Posts: 16,587
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Joined: Oct 1999
So sorry to hear of your accident! Best of luck for a speedy and complete recovery. The SS contractor saw gets good reviews online and in WW mags, at least the ones I've read. You can call Sawstop and they will fill you in on what might be the best option for you.
I have the PCS model and have enjoyed it for 10+ years now. It replaced a perfectly good Unisaw I had bought new several years earlier.
Doug
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Location: Wapakoneta, OH
You've asked one of the questions that probably has a dozen+ answers...all correct. So here's mine: I went from a Unisaw to a SS and to me the upgrade to the cabinet model is well worth the cost. Having said that, I've never used the SS contractor saw and I'm sure it's an excellent quality, capable TS. But I went from a Delta contractor saw (also a quality, capable contractor saw) to the Uni and I can say I wouldn't want to go back. To be sure, my contractor saw did everything just as well as the Uni with the exception of the extra HP (tough cuts) and dust collection, but those reason alone are enough to justify the added cost.
I started with absolutely nothing. Now, thanks to years of hard work, careful planning, and perseverance, I find I still have most of it left.
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03-01-2021, 08:23 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-01-2021, 08:24 AM by CStan.)
Save your money. I'd keep the vintage Unisaw and make sure to never use bare hands to feed stock into it. Featherboards with push sticks and push shoes, and/or a stock feeder. Use a router for dadoes and rabbets - cuts a cleaner joint to boot.
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I replaced my Unisaw with a cabinet model SS several years ago and I've never regretted making the switch. In addition to the auto-braking feature, the SS has quite a few advantages over the Unisaw. Dust collection is a lot better with the SS, and installing the splitter is tool-free and takes maybe 15 seconds. The only downside to the SS that I've found is the nuisance of having to swap brake modules when switching between 10 single blade and the dado set. If space and money were not considerations, I'd had two SS table saws, one with 10 inch blade and the other with the dado set.
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03-01-2021, 08:52 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-01-2021, 10:12 AM by Handplanesandmore.)
How active will you see yourself as a woodworker in the next 5 years?
Active (as you define it)- the PCS, otherwise the contractor model.
Simon
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Sorry to hear about your accident, but pleased to hear that you were able to recover so well...It's a wake up call to the rest of us, regardless of our saw of choice, to make sure to pay attention at all times...
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03-01-2021, 09:42 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-01-2021, 10:12 AM by Handplanesandmore.)
We're human beings. 'nuff said.
Simon
Ps Sawstop should use my line in its ads. :-)
Posts: 2,274
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Joined: Jun 2001
I looked the contractors saw - it's well built but I didn't want the stamped extension tables and the open dust collection. Mine is coming on 3/31. I too am 72 and I am making mistakes - touched the tip of a finger twice his past year - just hit the nail - no blood. So I am lucky so far. I am using my required min withdraw from one of my IRA's to do it. I am buying the low end cabinet saw from Rockler - I think it's 3300 including shipping and taxes. That's about a gran more than the contractor.
This will be my first real TS. I am replacing a Craftsman 1990's contractor.
I am not getting the dado module. I rarely use the TS for that. I have all sorts of jigs for my router and I have 2 router tables. I know the TS can be faster at times but I am not in a hurry any more.
John
Always use the right tool for the job.
We need to clean house.
