Philly
My comment was directed at Norm's Delta 14 or 16in saw - against a lot of Eurpoean made stuff (new or old) they are simply not that good - one of the reasons many American industrial users (including joinery shops, etc) buy European kit id=f they can afford it.
Some 20 years ago I owned a Wadkin AGSP, the only table saw I've ever bought new. Both prior to and since that date I've used various Wadkins, Startrites, Robinsons, Sedgwicks, etc. I've had the "pleasure" of using both a Delta Unisaw and the bigger and better Powermatic 66 in the USA. Neither of the American saws are a patch on the Wadkin AGS in build quality or accuracy, although the PM66 is ahead of the Unisaw. However, neither has a half decent rip fence (Delta do offer a European-style rio fence at a considerable extra cost) and both suffer from inadequate splitter/guard arrangements. Personally, I'd rate even the PM66 as slightly inferior to a Startrite TA/SP275 circa 1974 (which is about when development on both those saws seemto have halted). I've seen the Xcalibur in the flesh at Woodford (remember the semi-review/post I did elsewhere more than 2 years ago?) - it's a lot nicer than the cheapo contractor saws around and is good value for money - but don't kid yourself that it's as well finished as a European saw, because it isn't. When I had to make a choice between a new 14/16in Xcalibur or a secondhand Sedgwick 16in last year I chose the Sedgwick simply because it had a decent quality crown guard with a riving knife and a much sturdier European-style short rip fence which is, frankly a lot safer to use than the Biesmeyer type when you are doing a large amount of ripping. The Xcalibur was being offered with a flimsy guard and a splitter - they couldn't show me a riving knife version although it was supposed to be available (at an extra cost of circa £200). The Sedgwick came in at under £1000 and will probably a lot more seleable when I replace it, which also helped tip the decision...... So you see I've already made my choice, although I'm currently looking for an 18 or 20in saw for ripping - the Sedgwick is no longer big enough.
Scrit
