Sawstop Jobsite Saw

[Evergreen]

Hey All,

I've had my Sawstop Jobsite saw since new last February.  I've always owned very high quality tools, and honestly, I've never hated a saw so much in my life.  I'm wondering how others like theirs?  Besides the online reviews, which I imagine most of the reviewers were provided the saw, I haven't seen much as far as real reviews and I can't imagine I'm the only one experiencing issues. 

The issues:

The throat plate warps perpendicular to the blade, in the middle about a 1/16" to just short of a 1/8".  There is no way of adjusting this.  There's a local aftermarket plate available, due to the known issue.  The after market plate isn't perfect, and for $1299 or however much the saw cost, this shouldn't be needed.  Sawstop sent me another plate with the same issue.  I called them and was told there's nothing they can do about it and at this time they don't plan on resolving the problem.  The way it's designed makes it difficult for a self made plate, especially considering the tab locking mechanism.  Needless to say, the cut quality is terrible.  Blade chatter everywhere, even with good blades.

Second, under heavy load, the saw shuts itself off.  I just found this out yesterday when trying to rip some 4x4 vg fir.  I've never had a saw that couldn't handle this.  We had to whip out an old Dewalt DW745 to take care of it. 

What really frustrated me was the way they handled it when I expressed my concern.  Basically, too bad there's nothing we can do about it and we know the throat plate is garbage.  I'd love to return this saw, but I know that's not possible.  If anyone is looking for a 50% off Sawstop that they want to experiment with, I've got just the one for you.

 

[GhostFist]

ouch [eek]

 

[GregBradley]

[eek]Interesting as I just went through the process of buying a jobsite saw yesterday. I had a long talk with my local tool supplier and spent over an hour going over the Sawstop jobsite saw.

I thought the stand was brilliant and was very impressed with the ease that one could set up and move such a heavy saw. I loved the size of the table and particularly the amount of table in front of the blade.

I thought the fence was great but wished for the micrometer adjustment of the Dewalt series. I choked over the extra money for the dust extraction guard and the need for an extra cartridge in case of a misfire. And the destruction of an expensive blade in case of a misfire. I had a hard time buying something from a company that needs to be prosecuted under the RICO act and the owner sent to prison for the rest of his life.

The throat plate is what made me say no way, no how, will I consider this saw. It would be horrible on a saw that is one fourth of the price of this saw.

The one turn to raise the blade is TOO fast. The 40 turns to raise the blade on the Dewalt is too slow. Which is better? how about 10-20 turns. Please guys, pull your head out and give us something that works, OK?

I looked at the two Bosch units and am increasingly unimpressed with Bosch even though I have loved them as a company in the past.

I ended up buying the Dealt DWE7491RS for $520 with my Lowes Commercial Discount. And I hate Stanley Black and Decker Company even though this unit is excellent for the money. I got rid of the box as fast as I could and am considering painting over the labels on the saw. [eek]

It is time we stop considering the brand to mean anything and only consider individual tools. Well, OK, Festool usually does a great job and only occasionally releases a stinker.

 

[grbmds]

I love mine and have had it since March of this year. Cut 8/4 white oak without even laboring. I find the rip fence extremely accurate. I have had no problems with the throat plate; especially none of the problems described. The throat plate is difficult to get perfectly level with the table but it is very close and has not caused me any problems. I've cut a few thin strips and it was just fine

The only problem I have have with it so far is that the miter gauge is really not acceptable. However, I had an old after market Craftsman digital miter gauge which is actually very accurate. Plus, I don't do much crosscutting on the Sawstop. I use my TS55 for the crosscut almost all the time.

Dust collection is better with the blade guard on, but despite very positive comments about it, I find that it gets in the way most of the time (although, for safety, I still use it more often than not).

I'd keep making contact with Sawstop and make them send you throat plates until you get one that is acceptable.

I do find them somewhat arrogant concerning development beyond what they feel is necessary, but my contacts for customer service before and after buying the saw were always very positive.

I'm surprised concerning your experience with the saw. Mine have all been positive. It was a big improvement over my old saw and maybe that is why I'm satisfied. The fact that I can fold it up and move it out of the way in my shop when I don't need it allows me to free up space for other tools.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have the Sawstop Industrial and every aspect of the saw has been flawless. I've called Customer Service and found them to be very responsive.

Hearing these negative experiences is not consistent with my experience.