Delta table saws - 36-5100 vs 36-725

[Greg Magone]

I'm down to two tables saws. I'm looking at either the 36-5100 or the 36-725 table saw, and would like to get your advice on them. Which would you think is a better way to go?

The 36-725 has a 13 amp motor, t-square fence, two piece rail, and steel stamped wings. It is $550 right now.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_510897-52010-36-725_0__?productId=50081568&Ntt=table+saw&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dtable%2Bsaw&facetInfo=

The 36-5100 has cast iron wings, a "bisemeyer style" fence, one piece rail, and a 15 amp motor. It is $1050 right now.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_631329-34340-36-5100_0__?productId=50247165&Ntt=table+saw&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dtable%2Bsaw&facetInfo=

Would like to get your input on comparing these two saws. At this time, other brands and used is not an option.

[Mort Stevens]

The one with cast iron wings.

[Dimitrios Fradelakis]

I wold go with the 36-5100 hands down. The biesemeyer fence and the cast iron wings are a major plus.

[Mike Snead]

I have the 5100 and after looking at the 725 in my local Lowes, I'm not sure the actual fence is appreciably different.

For me, I chose the 5100 over the 725 for the cast wings, once-piece rail, and that after a 10% off coupon (moving one) and discounted gift cards on cardpool.com the price was approaching the starting price of the 725. I even got another 100 off due to the box being banged up a bit (never hurts to ask my dad always told me).

[Greg Magone]

Mike,

Can you tell me how happy are you with the 5100? Are you pleased with the saw? Would you recommend it to me?

[scott spencer]

Aren't the fences the same other than the front rail? If so, you get a single piece rail, cast iron wings, and 15% more hp for an additional $500. Are there more differences to justify the premium?

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/847962/847962005137lg.jpg http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/847962/847962005304lg.jpg

[Mike Snead]

I'm very happy with my 5100 so far, but I am honestly a total newb. I've been tinkering with woodworking for only a year and have mainly done projects that involve construction lumber or poplar. I think I would have been just as happy with the 36-725, and I'm not sure the 5100 is worth the 500 dollar jump. But I think that is more so because the 36-725 is such a great bang for the buck more than the 36-5100 is over-priced... if that makes sense. Either way you go make sure to try and track down one of the 10% off moving coupons and take advantage of the discounted gift cards available sites like cardpool.

The only additional difference not mentioned so far is the additional wing's worth of table area you get on the 5100.