Table Saw

[edl]

anyone have one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93380

it appears to be the same as this, for 300 cheaper:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/10-Table-Saw-3-HP-Single-Phase-220V/G1023S

thanks! ED

[hamma]

Those saws look the same as this Steel City one too. Not sure what the difference is either.





http://www.steelcitytoolworks.com/products_closeup.cfm?category=12&tool=35621

[Treeman]

Try Sawmill creek for some answers, under general woodworking, I think.


http://www.sawmillcreek.org/index.php

[edl]

Those saws look the same as this Steel City one too. Not sure what the difference is either.

and is also similar to the lower end General (of Canada) saws - in researching it, i called both General and Steel City - the one thing they confirmed is that all these similar looking models are from Taiwan! - hmmm, the plot thickens.

The Grizzly is about $990; the General is $990; Steel City is $1350!

[edl]

i think i might have found the mfg in taiwan

http://www.maoshan.com/p1_tsc-10hk.htm

[dxdexter]

and is also similar to the lower end General (of Canada) saws - in researching it, i called both General and Steel City - the one thing they confirmed is that all these similar looking models are from Taiwan! - hmmm, the plot thickens.

The Grizzly is about $990; the General is $990; Steel City is $1350!

All General products are made in Canada. Only "General International" is made offshore. There is a world of difference in the two products. The General product will cost approximately 2x to 3x the cost of the offshore product, but well worth the money. The resale value is exceptionally good and are highly sought after. I can easily get 80 to 90% of the original cost for my General 350 saw , I bought it for 8 years ago, if I was to sell.

Most of the General International products are similar if not the same as most manufacturers sell. They are just re badged by numerous companies. The fences on the General International (General "T" at extra cost) are the same as a Biesemeyer and are made in Canada. I have been told that General was once a manufacturer in Canada for Biesemeyer, which explains the similarity.

[l_bilyk]

It looks exactly the same as the steel city

http://www.steelcitytoolworks.com/products_closeup.cfm?category=12&tool=35623

I am convinced it's the same saw. People on wood net forums are not too sure

[dxdexter]

It looks exactly the same as the steel city

http://www.steelcitytoolworks.com/products_closeup.cfm?category=12&tool=35623

I am convinced it's the same saw. People on wood net forums are not too sure

That saw has a rather distinctive hand wheel. It appears that all the saws with that feature share the same specifications and are more likely than not to be from the same manufacturer. Almost every table saw seller will have a version of this saw.

[edl]

Dex - you are right - the model I refer to - 50-220 - is indeed a Genl International and not General, model - thanks for pointing that out - ED :thumbup:

[edl]

went throug a bunch of posts on the sawmill site - they are convinced that this HFT 93380 model is the same as the Grizzly 1023s model...fwiw - thanks ED

[T56 Impala]

This is all very interesting! If indeed it is the same as the 1023's, then I would buy it. The 1023's aren't the best saws in the world, but the ones I have seen do work very well. Are they running the same motors? For some reason, I was under the impression that the HF stuff had "cheap" motors. I could be thinking of something else though.

[Northstar9126]

I have the Grizzly 1023, bought it 8 or 9 years ago for less than $700 new. For the money you can't go wrong with that saw.

[MarkH]

Steel City is fairly new. A company of execs from another company, sound familiar.

An interview in a woodworking mag, stated they had done a "premium" saw, sounded more like the same frame or frame style with differences. I believe the manufacturers since not many of them sell here have an option list and custom build on basic designs. The little things like miters, bushings, belts all can add up to a difference in cost and performance of two similar looking saws, you literally have to take 2 apart and see if there is the same motor models, same belt numbers, etc to make sure you have the same thing.