Tablesaw for shop ?

T

tjbier

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Jun 18, 2010
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  We are almost done with our shop and starting to pick out tools,  we are spending $1500-2200 range for our tablesaw and asking for your opinions and thoughts on what to buy.
  Powermatic PM100
  Laguna Fusion or Platinum
  Jet Xaxtasaw
All in 52" fence.
The saw will be used for mostly plywood and 1x materials of poplar, cherry, oak ect. I do like the possibility on the Laguna saws of the sliding table add-on.
We do not make our own doors, drawers when its a small job and slab fronts but we don't even want to get into that yet, it would be yrs  down the road if we grew larger.

  Thanks, Tom
 
I've had a Jet left tilt X-acta cabinet saw for almost 20 years now and I've been extremely happy with it (Jet was blue back then). I've made several custom modifications to it over the years: folding out feed table, vac attached dust collection on a custom blade guard, drawers under the 52" table extension, kick shut off and I more recently replaced the old table extension with a home made MFT.  It's been quite a workhorse for me, dead on accurate and always dependable. 

Of course, I have no idea if they still make them this good, hopefully they are even better now.

A friend of mine from my woodworker's guild has a Laguna with a sliding table and I can tell you that is an awesome table saw. A couple of friends have Saw Stops and they love them, but they both had problems with false readings which ruined their blades and cost them for a new brake.  That's enough to keep me away from them, but that's just me.

I'm guessing any of the saws you've listed will excellent performers  as long as your miter slots are parallel to the blade.  And as far as blades go, you can't beat a Forrest woodworker II blade for all around performance. 

I hope some of this is helpful.  Good luck with your new shop.
 
I have a Powermatic 66 which I added a Jet sliding table (no longer available) made larger with 8020 extrusions attached.  I mounted both cast table extensions to the right side along with Grizzley's cast router extension so I have a huge cast table.  This is a great saw.  Raises and lowers with ease.  I use Incra mitre gauges and added a 42" - 4.5" X 1.5" 8020 extrusion to the 52" Beismeyer fence.  I use Magswitch 400 and 600 magnets for guides and stops.  All that being said, since I started using Festool's TS and rail system I seldom use the sliding table.
 
In that price range i would go used older PM66 when before they sent production overseas or a used ICS SawStop.

If i had the room and means to move it a big old cast iron beast with a 16" blade would be my choice, Oliver Greenly another one i think british brand that begins with a W i cant remember the name.

Although i have a ICS if i had it to do again i would go euro slider. No way for 2-3 grand you are getting one worth a crap though..

 
Iceclimber said:
In that price range i would go used older PM66 when before they sent production overseas or a used ICS SawStop.

If i had the room and means to move it a big old cast iron beast with a 16" blade would be my choice, Oliver Greenly another one i think british brand that begins with a W i cant remember the name.

Although i have a ICS if i had it to do again i would go euro slider. No way for 2-3 grand you are getting one worth a crap though..
Click to expand...

Wadkin?
 
SMJoinery said:
Iceclimber said:
In that price range i would go used older PM66 when before they sent production overseas or a used ICS SawStop.

If i had the room and means to move it a big old cast iron beast with a 16" blade would be my choice, Oliver Greenly another one i think british brand that begins with a W i cant remember the name.

Although i have a ICS if i had it to do again i would go euro slider. No way for 2-3 grand you are getting one worth a crap though..
Click to expand...

Wadkin?
Click to expand...

You aren't buying a ready to run PK or PP here for his budget.  PK is a wretched thing to use ergonomically speaking. 
 
Yup thats it.

Man if i had space to just collect tools "and use them" and a space with a garage door to get them in with ease i woulda had a Wadkin by now.

SMJoinery said:
Iceclimber said:
In that price range i would go used older PM66 when before they sent production overseas or a used ICS SawStop.

If i had the room and means to move it a big old cast iron beast with a 16" blade would be my choice, Oliver Greenly another one i think british brand that begins with a W i cant remember the name.

Although i have a ICS if i had it to do again i would go euro slider. No way for 2-3 grand you are getting one worth a crap though..
Click to expand...

