Which SawStop Model To Buy

[Jeff Wright]

I may not be using the search engine in SawMillCreek effectively, but I see little mention of recommendations for which SawStop model to buy. I thought perhaps there would be a SawStop Group, but find no such thing.

I may have my European Sliding Table Saw sold and will replace with a quality cabinet saw. I am coming from having 5hp motors and 12-inch blades so I am inclined to lean towards more power than less. 220 service, not 3-phase. I have the larger Festool plunge circular saw and an assortment of their saw guides, so handling large panels will be done using that system. I would get the best fence they sell as well as the industrial mobility kit. The 3hp model with a 36-inch side table seems adequate.

My question is whether stepping up to the industrial models with a 5hp motor is worth the money. Any thoughts? Also, what has been your experience using the optional swing-up extension table?

Thank you in advance.

Jeff Wright
St Petersburg FL area

[Myles Moran]

I have the 36" 3HP. It has handled everything I've thrown at it without flonchit, but I'll admit that currently the worst of that is 8/4 walnut and 8/4 hickory.

From what I've read, the only real reason to go with the industrial is if you're using it full time. For a hobbiest, the PCS will be a lifetime saw. For the full time user, the extra heft of the industrial model is a definite factor.

[Jeff Wright]

Thanks Myles.

Do you use the support legs on the side table extension? I was considering removing them as I will put it on the industrial mobility kit and thought those legs would hinder moving the unit.

[David Kumm]

The ICS build is definitely better but only you know what you need or more importantly want. The difference is more like a Unisaw vs a Delta 12-14 although the 12-14 was heavier than the ICS. Dave

[Doug Dawson]

Thanks Myles.

Do you use the support legs on the side table extension? I was considering removing them as I will put it on the industrial mobility kit and thought those legs would hinder moving the unit.

They don’t.

[Michael W. Clark]

I have a cabinet saw and if I upgraded would seriously consider a slider. Curious as to why you are going back to a cabinet saw from a slider?

[Ron Selzer]

Thanks Myles.

Do you use the support legs on the side table extension? I was considering removing them as I will put it on the industrial mobility kit and thought those legs would hinder moving the unit.

I have the 5hp ICS with 36" fence and mobile base, pump it up and push it around with the single leg off the floor, once it is where you want it . let it down and support leg is solid again.
Have a fold down roller out feed table bolted to it, definitely gets used then fold down when moving the saw around
Ron

[Justin Rapp]

I don't have a sawstop now but have it on my next tool list. 36" 3hp pcs is the model I have narrowed it down to for my uses. However, in your original post, your not posting your use of the saw so it's hard for anyone to help with a recommendation. If you are ripping 100's of feet of thick stock, yes, of course you might want the ICS with a 5hp motor. But like others stated, most hobby level users would have a saw for life with a pcs.

[Mike Henderson]

I have the 3HP PCS and it does everything I need. I've used the ICS and I find the blade lift works nicer (smoother, easier) on the ICS but beyond that I can't think of anything. You can get the hydraulic lift base and use it on the PCS if you want that. A friend of mine did that.

If I had to do it over again, I might go for a 3HP ICS but I'm happy with my PCS.

Mike

[Matthew Hills]

ICS has a deeper table, which can be nice, and is left-tilt.

What are you planning for above-table dust collection?


Matt

[Mike Henderson]

ICS has a deeper table, which can be nice, and is left-tilt.

Matt

I think all of the SawStop saws are left-tilt. At least I never heard of a right-tilt SawStop.

Mike

[Myles Moran]

Thanks Myles.

Do you use the support legs on the side table extension? I was considering removing them as I will put it on the industrial mobility kit and thought those legs would hinder moving the unit.

Yes because I rarely will have the fence off the cast iron when using the saw, so the laminate top is more of a storage table for me until I need to cut plywood. It keeps the saw stable when I have too much stock stacked up there. I agree with Doug about them not hindering movement, but I'll add the caveat: if your floor isn't flat, they might try to raise that side of the saw up if you move it and they're on a high spot.

[Alan Lightstone]

I have the 5HP ICS (and have 3-Phase), and for me it was a huge step up from the Contractor's Saw. I think for most people the PCS would be a great saw, but I actually have run into some 10/4 thick hard maple that even gave the 5HP ICS a challenge with a combination blade (A rip blade ripped it with ease, so my bad, but shows you that even 5HP can be stalled if you try hard enough).

Personally, I love the ICS. Very, very well made, and the mobile base is quite nice too.

[Matthew Hills]

I think all of the SawStop saws are left-tilt. At least I never heard of a right-tilt SawStop.

