Poll: what brand of table saw you bought

[Larry Browning]

Larry, your tag line "There are 10 kinds of people in this world; Those who understand binary and those who don't." cracks me up!
-Alden

Well, you obviously fall into the 1st group.
I'm waiting for the response that says "Oh Yeah, what about the other 8?"

[Alan Bienlein]

I can understand that maybe a contractors saw meets your needs and you can't justify a more expensive saw, but you actually wouldn't trade your TS3650 for a slider or a cabinet saw?! That seems incredible; explain.

I've used sliders since the early 80's so I'm no stranger to them. They are fine for sheet goods but For me they aren't as versatile as I need them to be. Remember it's not the tool that makes the project!

I also need my saw to be mobile as I sometimes do other things in my shop such as car repair on the side. I could probably rig up a cabinet saw on a mobile base but what benefit am I really getting from a cabinet saw that my TS3650 doesn't already do for me? I would actually lose storage space by going to a cabinet saw. Dust collection wouldn't be any better.

A slider takes up to much space. If I were to get a slider in no way would I settle for less than 10' rip capacity on the slider. Then I would need another way to do my dados. I would also lose part of my outfeed table that I use for an assembly bench.

As far as not trading for a cabinet saw that is true as it's not worth it to me. I use to cut on a cabinet saw for 10 hours a day 5 days a week for about 8 years and theres nothing a cabinet saw has to offer that my contractor saw can't do also. Period. Now if a contractor sawstop came my way I would trade my TS3650 in a heart beat but never for a lesser saw from manufactures that can't be innovative and cutting edge.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I use to cut on a cabinet saw for 10 hours a day 5 days a week for about 8 years and theres nothing a cabinet saw has to offer that my contractor saw can't do also. Period.

Ripping 3" of oak?

[Rod Sheridan]

. Then I would need another way to do my dados.

.

Or you could do what we do and order your slider with dado capability............Rod.

[Alan Bienlein]

Ripping 3" of oak?

Bandsaw will take care of that.

[Alan Bienlein]

Or you could do what we do and order your slider with dado capability............Rod.

And now we are talking more money and I still wouldn't have the mobility of my current saw.

Hate to say it guys but sliders aren't the be all end all.

[Brent Ring]

I bought a grizzly slider - do I get to vote twice?

[Mike Heidrick]

You are right Mike that many woodworkers (and in particular many pro woodworkers) do not participate on forums and this sample is a very very small group of people.
Honestly my targeted audience here was not those who have bought a craftsman contractor in 1970's or buy a $100 Ryobi job site saw at homedepot. It was mostly those who buy a
serious (like a cabinet) saw at a tool store, AND in particular those who have bought in the past few years.

Thanks to all who participated in this poll.

I hear ya for sure. I really like seeing this poll too. Thanks again. You have some great posts that I find very educational but most of all I enjoy reading them.

And thanks to everyone who posts here and at woodnet.

[mreza Salav]

Thanks Mike, like many others, I learn a lot as well.

[Paul McGaha]

Mreza,

Are you planning on buying a new table saw? Which saw are you leaning towards buying and why?

PHM

[mreza Salav]

I have have upgraded my table saw twice and I am hoping this 3rd saw is my last one (a ICS sawstop).

[Chip Lindley]

I am proud owner of a pre-owned 1998 Powermatic 66 in 2005. It has been my quest saw for many years. It cuts perfectly. With overhead Excaliber blade guard/dust extracter, I feel very safe operating the PM66. Sorry SawStop! No future buyer here!

~~Chip~~

[john looser]

I have a Ridgid TS3650 and a couple Skil tablesaws for building birdhouses and I am happy with them . I am not interested in sawstop whatsoever .

[Michael Lutz]

In 2002 I bought a PM 66, which I was fine with until my wife had an accident with it. After she got back from the hospital, she wanted the PM gone and a sawstop in it's place. So I now have a SS, which I have to say I like better than the PM. I think the mobile base, dust collection/guard, and the riving knife are definite improvements. I moved my Jessum slider from the PM to the SS. Works just fine.

[Peter Kuhlman]

I purchased my Bridgewood 10" left tilt cabinet saw about 8 years ago and put a Delta guard, riving knife, Incra fence on it. Absolutely love it. Have looked at the SS and am impressed with the build quality but the prices are just too high. I think a properly equipped and calibrated "normal" cabinet saw can be almost as safe as the SS, at least for my personal usage.