Help with selecting table saw

[Scott Christian]

I am ready to buy my new saw and would like some help making the selection. I am down to the Grissly G0691 or the G1023SLX. The 1023 has free shipping, but the 0691 is the latest and is only about $300.00 more. I also have available a 10 year old Powermatic 66 for $1800.00 and 2 used Jets for $1050.00. Not sure of the specs on them but they look comparable. My local Woodworkers Source also has a Jet JTAS-10XL50-1PK for $1800.00. What would be the best bang for my buck? They all look comparable. suggestions? Opinions?

[Jason White]

I just bought the Grizzly 1023 because of the free shipping deal and am thrilled with it!

That said, I'm sure the riving knife on the G0691 is a lot better than the crappy splitter that comes with the 1023. Probably not $300 better, but better nonetheless.

The 1023 has also been around a long time and has a loyal following. I guess you need to decide how important a riving knife is to you.

Jason



I am ready to buy my new saw and would like some help making the selection. I am down to the Grissly G0691 or the G1023SLX. The 1023 has free shipping, but the 0691 is the latest and is only about $300.00 more. I also have available a 10 year old Powermatic 66 for $1800.00 and 2 used Jets for $1050.00. Not sure of the specs on them but they look comparable. My local Woodworkers Source also has a Jet JTAS-10XL50-1PK for $1800.00. What would be the best bang for my buck? They all look comparable. suggestions? Opinions?

[scott spencer]

Welcome to SMC Scott. "Best bang for the buck" tends to be Grizzly's niche. The 1023 w/free s/h is quite a buy. The PM66 is arguably a more rugged saw, but I'm not sure how much more a guy needs, and it's a lot more money. The G0690 and G0691 have some nice features. I see no advantage with a used Jet at that price.

Setup and blade selection ultimately determine the end performance of the machine, so it really boils down to your preference. Can't lose with any in that lineup!

FWIW, I have a Shop Fox W1677 that's essentially a white Griz 1023SL. It's a nice saw, and will accept an aftermarket riving knife called a "B-O-R-K" from Walnut Acre Woodworking. (So will the 1023SL and SLX)

[Simon Dupay]

PM 66-hands down

[Russ Boyd]

PM 66-hands down
My thought exactly. Russ

[Cary Falk]

A 10 year old PM66 for $1800!!!!!!! No way I would buy it for that. Maybe if it were $1200. They were just blowing them out for $2200 not too long ago. I would go Grizzly with the riving knife and 50" fence(G0691?) No reason to look at the Jets.

[jerry nazard]

Cary may be right that the price is a little high, but the PM66 is one heck of a beautiful machine. With one of the old Freud "Whisper" blades on it, you just hear a lush "whoosh" when the saw is running!

[Brian Kent]

Grizzly with the Riving Knife. I have the 1023sl and have no problems. The only ugrade I would want is the riving knife.

[Rob Price]

+1 for a riving knife. Esp for sleds, tenons, grooves etc. where you can't use the traditional guard. I wouldn't spend $1800 on a 10 year old saw personally.

[Michael Poller]

I have the 1023SL I bought last summer. Love the thing. It's a pleasure to use.

Only things I would do differently next time around:
- Wait for the riving knife model (I knew it was due out the next year but having no table saw wasn't an option at the time)
- Get the SLX with the longer rails. (Anyone got the Griz 7' rails for the 1023 they want to sell?)

[Larry Edgerton]

The price is too high for the PM 66 "UNLESS" it is a homeowner owned in perfect condition with a Beismeyer or equivalent fence. The age of the saw makes no difference whatsoever. A 10 year old Powermatic is still a better saw than a new Grizzly.

I have seen decent looking Powermatics for less than a grand lately, offer the guy 1400 if it is in nice condition, and say that is all you have, but you have it in hand. People expect to be knocked down a certian amount when they set the price.

Cash rules.....

Plus with the Powermatic you will not be adding to our already outragious trade imbalance. :)

[Don Morris]

I'm with the group that has the 1023sl and love it. Again, only upgrade would be the riving knife and as Scott Spencer mentioned, an add-on knife is available and I believe it's for lots less than $300.00.

[Jeff Willard]

I would be leaning toward the Powermatic, if you have the ability to haggle. I paid less than that for mine (3 hp, 1ph, 50" Accu-fence) new, 8 yrs ago.

[Scott Christian]

I want to thank everyone for all their suggestions and help. I thought about the Powermatic 66 real hard after the seller said he would consider $1400.00. I finally decided on the Grizzly G0691 and placed my order today. I figured that the abount of use I would put the saw through, I figure it will meet my needs for many years without trouble. If nothing else, it will be 1000 times better than my Craftsman foldable/portable. Time to clean up the garage!!!