The New Delta Unisaw

[Stuart Gardner]

I have been trying in vain to find some honest opinions about the new Delta Unisaws. The only reviews and videos I can find on the internet are just all industry hype (what I mean by this, is they seem more like commercials than tool reviews). Does anybody actually own one of these things? I'm looking at buying the 3HP 36" Fence (Model 36-L336). I did get to look at one at the Denver Woodcraft Store. It's a very nice machine. What I like is how well it seems to be made. All of the components that I got to see and feel seem to be made of heavy, high quality material. Everything works smoothly and well. What I'm wondering about is how well does the dust collection work? The saw seems to be very tight, so I'm left wondering how does the air get in to transport the dust? You can't have air going out unless you have air going in, and the only inlet seems to be the throat plate, which is covered by wood when you're making a cut.

What I would like to see in this thread are the thoughts, observations, and opinions of people who actually own and use one of these saws.

[richard poitras]

Wood Magizine just had a review of the Delta saw and others and gave it high points. Check out last months issue to read more about it.

[Cody Colston]

Fine Woodworking magazine also gives it high marks and rated it's riving knife the best...Sawstop is an advertiser there, too.

The innovative riving knife, front mounted hand wheels, built in mobile base and overall quality are the plusses with this saw. You even get a fence with it!

The big minus is the price...~$3200

[Van Huskey]

Own AND use, no but I have used the new Uni. The bottom line is that there are 3 top tier 10" "American" cabinet saws available for hobby use for $3300 or less. The SS PCS, Uni and PM2000, the General just doesn't rate, it is solid but VERY old school. All are extremely solid saws, each with pros and cons most anyone would be happy with any of the three. Quite frankly the Uni is my worst VALUE of the three, though not near as heavily built the PCS has a brake, better DC and is about the same price. The PM has better DC, integrated mobile base and can be had with a 3hp American made Baldor motor for over $500 less than the other two. All three are solid very well equipped saws that will probably last a hobbiest or small commercial shop a lifetime BUT if you do not want the SS brake then I feel the PM2000 is every bit as good a saw (where it counts) and has just as many bells and whistles (although they are different bells and whistles) but even with a Baldor motor can be had for $500 less than the Uni.

In the end the Uni is a well built and top tier functioning saw but for the same price I would take the PCS, but since PM does't fix their price I think the PM is the best value. The one reason I would recommend the Uni over the other two would be it is far more "American" built than the other two.

[Peter Aeschliman]

Do the front-mounted hand wheels really add much value?

To me it seems like one of those "solutions" to something that never really was a problem. In fact I'd rather have the wheels on adjacent sides of the cabinet because it's easier to remember which one controls tilt and which controls height...

But maybe I'm alone on that one.

[Prashun Patel]

Wood gave it the Top Tool award, a close second to Sawstop despite the fact that SS's brake put it in a 'league of its own'.

Apart from solid construction, the Unisaw seems to have gotten a lot of bells and whistles right - front side controls, convenient riving knife/splitter assembly, etc.

[richard poitras]

This is the copy I was talking about that it is in....Wood issue #197 / May / 2010

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Do the front-mounted hand wheels really add much value?

To me it seems like one of those "solutions" to something that never really was a problem. In fact I'd rather have the wheels on adjacent sides of the cabinet because it's easier to remember which one controls tilt and which controls height...

But maybe I'm alone on that one.

You're not alone. I would rather have the tilt, which I personally don't use that often, where I can't acccidentally grab it and wonder why the blade is not moving up.

That could very well be just because it always been there. Took me a long time to get used to the high beams on the steering column. Almost got in a accident because my foot got trapped up there once.

[george wilson]

I also prefer side handles for tilting. I think they are more handy than a front wheel,and since I am a guitar maker/player,much less likely to break my nails on.

[Van Huskey]

Wood gave it the Top Tool award, a close second to Sawstop despite the fact that SS's brake put it in a 'league of its own'.

Apart from solid construction, the Unisaw seems to have gotten a lot of bells and whistles right - front side controls, convenient riving knife/splitter assembly, etc.

Woodworker's Journal did the table saw review in their Feb 2010 issue, had the SS, Uni and PM all at the very top, gave the nod to the SS, as for DC the Uni had good DC but lagged behind the PM and SS. It all depends on how you the priority you put on the different features, none of the saws have all the same toys, they all however cut wood equally well with the Uni and PM having a little heavier construction.

