Junior

Bare with me here. I'm single. I own my home. I was given some very nice oak cabinets that my uncle removed from his kitchen. I've spent the last month installing them and making them fit in my garage. My garage is now nicer than my kitchen. I had to add to them and replace some of the face frames. I used a circular, mitre, and jig saw for all my cutting. Would have been much easier and quicker with a tablesaw. Now I have the bug. Aside from building some sound proof cabinets for recording guitar this is the extent of my woodworking experience. Just trying to keep busy instead of watching TV. Now I want to upgrade my kitchen, bathroom, build a shed this spring/summer, and possibly a recording console for my home studio. I've wanted a table saw for a few years now. Originally I was planning on getting a higher end contractor saw. Now more than a year has passed and I'm all excited about cabinet saws. I'm not rich but have some extra money (Tax return/profit sharing). More than likely I'm getting a saw and I've been looking at the latest offerings. It seems most people that spend $1500 plus are buying industrial quality saws for their shops. Am I crazy to spend that kind of money as a "hobbyist" at best that just wants to improve his house? I'm trying to think through this impulse. They have the Jet Xacta for $1399 locally with commercial Xacta fence and extension table and a great price on a used Powermatic mobile base. They also have both the PM66 (Amercan built) and PM2000. Oh mamma! Not going there. There's a guy right around the corner that has a used General 350 (right tilt, Beis fence, says he paid close to $3K) and is asking $1400. Grizzly 1023 gets the great value praise. It's coming at me from all sides.
I defer to the wise on this board. Am I crazy? Does it make ANY sense to spend this kind of money on a saw that is mainly for every day use by professionals. I get all the differences between contractor, hybrid, and cabinet. I don't have a shop. Just a garage that that has a spot for a saw. I am also concerned about safety as this is my first saw.

Help!

johnep

Yes that is the conundrum for amateurs. To buy a high end saw or just one that will do the job. However, there is great satisfaction in having the right tool. Compromise would be to buy used so that you pay low end price for high end tool. This forum will show you the way.
johnep

Rod in Ontario

I also wanted a cabinet saw...they were all out of my budget and I ended up buying a 1955 unisaw.

charles

I have two cabinet saws I use in my work. I guess you could say they are high-end saws. They are for production work, and I cut several hundred board feet of wood each week. They give me accurate and trouble free cuts every time. However, at home, I have a sears contractor saw that I use for home repairs, and small projects. There is no way I would invest in a cabinet saw at home, I would use the extra money for additional tools. Sanders, drill press, routers, etc. This is just my opinion. I understand how the woodworking bug can get you....it's had me for 40 years.

joasis

If you have the "scratch" there is nothing wrong with getting the "itch".

If you think you will do this long term, then it is a good choice...if this is only a novelty until you choose another hobby, then save your money. I would pick the cabinet saw anyway.

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