General 50-220C Table Saw

[Dave Sharbaugh]

I've been looking at the General 50-220C table saw as a more "garage-and-wallet-friendly" version of a cabint saw. Does anyone have any experience with this saw?

Just found the group today and became a member.

Thanks!

Dave

[Tyler Howell]

Welcome Dave. Glad to have you in the creek. We have some General fans here so hold on a minute, somebodies got an answer.

[Dave Sharbaugh]

Thanks, Tyler, it's good to be "in the creek." Guess I'm looking for that proverbial paddle!

The Jet and DeWalt hybrids didn't seem quite right. I stumbled onto the General saw which seems to fit my needs and budget.

Dave

[Dan Stuewe]

Welcome aboard!

Maybe this is what is sparking your question, but if you haven't yet seen it, the February issue of Workbench mag (got mine yesterday) did a review of "hybrids" which, I think, includes the General that you are asking about (I don't remember the exact model number). Anyway, their bottom line was that they really liked the new Craftsman (top of the line one, I think) and the General (with the Bies. fence option, +$100). Anyway, if you haven't seen it yet it is pretty good as far as magazine reviews go. It is giving me something to think about too.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

[John Miliunas]

Dave, afraid I'm not familiar with the particular General you're looking at but, I am a bit familiar with SMC and would like to jump in with another "Welcome aboard!". To echo what TJ said, we have a number of General fans out here and I'm sure someone will jump in and offer his/her opinion and/or guidance. In the meantime, search around the Creek a bit and I'm sure you'll come up with a LOT of discussion regarding the selection of table saws...and miter saws, band saws, routers, planes, jointers, planers, chisels, glue, wood, drill press and on and on and on...! Come often, stay long and, as always, any "gloats" or projects *require* pictures!

[Dave Sharbaugh]

Welcome aboard!

Maybe this is what is sparking your question, but if you haven't yet seen it, the February issue of Workbench mag (got mine yesterday) did a review of "hybrids" which, I think, includes the General that you are asking about (I don't remember the exact model number). Anyway, their bottom line was that they really liked the new Craftsman (top of the line one, I think) and the General (with the Bies. fence option, +$100). Anyway, if you haven't seen it yet it is pretty good as far as magazine reviews go. It is giving me something to think about too.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Thanks for the reply Dan. I live in Irvine and like to hear from the neighbors!

I've seen pictures of the Crafstman, and it looks nice, but they have a way to go to rebuild that name. Will look for that issue of Workbench. General was less than $900 with the Biesemeyer.

Dave

[Jim Barrett]

Hey Dave welcome to SMC...I am a General fan, (have a 350 cabinet saw on the way with other General equip as well), but am not familiar with the model you are looking at. General table saws typically get pretty high marks in the magazines and forums. The one thing I found is the General (Canada) equipment does not get too much press in the mags, where the General Intl (Asian) tools get more press. As stated by Dan there is a review of this saw in the latest Workbench magazine, take a look. Let us know what you decide

Jim

[Dave Sharbaugh]

Meant to include this in the original post: What about 50" vs. 30" rails? Space is at a premium (garage shop), but with a mobile base I ought to be able to stash it against the wall. How much of a compromise is it to split large panels before coming to the saw with them?

Dave

[Bart Leetch]

Dave

You can use a circular saw to rip or cross cut plywood close to size & then usa a shop built panel sled to square it up on the table-saw.

[Bob Johnson2]

I was planning on taking a ride next week (after the holiday) to compare the 220 to the 260, neither of which I've seen as yet. If you want I can drop you a note then and let you know how they look, not that I'll have any experience on them.

[Frank Pellow]

Welcome to Saw Mill Creek Dave!

This appears to be a new model, so there might not be any folks here who have one. You can be the Guinea Pig

Here is a link to the (sparse) entry for the saw on the General web site: http://www.general.ca/product/inter/50220an.html

[Dave Sharbaugh]

I was planning on taking a ride next week (after the holiday) to compare the 220 to the 260, neither of which I've seen as yet. If you want I can drop you a note then and let you know how they look, not that I'll have any experience on them.

Sure! Let me know what you think.

Dave

[Dave Sharbaugh]

Welcome to Saw Mill Creek Dave!

This appears to be a new model, so there might not be any folks here who have one. You can be the Guinea Pig

Here is a link to the (sparse) entry for the sdaw on the General web site: http://www.general.ca/product/inter/50220an.html

Frank,

Yes, it is a new model. They've been at some of the shows, but I am waiting for a delivery late this month or early next month to see one here in So. Californina. Although I must admit, a trip to Canada sounds great. Would love to see Toronto.

Dave

[scott spencer]

Hi Dave and welcome! I don't bleed green, but I have alot of respect for General's machines and many of GI's. My experience with GI has been great with their contractor saw. I haven't seen a 50-220 in person....it appears to be alot like their earlier hybrid the 50-200 (Jet had a nearly identical one a few years back). The 50-200 was a little steep for me, but I got a good look at it a couple of years ago....nicely made. I'm not sure what the differences are between the 200 and the 220. I'm pretty sure it's got the oversized contractor style trunnions mounted from the table, and I know it comes in three versions...one with an aluminum dual locking fence (50-220 M1) , one with the General made Biese (50-220C M1), and then one with a 50" Biese (50-220C LM1). I'm both surprised and disappointed that they'd even put that lesser fence on one of their saws....diluting the family lineage and all! (LOL) The one in the review had that funky fence...

I agree with you about the DW and Jet....my complaints with them were the fences at the price point, but the 50-220C M1 offers what IMO is a better alternative. I do like the looks of the new Sears 22124, but it is hard to overlook that tarnished image. Good luck with your decision.

[Dave Sharbaugh]

Hi Dave and welcome! I don't bleed green, but I have alot of respect for General's machines and many of GI's. My experience with GI has been great with their contractor saw. I haven't seen a 50-220 in person....it appears to be alot like their earlier hybrid the 50-200 (Jet had a nearly identical one a few years back). The 50-200 was a little steep for me, but I got a good look at it a couple of years ago....nicely made. I'm not sure what the differences are between the 200 and the 220. I'm pretty sure it's got the oversized contractor style trunnions mounted from the table, and I know it comes in three versions...one with an aluminum dual locking fence (50-220 M1) , one with the General made Biese (50-220C M1), and then one with a 50" Biese (50-220C LM1). I'm both surprised and disappointed that they'd even put that lesser fence on one of their saws....diluting the family lineage and all! (LOL) The one in the review had that funky fence...

I agree with you about the DW and Jet....my complaints with them were the fences at the price point, but the 50-220C M1 offers what IMO is a better alternative. I do like the looks of the new Sears 22124, but it is hard to overlook that tarnished image. Good luck with your decision.

As Frank Pellow said, I'll be the Guinea pig on this one. I put my money down, but while I'm waiting, I'm trying to decide if the 50" Bies. makes sense for a garage shop.

Dave