lou responds:

Thanks Charles - that makes a lot of sense. If I REALLY was forced to
make a decision today, I would probably get a quality saw (Unisaw,
Powermatic, etc) with a quality fence. Figure I got 20 more years
to use it!

Once a saw is set up--whether contractor's or cabinet--the fence is the
dominant daily impression maker. Whether you've got a name saw or not, it is
well worth checking out the results with a good fence. See if you can locate
someone who has one of the fences in the article mounted and working. Get a
look at it in use, bring some wood (if you can) and make a few slices.

You will then either buy the new fence or force yourself to buy the saw that
has one of the top rated fences.

Someone probably needs to do a test on the really finicky fences like the one
from Taylor Designs. They are wonderful in their own ways too.

Charlie Self
"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance
of being right." Thomas Paine