Grizzly G1023RLW First Impressions

[LazarusDB]

I have only owned one table saw in my life that I purchased new 25 years ago. It was a Craftsman 3hp contractor table saw. It’s a good saw and I had upgraded it with a link belt, PALS, Incra miter gauge and various jigs to get more use out of it. In the last year, it was getting harder to bevel the blade and then the day I couldn’t get it to 45 degrees I knew it was time to get a new saw. Considering I didn’t even pay $500 for it new I think I got my money’s worth.

 

When I started looking at various table saws I was thinking of a saw that would get me through the next 3-5 years until I built a stand alone shop and would then buy my “forever” saw. I quickly realized I wouldn’t be happy with those saws and would be counting the days until the next saw. I then read magazine reviews, online reviews, real user reviews and quickly realized the Grizzly G1023 or G0690 were the frontrunners. I looked at Powermatic, Jet, Laguna, SawStop, etc and counted them out for various reasons. I finally decided on the Grizzly G1023RLW. This is a 240v, 3hp table saw with router table in the right wing. I will never use the router table (built my ultimate router table last year) but liked the added table space and thought for that little extra money it would be well worth it. I’m already glad I did.

 

I’ve never ordered anything that requires freight delivery so I was a bit nervous. My driveway goes downhill to the garage from the street and was worried about how I would get it down there even after breaking down the packaging as much as possible. Thank goodness, the UPS driver brought it down the driveway and into the garage no problem.

 

The box containing the rip fence and rails was in rough shape so I had the driver note the damage on the slip. Thankfully, the only thing damaged in the box was the stick on tape measure. The main carton containing the saw had virtually no damage which I was thrilled to see. Despite that, the black vinyl wrap at the bottom of the saw had a few scratches in it. An email to Grizzly and they quickly shipped out a new tape and vinyl replacements.

 

I took this opportunity to rearrange my entire shop (multiple times) to try and get an optimum configuration. That’s hard to do though when you have a set of stairs smack in the middle of the room. I took my time setting up the saw and enjoyed every minute getting familiar with it and inspecting each part as I put it all together. The previous homeowner had installed an outlet for his table saw so I thought I was all set. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize there are so many different plug styles and of course what I had didn’t match the saw. No big deal though with a quick trip to HD and I swapped out the plug. I do wish it had a locking plug.

 

I had purchased a Woodpeckers 36” straight edge and was thrilled to see how flat the top was...no shimming required for the wings. The top of the old saw feels like a cheese grater compared to this table top. Rip fence rails went on easily. Also checked blade alignment to the miter slots and blade to fence...all top notch. I then made a couple adjustments to my Incra to fit the wider miter slot and add the clip to the end for the T-slot. I took the Freud blade off my old saw and put it on the Grizzly. I turn on the saw for the first time and it’s so quiet and smooth. My first test cut...I swear I never got a cut so clean and smooth on my old saw. Since my old saw had no safety features (removed the blade guard years ago and no riving knife) I decided to try and get into better habits and installed the blade guard. First, I’m not crazy about having to open the side door to access the “quick release” for the guard and riving knife. What good is a quick release if you can’t get to it quickly. The other thing I don’t like is this swinging clear guard at the front of the blade/guard. The problem is that once you cut the board and try to pull it back with the miter gauge you can’t. The plastic piece stops you from doing so. I quickly removed it as I think it’s more dangerous to have it on...at least the way I work. I’m going to try and keep using the guard but may switch to the riving knife full time. I haven’t made a bunch of cuts but the dust collection seems to work well. I didn’t buy the mobile base for it because I’ll hardly ever move the saw but seeing how heavy it is I may have to change my mind and get it so I don’t have to call three friends to move it in the future.

 

These couple things are minor and overall I’m very happy with it and can’t wait to really put it through its paces. I would not hesitate to recommend this saw. Next step is to decide what the first project will be for the new saw.

 

Cheers,

Aaron

[Eric.]

A lot of value in that saw.  I'm happy with my 0690...the only Grizzly I'm happy with.

I don't use my blade guard.  I feel it's more dangerous with it on because it obscures your view.  I keep the riving knife in always unless I'm using the dado stack or some weird cut that requires removal.  Use your brain and the saw is perfectly safe without the obnoxious blade guard.  Riving knife and proper technique is much more important.

[wtnhighlander]

That is a lovely pie e of machinery! I'm sure you will enjoy using it.

[Chet]

Nice review on a nice looking table saw.

I am with Eric,  I think most table saw guards provide more distraction then safety.

[Mick S]

Nice review, Aaron. I've seen a couple of those saws and they look like a great value on a very nice saw. A lot of bang for the buck! Use the riving knife.

