My new MiniMax SC4E arrived on Wednesday. We got it in the shop and uncrated that day, Thursday afternoon I got it assembled, and yesterday I spent fine tuning the location, getting the wiring and D/C hooked up, and making adjustments. Today I'm going to try to get the rest of the shop put back together with a few machines in new locations, and maybe cut some wood. To make room for the slider I had to sell my Delta 12/14" table saw with a huge outfeed table, a Delta cabinet shaper, and I still need to sell a big Rockwell 12" RAS on a large cabinet base. I did keep my Powermatic 65 10" cabinet saw for fine joinery, box joints, and because it's got a nice router lift installed on the right side.
Now I have to learn how to use the slider. I'll probably build a Fritz & Franz jig, and will probably order an Incra positioner to build a parallel table for ripping. (If anyone knows of a more economical alternative to the Incra positioner I'd like to hear about it.)
My main question here for those of you who've transitioned to sliders is how did you train yourself to use the slider? I've watched most of the Extreme Woodworker sliding table saw videos as well as a few that Sam Blasco has posted, and I think I understand the basics. I know you don't use it like a cabinet saw, and there are at least three or four ways to do just about every operation. Any advice?
I'm also looking to retool my blade collection. I would like to put one blade in that will do 90% of my rips and crosscuts, and will only switch if I'm doing a heavy rip, or if I'm using some sort of solid surface material, both of which will be relatively rare. I mostly build furniture and use hardwood up to about 8/4 or rarely 10/4, and seldom use sheet goods.