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kenadian · 06-02-2006, 02:32 PM

I'm in Canada, and have looked at Canadian Tire, Sears since both have table saws on sale. But looking at them, they both appear "flimsy". Lots of plastic, and lots of play in the fences. I've seen King brand for sale online, as well as Craftex(sp) from Busy Bee, but don't know if the quality is any better.

I currently have a Shopsmith (500 model) so using it as a table saw has it's limitations. And to upgrade to the 520.... well I could probably get a decent stand alone table saw (and cheap bandsaw

) for the price of the upgrade....

reible · 06-02-2006, 03:01 PM

Can't help you with the canadian saw issue but.... I will tell you that if you decided to get the upgrade for your shopsmith it makes into a total new saw... I've done it twice and couldn't be happier.

If you have not done so yet go to:
www.ssug.org
That group is a lot like this one and you can look up what some others have said about their experence with the upgrade. Besides the larger table and the very much improved fence you can now make some other additions to give you support for much larger work pieces. You can check this picture out with extra support behind the table:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/elv605....net/my_photos
Anyway please think about this option and join us at the other site with questions or comments. BTW pictured is my 1976 shopsmith with the upgrade kit and an extension table brackets. (Some time next month it turns 30 it has more then paid for itself over the years even after adding all the extras I have.)

Ed

**Mike** · 06-02-2006, 03:22 PM

Welcome Kenadian. I always suggest people include their state/prov. in their profile. This way when asking about where to buy you stand a better chance of getting the best information for your area. The Craftsman professional tables are decent quality and you are unlikely to find them at your local store. Try browsing the online catalog. The price jump from flimsy to solid seems to be about $300 US, and given the amount of use your saw is likely to get a sound investment.

**bobj3** · 06-02-2006, 03:57 PM

Kenadian

You may want to take a look at the Grizzly Table Saw
http://www.grizzly.com
G0478
http://www.grizzly.com/products/g0478

G1023S
http://www.grizzly.com/products/g1023s

G1023SL
http://www.grizzly.com/products/g1023sl

Very low shipping charges in the lower USA, not to sure about the charge for the Canada shipping.

The G1023S is a great saw,buy the best you can ,you will have it for a long time.

Bj

77inline · 06-08-2006, 09:18 PM

It depends on what you want and how much you're willing to spend. Were you planning on buying a portable bench-top model, a contractor saw or a full-fledged cabinet saw. IMHO opinion, if you wanted a "cheapy" $200 saw, I probably wouldn't bother at all. It would be better to save up for something which you won't end up throwing out in a year.

Busy bee stuff is not bad value for the money in a mid-range saw. I think they had a fairly decent sale price (around $500- $700 if I recall) and it had a fairly decent fence (accusquare). If you are able to get into one of their stores, the sales people are fairly knowledgeable. It is decent value for the money. A mid-range to higher end craftsmen saw is also good value for the money and Sears does stand by their tools.

King tools are similiar in quality to Busy Bee's stuff. It is definitely a cut above what you'd find at candian tire.

jerrymayfield · 06-09-2006, 09:26 AM

General makes several excellent saws,they aren't cheap but quality rarely is.

Regards

Jerry

**Mike** · 06-09-2006, 11:15 AM

BJ & Jerry, when you finish adding the taxes, customs and shipping fees, purchasing a US product in Canada becomes price prohibitive.

**bobj3** · 06-09-2006, 12:25 PM

Hi Mike
Because I don't live in Canada , just for fun of it what would be the fees.
Say on 500.oo dollars ..300 lb. box.
US TAX = ?
Canada Tax =
Inport customs fee =
shipping ,300lbs, say Bellingham,WA. =

Note *** I just dropped a dime and made a call to,Grizzly for one CAN'T ship to Canada but anyone can drive down to a Grizzly outlet and pick it up and then take it home to Canada....and I guess pay a fee to take it into Canada.

Have a good one
Bj

fibertech · 06-09-2006, 09:54 PM

I cross at that border crossing a couple of times each year. The duties can be eliminated by length of stay. If you enter and stay for 2 days, you can bring $400 in duty free. If you stay 5 or 7 days, you can bring in $750. Grizzly is about 20 miles south of the Peace Arch crossing. They are about 1 mile east of I-5. Very easy to find. Check with Customs Canada first. Washington State has about .09 Sales Tax. You should be able to get around this with proper identification- you'll need it at the border. -Derek

**Mike** · 06-09-2006, 10:41 PM

BJ, There are several things to consider in the US/Canada equation. First and foremost is the rate of exchange. I haven't been to "The Great White North" in ages, but my last visit it was around 60%. To purchase a Craftsman commercial saw table that costs $900 here would be close to $1800 Canadian with taxes. No idea on what Canada Customs would grab. I don't even want to think about what a Delta X or Jet table might run.

