LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Table saw dilemma(backorder hell)

6K views 65 replies 35 participants last post by  Chriscmh 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello,

My wife recently allowed me to purchase my retirement gift(a few months early). I sold off my craftsman 113/T2 combo for a nice profit, and made room for my "forever saw".

Grizzly was having a sale, so I opted for the G1023RLW https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-10-3-HP-240V-Cabinet-Table-Saw-with-Built-in-Router-Table/G1023RLW. For what I do/aspire to do it seems like more than enough. On top of that, it has the router table extension. In my tiny garage, I don't have room for a separate router table.

I searched and found a few rumblings about the fence on the 1023, so I plead my case for an Incra TS-LS 32" setup, and a Triton 3-1/4 HP router to mount below the table.

The setup seemed perfect for my space. The problem is that everything is on backorder.

The Incra isn't a must have at this moment, but now that I've sold my table saw, I'm pretty bummed that the 1023 is so far out. I call grizzly once a week to see if there is any update, but mid July is the best answer I've been given. They do however have plenty of G0690's in stock https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-10-3HP-220V-Cabinet-Table-Saw-with-Riving-Knife/G0690. Similar in price, but lacking a router extension.

The extension is a luxury. To this point, most of my time with any router has been a trim router. Just simple rounding over edges.

I'm not seeing much other than the G0690 in the price range I already paid.

My question is: Do I just wait for my order to be filled, or do I go with a G0690 or something else in that price range(if one exists)? Normally I love the used market, but in this case I want new.

It looks like I'd have to come up with a different plan on the router extension, and that would definitely put me well over what I've already paid. Not a deal breaker, but it would likely ad more time to the wait.

What do you think the best option is?

Thank you.

Derrick
 
See less See more
#2 ·
if you dont have any projects that gotta get done now wait for what you want and works best for you or you'll always say to yourself.god i shoulda waited.
 
#5 ·
I noticed a lot of tools were "sold out" available may-june. I wonder if it reflects the anual "who builds what" and batch size from the handful of actual manufactures in China. I am sure they are not on a continuous production line, but batched a couple times a year.

I am super happy with my Harvey band saw. I see a couple folks have picked up their table saws and seem very happy. I am seriously considering one myself. They are one of the actual Chinese OEMs.
 
#9 ·
IIRC the G1023 saw is made in Taiwan while the G690 is from China, just for reference. I have an older G1023SL which I've had for several years. The fence looks to be a Biesmeyer clone, the only complaint I have on the fence is it should be taller. I got around that by making a fence extension. Mine came with a splitter, which I replaced with a rising one. Same thing with the blade guard, I did not like the one that came with the saw so I designed and made my own and it works well.
Knowing what I know about the saw, I'd be inclined to wait for what I would consider the good one.
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
Lots of stuff is going to be hard to get for a while. Even stuff made in country, isn't made and stocked for a long time anymore. JIT ( Just In Time )is the way we produce almost everything. And a lot of the parts used are produced overseas. Until most of the companies worldwide are up and running you probably will find you are going to have to wait on an order. Most of the warehouses are bare, and parts are scarce right now to assemble more.
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
I noticed a lot of tools were "sold out" available may-june. I wonder if it reflects the anual "who builds what" and batch size from the handful of actual manufactures in China. I am sure they are not on a continuous production line, but batched a couple times a year.

I am super happy with my Harvey band saw. I see a couple folks have picked up their table saws and seem very happy. I am seriously considering one myself. They are one of the actual Chinese OEMs.

- tvrgeek
This is intriguing to me. I had seen Harvey on a video on YouTube, but I didn't think much of it. I was watching the video for other reasons.

Anyhow, it looks like Grizzly's 0690 is similar to a bunch of manufacturers' 3hp cabinet saws. Harvey being one of them. I found a post on reddit stating that. . Here's the model I'm talking about: https://www.harveywoodworking.com/products/c300-30-10-cabinet-table-saw

Now it looks like when it's all said and done, they could get me the equivalent of the G0690 for a little less than what I paid for the 1023rlw. Of course this isn't apples to apples because id still be short a $295 router wing.

I just don't know Harvey's track record. Grizzly's is very cut&dry. Their customer service seems to be top notch. That is hard to look past for this kind of money. Plus, they're Bellingham shop is just north of me. I do a lot of work in that area, so I'm up their a few times a month.

Has anyone actually dealt with Harvey's customer service?
 
#15 ·
I have had the G0690 for 10+ yrs and it has been a great saw. For several years I had this router extension. When I moved to my current shop I converted the router extension into a standalone router table, because I had the space. Grizzly sells several RT extensions so you have different options.
Like you I live close to the Bellingham store, so just go up and see what is available. One thing to keep in mind is that none of the extension tables have router inserts, (that I know of), so that limits your router to a plunge router. I have the Triton in mine.
 