[ChrisG-Canada]

I have the same saw.  Very happy with it.

[RichardA]

I bought the same saw last year. I don't use the router set up either [have a router table set up] I did find a good use for the hole though, I can slide my miter gauge in there when I'm ripping, and it's close by when I need it again.

[Ronn W]

Enjoy your new toy.

[Gary Karczewski]

Hello nice review,

       I am considering this saw as well verses investing a few hundred dollars to upgrade my old 1984 Craftsman 10" Contractors Saw.   The saw is clean and works fine, however the fence is horrible as is the miter feature.  I am considering purchasing either the INCRA 32" Fence system or the Very Super Cools T-Square.  The later would require some fabrication and the cost is a bit less.   My question is how did you like that fence and do you use it on your new Grizzley 1023RLW?

[RichardA]

It's a shop fox fence, a knock off of the Beis. fence. I't stays where you put it, and it stays in line with the blade. What more do you need?

[Tom King]

I'm using a Bies too, but I miss, and still reach for the fine adjustment knob on the old Powermatic.

[LazarusDB]

1 hour ago, Gary Karczewski said:

Hello nice review,

       I am considering this saw as well verses investing a few hundred dollars to upgrade my old 1984 Craftsman 10" Contractors Saw.   The saw is clean and works fine, however the fence is horrible as is the miter feature.  I am considering purchasing either the INCRA 32" Fence system or the Very Super Cools T-Square.  The later would require some fabrication and the cost is a bit less.   My question is how did you like that fence and do you use it on your new Grizzley 1023RLW?

Hi Gary,

My old Craftsman was from 1992 and I thought it was fine too until I got this saw. HOLY COW!! This saw is a complete joy to use. My advice is to not invest another dime in the Craftsman...you won't regret it. For now, I'm completely happy with the Shop Fox fence...accurate and true. I grin ear to ear every time I walk into the shop and see my new saw.

[Gary Karczewski]

Thank you all of you for your responses!  Well that settles it.  Taking the $400 plus money that I was going to spend on this fence and putting it to my new saw!  Sometimes one gets wrapped up with cool stuff and what really matters is the core tool.  Question anyone using the INCRA miter system?

[drzaius]

Ya Gary, once you use a good cabinet saw there's no going back. I went from a Jet contractor saw, which was pretty good to a SawStop 3 HP & what a difference.

I've got an Incra 1000SE & it's great, but took a little tuning to get things just right.

[Gary Karczewski]

Hi Drzaius,

           I presume you use the stock Biesemeyer Fence for your Saw Stop saw correct? 

[drzaius]

3 minutes ago, Gary Karczewski said:

Hi Drzaius,

           I presume you use the stock Biesemeyer Fence for your Saw Stop saw correct? 

SawStop has 2 fences; the "premium" fence (which it certainly is not) and the T-glide, which is a Bies clone. And it's a good fence, very solid. The only complaint I have is the way the locking handle sticks almost straight out. I sometimes run into it with predictable results  

[Gary Karczewski]

The only thing I don't like about the stock fence is there is no rail on top or side which one can incorporate some other jigs, or tools like the JessEm Clear Cut Table Saw stock guides or feather boards.

 

[LazarusDB]

As you can see in the pic, I use the Incra miter gauge and am really happy with it. I also have the Incra router lift in my router table. Based on these two items, I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything Incra.

[LazarusDB]

Thought I'd give a little update after two weeks use. The saw continues to be a complete joy to use. The ease of change blade height and angle is great. The accuracy of the fence continues to surprise me. I find myself changing between my ripping blade and crosscut blades so much more often than I used to because it's so easy and effortless. I have noticed the small cut off pieces go flying much more often...faster and farther. All of this in comparison to my old saw as my only reference.

I did take off 7 of the lawyer approved safety/warning stickers. The remaining plaque has all the specs and is more like a plexiglass plaque, not a sticker, so I'm a bit more nervous about taking it off. Don't want to ruin the paint. Looks much better now.

Now I wonder why I waited so long. Next up is the G0490X jointer if/when it's back in stock.

[Eric.]

LOL yeah I take all my stickers off too.  I leave the placards because they have the specs and serial number on them.

[rodger.]

On 29/08/2017 at 8:55 PM, ChrisG-Canada said:

I have the same saw.  Very happy with it.

Do you get things shipped from the US often?

[ChrisG-Canada]

Only major US purchases are my Grizzly TS, BS and Jointer.  All in same order.

I get lots of small orders from US.   I also live in a border city so some things can get shipped to a depot in US and picked up by my wife on her cross-border trips.

The only big issue is the customs fees and handling charges from the shipping company.