20-odd responses so far. Hope you're not getting buried. I'll touch on a few things and try to stay focused on your original post. I will state that I ran a 1.75HP hybrid saw with great results for some time. I got a chance to upgrade to a 3HP saw. The hybrid did everything I asked of it. The 3HP saw does the same with greater ease and confidence. If a twist of fate had not come along I would probably still be happily using the 1.75HP hybrid. That being said . . .
- The smaller footprint of a cabinet saw versus a contractor saw can be nice.
- The dust collection of a cabinet saw versus a contractor saw can be better. I am not sure how good the SS contractor dust collection is so that may be moot.
- The driving factor for me would not be contractor saw versus cabinet saw format as much as it would be table mounted versus cabinet mounted trunnions; cabinet mounted being the way to go.
Given that you are focused on Saw Stop offerings I will not wander from that. I have a Saw Stop 3HP PCS but, consider the safety feature a freebie considering that the operational quality of the saw competes directly with other $3k saws. You are right on track with the fence selection. Saw Stop's "Premium" fence isn't really. The T-Glide is fine; I ran a Biesemeyer "Commercial" for years and so have a good comparison. Whichever model you choose, the safety feature has an override for any cuts you may need to make in aluminum, wet or otherwise conductive material, etc.
If you were simply asking about a contractor saw versus a cabinet saw I would recommend a used contractor saw for someone just starting out. It gives you a chance to learn what is really important to you in a tablesaw with a minimum of investment and little pain when you sell it to the next newbie who takes it to its new home. Since it is Saw Stop A, B, C or D I will echo the recommendation of buying the best you can afford. If you stick with it you will have the saw for life. If you decide this is not for you, the better saw will command a better resale cost recoup. JMHO.
Last edited by glenn bradley; 01-29-2020 at 4:16 PM.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler