Shopsmith Forums

I have a Delta Contractors saw (model 34-444) that I purchased new in around 1993. I have always desired a Unisaw or Powermatic or other cabinet saw. Question is whether I really need one. I only do woodworking for hobby. The 34-444 is 1.5 hp whereas the cabinet saw, if I were to get one would be 3 hp. I would likely have to go "used" to afford a cabinet saw.

I have never had issues with not being able to cut through most anything with the 1.5 hp. Is there something that a cabinet saw is much better at doing than my Delta Contractors saw? Will it make more precise cuts?

Opinions deisred. Thanks.

If you want one and you have the space and the money then go for it.

I have no issues with the 520's I own for table size and extensions and the powerpro on one of them provides more then enough power. The stock headstock is generally not a problem either as you can always gain a bit more power by lowering the speed on those tough rip cuts and of course the thin kerf blades.

If you are looking for a way to better handle things like sheets of plywood then I think you might want to look at a guided saw system like Festool. With a few attachments you can almost do everything a table saw can do and in a lot of cases more then a table saw can.

But if you're called to a cabinet saw then might not be happy until you get one.

Ed

Here's a thought for you to consider. I was given an older Delta 10 inch contractors saw years ago and decided to use it to make a cabinet saw. The results were a great saw for very little money. I have added a larger motor and better fence system over time and it continues to perform even better. I originally made the entire saw out of four sheets of particle board and one sheet of melamine with the intention that if the idea worked I would remake it out of better material. Trouble is it works great and the particle board has held up very well. I cut all the pieces on the saw before I tore it apart. The legs are four pieces thick particle board and the frame is made of two piece thick members. It weighs a lot which makes it very stable but also has a caster system under it and is very easily moved. If you are interested I can elaborate more on the construction.
Paul

If I had the space to spare, my Shopsmith would be sitting out in the shop very near a Unisaw with wings and outfeed table.

masonsailor2 wrote:Here's a thought for you to consider. I was given an older Delta 10 inch contractors saw years ago and decided to use it to make a cabinet saw. The results were a great saw for very little money. I have added a larger motor and better fence system over time and it continues to perform even better. I originally made the entire saw out of four sheets of particle board and one sheet of melamine with the intention that if the idea worked I would remake it out of better material. Trouble is it works great and the particle board has held up very well. I cut all the pieces on the saw before I tore it apart. The legs are four pieces thick particle board and the frame is made of two piece thick members. It weighs a lot which makes it very stable but also has a caster system under it and is very easily moved. If you are interested I can elaborate more on the construction.
Paul

I would be interested in the construction even if no one else is. I do not have a saw but am still interested as a possibility in the future and as an assembly area.

reible wrote:If you want one and you have the space and the money then go for it.

I have no issues with the 520's I own for table size and extensions and the powerpro on one of them provides more then enough power. The stock headstock is generally not a problem either as you can always gain a bit more power by lowering the speed on those tough rip cuts and of course the thin kerf blades.

If you are looking for a way to better handle things like sheets of plywood then I think you might want to look at a guided saw system like Festool. With a few attachments you can almost do everything a table saw can do and in a lot of cases more then a table saw can.

But if you're called to a cabinet saw then might not be happy until you get one.

Ed

Thanks, Ed.You make some good points. Not really interested in the plywood issue. Basically wondering whether the extra power is worth it, and whether there is any greater accuracy with a cabinet saw.

masonsailor2 wrote:Here's a thought for you to consider. I was given an older Delta 10 inch contractors saw years ago and decided to use it to make a cabinet saw. The results were a great saw for very little money. I have added a larger motor and better fence system over time and it continues to perform even better. ... If you are interested I can elaborate more on the construction.
Paul

Thank you, Paul. That is an excellent looking build you made. I would love to do that; however, space will not allow for it. Curious as to what motor you have on there now, and whether the saw is any more accurate due to the extra weight.

I noticed the large magnifying glass and the open garage door.

If direct sunlight makes it through the door, the magnifying glass could become a fire starter. Good idea to keep it 'covered'.

thunderbirdbat wrote:

masonsailor2 wrote:Here's a thought for you to consider. I was given an older Delta 10 inch contractors saw years ago and decided to use it to make a cabinet saw. The results were a great saw for very little money. I have added a larger motor and better fence system over time and it continues to perform even better. I originally made the entire saw out of four sheets of particle board and one sheet of melamine with the intention that if the idea worked I would remake it out of better material. Trouble is it works great and the particle board has held up very well. I cut all the pieces on the saw before I tore it apart. The legs are four pieces thick particle board and the frame is made of two piece thick members. It weighs a lot which makes it very stable but also has a caster system under it and is very easily moved. If you are interested I can elaborate more on the construction.
Paul

I would be interested in the construction even if no one else is. I do not have a saw but am still interested as a possibility in the future and as an assembly area.

Ditto.

I've been going down the path of acquiring a good cabinet saw. One thing I've found is the quality of the carriage in job site versus cabinet. Because a job site is manufactured to be less heavy, many companies reduce the size (and I presume the strength) of the carriage and trunnions as compared to cabinet. Personally I believe that can contribute to the overall confidence of the repeatability and reliability of the saw.
As with many, I struggle with the significant difference between a job site versus contractor versus hybrid versus cabinet and even the the HP within a cabinet saw!
A good friend convinced me that I would be just as happy with the cuts from a good track saw as I would a dependable cabinet saw. And at 1/4 the cost and significantly less floor space. Tomorrow or Tuesday I pick up my DeWalt with 59" and 102" tracks. I am hoping it is what I am looking for and not anything like my adventure into buying lathe chisels and sharpening systems! . With what I spent trying to find a sharpening system alone I could have paid for the Festool tracksaw.
Throughout my time reading the advise on this forum, guys like, Gene, Farmer, Dusty, JPG, Eds (plural ) and others said something to the effect of buy what you need for an upcoming or want to build project. Seems to be good advise to me, so now I use it as the guideline for buying tools (with the occasional impulse buy thrown in for excitement )

Not sure if that has any help for you, just relaying how it helped me.

Be well,
Ben