I searched all over the wreck's archives for recommendations. I made the
mistake of buying a $180 Craftsman. The miter rails are not square and flat
so it's hard to make any kind of jig involving the miter slots. It's
extremely difficult to adjust the blade square to the miter slot. The miter
gauge and fence wiggle a lot.
I'm looking at the Bridgewood contractor's saw ($579 on sale). Pros: Price,
left tilting blade, 30 inch rail. Cons: Cast iron extension is extra ($70),
mediocre fence. Are there any others you would recommend at a similar price
with pros and cons? Thanks.
"hdt98" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I searched all over the wreck's archives for recommendations. I made the
> mistake of buying a $180 Craftsman. The miter rails are not square and
flat
> so it's hard to make any kind of jig involving the miter slots. It's
> extremely difficult to adjust the blade square to the miter slot. The
miter
> gauge and fence wiggle a lot.
>
> I'm looking at the Bridgewood contractor's saw ($579 on sale). Pros:
Price,
> left tilting blade, 30 inch rail. Cons: Cast iron extension is extra
($70),
> mediocre fence. Are there any others you would recommend at a similar
price
> with pros and cons? Thanks.
>
>
I know how you feel. I bought a Delta 36-600, and thought I would get a
decent saw out of it. It is only adequate at best. Not even sure if I
could get a decent fence for it, whether it would be worth the investment
or not. I tried a Delta Unisaw the other night with a Biesmeyer fence on
it. What a dream!!! I will be looking for one of these used when SWMBO
isn't looking. I am hoping to find one eventually in the 7-800 dollar
range. Best of luck.
Paul
Most peole sugest a Unisaw or Griz 1023(?). My suggestion is to look
for those at used machinery dealers. Or look for a rebuilt one.
Remember, a decent fence is $250 up . If you buy anything, you still
must have a good fence.So either you buy a contractors saw and a Bies
or Unifence (or whatever) or try to finsd a good one used, You are SO
close to a new saw that I would really encourage you to pick up a few
more Coke bottles or something to get the extra money to buy a really
good one. You will NEVER regrett it.
On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 11:40:00 -0400, "hdt98" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I searched all over the wreck's archives for recommendations. I made the
>mistake of buying a $180 Craftsman. The miter rails are not square and flat
>so it's hard to make any kind of jig involving the miter slots. It's
>extremely difficult to adjust the blade square to the miter slot. The miter
>gauge and fence wiggle a lot.
>
>I'm looking at the Bridgewood contractor's saw ($579 on sale). Pros: Price,
>left tilting blade, 30 inch rail. Cons: Cast iron extension is extra ($70),
>mediocre fence. Are there any others you would recommend at a similar price
>with pros and cons? Thanks.
>
hdt98 wrote:
> I searched all over the wreck's archives for recommendations. I made the
> mistake of buying a $180 Craftsman. The miter rails are not square and flat
> so it's hard to make any kind of jig involving the miter slots. It's
> extremely difficult to adjust the blade square to the miter slot. The miter
> gauge and fence wiggle a lot.
My BIL seems quite satisfied with his Grizzly TS (z-series?).
$600 IIRC.
For that matter, a $600 Craftsman would marvelous compared to
what you bought.
--
************************************
Chris Merrill
[email protected]
(remove the ZZZ to contact me)
************************************
"hdt98" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I searched all over the wreck's archives for recommendations. I made the
> mistake of buying a $180 Craftsman. The miter rails are not square and
flat
> so it's hard to make any kind of jig involving the miter slots. It's
> extremely difficult to adjust the blade square to the miter slot. The
miter
> gauge and fence wiggle a lot.
Every one has a limit, but for a few dollars more . . . . .
The Delta contractor saw is $750 with a Beisemeyer fence. I'm very happy
with mine.
Ed