[Michael Flores]

Dont let price be an issue. Times are tuff and most dealers can either give a discount or throw in extra goodies. I ordered a new uni and its coming this Wednesday. Here is the list of vendors that i sent an email to and asked what was the best offer they can make me including tax and shipping. Believe me tax adds up real quik on large orders so out of state vendors make a difference. Here in Los Angeles tax is 9.75%. If you need a mobile base, delta has a rebate for a free one with the purchase of a new uni.

http://toolnut.com/
http://www.toolking.com/
http://www.woodwerks.com/index.php
http://www.maxtools.com/
http://www.toolzone.com/index.html
http://www.tools-plus.com/
http://www.toolbarn.com/
http://www.coastaltool.com/index.html
http://www.mikestools.com/Default.aspx
http://www.northwestpowertools.com/
http://www.toolmarts.com/
http://www.toolsforless.com/
http://toolsandmore.us/
http://www.allprotools.com/home.php
http://www.toolcrib.com/
http://woodworker.com/
http://www.internationaltool.com/
http://www.woodcraft.com/
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/
http://www.rockler.com/

I dont want to say how much i paid but believe me, it was well worth it and the main reason i put this vendor first on this list.

[Chris Rosenberger]

I have been trying in vain to find some honest opinions about the new Delta Unisaws. The only reviews and videos I can find on the internet are just all industry hype. Does anybody actually own one of these things? I'm looking at buying the 3HP 36" Fence (Model 36-L336). I did get to look at one at the Denver Woodcraft Store. It's a very nice machine. What I like is how well it seems to be made. All of the components that I got to see and feel seem to be made of heavy, high quality material. Everything works smoothly and well. What I'm wondering about is how well does the dust collection work? The saw seems to be very tight, so I'm left wondering how does the air get in to transport the dust? You can't have air going out unless you have air going in, and the only inlet seems to be the throat plate, which is covered by wood when you're making a cut.

What I would like to see in this thread are the thoughts, observations, and opinions of people who actually own and use one of these saws.

I have had mine for just over a year. I have put several hours on it. It is everything Delta says it is & more. I have not seen anything in the reviews or Delta videos that I would describe as hype.

[John Oothoudt]

I've had my Uni for 5 months or so and LOVE it, removable riving knife and blade changing ease are great.

[Joe Shinall]

I have had mine for just over a year. I have put several hours on it. It is everything Delta says it is & more. I have not seen anything in the reviews or Delta videos that I would describe as hype.

I swear Chris, I'm gonna blow this up to poster size and print one out for my garage!

I have a 2006 Uni and love it. I got to use one of the new ones about 6 months ago at a guys shop near my house. Went to buy some old clamps he had on CL and saw it and he was ripping some strips of 2" thick red oak. I asked if he could show me some things on it and he said well hell I've got about 30 more strips if you want to run some through. Let's just say I want to sneak over in the middle of the night and swap when he's asleep. Just the finish itself looks so much better (I know that has nothing to do with the way it works). It was nice but I paid $1000 for mine brand new. He paid $3200. I dont see a 2200 difference. Or should I say, I didnt have the extra 2200 to spend!

[Stuart Gardner]

Thanks Chris. That's a sweet setup you have. The hype I was trying to get at, is that in all the magazine reviews I've seen, and especially on the internet, I haven't seen anything like what I would call an honest review. There are a number of video reviews on the internet from Woodcraft, Popular Woodworking, and others, that to me look a whole lot more like commercials than tool reviews. The thing that bugged me about the advertisements, especially when they first came out, was the selling of the drawer as a major advancement. I'm thinking, I can build my own darned drawer, putting one on the saw at the factory just isn't that big of a selling point. And son of a gun, the only shop picture I've seen (yours) has the drawer removed and a different set in its place. I really think the Delta is a fine saw, I just want to see some comments by actual users and owners. If you have any more thoughts about the saw and why you like it, I'd sure like to see them. I bet a lot of other people would as well. I am "this close" to ordering the saw and just need a few prods to finally push the button.

I have had mine for just over a year. I have put several hours on it. It is everything Delta says it is & more. I have not seen anything in the reviews or Delta videos that I would describe as hype.