Oh wow, you're right -- I'd heard this a long time ago and thought it made sense based on the motor positions:



https://www.sawstop.com/images/uploads/product/nav-professional-saw.png https://www.sawstop.com/images/uploads/product/nav-industrial-saw.png

[George Yetka]

I have had the 3hp pcs for 5 years or so and love it. Dont get the 52" unless you need it. I may cut mine down. Im out of space.

[mreza Salav]

Have the 3hp ICS with 52" fence. Very happy with the saw. Well designed and implemented. If I had to do it over again I would get the 5hp one. I have noticed a bit of slow down when ripping 8/4 or thicker hard woods with good blades.

[Jack Frederick]

I have the 3hp PCS and it has handled anything I’ve needed it to cut up to 10/4 WO handily. As Alan pointed out, blade dependent. As you have the track saw there will be no need for the 52” bed. I did not care for the legs on the 52” table and was glad to be rid of them when I cut the rails and installed the RT to the RT. So far I have seen no need for the factory legs. If, and I guess this morning is a good time to look at it, I see any sag in the RT due to no legs I will fabricate a couple diagonal lags back to the cabinet to keep things clear.

[Jim Dwight]

I have a 1.75hp PCS with the 36 inch fence. I wanted it higher so I built a mobile base that lifts it and has drawers under the extension table. So I removed the factory legs.

I was a bit surprised by the lack of power with the 1.75hp motor. I've always used 120V saws but before the PCS they worked pretty well with a full kerf blade. My PCS really wants a thin kerf blade. But with one, and a thin kerf ripping blade for the really deep cuts, it can cut full blade depth in hard wood. Often the all around blade that is usually in it will do what I want.

To me the big advantage of bigger motors is reduced need to swap blades, and the ability to more effectively use full kerf blades.

[Ted Graham]

Another consideration to consider currently if pondering whether or not to invest in a Sawstop, (presumably for the great safety feature), is that the Patent for the blade stop feature is slated to "run out" in 2021. I suppose Sawstop will "lawyer up" to get as much extension as possible but rest assured most other name brand table saw manufacturers probably have already got this safety technology, or something very similar (perhaps better?), off the drawing board and into production. Manufacturers cannot defeat the oldest consumer price driving factors which are supply vs demand. Sawstop makes great quality table saws but unfortunately their monopoly has driven the prices way higher than a comparable quality table saw without the blade stop feature.

I have to go blow my nose now...where is my kleenex (...or should I say facial tissue)?

[Frank Pratt]

Sawstop makes great quality table saws but unfortunately their monopoly has driven the prices way higher than a comparable quality table saw without the blade stop feature.

The safety brake doesn't add that much to the price. Yes, they are much more money than the semi-generic Chinese saws, but the quality is also much higher. If you shop comparing similar quality, the price difference is only a couple of hundred dollars.

[James Cheever]

I have the 5 hp ICS with the 52” fence, small sliding table and the fold up out feed table. Overall a great saw.

[Mike Henderson]

Another consideration to consider currently if pondering whether or not to invest in a Sawstop, (presumably for the great safety feature), is that the Patent for the blade stop feature is slated to "run out" in 2021. I suppose Sawstop will "lawyer up" to get as much extension as possible but rest assured most other name brand table saw manufacturers probably have already got this safety technology, or something very similar (perhaps better?), off the drawing board and into production. Manufacturers cannot defeat the oldest consumer price driving factors which are supply vs demand. Sawstop makes great quality table saws but unfortunately their monopoly has driven the prices way higher than a comparable quality table saw without the blade stop feature.

I have to go blow my nose now...where is my kleenex (...or should I say facial tissue)?

SawStop and it's patents were purchased by Festool (actually, the parent of Festool) in 2017. I think it would be wonderful if every cabinet saw manufacturer had a safety feature similar to what SawStop offers. The annual number of ER visits for table saw accidents is pretty high.

Mike

[Joe Mioux]

ICS.

I bought that one way before they had the other models. If I had the choice, I still would have gone with the ICS

[Ken Krawford]

If you're not in a huge hurry, SawStop has offered either a free mobil base or over arm dust collection system free with purchase. I believe it happens in March thru April.

