Tool: SawStop Contractor saw with 36” fence.
Reviewer: Carl Summers (Wizard1500)
Tool Rating: 9.8
Picture:
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Review: On July 30, I purchased the new SawStop Contractor saw. I purchased the optional 36” fence, cast iron wings, and mobile base. Cost was $2188.00 plus tax. The nearest dealer to me is 80 miles away. I drove up to Jacksonville, and picked the saw up. All packages fit in the 6’ bed of my truck, with no problem.
The packaging was very good, and all parts were in factory new condition. There was no rust on the wings or the table. The assembly instructions and packaging of bolts/washers is the best I have ever seen for any item in my 59 years. Assembly of the saw was very easy….just do what the instructions say. All parts were present, and nothing was missing. Assembly took about 5 hours, plus another hour or so, checking/tuning up the saw to cut. The only things that needed adjusting on then entire saw was the magnification lenses on the fence…..measure distance fence is to right of blade and adjust right lens to that number, then do the same for the left side. Blade was installed at factory, and was perfectly set up…..checked for parallel 4 times, just to make sure. Blade tilt was dead on at 45 deg. Fence alignment was taken care of when installing rails…..Dust collection is handled by a 4” housing on the bottom of the saw housing….simply hook up your hose. An aux adaptor is available that allows use of 4” or 2.5” hose.
This saw is heavy. The company lists a weight of 365 lbs, in the configuration that I have. The mobile base is a must, if you ever have to move the saw. Everything about this saw says quality…..the stand and housing are powder coated…..the fence is professional quality and literally glides when you move it….it locks in place easily.
I have no way of knowing just how flat the table is, but placing a aluminum straightedge across it shows no light between it and the table.
I have only owned jobsite and contractor table saws, so that is what I have to judge the SawStop against. This is the nicest cutting saw I have ever used. This saw has literally renewed by enthusiasm for building projects. Cuts are square, and the blade supplied by SawStop does a good job…..I will end up replacing it with a Frued Fusion, though. SawStop recommends that you do NOT use a thin kerf blade on their saws, because of the braking system…..They state that a thin kerf would be more likely to shatter if engaged engaged by the brake.
Changing from the blade guard to the riving knife can be done in about 1 minute. The forks of both have 2 predrilled register holes to line up on protrusions…then, just lock in place with the handle, and replace the insert. The insert on the contractor saw is a zero tolerance type.
Of course, the main reason for purchasing a SawStop is the safety feature, which I hope I never use. I have developed tremors in my hands, which usually happens when I am concentrating intently…..The safety feature definitely adds to the cost of the saw, but I have become really attached to my fingers, and want to keep all of them for as long as I can.
As you can tell, I am very pleased with my Sawstop. This weekend, I finished building a set of cabinets for our dining room….this saw helped to make it a fun project.
Reviewer: Carl Summers (Wizard1500)
Tool Rating: 9.8
Picture:
Review: On July 30, I purchased the new SawStop Contractor saw. I purchased the optional 36” fence, cast iron wings, and mobile base. Cost was $2188.00 plus tax. The nearest dealer to me is 80 miles away. I drove up to Jacksonville, and picked the saw up. All packages fit in the 6’ bed of my truck, with no problem.
The packaging was very good, and all parts were in factory new condition. There was no rust on the wings or the table. The assembly instructions and packaging of bolts/washers is the best I have ever seen for any item in my 59 years. Assembly of the saw was very easy….just do what the instructions say. All parts were present, and nothing was missing. Assembly took about 5 hours, plus another hour or so, checking/tuning up the saw to cut. The only things that needed adjusting on then entire saw was the magnification lenses on the fence…..measure distance fence is to right of blade and adjust right lens to that number, then do the same for the left side. Blade was installed at factory, and was perfectly set up…..checked for parallel 4 times, just to make sure. Blade tilt was dead on at 45 deg. Fence alignment was taken care of when installing rails…..Dust collection is handled by a 4” housing on the bottom of the saw housing….simply hook up your hose. An aux adaptor is available that allows use of 4” or 2.5” hose.
This saw is heavy. The company lists a weight of 365 lbs, in the configuration that I have. The mobile base is a must, if you ever have to move the saw. Everything about this saw says quality…..the stand and housing are powder coated…..the fence is professional quality and literally glides when you move it….it locks in place easily.
I have no way of knowing just how flat the table is, but placing a aluminum straightedge across it shows no light between it and the table.
I have only owned jobsite and contractor table saws, so that is what I have to judge the SawStop against. This is the nicest cutting saw I have ever used. This saw has literally renewed by enthusiasm for building projects. Cuts are square, and the blade supplied by SawStop does a good job…..I will end up replacing it with a Frued Fusion, though. SawStop recommends that you do NOT use a thin kerf blade on their saws, because of the braking system…..They state that a thin kerf would be more likely to shatter if engaged engaged by the brake.
Changing from the blade guard to the riving knife can be done in about 1 minute. The forks of both have 2 predrilled register holes to line up on protrusions…then, just lock in place with the handle, and replace the insert. The insert on the contractor saw is a zero tolerance type.
Of course, the main reason for purchasing a SawStop is the safety feature, which I hope I never use. I have developed tremors in my hands, which usually happens when I am concentrating intently…..The safety feature definitely adds to the cost of the saw, but I have become really attached to my fingers, and want to keep all of them for as long as I can.
As you can tell, I am very pleased with my Sawstop. This weekend, I finished building a set of cabinets for our dining room….this saw helped to make it a fun project.
