Michark Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 I am planning on purchasing a SawStop PCS in a couple of weeks, but struggling to decide on the 1.75HP or 3HP model. I don’t know what the limitations of the 1.75HP will be or if the 3HP is really necessary for someone who isn’t doing any production work (mostly just weekend furniture projects and things around the house). Anyone have any good reasons for 1.75HP over 3HP or vice versa? Anything I am not going to be able to do with the 1.75HP? I am not against paying the $400 more for the 3HP, but I also don’t want to spend more than I have to at this point in time. Additionally, my shop doubles as my garage and I don’t currently have a 220v outlet available to power the 3HP. So I would have to pay an electrician a couple hundred to install, which just adds to the overall cost of the 3HP option. Thanks ahead of time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 I have the 1.75 HP version, the biggest challenge with the 1.75 is cutting thicker stock or really hard species but I have done both with my saw. you just need to slow down some with your feed rate and make sure you blades are good quality, shape and clean and you should be happy. I went wit hth e1.75 HP for the same reason you mentioned, I have one 220 outlet in my shop but it wasn't in a convenient location for the saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 Agree with Chet, but if you bite the bullet and go 3hp anyway, chances are very slim that you'll regret it. HP = Clamps = Routers. Never too many. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 High end table saws like what you are looking at are lifetime tools. The first time and every time after that when you rip 2" hardwood you will wish you would have the 3 hp. It most likely be cheaper in the long run because you will want to upgrade at some time in the future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post drzaius Posted September 30, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 If you don't have 240 V in your garage, then you need to take care of that anyway, preferably by having a subpanel put in. Then you can make machinery choices based on the merits of the machine. I would (and did) go for 3 HP. But lots of guys get by with 1.75 HP. I had a 1.5 HP saw for years & did okay with it, but 3 is so much nicer when the cutting gets tough. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michark Posted October 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 Thank you everyone for the wisdom and suggestions. Decisions like this aren’t easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 +1 on the 3 Hp. You will never regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 There is only a $400 difference in price between a 1.75 and a 3hp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaDad Posted October 9, 2019 Report Share Posted October 9, 2019 I have the 1.75hp Sawstop contractor saw, and I have definitely bogged it down on harder boards and/or deep cuts. I would opt for more horsepower especially if getting the electrical situated for it is not an insurmountable task. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastev Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 The 3hp saw comes with a much nicer fence. That alone was worth the price for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 59 minutes ago, fastev said: The 3hp saw comes with a much nicer fence. That alone was worth the price for me. If you get the 36” or 52” fence, it is the same fence on 1.75 and 3hp. It’s just the 30” fence option that is different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 I don't think that 30" fence has any business on a PCS. It's a jobsite saw grade fence at best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevy J Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 I purchased the 1.75 hp PCS unit about six years ago and after having it 4 years I struggled time and time again cutting through thick stock and kept tripping the reset button cutting through thick stock about a dozen times. I definitely regret it not buying the 3 hp industrial sawstop. But I did call SAWSTOP last year and purchased a 3 hp upgrade motor that fit perfectly into my 1.75 Hp PCS that ended up costing about $650. now I love the everything about it, I can now rip through 2-3’’ thick stock without any hesitation and absolutely love it! if I knew back then what I know now I would not have hesitated for a second to purchase the 3 hp industrial cabinet saw even if you have to have a 240 V line ran to your shop....so don’t pinch on a few hundred dollars your call ready spending a few thousand for a major investment. After studying the specifications I realize that the 3 hp industrial cabinet comes with a much larger table. Since I have a small shop this does not bother me and I plan on building a folding outfeed table over the winter months. So if you are debating whether to spend an extra 400 bucks DO NOT hesitate it is totally worth it if you cut thick stock and who does not if you have an amazing cabinet Saw! I had a craftsman table saw for 15 years and then a Ryobi table saw for about 20 years and the difference is night and day compared old loud table saws I used for years it has been such a blessing to have such a nice quiet heavy duty table saw that is extremely accurate, 35’’ rip fence and a hydraulic $300 mobile base which was worth every penny to be able to move my saw around the shop as needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastev Posted October 14, 2019 Report Share Posted October 14, 2019 On 10/12/2019 at 2:25 PM, JohnG said: If you get the 36” or 52” fence, it is the same fence on 1.75 and 3hp. It’s just the 30” fence option that is different. I see that now. That wasn’t the case when I bought mine. I stand corrected... That said, the T-Glide fence is way nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workswood4food Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 1 reason for 3HP: 8/4 maple. That 1.75 HP motor will grind to a stop. Better yet, go 5HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.