Wadkin?
Click to expand...
 
Good point,

Used PM it is then...

WarnerConstCo. said:
SMJoinery said:
Iceclimber said:
In that price range i would go used older PM66 when before they sent production overseas or a used ICS SawStop.

If i had the room and means to move it a big old cast iron beast with a 16" blade would be my choice, Oliver Greenly another one i think british brand that begins with a W i cant remember the name.

Although i have a ICS if i had it to do again i would go euro slider. No way for 2-3 grand you are getting one worth a crap though..
Click to expand...

Wadkin?
Click to expand...

You aren't buying a ready to run PK or PP here for his budget.  PK is a wretched thing to use ergonomically speaking.
Click to expand...
 
With the technology that's available today, I'm always surprised why so many don't choose sawstop.  A good used PCS should be available for low to mid 2k range.
I've had a PCS for almost a year with no regrets.  Not only is it a safe saw but it's also a very good saw too.  The arbor assembly is overbuilt to be able to withstand repeated firings giving it the added benefit of very smooth operation. The dust collection is Festoolesque.
At a recent LN event, I was talking to Phil Lowe of the Furniture Institute of MA about his new ICS.  He's had it for about a year now.  Not only did he agree with my above assessment but he also has had 2 firings where danger was avoided by 2 different students. 
My PCS is my 6th tablesaw, and it's also the best one I've owned.
 
There are a lot more dangerous things in a wood shop besides a table saw as well.

All three of those guys were either in a hurry or not paying attention to what they were doing.

More people should use stock feeders as well.

All my ripping is done with a feeder on my Greenlee or through a SLR (there is a machine that requires a little bit of attention). 

My variety work is done on a short stroke sliding table Whitney from 1932. 
 
I don't care to much for buying used equipment, that's old, you don't ever know the full story on it. Especially when there are no "deals" to be found,  and new tools at least come with a warranty and the Jet/Powermatic dealer is 3 miles from the shop.

I would love one of Darcy's saws or a fantastic slide saw, but they are not going o happen [crying].
  Sawstop would be nice too, don't get me wrong I want to keep all my digits, SS are $4k+ . I don't think I have seen a used sawstop.
 

 
I have had good luck with my Grizzly 1023 cabinet saw. Does everything I ask it to do.
 
I highly recommend the 3hp PCS.  I had the 110v - 1.75 hp PCS and had a problem with the saw.  Sawstop tech support stood behind the product and eventually replaced the entire saw at their expense.  When they replaced it they offered me the option of upgrading to the 220v - 3hp saw at no cost.  I took them up on their offer.  Having used both saws I can tell you there is a significant difference between the 1.75 and the 3hp motors.  The 3hp not only offers a lot more power but it also runs significantly smoother.

Even if your local dealer doesn't have one in stock, I believe it is worth the wait, and the extra $$, to get the 3hp PCS.  I think you will be very happy you did.

My $.02
 
I have the 3 hp PCs 220 and previously had a general 110 v cabinet saw. Everything is much better on the sawstop. I have called technical services for the odd question and product info before hand and they are very helpful fantastic service. I would definetly try to get one if possible.
 
I traded a very good Delta Unisaw for a Sawstop Industrial and it is an impressive tool. I'd buy it even without the safety feature. Incredible quality. Absolutely zero perceived vibration. Dust collection is Festool like. The only thing I don't like is the plastic glued to the fence face.  I did replace the Sawstop saw blade with a Forrest blade.
 
Birdhunter said:
I traded a very good Delta Unisaw for a Sawstop Industrial and it is an impressive tool. I'd buy it even without the safety feature. Incredible quality. Absolutely zero perceived vibration. Dust collection is Festool like. The only thing I don't like is the plastic glued to the fence face.  I did replace the Sawstop saw blade with a Forrest blade.
Click to expand...

I agree about the fence.  I had the cheaper fence as that is all you can get with 30" rails (all that will fit in my narrow shop).  I found that over time mine developed a slight bulge in the center that was throwing off my cuts.  I replaced the fence with one from very super cool tools.  Their fence is awesome. 
 
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