: LOL...been an awfully long time since I bought a table saw (obviously) looked
: at the current prices and was shocked

: Couple things I'd say are required for decent work on a table saw, specially
: if you've got the room in the shop for it. One only a cast iron top, no
: aluminum and no steel stampings, neither will in the long term stay flat
: and smooth. Also cast iron table extensions, same reasons. Also a belt
: drive motor, if the motor ever does die (not likely) it is easy to change,
: also later upgrades to a bigger motor are possible, impossible with a
: motor built into the saw, and belt drive saws are alot quieter, makes a
: big difference when you're cutting a bunch of strips and you have to
: listen to it for hours on end, also belt drive motors cool better. Minimum
: of 1 1/2 hp btw, more is definately better. (careful, bigger motors draw
: alot of power)

: Fence: I prefer the Vega fence if I had a choice, not the biggest name in saw
: fences, but to me the most repeatable and just as accurate as the big
: name.

: Bill H.

Btw one more thing, with a contractor's saw and some time you can make a real nice plywood base for the thing that makes it perform more like a cabinet saw, cept the motor cools better and it's a heck of alot cheaper. Friend (also retired) built one from 3/4" baltic birch ply, like 17 plys, and it may actually be nicer than the factory built cabinet saw

Bill H.