Hi mxnmatch,
Just as some people prefer Mac computers and some prefer the Windows
platform, favorite kinds of power tools can be rather subjective! To
answer your question, I read numerous reviews, and then I asked the
advice of a neighbor, an advanced woodworker. He confirmed what I had
concluded? He said he would prefer a Jet saw, although the table you
linked to is not a bad table. He recommended the Jet JTAS Xacta Saw,
and adding the Incra Jig Ulta, that is featured on the table to which
you have linked. The Incra Jig Ulta is really a specialized tool
allowing precision cuts, and runs around $250 USD.
?Few tools are as central to a workshop as a tablesaw. Buying one is
not a decision woodworkers take lightly, and it's no surprise that
heated debates over cabinet saws take up a lot of bandwidth on
Internet woodworking discussions, including Fine Woodworking's own,
Knots.?
?Fine Woodworking Magazine? vigorously tested 10 table saws:
Bridgewood BW-12CS, Delta Unisaw, General 350-1, Grizzly Industrial
G1023ZF, Inca 2200, Jet JTAS-10, Lobo TS-1010, Powermatic 66, Sunhill
TAS-12 and Transpower/CP Tools TSC-10HK.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00042.asp
Further down on this page, you?ll see a link to the test results. The
results are not rated numerically, so you?ll have to read each on in
your price range.
Here?s what the test results said about the Jet JTAS Xacta Saw
?Niall: This saw is an excellent buy at $1,400. The fit and finish are
good. The tabletop and wings are slightly larger than many of the
other 10-in saws.
Lon: Little refinements, such as a reinforcing bracket for the switch,
show attention to details. There is really very little to criticize
about this saw. I even like the new white paint scheme. The machine is
priced right, you have the option of left or right tilt, and with a
little tweaking, the fence's cursor can be improved.?
And
Niall Barrett, custom furniture maker: My pick for overall value in
this group has to be the Jet JTAS-10. Judging from the attention paid
to details on this saw, my gut feeling is that it's well made. But
over the years I've become so fond of my older Inca saw that if it
melted down in a fire, I would have to replace it with another. The
Inca is not priced for everyone, but I've become used to its accuracy
and finesse. It comes with features that are accessories for most
other saws. For example, the Inca's rip fence can be repositioned as
far to the left as to the right of the blade. The miter gauge has flip
stops and a sliding head. After using an Inca, most stock cabinet saws
feel crude by comparison.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00042.asp
Jet JTAS-10 XACTA SAW
The Jet JTAS-10 XACTA SAW (Right or left lift) comes with a 50? fence,
and can be ordered with an XACTA LIFT router insert. (You add your own
router) The cost at Amazon.com is $1499.99 USD
·Wide stance trunnion design ensures perfect blade alignment
·Large precision-ground 27" x 40" cast iron table with two extension wings
·Choice of 3 HP, single phase, or 5 HP, single or three phase motor
·Three matched v-belts deliver full power to the blade
·4" dust port allows easy connection to a dust collection system
·Convenient rail-mounted magnetic switch provides overload protection
·Hinged motor cover allows quick access to the motor and belts
· Beveled front table edge allows smooth crosscutting operation
·T-slots and deluxe mitre gauge allow large crosscutting capability
·Adjustable positive stops on mitre gauge at 45 degrees and 90 degrees
assure accuracy
· See-through blade guard with splitter and anti-kickback pawls are
easily removed for non-through cutting
All JTAS-10 Kits are available with the XACTA-LIFT router insert and
deluxe fence built in.
·To order any JTAS-10 tablesaw with the XACTA LIFT kit replace the PK
with RXK or saws with Deluxe XACTA FENCE II replace the DK with DXK.
These saws will come standard with the precut accessory wood table,
XACTA LIFT router insert, deluxe router fence and support legs
Woodworkers Journal gives a short review:
?The JET JTAS-10 Left-Tilt Table Saw found its way into the shop of
frequent contributor Charles Self way back in October 1998. We asked
him to hang on to JET?s saw and give it a hard once-over. Among other
things, Charles was impressed with the ?remarkably low vibration? of
the saw. Over the course of a year, with regular day-to-day use, says
Charles, ?I didn?t need to readjust the fence at all.?
