Couldn't agree more. I have a Sears Craftsman sliding chop saw that I bough when they were first coming out (probably around 30 years ago), but the big 12" chopsaw I have is a lot more versatile and cuts better, even with comparable blades. Don't remember what I paid for the Sears, but the 12" was over $500. Well worth it. With this, go big or go home. Not so much about the price as it is about the build and ability, though. Save up the difference and wait for the Festool.
HDRock , I had a set of plans (can't find 'em now) to build a panel saw. I was younger and used a lot of sheet goods. Not so much now.
You just missed a show in Detroit , probably could have got a deal there March 3-5,2017 The Woodworking Shows | Detroit
I have some plans somewhere for a wood one , don't know where , I have seen some nice ones made out of wood ,
Last year I bought a hitachi sliding compound miter to replace my very worn out and heavily used harbor freight sliding compound. I went from 10" to 12" blade I love that saw! I totally agree bigger! I may build a small track till I can buy one or maybe a set of tracks.
Wife used to go to the Novi expo center for quilt shows. Oldest daughter lives within a couple miles of there. Small world. Yeah, the panel saw plans called for metal track hardware, but all wood otherwise. It came out of one of the woodworking mags many years ago.
Pete, the 12" Hitachi is what I have. They only had the one with the digital readout thing that my brother calls an alien antenna. I recently swapped to an 80 tooth Diablo. Nice change and not too pricey.
I have a pure addiction to Forrest blades. Its what we had at my old job and I must say I wont use anything else for my tablesaw, radial arm or compound I have Diablo on the circular saws and that works great! Honestly Diablo works great and I like those blades. I have a biased to Forrest blades after almost 12 years of nothing else... Its like an old friend stupid I know
Oh, HELLZ no. I've been Jonesing for a Forrest blade forever. Just haven't pulled the trigger. I should get one for the tablesaw.
I am a FIRM believer in the Duraline HT 10 " 80 tooth and 12" 100 tooth.... They last forever and its about $30 to have it sharpened via mail. They are in New Jersey so I mail them back and get it sharpened but the sharpening time is far between. They hold an edge better than any other blade I have tried and believe me I have used them all over the years....
You have to be careful going to the shows though, lots of cool stuff, you could end up mortgaging your house You can save some money though on what you want or need because they got deals, Seminars the pros put on are good way to learn what you don't know.
I have a lot of blades but don't buy anything but Forrest anymore. I run a Freud on my Delta 10" compound slider LU85R010 Industrial Ultimate Cut-off Blade 10" x 5/8" Bore x 80 Tooth ATB - Woodcraft Dave you will never regret getting yourself a woodworker II Forrest blade for your table saw, and run at least 1 blade stabilizer, they are worth it. I run one on the outside ,that way the distance from blade to fence never changes if you use a different blade or setup, dado etc
A blade stabilizer makes all the difference! Love mine! The plate was $10 at sears I think and worth every cent.
I run a 4" Forrest Dampeners & Stiffeners for Most Table, Panel and Radial Arm Saw Blades - If I have to cut thick stuff I just have to change out from the zero clearance insert to my stock insert
Wow, they suggest 1/2-2/3 blade dia., ......the Unisaw is VERY stable and cuts pretty darn clean. Never used a sawblade (see how specific I'm being here?) stiffener, so don't know if I actually need one.
Wow they are gettin up there $145 list, but $112 on Amazon, they sell em cheaper at the shows too I know, I've been there to about the price, but once you use a Forrest blade you will be amazed