06-02-2006, 02:32 PM	#1
kenadian Registered User Dedicated Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 42 View kenadian's Gallery	Report This Post! Looking to buy a "decent" table saw.... I'm in Canada, and have looked at Canadian Tire, Sears since both have table saws on sale. But looking at them, they both appear "flimsy". Lots of plastic, and lots of play in the fences. I've seen King brand for sale online, as well as Craftex(sp) from Busy Bee, but don't know if the quality is any better. I currently have a Shopsmith (500 model) so using it as a table saw has it's limitations. And to upgrade to the 520.... well I could probably get a decent stand alone table saw (and cheap bandsaw ) for the price of the upgrade.... __________________ I am Kenadian!
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06-02-2006, 03:01 PM	#2
reible Registered User Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,703 View reible's Gallery	Report This Post! Can't help you with the canadian saw issue but.... I will tell you that if you decided to get the upgrade for your shopsmith it makes into a total new saw... I've done it twice and couldn't be happier. If you have not done so yet go to: www.ssug.org That group is a lot like this one and you can look up what some others have said about their experence with the upgrade. Besides the larger table and the very much improved fence you can now make some other additions to give you support for much larger work pieces. You can check this picture out with extra support behind the table: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/elv605....net/my_photos Anyway please think about this option and join us at the other site with questions or comments. BTW pictured is my 1976 shopsmith with the upgrade kit and an extension table brackets. (Some time next month it turns 30 it has more then paid for itself over the years even after adding all the extras I have.) Ed __________________ Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got. Last edited by reible; 07-15-2006 at 12:44 AM.
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06-02-2006, 03:22 PM	#3
Mike Senior Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, Michigan USA Posts: 3,380 View Mike's Gallery	Report This Post! Welcome Kenadian. I always suggest people include their state/prov. in their profile. This way when asking about where to buy you stand a better chance of getting the best information for your area. The Craftsman professional tables are decent quality and you are unlikely to find them at your local store. Try browsing the online catalog. The price jump from flimsy to solid seems to be about $300 US, and given the amount of use your saw is likely to get a sound investment. __________________ Mike Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you.
	Top - Reply with Quote

06-02-2006, 03:57 PM	#4
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,300 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Kenadian You may want to take a look at the Grizzly Table Saw http://www.grizzly.com G0478 http://www.grizzly.com/products/g0478 G1023S http://www.grizzly.com/products/g1023s G1023SL http://www.grizzly.com/products/g1023sl Very low shipping charges in the lower USA, not to sure about the charge for the Canada shipping. The G1023S is a great saw,buy the best you can ,you will have it for a long time. Bj __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J.
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06-08-2006, 09:18 PM	#5
77inline Registered User New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 View 77inline's Gallery	Report This Post! It depends on what you want and how much you're willing to spend. Were you planning on buying a portable bench-top model, a contractor saw or a full-fledged cabinet saw. IMHO opinion, if you wanted a "cheapy" $200 saw, I probably wouldn't bother at all. It would be better to save up for something which you won't end up throwing out in a year. Busy bee stuff is not bad value for the money in a mid-range saw. I think they had a fairly decent sale price (around $500- $700 if I recall) and it had a fairly decent fence (accusquare). If you are able to get into one of their stores, the sales people are fairly knowledgeable. It is decent value for the money. A mid-range to higher end craftsmen saw is also good value for the money and Sears does stand by their tools. King tools are similiar in quality to Busy Bee's stuff. It is definitely a cut above what you'd find at candian tire.
	Top - Reply with Quote

06-09-2006, 09:26 AM	#6
jerrymayfield Registered User Forum Geek Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 467 View jerrymayfield's Gallery	Report This Post! General makes several excellent saws,they aren't cheap but quality rarely is. Regards Jerry
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06-09-2006, 11:15 AM	#7
Mike Senior Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, Michigan USA Posts: 3,380 View Mike's Gallery	Report This Post! BJ & Jerry, when you finish adding the taxes, customs and shipping fees, purchasing a US product in Canada becomes price prohibitive. __________________ Mike Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you.
	Top - Reply with Quote

06-09-2006, 12:25 PM	#8
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,300 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Mike Because I don't live in Canada , just for fun of it what would be the fees. Say on 500.oo dollars ..300 lb. box. US TAX = ? Canada Tax = Inport customs fee = shipping ,300lbs, say Bellingham,WA. = Note *** I just dropped a dime and made a call to,Grizzly for one CAN'T ship to Canada but anyone can drive down to a Grizzly outlet and pick it up and then take it home to Canada....and I guess pay a fee to take it into Canada. Have a good one Bj __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J.
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06-09-2006, 09:54 PM	#9
fibertech Registered User Forum Geek Join Date: May 2005 Location: Everett, WA USA Posts: 334 View fibertech's Gallery	Report This Post! I cross at that border crossing a couple of times each year. The duties can be eliminated by length of stay. If you enter and stay for 2 days, you can bring $400 in duty free. If you stay 5 or 7 days, you can bring in $750. Grizzly is about 20 miles south of the Peace Arch crossing. They are about 1 mile east of I-5. Very easy to find. Check with Customs Canada first. Washington State has about .09 Sales Tax. You should be able to get around this with proper identification- you'll need it at the border. -Derek
	Top - Reply with Quote

06-09-2006, 10:41 PM	#10
Mike Senior Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, Michigan USA Posts: 3,380 View Mike's Gallery	Report This Post! BJ, There are several things to consider in the US/Canada equation. First and foremost is the rate of exchange. I haven't been to "The Great White North" in ages, but my last visit it was around 60%. To purchase a Craftsman commercial saw table that costs $900 here would be close to $1800 Canadian with taxes. No idea on what Canada Customs would grab. I don't even want to think about what a Delta X or Jet table might run. __________________ Mike Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you.
	Top - Reply with Quote

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