CDN Woodworkers - Tool recommendation

Hey. I'm hoping in the next 6 months or so to upgrade my table saw. I've got a jobsite saw (Dewalt DW745) which has been great, but I'm going to have a bit more shop space and am leaning towards an entry/mid-level cabinet saw.
Sure I'd love a powermatic or Sawstop but paying $4-6k as hobbyist isn't going to fly. I hear so much about Grizzly on YT but I'm curious what y'all thought about some Canadian brands that seem to be in that same 'budget' price range. ie. King Industrial/Magnum Industrial or Craftex.

If it was different time, I'd just drive across the line and check out the Grizzly showroom in Bellingham (I'm in Vancouver BC) but ya... that ain't happening right now.

Thx

 

I dont know if you'd be able to get this Ridgid table saw in the great white north. I have had mine for about 2 years and after some extensive out of the box tune-up, it works fine. Its about 3.25 hp which puts it at the low end of the cabinet saw market and the stamped steel wings leave some lack of desirability. Since I still need mine to be mobile, I havent replaced them with MDF wings and a melomine top. The top of the saw is cast iron and 'almost' flat, just a few high spots around where the blade well and throat plate inserts in. The saw is dual capable of either 110 or 220v. In the states, its running around 750$ which was a tough pill to swallow, but for me, it was worth it for the type of wood working I do currently. There is a pinned thread at the top of this forum about woodworking that you might want to direct your question to some of our Canadian brethren to better answer.

-J

 

Ya the Rigid is definitely in the mix as well. I've seen some HD stores local to me selling them for about $700 I believe which is pretty fair. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

Even if you could cross the border the exchange rate would kill any savings. As far as I have seen and read, Magnum, Grizzly, Craftex, General International and many others are all the same with different paint and name plates. Keep a look out on Craigslist and others. I have a Magnum 16" planer that I'm happy with, though I do find KMS pricing on the high side. Cuts are smooth and is well built. Good luck

 

Good to hear. Searching the good ol' google there aren't as many reviews for the 'Canadian' brands (ie Magnum etc) but it's good to hear that you've had good luck with yours. Ya, I have heard alot of the brands are really just rebadged with a different paint colour alot of the times. Good to know. Thx