[Scott Bernstein]

Hobby woodworker. Went from dinky benchtop table saw to 36" 1.75hp PCS few years ago. When I had 220v outlets installed in the garage I upgraded to the 3hp motor. The 1.75 was quite powerful and I used full-kerf blades most of the time. The only trouble it had was with thick hardwoods 10-12/4 maple or hickory for example, even with a thin-kerf specialty ripping blade. It would often burn the wood and trip the 20amp 120v breaker. The motor upgrade was a huge improvement. I have it on the industrial mobile base, since I need to move it around a lot. I use the the overarm floating dust collection guard (the excalibur-style one) and the sawstop-brand folding rear table extension. It has been a great saw. I have considered adding the sliding crosscut table, but it's expensive and for really big crosscuts I can use my track saw.

[Mike Henderson]

ICS.

I bought that one way before they had the other models. If I had the choice, I still would have gone with the ICS

I agree with Joe. If you can afford the ICS, go with that. It's a tool you'll use for the rest of your life. I bought the PCS but if I was doing it over, I'd get the ICS.

Mike

[Mike Shields]

I believe two other significant (IMO) characteristics of the ICS is more table in front of the blade and the fact that the motor cover does not hang below the CI on the left side (as it does on the PCS) preventing the use of a router insert.

If I were to do it again, I would have bought the ICS over the PCS for those two reasons.

[ED Budzinski]

I purchased a PCS and the another sales guy different from the salesman I purchased it from loaded it onto my trailer . After a discussion about the quality of that saw I had it unloaded and purchased an ICS and am not sorry I did . It is a 3HP model with 52". system . Never looked back on that decision . Like the saw very much . Love the added length of the table . Accuracy is outstanding . The Hydraulic Lift works nicely as the saw actually sits flat on the floor when lowered .

[Robert London]

I have the 1 3/4 hp. Was thinking of contractor but then upgraded to cabinet. Wish I would have bought the 3hp for long term. The 1.75 is decent, but underpowered for bigger jobs. A nice saw overall, though.

[Jeff Wright]

I just ordered the Industrial version in 5hp and only the 36-inch table. Three to four week delay in getting. I selected the 5hp over the 3hp for a simple and perhaps foolish reason . . . my large sliding table saws required the higher amperage (one of the sliders had three 5hp motors) and my wall plugs are already configured to that L6 220 plug and did not want to mess around with the change in wall plugs (crazy I know!). Plus I just didnt want to have any regrets in being underpowered. I went with the 36-inch rather than the 52-inch because a) I expect to do less large panel work then before and focus more on smaller work, and 2) I own the larger FesTool plunge circular saw along with numerous Festool guide rails that will provide straight line cuts on larger pieces, and 3) I want/need to conserve more workable space in my 2-car garage workshop. I just sold my two-year-old MiniMax slider that had been backed up close to my Powermatic lathe and prevented its use for the last couple years. Now, with the SawStop on the hydraulic mobility kit, I expect I will be able to move that machine easily and without fuss and bother.

I also ordered that Jessem $300 mitre gauge that will extend up to 36 inches, and the Jessem table saw roller guides on sale now at Woodcraft. I will likely also add the electronic fence measuring device that is made for the SawStop available currently for $55. I plan to build my own swing up extension table as I was not impressed with the one offered by SawStop. I already have a dust hose hanging from the ceiling from my 5hp Oneida collection system, so I plan to somehow use that to handle some of the dust at the blade surface.

[Jeff Wright]

Ive had two sliders over the last 15 years, loved both of them. But want to do more small work stuff now and will enjoy the added space the SawStop will offer.
I have a cabinet saw and if I upgraded would seriously consider a slider. Curious as to why you are going back to a cabinet saw from a slider?

[Jeff Wright]

I'd love to wait for those occasional offers but having sold my slider I am in need of a replacement sooner rather than later. I did inquire with the SawStop headquarter office if they did come out with such a special while mine is on order and not yet delivered would I be entitled to that offer. They declined to answer my question.
If you're not in a huge hurry, SawStop has offered either a free mobil base or over arm dust collection system free with purchase. I believe it happens in March thru April.

[Jeff Wright]

I was surprised at the vast numbers of member replies to my original question. My thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your experiences. That is one of the aspects of this clubhouse that makes it worthwhile to belong.

Jeff Wright
Treasure Island FL

[Ron Selzer]

[QUOTE=Jeff Wright;3086048
I also ordered that Jessem $300 mitre gauge that will extend up to 36 inches, and the Jessem table saw roller guides on sale now at Woodcraft. I will likely also add the electronic fence measuring device that is made for the SawStop available currently for $55. [/QUOTE]

Jeff
please post back after you get it all set up and report on how these pieces are working for you.
I have an ICS 5hp 36" fence with mobility kit. have slowed the blade down one time on it, shut it off fast before it could hurt me.
Thank you
Ron