Tablesaws with Riving Knives?

[George Farra]

Hi everyone

I'm in the market for a tablesaw and would like to get something with advanced safety features. My budget is 800 bucks so a SawStop is out of the question.

I like the hybrid designs. All I've been able to find is the Bosch 4100 which is a jobsite saw, a Grizzly contractors saw, and ofcourse the SawStop.

Any other options available on the market today?

TIA

George

[Cary Falk]

With your $800 budget and the riving knife requirment, I would go with this.
G0661
http://www.grizzly.com/images/pics/jpeg288/g/g0661.jpg

[scott spencer]

I realize that Grizzly is calling the G0661 a "contractor saw", but the location of it's internal motor puts in the hybrid class in my book. I haven't seen or used one, but it appears to be a nice saw, and Grizzly has a good reputation.

[George Farra]

Thanks. I hadn't realized that the motor hangs below the table on the grizzly

[Prashun Patel]

One thing to be careful of on that saw is the fence. I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying I don't think it's the alumaclassic.

[Andy Pedler]

One thing to be careful of on that saw is the fence. I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying I don't think it's the alumaclassic.

I agree that the fence is a mystery. I'm considering buying this saw, but on Grizzly's web site the fence is never mentioned. Does anyone know what fence is on this saw?

At the price point they are offering the G0661, it could well be that they needed compromise on the fence. If so, that's fine with me, as after-market fences seem to be available and one could always upgrade if the included fence didn't meet your needs.

Andy - Newark, CA

[Cary Falk]

I actually forgot about this one.
The Steel City 35900. I think it also comes with a granite top. The fence would probably be better.
http://www.steelcitytoolworks.com/products/35900/35900_tool.jpg

[Matthew Hills]

I believe general has several saws on its website with riving knives. Haven't seen them locally to know if they are in fact available. And haven't checked pricing to see if anything in the hybrid range you're looking at.

Matt

[Jason Whelehon]

It's not where the motor is, it's where the trunion is hung from. If it's hung from the top it's a contractor or a hybrid. If it's hung from the cabinet, it's a... You guessed it!... Cabinet saw.

By law, all TS sold in the USA soon will be required to have riving knives. I'd wait till then. Or, buy the SC saw... it's a FANTASTIC buy for that price. Hands down.

[Jim Becker]

By law, all TS sold in the USA soon will be required to have riving knives.

It's not "law"...it's based on product approvals from the safety organization(s). New models sold effective January 2008 (this past January) are required to provide a riving knife. All table saws sold after January 2014 will hold the same requirement to include a riving knife.

Interestingly, by the way, there are a few table saws that are considered hybrids that still have the trunnions hung from the cabinet, rather than the table. Marketing is a wonderful thing!

[Brian Effinger]

Interestingly, by the way, there are a few table saws that are considered hybrids that still have the trunnions hung from the cabinet, rather than the table. Marketing is a wonderful thing!

And I've got one. Its the 1 3/4hp Steel City, and I love it! I think the designation of "hybrid" has to do with the hoursepower of the motor. Oh, and George, if you could manage $200 more, you'd be in range of this really great saw.


I actually forgot about this one.
The Steel City 35900. I think it also comes with a granite top. The fence would probably be better.
http://www.steelcitytoolworks.com/products/35900/35900_tool.jpg

Yup, I like the fence a lot. The white UHMW really contrasts the black granite nicely :D

[Jerry Nettrour]

I am also getting ready to buy a TS and aim to spend $1000 or less counting shipping. Fine woodworking has pointed to the woodtek as being the best bang in this 800 to 1000 price range. Does anyone have any experience with this TS. Sounds like a great deal for the money based on what I have read on fine woodworking. Fine woodworking stated it scored well in all areas to include the fence and also stated it demonstrated good power when ripping thick hardwood. I think it was tested with 3" oak but I cannot remember off hand. This is the link for the TS:

http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=148-271&search=Machinery%20-%20Table%20Saws

[scott spencer]

I am also getting ready to buy a TS and aim to spend $1000 or less counting shipping. Fine woodworking has pointed to the woodtek as being the best bang in this 800 to 1000 price range. Does anyone have any experience with this TS. Sounds like a great deal for the money based on what I have read on fine woodworking. This is the link for the TS:

http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=148-271&search=Machinery%20-%20Table%20Saws

The Woodtek is made by Geetech, who also makes the GI 50-220CM1, the Sunhill CT-250T, and Craftex hybrids....all appear to be the same basic saw with different bolt-ons. They have a nice one-piece cast arbor carriage/blade shroud, but have table mounted trunnions. I've seen the GI, which appears to be a nice machine to me, but I've never seen the Woodtek or the others. Certainly worth consideration but I wouldn't too much emphasis on a magazine review. One mag picked the Jet Proshop, another the Steel City, another the Craftsman 22124, and another the Grizzly G0478....it really boils down a reviewer's opinion, which may or may not agree with your opinion, which is really the one you want to satisfy.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31IjrrxqX9L._SS500_.jpg

http://sunhillmachinery.com/Table%20Saw%20CT250.jpg

If you've got 220v, check out this link (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=89972) that should put a Grizzly 1023SL to your door for $812.25.

[Jason White]

I'd wait a couple of weeks. They usually unveil all the newest tablesaws at IWF in Atlanta, which is happening this month. Also, I heard a rumor about the "new" Unisaw.......





Hi everyone

I'm in the market for a tablesaw and would like to get something with advanced safety features. My budget is 800 bucks so a SawStop is out of the question.

I like the hybrid designs. All I've been able to find is the Bosch 4100 which is a jobsite saw, a Grizzly contractors saw, and ofcourse the SawStop.

Any other options available on the market today?

TIA

George

[Jim Jones]

I am sorry to say that no one has experience with the G0661. Grizzly has not not begun shipping it.

I started getting the bug for the G0661 in February this year when it was supposed to ship in late May or early June. I finally placed the order on March 1 and was disappointed that the ship date slipped to July 4. Then in late June I called to check and it had slipped to Aug. 6. All this wasn't too bad since I was just finishing re-siding my house with Hardie Plank and had been too busy for wood working. Then I called in late July and found that it had slipped to Sep. 1. Oh well, I had started helping my son re-side his house so no big deal.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!! I called today and they are now ESTIMATING Sep. 30. How confident am I it will ship then? Zero, zip, nada.

I decided today to find another table saw and am also shopping for a hybrid, so it is start over for me.

And someone mentioned the fence on the G0661: Yes, it apparently is not a proven fence.

Too bad, and the riving knife is one of the things I liked about it. But maybe it is a blessing in disguise because this long a delay makes me concerned about manufacturing and/or quality problems.

Jim