Table Saw options

[BigguyZ]

OK, so I'm looking down the road at what future purchases I'll make for the shop this year, or at least what large purchases I'll make.

To give you some background, I currently have a used Craftsman 1 1/2 HP contractor's saw. I built for it this table saw workstation, but I made it mobile. http://www.shopnotes.com/issues/089/...aw-workcenter/

I have a basement shop that's nor very big, so the mobility of the saw and the storage the workcenter provides is important. Also, I'm not sure I could get a saw larger than a contractor's saw down into the basement safely.

Now I haven't yet made the top of this sucker, so it doesn't neccessarily have to be for this specific saw. So, a local store had brand new Powermatic 1 1/2 HP contractor saws for $350 w/o fence. I thought it'd be a decent upgrade if I sell my Craftsman. Well, that's not available anymore, as they're all gone.

So, I'm still kinda wanting to get a nicer saw, but I'm not sure if it's worth it anymore. I'm looking at $400-$600 for new or used saws locally, and they're not as nice as the Powermatic that got me interested initially.

I thought about waiting for the SawStop contractor saw, but that's $1,500!!

Then, flipping through my Grizzley catalog, I see this sucker:
http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2008/Main/17

Now it's the only mid-level saw I've seen with a riving knife, which I'm willing to pay for. However, it's still rather pricey and for a little bit more I could get a cabiner saw. And sure, a cabinet saw is probably too big for my shop and I can't use it with my mostly-built workcenter, but it seems like once you get to a point you might as well buy as nice a saw as possible, and you can actually get the Grizzley hybrid for less than their new contractor saw.

So, do I buy a new saw locally for $500 or so, buy the Grizzley for a bit over $800 shipped, or stick with my Craftsman until I have room for a cabinet saw 2-3 years down the line for $800-$1700?

Of course, everything is dependant on each person's specific situation, but I'd appreciate any thoughts you all may have.

[Uncle Cracker]

New laws mandating the inclusion of a riving knife are now being phased in, so all new saws will have them soon. Obviously, this law will not apply to saws predating the new regs, but it does mean you'll soon have a wider variety of choices in new saws.

As for the other issues, you are only limited by your space (and the passageways leading to it) and to your imagination. A big Delta Uni with a 52" fence rolls around beautifully on a mobile base, and I have seen huge saws, tables and outfeed surfaces, with large storage cabinets beneath, all on wheels.

[BigguyZ]

The real issue I have with going with a big saw is the weight and how safe I think it'll be to get that much cast iron down my basement steps.

Also, I'd really really hate to get rid of the workcenter before it's even finished.....

[LarryG]

That's kind of a tough call, Z. A lot would depend on how good your Craftsman saw is. If it's crap, something like the Grizzly contractor's saw could be a significant upgrade. If the C'man is pretty good, runs well, cuts accurately, it could be a mostly lateral move.

For the long term, what you want, what it will take to make you happy, has to enter into it, too. That's something only you can know.

Getting a cabinet-type saw (whether full-blown or hybrid) down a set of basement steps could be an adventure, though. Then again, it's something you only have to do once.

[Knottscott]

Keep in mind that a full 3hp cabinet saw requires 220v. A cab saw with a standard 30" rip will actually take up less space than a standard full size contractor saw, so you may have the space now....

A hybrid offers many of the advantages of a cabinet saw, but without the industrial grade construction or HP. I've been using a 22124 for ~ 2-1/2 years now and have been very happy with the upgrade from a very nice tricked out contractor saw. I rarely feel that I'd benefit from more power but on occasion it'd be nice. Last summer I actually passed up a 10 YO Grizzly 1023 and chose to keep my hybrid....the circumstances just weren't right in that case, but if the right deal comes along, I'd still consider upgrading to a full cab saw.

Have you checked into the Jet Proshop hybrids? Amazon's got one for $630 w/free shipping right now. (link fixed)

[BigguyZ]

That link is to a review for the WWII...

Anyways. The thing is the C-man saw has a set of 50" powermatic rails with a Beisemeyer fence, so it has all of the rip capacity I need. Also, I plan on being out of my current shop in a few years, so I don't necessarily want a huge beast of a machine that I'll break my back on moving...

220 isn't a problem. I'm actually running power lines to my current shop to my electrical box now. I have about a dozen spots left to add on, so I have the capacity.

Maybe I should just bite the bullet and keep what I have, upgrading when I move to a new shop. After all, I still don't have a jointer or a planer.

This whole issue was brought on the fact I thought I'd be able to make a mostly latteral upgrade to what would still be a much nicer fit/ finish saw for about $100. But now I'm thinking I should cool it and spend the money on the wood.