Subject: Tablesaw choice: Ryobi vs. Grizzly vs. Used Delta Unisaw

From: [email-masked] (Teddy Winstead)
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 08:12:16 -0600

Hi there.

I'm really new to woodworking and I'm considering the purchase of a table 
saw.  I've read the article in this month's FWW, and it didn't help me 
clear up my confusion very much.  Here's where I stand:

The Ryobi looks really, really nice.  The sliding table and the built-in 
router mounting make this really appealing.  As far as precision goes, I 
have heard very few complaints.  However, this saw seems to get a bad rap 
around here.

The Grizzly leaves me with too many questions.  I have heard many 
complaints about the fence, and I'd rather not have to deal with mail-order 
companies if I don't have to.

I've been seeing used Delta Unisaws around here in the newspaper for the 
same price as the Grizzly or Ryobi, but some people tell me that Delta is 
worthless.  This really confused me, because I've never heard a bad word 
about Delta in rec.ww.

So, I really just want some feedback on the Ryobi and the Grizzly from 
people that have had to pick between the two, and maybe someone could 
comment on the used Delta Unisaw as a potential choice.

Thanks,
Ted

-- 
Nathaniel Scott "Teddy" Winstead   |http://www.eecs.tulane.edu/www/Winstead
[email-masked]           | 
Tulane Medical School Class of 2000|

---

From: "Edward LeBlanc" <[email-masked]>
Date: 27 Mar 1997 18:07:26 GMT

Ted,

IMHO, you won't go wrong with the used unisaw unless it has been seriously
abused.  If it has the old jet-lock fence you might consider changing it to
a unifence or Biesmeyer.  If you get into woodworking seriously, you will
appreciate the unisaw more and more.  The others you will probably want to
upgrade to a unisaw or powermatic 66 or similar saw.  If you don't get into
woodworking seriously, you can probably sell the used unisaw for about what
you paid for it.  Have you considered the resale value of a used Grizzly or
Ryobi?

Who says Delta is worthless?  Maybe some (all) of their Home Depot specials
are, but not their better grades of equipment.

Teddy Winstead <[email-masked]> wrote in article
<[email-masked]>...

>[snip]

---

From: [email-masked] (John Paquay)
Date: 27 Mar 1997 19:48:21 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] says...
>clear up my confusion very much.  Here's where I stand:

<snip>

>comment on the used Delta Unisaw as a potential choice.

I don't have any personal experience with the Grizzly, but I've toyed
with the Ryobi a bit, and have found it a passable machine, though
not at all in the class of the Unisaw.  It's far more similar in terms
of 'feel' to a contractor's saw, IMO.

Dollar for dollar, if you're looking at a Unisaw that's in good shape,
I don't see how you could go wrong with a Unisaw.  The things last
forever, they're very accurate and very user-friendly (it's amazing how
much less fatigue I feel using a Unisaw as opposed to a contractor's
saw over a day's work or play...).  Anybody who tells you Delta is
worthless is a fool.  The Unisaw has been the de facto standard for
more than half a century, and it's design has been copied a hundred
times, but IMO, never surpassed.  Delta's quality and support are
world famous.  But don't take anybody's word for it (not even mine)...
try them out for yourself, and I believe you'll agree.  Either way, get
what feels good to you.  You're the one who'll be using it.

-- 
John Paquay
[email-masked],  [email-masked]
http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~jep/cshop.html
----------------------------------------------------
Without my wings you know I'd surely die...
            --Kansas, Icarus (Wings of Steel)
----------------------------------------------------

---

From: [email-masked] (IbDegen2)
Date: 27 Mar 1997 21:53:28 GMT

> comment on the used Delta Unisaw as a potential choice.

Where do you live?  I'd like to check out your want ads and get me a used
Unisaw for the price of a Ryobi.

Braun

---

From: "John Hofstad-Parkhill" <[email-masked]>
Date: 28 Mar 1997 05:32:16 GMT

Teddy:

As you know, rec.woodworking is like going to several different doctors for
the same bug and getting several different answers.

For the Ryobi, I've seen several posts by happy users, but also several
posts about the unit being able to hold it's settings, and just generally
being a PITA to keep in tune. However, it cuts wood.

For the Grizzley, more of the crap-shoot. Again many happy customers, many
not so happy. I've seen good reports on their service however, closer to
Jet for the imports than other dealers. However, it cuts wood.

For the Unisaw. Anybody telling you that it's not a good saw must have an
alterior motive. Not going to argue "best" here, but as mentioned, the
unisaw is the benchmark against which all others of it's class are
measured. It cuts wood too.

In terms of overall value, a unisaw - especially in the same price range -
is impossible to beat. Beyond service - which will vary from person to
person (these still are human beings), you've got a whole entire world of
add-on accessories designed to work with the unisaw "standard", from
zero-clearance plates to after market fences. These are easy to find, often
locally.

Further, if you get the "bug", eventually you'll *want* a unisaw, even if
you never get there. These things you'd find out as you work more and more.
I don't have the unisaw, but the PM66. And in spite of my continued
reservations about the 66, there is a whole lot to like about it. The
difference between the 66 and the 34-444 (much like the Grizzley) is what
you might expect, more power, smoother operation. Being able to "dial in" a
2" rip and know that's what you'll get is possible with a good fence and a
contractor's saw.  However, I just ripped some 7' long 12/4 hard maple, 7
1/2" wide. I could have done that with the 34-444 too, but it would have
suffered and it would have been a chore.