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/tte/jet.cfm
This Workbench review gives a few tips on selecting one model over another.
http://www.woodnet.net/toolreviews/tablesaws/tablesaws_details.html
Amazon.com carries this model, for $1,499.99, with free shipping.
Further down the page are customer reviews. Seems people either LOVE
this saw, or they hate it.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000223L6/qid=1089612557/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-4576965-0831139?v=glance&s=hi
Technical Specs:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000223L6/ref=hi_de_a_smtpd/104-4576965-0831139?v=glance&s=hi&vi=tech-data
Amazon has some bonuses too: Bonus: Includes a free extension table
and legs, over a $180 value, when you purchase this JET saw from
Amazon.com
Special Offer: Take $25 off when you purchase $199 or more of Tools &
Hardware products offered by Amazon.com. Offer valid through August 8,
2004. (Applies only to products sold by Amazon.com. Does not apply to
products sold by third-party merchants and other sellers through the
Amazon.com site.)
You can find a dealer near you, and pick it up yourself if you like!
http://tutsan.forest.net/jetequip/search.htm
One woodworker, on his personal website says: ?Summary: Overall the
Jet JTAS-10 is the best saw I've owned and used. I really like it and
would buy it again. I especially like the Left-Tilt having used a
Right Tilt all my life.? He shows his newer model along with some
helpful modifications.
http://home.pacbell.net/jdismuk/jtas10.html
#1 Power Tools has some favorable reviews, though the manual got poor reviews!
http://www.1-power-tools.com/table-saws/JET-708663DXK-JTAS-10XL-B00006S7CP-review.html
?The Jet Xacta fence face is also easy to remove. Additionally, the
Xacta fence face is made of a slippery plastic that never needs
waxing. The Xacta fence's cursor has a built-in magnifier -- which is
a good idea -- but false readings are possible if you're not standing
directly over the magnifier. That's because the cursor is positioned
too high off the measuring tape. The most simple fix would be to add
shims between the cursor and its mounting bracket, thereby lowering
it.?
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00042.asp
Now, the system you have linked to, the Incra TS3a does not come with
the saw, but it does come with an Incra Jig Ultra system, for precise
dovetails, and more. As I have indicated, for a small amount of money,
you can get the better saw above, and as your skills increase, add the
Incra Jig Ultra that you see on the system you are looking at.
http://www.woodpeck.com/tspkd.html
About the Incra Jig Ultra:
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/incra.htm
You can add the Incra Jig Ultra to any table saw, and my neighbor has
his eye on it himself!
http://hottoolprices.com/incrajigultra.htm
How the Incra Jig came to be:
http://www.woodworking.com/articles/index.cfm?fa=show&id=226
Assembling the Incra
http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/woodworking/incra/rtew_wonderfence_pg1.html
Let me point out one thing you may or may not have considered: The AC
outlet that you will be plugging this saw into. Most saws with any
muscle, take a 220 volt outlet, the kind used for clothes dryers and
kitchen stoves. Any router you select will be 110 volt, so you will
need a 220 circuit AND a 110 circuit close to each other. Planers,
joiners, sanders, and vacuum systems will all be 110 volts. If you are
not well versed in electrical wiring, I?d recommend getting an
electrician to determine the kind of outlet needed and whether you?ll
need a new circuit from the power box to the garage.
It?s a good ides to order the dust collection bag at the same time as
you order the table saw, as you want a properly fitted bag. One other
tip, order locking casters for your saw tables, to allow for easy
movement when needed.
For each device, over and above the saw, you should have a dedicated
110 volt circuit outlet. The overhead lights can be on one circuit,
but it's best to have each power tool on a separate dedicated circuit,
to avoid repeatedly blowing the breakers. (This from an experienced
woodworker who knows!)
It seems that the Jet saw might serve you better than the Incra table.
Please read the reviews I have linked to and see if you come to the
same conclusion.
Sites and Publications you may enjoy:
http://www.shopnotes.com/
http://www.woodmagazine.com/
http://www.rockler.com/
http://www.azwoodman.com/
http://www.southern-tool.com/store/contractor_table_saws.html
May I ask that you refrain from closing this question by rating the
answer, until you are satisfied with my answer. Simply click the
Answer Clarification button, if any part of this answer is unclear,
and I will be happy to assist you further.
Regards,
crabcakes
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