Hi there,

Just wanted to point out that the saw you've got listed there is the
top of the Delta "Shopmaster" line- as rather faithful Delta customer,
I'd like to share my experience with that... All of my starter tools
for my home shop were the less expensive shopmaster ones, and they're
really not anywhere near the same league as the "Industrial" line- as a
result, I'm currently in the process of replacing all of those first
tools I selected with higher grade machines. The old ones are still
operable, but the handles (in particular) have a tendancy to break and
they are generally underpowered and do not accept standard accessories.
For example, I have the TS that is step down from the TS300 (the
TS220) and while it has been a trooper for me, it is what it is- after
a couple of years, the trunnions are getting really stiff, the height
adjustment handle is stripping out, and it's just far too light to do
long rips safely without bolting it directly to the floor. The table
is a non-standard size, so fence upgrades are out of the question, as
are replacement miter gauges. The arbor is too short to accept a dado
stack- something I knew when I bought it and thought it didn't matter,
but I've since changed my tune.
(I've got the local tool shop holding my new 36-680 for me, and I pick
it up on Weds.)

I don't mean to just shoot it down on you- the TS350 looks like a fine
piece of equipment if you're not sure if you're in this hobby for the
long haul, and it will certainly work for you for a few years until you
want to upgrade. But my suggestion, if you can come up with a couple
hundred extra bucks (and I know that's usually easier said than done)
is to take a look at the 36-6XX line (I like the 36-680 or better- then
you get the cast iron wings) Right now, the local tool place has got
it on sale for $499 here, and Delta has a mail-in offer for a free
sawblade with it (they claim it's a $60 value, but that's usually
overinflated a little) Amazon lists it for a bit more than that, but
truth be told, Amazon is not the place to buy Delta- they generally do
not have the best price on the stuff. If you go to Delta's site, they
have a retailer lookup that will let you know who sells it in you area.


Here's the breakdown on the 36-6xx series- For a couple hundred extra
dollars you get:

1. A 1.5hp motor that can be wired for 110 or 220v.
2. A standard table size that can accept any accessory Delta offers
3. A better fence- and a frame that can take an upgraded fence later
on.
4. A good long miter gauge.
5. Metal handwheels.
6. An extra 150# (give or take) of ballast in the form of
higher-quality parts and frame.

You don't get dust collection or a huge amount of bragging rights, and
it may not start up while balancing a nickel on it's edge, but it's a
solid machine that will last forever if it's taken care of. I did a
whole pile of research on it and others in the same price range, and it
beat out the others, including Grizzly, for price and value by my
calculus. The model number reflects the type of fence and extension
wings that it comes with- everything else is the same.

One other good option if you need something light and useful is the
DeWalt contractor's saw- doesn't look like much, but it's tough, the
rack and pinion fence is really nice, and the standouts make it
possible to rip sheet goods without assistance (provided you can lift
them yourself) We've got one at work, and it's quite a nice machine
for $500- next in line to the Delta, in my book. The collapsible stand
is very easy to set up as well- kind of a nice feature if space is a
concern in your shop.

As far as the HF saw you note goes, think about that for a second.
It's 3hp, 263#, "professional grade" and retails for $299? I was
pricing motors a week or so back, and a 3hp motor by itself costs about
that much. I'd say something in there sounds a bit too good to be
true, and probably is.

Good luck and enjoy your new saw!