Thread: Delta Unisaw

Read the posts on this forum about the Unisaw. The boys in the USA talk about it as if it were the best ever.

www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

If you have decided to purchase a Delta Uni-Saw, I think you would be hard pressed to see any noticible difference in Cara-Tec's TSC-10HB @ $1,795 except the $1,600 difference.

Do you use the carbatec 10" saw woodchuck?

Not yet!

I just purchased the Carbatec 10" Table saw for $1705. And its brilliant. Reagrads Blindbambi

hi blindbambi,

can you give any specs as to table flatness, arbor runout, fence quality etc.

steve

I bought a Unisaw during the last Timber & Wood Show. Previous saws were Tritons - A MK3 then a 2000. After using the Tritons I knew I wanted something that was the best that I could afford, and would last 20+ years.

I did heaps of research, and settled on the Unisaw. Reading up on stuff like people in the U.S restoring 20+ year old Unisaws and being able to get compatible parts new from Delta really impressed me. It bet that won't be the same story in just a few years with generic Carbatec saws sourced from "Whoflungdung Machinery" or some other asian knockoff factory.

I got the saw with the 52" Biesemeyer fence, and a mobile base. It's a rather big machine with a 52" fence & extension table, so being able to wheel it around is quite important.

It's a pleasure to use. Plenty of power, solid and accurate fence, and works great with a CMT dado set. The only bad experience was getting it delivered transit damaged, and having to get a new saw & fence delivered from Carbatec's head office in Brisbane. I'm pleased to say that Carbatec were their usual professional selves, and the replacement happened fairly promptly and with great care transit-wise.

Overall I'm thrilled with my purchase, and really believe that it's worth paying the extra dollars now for something that will last long enough to potentially be passed on to my kids.

Regards,


Justin.

Justin,

These were my reasons for buying the unisaw as well. I too used a triton ( not with too much success as i had trouble with getting square cross cuts)
My thoughts are you get what you pay for.
I note that the unisaw is much heavier than the carbatec knockoff! This weight must be in the tables and trunions as the cabinet is definetly not heavier duty.
I have looked at the casting quality of both, and it is also much better.
Im sure the delta copy from carbatec is also a fine saw too!
And whilst i dont think the delta will give me any better results i think it it is a better built machine that should stand the test of time.
Thanks for the replies im just about to part with my cash!

Steve

A good mate has a unisaw & I have the the mbs300.

If you are considerind the unisaw have a good look at the mbs.

Its a close run thing the mbs has a much bigger table surface, a proper riving knife and dust extraction.

the fences are very close the power is verry similar and they are both very quiet and smooth.

The mechanical similarity between the two is obvilus when you look under the bonett.

the deciding factors for me were.
propper riving knife
bigger top surface
dust extraction standard
12 inch blade
30mm arbour
more for your money
optional overhead guard & rolling table at reasonable cost.

I would stronngly recomend purchasing the overhead guard.

The unisaw has a smaller foot print and works better without dust extraction
I am unsure if the unisaw has a 5/8" or 30mm arbour but I certainly prefer the 30mm
the unisaw is a 10 inch machine.

I was fortunate to corner Geoff himself at carbatec & had a long discussion about the matter and the impression I gat was that he thaught it was a close thing too.

regarding run out ect. dont have any figures but mine runns prety damn smooth & does lovely cuts.
The machine was prety damn straight & square out of the crate.

In short have a serious look at both price is very close.
An other mate has baught the same saw as mine from gregories about a week ago & he's stoked this is about saw bench No4 for him.
The MBS 300 is made by the Mickyway company I believe and several companies bring them in some with differing options
carbatec have been selling the mbs prety well since day one so the machine has a reasonable history.

let me know what you think & what you buy.
cheers

H Sailor

Have you done your dough yet?

Did you look at the carbatec 10" panel saw (page 51 of the 2003 cattledog). If I was shelling out over 3 big ones I would give it a look at with a real sliding table and scoring saw

Darryn
(who has to make do with a festo saw and guide rail ;-)

Darryn,

I don't know why you say he has "done his dough". If you adopt a policy in life of always buying the best you can afford you will rarely be disappointed. If Steve has decided to spend 3K on a saw, and he has opted for the best, I don't see that as "doing his dough". I call that intelligent buying.

Hi Daryn & Soundman,

Thanks for your replies,
I have looked at the 10" copy of the unisaw and not really sure about the quality? I still believe in the old saying" you get what you pay for".
I keep coming back to the unisaw for quality and at a weight of 240Kg it is a lot heavier than the copies.

As too the MBS300 (and clones) mmmm, well this is the one that i am having trouble between and the unisaw.

I can even get it with a 52" beisemer fence at the same price!
Yes its 30mm against 5/8"
Has a riving Knife
Has an overhead gaurd
cast iron throat plate.
12" as against 10" of the delta
A really good sliding table purpose buit for this saw as an option
All of which are great to have!
Quality seems very good as well - but not as good as the delta.
Spare parts availabilty may be a problem down the track though as this saw has already come through 3 variations since it was first made- maybe not!
The thing that keeps bringing me back to the delta is the overall quality and the fact im a little tight for space and need a mobile base.
Im sure i would be happy with either one...... now which one?

Sailor

If in doubt don't compromise on quality - You just answered your own question. Buy the Delta and never regret it.