Time for a new table saw...

[Jeff Zanin]

I am a hobbyist / handyman, a few months ago I replaced my Bosch 4000 with a SawStop Jobsite Pro.  The Bosch 4000 was OK for what I do, I mainly wanted the safety feature.  Most of my use is in the workshop but I don't have the space or need for a bigger saw.  I've been very happy with the SawStop, good build quality, much better dust collection than the Bosch (which was terrible).  No experience with the DeWalt.

 

[JonathanJung]

I actually have both the Dewalt and a Sawstop. For me, the most important times to have the brake are when I'm either tired or doing repetitive work. For one-off cuts or just a few of the same, I'm likely to be both more awake and more aware. But when at the end of the day I'm having to make 100 cuts that then I'm tired and easily mentally wander.

Both are very capable saws, but I'd say that the risk is highest for losing fingers with the above situations (so one could say the reason for buying a Sawstop is also greater).

 

[tomk]

I've had the SawStop for a day. These are my impressions so far...

- It really should come with an extra brake
- Dust collection is quite good, much better than I would have expected being that the blade is not totally enclosed like the Dewalt.
- The plastic grid on the bottom is going to be a dust magnet without any easy way to clean.
- Decent amount of power for a job site saw. It will bog a bit with 8/4 hardwood. I am using it with a thin kerf glue line rip blade.
- Everything except the riving knife to be dialed in. The blade was about .004" off while the fence was about .035" off.
- The motor runs more quietly than the Ridgid.
- The instructions are very well written.
- The extension table is nearly as annoying as the Ridgid but at least it is easier to slide and latch.
- I like the extra depth on the table
- The one turn height adjustment is handy. I had to lube the mechanism with lithium grease in order to micro adjust without overshooting.
- I suspect the cable lifting mechanism is not going to be as durable as a traditional gear and screw. We will see.
- The paddle switch is much easier to use than the DeWalt push-button.
- The stand is sturdier than the Ridgid but not as steady as Dewalt. It is easier to move though.
- Almost no blade runout. I'm getting cuts without any blade marks. This is probably due to the belt drive which is a big plus.
- There is SO much plastic on this thing. Some of these parts should have been metal. For example the front blade alignment "shoe" and the bevel mechanism.
- The toolbox is a pain to get at. I wish you could just pull it all the way out from under the table. I might remove the screws which should allow for this.
- The blade wrenches are just as easy to access as the DeWalt
- The miter gauge is trash
- The blade guard is meh.... kind of fiddly. I like the Dewalt guard better. Not a big deal since it will never be used.

Now for the fence. I'm not the biggest fan. Unless you keep constant pressure pulling backwards it tends to skew when you slide it which makes it difficult to accurately align. I wish there was a way to adjust the gap so that the fence is tighter when sliding back and forth. For this reason I like the DeWalt fence better.

In all it is a decent saw. Should retail for less than $1,000 and I suspect it will once there's some healthy competition.

 

[ChuckM]

I've only used the SawStop jobsite saw (older version) one time or two (and no other jobsite saws before), but I'm no fan of it at all, because I've been too familiar with the PCS and ICS. The only reason one should get a SawStop jobsite saw (other than for portability and space reasons) is its finger-saving feature, if you ask me.

Reason for getting a SawStop contractor saw, which has a footprint similar to the PCS?  Only if there's not enough budget for a PCS.

 

[serge0n]

Reason for getting a SawStop contractor saw, which has a footprint similar to the PCS?  Only if there's not enough budget for a PCS.

My shop is rather small and I was going to get a Sawstop contractor saw due to space limitations. Then I looked at the PCS footprint. It's pretty much the same! Only marginally larger. So I decided to save money for a PCS and buy an el cheapo Delta contractors saw for $50 from Craigslist to get buy until I can afford a 3 HP PCS. This plan worked well for me, PCS is a fantastic saw.

 

[ChuckM]

My shop is probably as small as yours, because at night, I park my car(s) in the shop/garage. I got the ICS mobile base for my PCS, and I can wheel the PCS, parked in a corner, to any spot with ease -- and in any direction I want.

 

[tomk]

My shop is probably as small as yours, because at night, I park my car(s) in the shop/garage. I got the ICS mobile base for my PCS, and I can wheel the PCS, parked in a corner, to any spot with ease -- and in any direction I want.

There is no doubt that the PCS is a much better piece of equipment than the jobsite pro. If I ever have a dedicated workspace I will look into it. That said, about the only thing the jobsite pro won't be able to do very well is large rips in full panels and that is what the tracksaw is for. Perhaps it will leave a few burn marks in 8/4+ hardwood but as a hobbyist I don't mind. This will easily build kitchen cabinets or a piece of fine furniture. I'm only using it 4 or 5 times per year so I appreciate that it folds up and tucks against the wall under my shelving.

One thing I wasn't prepared for was that using the Sawstop is much less stressful because of the additional safety factor.

 

[serge0n]

I'm only using it 4 or 5 times per year so I appreciate that it folds up and tucks against the wall under my shelving.

With this in mind I think you got yourself a perfect table saw. The PCS is not huge by any means, but you definitely can't tuck this thing against the wall.
I'm also a hobbyist, but a table saw is my primary tool that gets used a lot, so mine stays put unless I'm ripping something long or very wide, then I move it to clear my dust collector.