Which saw to buy?

[Foamy]

Hello out there!
I am looking o buy a Grizzly cabinet saw. In the G1023 series they have two models I'm looking at. One is a 3 Hp and the other is a 5hp. This is for my garage and not a professional shop. At $75 more for the 5hp model is it a better value or would I really have no use for the increased HP? Not planning on ripping uber thick materials or running the saw 8 hours a day.
Thanks in advance!

 

[finn]

What will the wiring in your garage handle ?

 

[PugetDude]

What will the wiring in your garage handle ?

^There's your answer^

 

[Foamy]

What will the wiring in your garage handle ?

It wont...using a heavy guage extension cord from my dryer outlet.

 

[Foamy]

Ahhh got it thanks!

 

[rlitman]

I have a Powermatic 66 with a 3HP motor. I was recently gifted some scraps of hickory flooring. After cutting the tongues and grooves off each side, I was left with 3" wide pieces. I then proceeded to turn these upright and rip them IN ONE PASS to 1/2" thick, for a project that needed it.

So, I'm ripping through 3" of hickory, with a 10" 60T ATBR (combination, NOT ripping) blade, and 3HP was PLENTY. Personally, I don't see the advantage to 5HP after doing that.

My father has a Grizzly 10" cabinet saw (right tilt) with a 3HP motor. He bought it new about 30 years ago, and we've used it for similarly deep rip cuts through walnut and other hardwoods. Last year, I finally changed out the worn out arbor bearings.

edit: Just looked up that model. Wow, that's nice stuff. I wish I had the micro-v "flat" belt, and a riving knife is really the best thing you can do to a TS. Enjoy it! Amazingly, the price is right around double what my father paid 30 years ago (IIRC), but you're getting a far superior tool for that.

Just figure out how to make some zero clearance inserts. For mine (I have a home-made riving knife I added to my PM66), I had to use my scroll saw to cut out the slot for the knife. I took the knife off, raised the blade to cut the zero-clearance slot, and then cut out a slot for the knife afterwards. Just remember that the knife is a hair narrower than the blade kerf.

 

[exmaxima1]

It wont...using a heavy guage extension cord from my dryer outlet.

The 3hp saw requires a 15A circuit, while the 5hp saw needs a 30A. Modern dryers use a 30A circuit, so you might be ok if you get a minimum 10 gauge extension cord.

--NOTE--
I see you already have a separate thread going for the very same issue.

 

[Foamy]

The 3hp saw requires a 15A circuit, while the 5hp saw needs a 30A. Modern dryers use a 30A circuit, so you might be ok if you get a minimum 10 gauge extension cord.

--NOTE--
I see you already have a separate thread going for the very same issue.

Yes I have that other thread and you guys have been a world of information which is appreciated. I will go with the 3hp model. I really don't think I need 5. I can spend the additional cash toward the mobile base.
Thanks

 

[rlitman]

Yes I have that other thread and you guys have been a world of information which is appreciated. I will go with the 3hp model. I really don't think I need 5. I can spend the additional cash toward the mobile base.
Thanks

That, or put some of the money into a better blade.

 

[brothernov]

The difference between 3HP and 5HP is only $75? I'd get the 5HP without a doubt.

 

[tarmy]

3hp is enough if you use good sharp blades...

Buy an Oldham or similar with the 75 bucks...you will be fine.

 

[harnett]

I have the 5 hp version of that saw. I love it and wouldn't want it to be any less powerful. For 75 buck absolutely yes

 

[RKA]

If it was me, 3HP is plenty. It will rip through 8/4 hardwood with a good sharp blade. And with a dull blade, you'll have issues with both motors anyway. If you have to go thicker once in a while, it will do it.

If you ever sell to upgrade, the 3HP will be easier to sell. Most people shopping for machinery will have provisions for 20A circuits. If you move somewhere else, same applies for you. If you have to rewire the shop, well that's another matter, BUT don't forget you'll probably want enough additional power to feed a circuit for a dust collector (20A). A 5HP motor might just push you over the edge. And if you ever need to service that saw, a 3HP motor is easier to move than a 5HP, but frankly both are a royal PITA so I'm really reaching with this point.

The only reason I would consider a 5HP is if some other aspects of the saw were upgraded, like the trunnions and I saw value in that. Otherwise, all other things equal including the price, I would choose the 3HP.