Going to the Dark Side....
A while back I asked you for your opinions on a new saw. I was looking at a Steel City and debatinbg my options. Thanks for the responses!
Well I finally made a decision....
SawStop - 3HP, 240V, 36" rip, Bessy Fence, table board & mobile base (& Dado brake & table insert)
Here is how I came to my decision:
I was looking to go toward a more traditional saw for the availability of jigs, mass, etc. I was also looking for more power to increase safety a bit (dont like being near the limit of the BT3100 motor).
I started looking at hybrids - Delta, 22124, WoodTek, Steel City. I thought for the $800 to $1200 that I will spend there I might as well go to full cabinet saw. After all - Ill never need to buy another saw again.
So I looked at the typical names and then I came across the SawStop. I liked the safety, but I was worried about the quality. I spent ALOT of time online researching. I also admired at the local Klingspor's store.
My information led me to this conclusion:
-Equal to or better construction vs. the big names (Delta, PM, SC, etc.) - narrow blade guard, riving knife, heavier, larger table, zero clearance, etc...
-Superior safety through the SawStop mechanism as well as the computer verifying that the system is ready to run (splitter or guard installed, doors closed, etc)
-Additional cost of $2000
-Never a complaint by an owner
-Very Good customer service
-Cost for stitches for cut - $2000 min, Surgery for ugly cut $5000 min, reattachment $10000 min,
-piece of mind - priceless!!!! :-)
So I made the jump last week at the cost of $4200 all in (incl tax). Definately a steep price tag...but I feel good about it. I want to have every bit of safety I can. Someone said - "do you drive any different with an airbag?" Well, no, I dont and I wont be any less careful with this saw. I have a healthy fear of tablesaws. Another good point from the gentleman at Klingspor's - "people will spend $30K for a car that lasts 5 years, but they wont spend $4K for a saw that will last a lifetime and ofers superior protection in case of accident." Truer words have never been spoken!
So I am sure I will get flamed by some...that is OK, I dont give a frak!
I will document the arrival and installation during the coming weeks. The fun part will be getting it from the garage to the shop - down one level, but I have a walk out door around the back (ugh!) of the house.
I will continue browsing & posting to this site because of the people. You guys are helpful and an interesting bunch. I recommend this site to alot of people regardlss of their saw- because of how great the atmosphere is!
More to come.
Well I finally made a decision....
SawStop - 3HP, 240V, 36" rip, Bessy Fence, table board & mobile base (& Dado brake & table insert)
Here is how I came to my decision:
I was looking to go toward a more traditional saw for the availability of jigs, mass, etc. I was also looking for more power to increase safety a bit (dont like being near the limit of the BT3100 motor).
I started looking at hybrids - Delta, 22124, WoodTek, Steel City. I thought for the $800 to $1200 that I will spend there I might as well go to full cabinet saw. After all - Ill never need to buy another saw again.
So I looked at the typical names and then I came across the SawStop. I liked the safety, but I was worried about the quality. I spent ALOT of time online researching. I also admired at the local Klingspor's store.
My information led me to this conclusion:
-Equal to or better construction vs. the big names (Delta, PM, SC, etc.) - narrow blade guard, riving knife, heavier, larger table, zero clearance, etc...
-Superior safety through the SawStop mechanism as well as the computer verifying that the system is ready to run (splitter or guard installed, doors closed, etc)
-Additional cost of $2000
-Never a complaint by an owner
-Very Good customer service
-Cost for stitches for cut - $2000 min, Surgery for ugly cut $5000 min, reattachment $10000 min,
-piece of mind - priceless!!!! :-)
So I made the jump last week at the cost of $4200 all in (incl tax). Definately a steep price tag...but I feel good about it. I want to have every bit of safety I can. Someone said - "do you drive any different with an airbag?" Well, no, I dont and I wont be any less careful with this saw. I have a healthy fear of tablesaws. Another good point from the gentleman at Klingspor's - "people will spend $30K for a car that lasts 5 years, but they wont spend $4K for a saw that will last a lifetime and ofers superior protection in case of accident." Truer words have never been spoken!
So I am sure I will get flamed by some...that is OK, I dont give a frak!
I will document the arrival and installation during the coming weeks. The fun part will be getting it from the garage to the shop - down one level, but I have a walk out door around the back (ugh!) of the house.
I will continue browsing & posting to this site because of the people. You guys are helpful and an interesting bunch. I recommend this site to alot of people regardlss of their saw- because of how great the atmosphere is!
More to come.
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