#16 ·
Yep. There's a member on here that if I remember correctly went for the 1023, but ended up with a 0690 and a Triton plunge. I think there may have been an issue with the triton plunge. Maybe a plastic gear or something, but it has since been fixed with an update.

The 1023rlw comes with the H7507 wing https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-18-x-27-Router-Extension-Table-for-Table-Saw/H7507. It's not as fancy as the one you posted, it would suit me just fine.
 
#17 ·
I just called Grizzly again. The July date definitely isn't firm. That's just when they hope to get them. Could be sooner. Could be later. So I asked about the G0690. I wanted to see if they'd match the price that I paid for the 1023rlw. Of course they won't. I knew the answer before I asked it. I just figured why not try. Anyhow, there are a few in stock, but she also mentioned they're being discontinued. That doesn't excite me. I'm calling Harvey next. Unless they have mind blowing things to say, it looks like I'll be waiting.
 
#19 ·
Yep. That's the one I was watching. At the time I was looking for Incra info, so I wasn't thinking about the saw.

Their version of the G0690 is a little less than what I paid for the 1023, but I'd end up spending more for the router wing.

I never got a hold of them. Theyve got an outgoing message about Covid, so I'll just have to try again.
 
#20 ·
Unless you are retiring unusually young, time should be going by pretty fast by now. So mid-July is going to seem like tomorrow. As mentioned, unless you have projects you need a table saw for now, I'd wait. And I'd be prepared for mid-July to slip. And I agree with the others suggesting to use the time to organize your shop.

I've found that often times, the anticipation of a new toy is a big part of the enjoyment of getting something new.

Or of course, selecting a higher end saw is an option, if one is available now. Then tell your wife, you can't get the saw you wanted right now, but can get this other one now, but it will cost a bit more. This will work better if she's not still working herself. Else, she might suggest you don't retire yet. You don't want the conversation to go that way.
 
#21 ·
Oh. Yeah. I'm retiring from the military. Still relatively young(at heart).

I don't have any pressing projects at the moment. There are however some right in the time frame that Grizzly gave. Nothing life or death, but frustrating if I'm still without a saw because the date got pushed.

The shop is being cleaned/organized as we speak. I've still got a couple more tools I'd like to sell off, to free up more space. That will occupy time, but not nearly enough.

I hear what you guys are saying though. Patience is a virtue.

Out of my own curiosity, I'm still going to try and get ahold of Harvey. I would just like to hear what they have to say about their version of the 0690. Especially now that grizzly is discontinuing it.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
Derrick,
I bought the 1023 a couple years ago and I love it. I do not have any issues with the fence. It was easy enough to set up and stays solid. If you're looking to upgrade something right off the bat, replace the miter gauge. The one that comes with the saw is really crappy.

And congrats on retiring from the military! Retired from the Navy myself 6 years ago.
 
#23 ·
Oh yeah. I know I'd love the saw. There are tons of reviews all over the internet speaking of the quality of their products, and their top-notch customer service. That's why my search was short when I decided to spend the money.
My story isn't unique. I'm essentially pouting about having to wait. Same thing my kids do. Through this pouting though, I've learned that there are other options. Harvey is still very intriguing, but I don't know if it's enough to cancel my order and jump ship. I'd like to actually talk to them or a retailer to get a better vibe.
 
#25 ·
I have the 1023 (without the router table extension). In my opinion it is a great saw and worth the wait. The griz rep I worked with recommended it over the 690 because of origin of manufacturer.

I was very satisfied with the rip fence It was accurate and very usable. The HDPE sides of the fence were perfectly flat and wood glided along it very well.

Full Disclosure: I had a Jet saw with a Biesemeyer fence that would allow for approximately 45 inch rip capacity. I posted it on Craigslist and waited. While I was waiting, I realized that the 32 inch rip capacity of the 1023 was not quite enough so I decided to swap rails. For some reason the Shopfox fence did not fit well on these rails so I ended up keeping the old Biesemeyer fence also. I reposted the Jet and added $100.00 to the price-sold it quickly.
 
#26 ·
I guess backorders and moving delivery dates were the reasons I never bought new from Grizzly. There was never a firm date, just wait and wait. I wanted the item in stock before I ordered. The story was always the same, and many orders in line in front of me. I found good deals on great used machines instead. It was much faster!!!

- ibewjon
Yep. That worries me. It seems like it pays off if you're able to wait. I'm just not feeling great about the shipping date. A whole lot of rhyming in those last couple sentences.
I'll make more calls today, but as of now, my order is staying the same.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top