I'm going to buy a SawStop, probably this week, and I need help deciding between the PCS 1 3/4hp and the Contractor models. Can any of you who have purchased one or the other weigh in? I'd greatly appreciate your input.

It's an upgrade from a 1980s Delta contractor that I've just sold. It'll be a major stretch financially, and I'm having trouble deciding between the high price of the contractor and the even higher price of the PCS 1 3/4hp. I want/need the big 52" deck, T-Glide fence (my Vega went with the Delta), cast iron inserts, etc, so the price difference is about $600-$700. That's much could buy a jointer and planer on craigslist, and I don't have either of those yet.

If I get the contractor, I'd eventually build it into a nice cabinet like you sometimes see on here and LJ. If I get the PCS, I'll have to pony up another $200 for the mobile stand - my shop is my garage. My primary focus is cabinets and built-ins, not fine furniture.

Here are my thoughts:

Contractor is a lot cheaper.
Contractor can be mounted in a nice shop-built cabinet, making it taller for a tall guy like me.
PCS can be upgraded to 3hp if ever needed for about $500 and a lot of effort, but it's doable (I called to confirm).
Contractor cannot be aligned as easily as the PCS.

Thank you for your input!

PS: This thread is to discuss the relative merits of two SawStop models. If you wish to discuss whether or not Steve Gass is a capitalist or socialist or both at the same time, please do it somewhere else. If you make this thread into the same pro/con argument junk I see elsewhere, I will find out where you live and subscribe you to the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog. I will walk my dogs in front of your house and always forget a bag. I will call you at 2AM just to talk about my day. You've been warned.