You may say *now* that you can't see yourself working with 12/4 maple. I
said that too, a few years ago.

---

From: [email-masked] (stev)
Date: 28 Mar 1997 07:44:51 GMT

I learned on a unisaw, but it wasnt my shop. Came time to build my own
shop, I settled for a BT3000. Im in business, Im building pretty much
what I want to with it. Its not a bad saw at all, but it sure isnt a 
unisaw. Someone says here youll eventually want one (the unisaw) 
and that is true. Now, if youre seeing used unisaws going for $500,tell
me where and Ill buy it if you dont. From what Ive seen, unisaws hold 
value real well, and I havent seen one even close to $500.
The only real shortcomings on the ryobi are power and tablesize and no 
miter gauge slots. Otherwise its fine, and it will do the job as is 
anyways.

stev

-- 
Send any Email to [email-masked]
The auto reply address is a fake.
************************************
Spammers READ:
Dont waste your time sending unwanted solicitations
to my address. There is no way I will buy anything
you have to offer.

---

From: [email-masked]
Date: 28 Mar 1997 14:34:32 GMT

>comment on the used Delta Unisaw as a potential choice.

My BT3000 is 5 years old and I appreciate the portability it lends.  I could not have a saw in the middle of the garage so it gets "parked" against the wall almost every night.  Use DEJANEWS to find
the summary evaluation by 8 owners of the saw and some accessories.  E-mail if you can't find.  One in the local paper with outfeed and side tables for $400.  Someone is unhappy.

---

From: [email-masked] (Al Taylor)
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 20:11:59 GMT

If you would like an inexpensive fixer-upper, the Grizzly provides a
solid base from which to start. I've seen them in person and they are
a little rougher around the edges than the pictures in the catalog
reveal. (bandsaws too) I haven't seen the new "Z" series, but the
fence on the others would be the first thing to upgrade. (the jointers
are an excellent value)

If you could get a good price for a used Unisaw, that would be
something you could just move into, (these are home-buying analogies
in case you're wondering) but you don't run into too many of these.

The Ryobi, I really can't say

It all depends on individual preferences.

my two cents

Al

---

From: Steve Wallace <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 10:41:27 -0800

> My BT3000 is 5 years old and I appreciate the portability it lends.
> I could not have a saw in the middle of the garage so it gets "parked" 
> against the wall al[snip]
Hmmm...does the AOL newreader not support the <cr> character?  ;^>

This is an interesting point.  When it came time for me to upgrade my
TS, it became terribly obvious to me that my only choice was a cabinet
saw, as I didn't have room to store a contractor's saw against my garage
wall and still get my truck inna de gae-raj.  Ya see, I cabinet saw is
about a foot shorter front to back than a contractor's saw, and this was the
dimension that I cared about...I didn't really wanna make the fender of
my truck conform to the form factor of the TS motor...So I have my Unisaw
on a mobile base, and it tucks up tightly against the wall when not in use.
I found it highly portable (constrained to the fact that it never leaves 
my garage...dunno if that fits *your* definition of portable).  Perhaps
portable is a bad word...perhaps "stowable" is better.

But in any case, all other things being equal, the Unisaw is head and
shoulders above the Grizz, which is prolly head and shoulders above the
Ryobi.  But this is not to say that the Ryobi is a POS...there are lotsa
folks here who are happy with their BT3000...but they prolly want a bigger
saw someday...

Later.
Steve.
-- 
"Buy the best, and only cry once."

---

From: [email-masked] (Robert Galloway)
Date: 31 Mar 1997 07:53:19 -0700

Anybody who told you a Unisaw is worthless either:
 
a.  Knows the particular saw and it is worthless i.e. has been in a fire 
or something or

b.  The want to scare you off so they can pick it up for themselves.

IMHO, even if you had to put a little money into the Unisaw to bring it 
up to snuff, if you have the place for it and can buy it for the cost of 
a new contractor's saw, there's no contest.  Buy it NOW!

rhg

In article <[email-masked]>,

---

From: "RKJ@CATS" <[email-masked]>
Date: 2 Apr 1997 01:57:28 GMT

BYE AMERICAN

[email-masked] wrote in article
<[email-masked]>...
[email-masked] (Teddy Winstead) writes:
> My BT3000 is 5 years old and I appreciate the portability it lends.  I
could not have a saw in the middle of the garage so it gets "parked"
against the wall almost every night.  Use DEJANEWS to find
> the summary evaluation by 8 owners of the saw and some accessories. 
E-mail if you can't find.  One in the local paper with outfeed and side
tables for $400.  Someone is unhappy.

---

From: [email-masked] (Marty Escarcega)
Date: 2 Apr 1997 05:30:02 -0700

At $725 The Grizzly 1023 Cabinet saw, 3hp is a GREAT buy right now. I have one 
had been VERY pleased with it. I would seriously look into it. Shipping is a 
factor in cost, but that also depends how close you live to one of their two 
warehouses.

Marty