Key factors in my decision:
1) Safety - I value my fingers a lot. I am also very much an apprentice woodworker. I have been hesitant to purchase a table saw because of this and have been getting by with a makita track saw. My only real experience with a table saw is from high school shop class and that was many years ago. I familiar with general table saw safety practices of using push sticks, riving knives to avoid kickback, cross cut sleds and other jigs (fritz/franz jig etc) to avoid getting your hands close to the blade, but I do not have a lot of hours practicing these techniques.
2) Fits in my shop - My shop is 20x20, but has a center support pole. It has dual overlapping barn doors - e.g. half of 20' can be open at any time and I am ok having to open the barn door to use the slider.
3) Features - I lean towards a slider over a traditional panel saw with respect to features. Ideally I would love to be able to straight line rip a full 8ft board and get into dimensioning rough lumber, but there is no way a full 8ft slider would fit my shop or budget. Current in flight projects are a GFRC concrete + live edge night stands and coffee table. This has involved cutting laminate sheet goods into molds for the GFRC and dimensioning a rough slab of walnut (inspired by this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRawVCDMuZ8)
4) Within my budget - ~5k - its not a 100% hard budget
I already own a Minimax FS 30 classic J/P and its been great (bought it used).
Sawstop PCS31230-PFA30
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/s...pcs31230-pfa30
Minimax SC 2C
https://www.scmgroup.com/en_US/scmwo...imax-sc-2g.706
Hammer K3 Winner
https://www.felder-group.com/en-kr/p...3-winner-p3055
Although I think in the long-term I would prefer a slider - given my lack of experience, desire for safety, and cost price point... the Sawstop is seeming the most appealing.
I am having a hard time getting footprints for how much floor space these sliders would require (with or without the support tables).
Im really just looking for others opinions, particularly those that have used both (sawstop vs a slider) and those with experience with these specific slider models. Thanks!
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