SawStop question

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ctvader

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Hi all - More of a lurker than poster but I have a question to ask re SawStop. 

I currently have a DW745 contractor saw but the table isn't flat in the center, causing cuts to not have a 90* edge.  I'm debating between the SawStop portable job site saw, the contractor saw or the PCS (this may be too much of a stretch).  For those who have either the contractor saw or job site saw, can you let me know your experience, i.e. would you by again, accuracy, etc?  I have used a PCS and it was great. 

Since we park our cars in the garage (two car), space is  tight.  I move the cars out when I work on 'stuff' so storing the t/s will be more important. 

Thanks.

 
I've owned my Sawstop Jobsite saw since they started making them. I love it because, it allows me to easily fold up and move my table saw out of the way when I need space in the center of my workshop for other work. My experience is that it is accurate, but I generally use it for ripping because I also own a TS55 and MFT and do most of my cross-cutting with that combo. I did upgrade the mite gauge with an Incra gauge because the Sawstop miter gauge is just not accurate except for rough cutting. I have found that the miter gauge slots seem to be tight in some spots and loose in others which appears to be due to the table coating being applied unevenly within the slots. (I believe the newer saws have a different table top coating. I also found that the insert could never be leveled completely flush to the table on all corners (even though Sawstop sent me 2 new ones under warranty). I did upgrade that also.

I love the saw and it works well for me, but I am not a contractor. I build furniture and other for myself. I would buy the saw again. If others respond, you will get a whole range of opinions and, if you do a search on the FOG, I think you will find this topic has at least several threads already. However, I would also say that, if you can afford one of the larger saws and have the space, go that route instead of a jobsite saw. A jobsite saw will never replace a larger contractor saw or the PCS. The jobsite's smaller size makes it difficult to use for larger jobs.
 
I'm in the exact situation as you ... When I retired and moved a few years ago I left my dedicated shop and  Powermatic PM2000 behind.  I now work out of a section of my 3-car garage.  I switched over to using the Track Saw and bought a DW745, which is great for mobility, but didn't cut the mustard.  I was never able to adjust the cheap aluminum fence for a perfect 90 degree cut.  After looking at all the new options,  I have decided to get the Sawstop PCS .. I actually already picked up the hydraulic mobile base on Craigslist, so now I have to buy the saw (that's what I told my wife). If you haven't actually rolled a saw around on this base you will be impressed.  My opinion it's the best base available, so if you have a spot in your garage you can park the PCS when not is use, I would recommend this option.  Good luck.
 
Thanks guys.  I have the TS55 and will be making my own MFT top... I'll see if I can demo both the job site saw and contractor saw @ my local woodcraft
 
TrackTubesGuy said:
I'm in the exact situation as you ... When I retired and moved a few years ago I left my dedicated shop and  Powermatic PM2000 behind.  I now work out of a section of my 3-car garage.  I switched over to using the Track Saw and bought a DW745, which is great for mobility, but didn't cut the mustard.  I was never able to adjust the cheap aluminum fence for a perfect 90 degree cut.  After looking at all the new options,  I have decided to get the Sawstop PCS .. I actually already picked up the hydraulic mobile base on Craigslist, so now I have to buy the saw (that's what I told my wife). If you haven't actually rolled a saw around on this base you will be impressed.  My opinion it's the best base available, so if you have a spot in your garage you can park the PCS when not is use, I would recommend this option.  Good luck.
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Which is?
 
I have done cuts on all models of the SawStop, but am not familiar enough with either the jobsite or the contractor saw to form an opinion about its performance/accuracy of cuts. I use mostly the PCS and ICS. But I can tell you from a space perspective, if you have room for a contractor saw, a PCS is also suitable as you will find a PCS taking more or the less the same footprint. As TracktubesGuy pointed out, with the hydraulic mobile base installed, the PCS is as easy to move around as the contractor saw. Dust collection, if it is another main concern to you, is also better with a cabinet saw.

During promotion periods for the PCS (twice or three times a year?), you can get a free gift of the above-the-table dust collection or an integrated mobile base (which is NOT the same as the hydraulic base, but you can add some money to upgrade it).
 
Thanks Ram. If anyone knows inside the angle dimensions for that base could you post them? Might want to use it for something else.
 
Michael Kellough said:
Thanks Ram. If anyone knows inside the angle dimensions for that base could you post them? Might want to use it for something else.
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19.5" x 22.5" interior width.
 

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Throwing in my 2 cents...as others have written, the jobsite saw is a second cousin to the much better contractor saw, and the contractor saw is inferior to the better PCS. I went into my research assuming that I'd get the jobsite saw, but once you compare it to the contractor saw, there is no debate. It's crazy to spend that much for an inferior saw if you don't require portabilility from site to site. The contractor saw, on the mobile base, moves around rather like a heavy hospital bed. I keep it on one wall of the garage, and can pull it out into the center of the space in a moment. The contractor saw is certainly not perfect, but it's by far the superior choice among the two. I have played with a colleague's PCS, and it's quickly evident that the PCS is a better saw than the contractor saw. It all comes down to how much capital you have to spend, how much saw you really need, and how much of the upgrades you want. Note that the stock contractor saw, minus the cast iron tops and improved fence, is not as much fun to use as the deluxe version. Honestly, I find using it to be a thing of joy, but it's one heck of a big purchase. As this is a Festool forum, we probably all appreciate the "cry once" theory of tool purchase...
 
Is the footprint of the contractor saw much smaller then the entry level PCS?  It would seem to me the potential for better dust collection might be an advantage in a dual use space assuming the footprints are similar?
 
RKA said:
Is the footprint of the contractor saw much smaller then the entry level PCS?  It would seem to me the potential for better dust collection might be an advantage in a dual use space assuming the footprints are similar?
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The exact difference might be available from the sawstop site. The difference is small. I used to have a Ridgid conteactor saw, and the same old corner spot now is where my PCS (36" rail) sits.
 
Thanks equator - that’s somewhat of my thought process and some of it does come down to capital.  For me, since I work in the garage where we keep the cars, bikes, etc, storage is also a priority.  The depth for the saw is the biggest issue for me.  While I would like the PCS, it’s probably too much for a hobby. 

My post was too gauge what people using the different models think/feel and I got a great perspective.  I have some thinking to do but I appreciate everyone’s input.  And yes, we can relate to buy once, cry once. 
 
I've never used the contractor saw or the jobsite saw; but in general, I do think that weight matters for a table saw.  It is much better to be sure that your saw is going to stay level on the ground and not be tippy in anyway even if you are cutting something relatively large.

I presume you have a track saw, being the FOG which is great for cutting down full sheets.  But I still like the table saw for sizing the broken down sheets consistently.

I have a PCS and love it.  I replaced a Ridgid contractor saw, which was also a great tool; just without the safety feature.  I would not purchase a job site saw, unless it was for portability.

As far as in shop mobility, the PCS with the ICS base can't be beat.
 
I have the ts55 and love it.  I’m leaning towards the 1.75hp pcs or contractor saw at this point, which should last me a long time.  This is a hobby for me now but may start selling some stuff next year.
 
Either way please strongly consider buying their better fence! Whether you buy the PCS or the Contractors saw you will have the choice of buying their 30” premium fence or their 36” T Glide fence. The 36” T Glide will cost you from $170 (PCS) to $200 (Contractors) more but IMO it is worth every penny. Also, you said that you are leaning toward the PCS and I hope that is what you do. You will not only love it but you will keep loving it for decades to come. I have the PCS with the 52” T Glide fence and my heirs will have to use it or sell it😊.
 
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