It was long-long search for table saw that is sort of compromise. I have spent about one year and read more than 200 pages of reviews on different hybrid and cabinet table saws; returned two table saws; spoke to many company representatives, tried 5 table saws and finally selected this saw.
br /Well. I will claim that this is a best table saw for non-professionals. Here is why:
br /1. It is tuned by a factory to perfection: blade totally parallel to miter tracks, zero arbor run-out (about 0.001" run-out with ridge carbide blade); totally flat surface; perfectly calibrated blade for 90 and 45 degree
br /2. It is lightweight and no vibration. Yes, it is light weight and beautifully balanced to have no vibration. I really believe that well balanced light weight saw is superior to bulky low-tech heavy saw.
br /3. It is very quite. No zing during cutting.
br /4. They somehow made a motor that is listed as 1-3/4Hp but cuts like 3 Hp (I run table saw on 220V). I just slide 8/4 hard maple through blade (1/8"-thick blade!) with speed 8 ft for about 22 sec.
br /5. Fence the best there is. Easy to adjust. As sturdy as Bessy, glides along rails like on ice and have grooves on the top for jigs.
br /6. Guard (my one is a Shark Guard made by Lee Styron) is easy to remove/install.
br /7. Price $650. Yes, this was price in March for 30" rail version with cast iron wings.
br /Cons? Yes, there is one con: very annoying "dust collection hood" with screws. I have a door with hinges now.
br /Runners up to this saw are Powermatic 2000 and Steel City Hybrid.
br /Worse table saw tried are Delta and Grizzly hybrids.
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