Table saw - SawStop PCS
Took the splurge and stepped into the bigger boys of the table saw market and ordered a SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw.
Finally getting a cabinet saw has been a long process and finally glad that it is now in the shop.
Back to the future
It’s now my first cabinet table saw since I started my interest in woodworking. My last decent saw with mass was the Ridgid contrator saw, from a few years back with an all cast iron table top. I decided to sell it, thinking at the time that I could get away with a band saw, track saw and some hand tools.
I ended up getting a small portable saw, mainly to rip longer cuts, that was closer to finish than what the band saw could do and without spending a ton on tracks long enough. Speed was a certain factor here. Not that the option of bandsaw/hand tool was a bad option.
Was not quite what I was wanting as a tool scenario. Then started the process of comparing and a bit of paralysis by analysis of the different model and features and how much I wanted to pay.
The SawStop decision
The obvious advantage for choosing SawStop is the safety feature it’s known for. It does not replace good safety practice and please, it should never replace it.
On top of safety, it is a premium saw, very well built and heavy. It’s massive and I only got the Professional model. The industrial is even bigger and heavier. I decided for the smallest of the cabinet model. I chose the cabinet saw as dust collection was something that was important.
Not that the contractor model does not a good job and it’s best for the category, but a cabinet saw was the category of saw I was looking into. A BIESEMEYER type fence was very tempting. I did use a saw with this type of fence and it scored points if it was possible. It also has many jigs that are built around that type of fence.
The motor option was pretty much set personally to a 3 HP motor. Could I have done with a 1.75/2 HP motor option, most probably but I wanted to a motor option that I would not have regretted. This portion was also a must have.
On last thing was mobility options. Although the saw will remain 99% in a permanent location, having the ability to move it, easily if needed was a big plus. I chose one of SawStop options for a mobility base, the industrial base. It has 4 rotating wheels with a piston action to rise the saw. It really moves nice with this base, even on not so even floors. Hitting a small paddle lowers the saw to it’s intended location
The kit
I ultimalty went with the following :
Professional model
3 HP motor option
36 inch fence option with T-Glide Fence
Industrial mobile base with conversion kit for PCS
Let the fun begin
So yes it required some help for the assembly. It is calibrated with minor adjustments. Did not have to do much quite frankly. Very happy with that. The SawStop documentation is pretty fantastic with the manuel which came with the boxes and all available online. The packaging is superb and all identified flawlessly
There is enough videos online for the assembly process and some tips so will not ramble too much but here are a few details :
While assembling the saw, look into all the boxes. Pretty good chance it’s in another boxes that have not opened yet.
Use dust collection. The saw is not in it’s final location in the shop but could not resist making some first cuts. Yeah use dust collection.
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