job site saw on site and I have spent some time behind it. Just as a note I own a dewalt dwe7491rs.
I am not going to comment on the safety nor do I wish to bring this topic up its just a mini review of the table saw itself. First off build quality is on par with the dewalt( and Bosch and makita and ridged for that matter), BUT does not surpass any of the other offerings in my mind. The stand is stable once set up. The riving  knife is nice(not as good as the current dewalt offerings). I find, just my opinion here that the saw is more pleasing to listen to than the dewalt and seems to vibrate less(ie belt drive). The fence is not as good as the dewalt as no matter how tight, it flexes on the exit end and moves when clamped. I find it ironic on the safe saw the fence is just average as a good fence definitely makes a table saw safer. It's better than the garbage on the makita. Power seems good. Maybe a little better that the dewalt definitely less than the makita. The flip out piece to support wide work is simply hinky and needs improvement. Well that's all for now. It's not worth 1500 unless you have to have the safety gizmo. I prefer my dewalt, why it's the fence stupid.  So to all the other manufactures please do not bother making a job site table saw unless it's as good or better than the dewalt's fence.

I don't find the same problems with the fence that you do and I came from using a saw where the fence clamped on both the back and front sides. My Sawstop jobsite fence doesn't move when locked in place nor does it flex to the point I can notice any effect. I certainly can flex it if I push horizontally on it with my hand. However, when ripping, I tend to push more downward than against the and merely hold the wood against the fence. Also, most of my sideways force would be exerted in front or possibly when the wood is alongside the blade rather than at the back end. I love the saw, don't have any experience with another jobsite saw, and I have found that the fence has served my needs 100 percent so far. Maybe there is an adjustment on the fence lock that would prevent it from moving once locked. I'd check with Sawstop.

 

[glass1]

The fence does not move once locked, one has to hold in place as you lock it down as it moves during the locking. Something that has always bothered me. The fence flexes on the exit end. I recently spent more time on it and find it lacking. It should be far better for the money but it is inferior to the current dewalt in every way except safety gizmo in my humble opinion.

 

[jeep jake]

I own a sawstop jss, I real like it. I added the overhead dust collector and the cuts are almost dust free, definitely comparable to my ts75. The heights perfect to use the mft for a out feed. You can run 8" dado stacks no problem. Everything packs up very nice for travel, or storage. I would not hesitate to buy one again.