Hello folks,
Does anyone know much about the Harvey table saws, especially the new "Alpha" line?
The "Ambassador" C300-30/52 look exactly like the recently discontinued Grizzly 0690/0691 (and a ShopFox model), which seem to have been around for a decade or more and are well reviewed and very nice looking. Harvey uses a European-style "L" fence, which looks nice and claim a few other unspecified updates from their OEM saws. All-in-all a really nice saw.
I also have been contemplating the new Alpha HW110S-36 which sports a little extra rip width and a 31 1/2 deep table and comes with a fancy, high-quality "Compass" miter gauge. It has a router table extension option which may be appealing, along with other production accessories. 4 HP motor seems beefy enough for more than any task. The Titanium Nitride table top option is kind of cool tool, but seems like a $300 extravagance. Any ideas if they OEM'd this model as well? I do not see any saws with the same shape (motor cover on the right) and larger table.
Anyway, would love to hear practical experience from owners (there is literally 1 youtube unboxing/setup at the moment for the C300 and no reviews-though it seems safe to count the Grizzly 0690 as relevant), thoughts, or inside knowledge.
I am not interested in speculation on China vs. Taiwan manufacturing. In fact, if you dig there are a couple great articles from the time Harvey purchased Bridge City Tools and it appears the Harvey owner is committed to high-end manufacturing and innovation.
i dont but im interested in the harvey saws myself,looks like a great saw for the money.ill keep an eye on this thread and see what is said.i dont think there are many guys here that have one yet,someone just bought one but hadn't yet used it to review.
Been making all of them from the sound of it, so if you like a saw, ask a Harvey rep if they can beat a XXXXXX and see what they say.
If none of the listed places rings a bell to you, pick the top of the list. WoodWerks in Columbus Ohio. They have decent help, and could give straight answers, plus they sell ALL of the makes that are said to have been made by Harvey all these years. Except Grizz, but they know all about Grizz.
If it was me calling I'd ask for a heads up against the SawStop, seems to be the saw to beat these days.
Nice looking machines but too bad they are not also selling jointers and planers to match. I sent them a question asking if those were coming but never received any response…
Harvey is one of the OEMs. Look at the parts diagrams and you will see common parts with Powermatic, Grisly and others. This has been discussed several times in this forum.
Quality of the tool is dependent on what the brand specified. If it is bid as cheap junk, they build cheap junk. If bid with tighter tolerances and better bearings, that is what is built.
I have their band saw and like it. Just can't justify a cabinet saw as my contractor actually does everything I need, but I would buy the Harvey C300. Just a nice big heavy saw with what I consider the most important feature, a riving knife. Yea, the PCS is a nice saw too, just a lot more money. I wish the new Unisaw did not have a rep as total junk as I like the features.
Look in the review section and search on it in the forums.
I just ordered an ALPHA HW110LC-36P 10" 2HP Cabinet Table Saw and hope to have it up and working by the end of the month. I have been looking at the Grizzly 0771 and the Fusion F2 for the last year, but the Alpha went on sale and I could not turn it down. I have a small workshop and wanted a cabinet table saw that could used 120v or 240v and could be moved when not being operated. I have been using a Bosch contractor table saw for the last 15 years and I hope the Alpha is an up grade. One of the problems with a contractor table saw is their weight and at 411 lbs I believe the Alpha should provide a better base for my cuts. I hope to provide my experience as soon as get it installed.
Is 2 HP enough? Well, I run a Ridgid 1 3/4 HP and I can rip/taper a 3 inch oak table leg like cutting butter. But ONLY after I bought a good CMT rip blade. When I was using a "Fusion" or my T2000, it was under-powered in a rip.
I use a Diablo 60 and 90 tooth cor crosscuts, so I would say yes it is enough. But, I really want that Ambassador 3 HP. Just can't justify the price.
The best I can tell is that the "Alpha" line has the guts of the now retired Laguna Platinum table saws with several updates (motor, table, fence, miter). The "Ambassador" are pretty close to Grizzly, ShopFox and other models as per previous mentions in this thread.
If someone actually has bought one of these, it would be fantastic to hear your experiences. Every time I think I'm ready to pull the trigger I get worried about cutting off my fingers and are drawn back to the SawStop PCS route….
One important note, if you are considering buying something from Harvey (or Bridge City) definitely sign up for their mailing list. It gets annoying, but there are literally daily "flash" sales-be patient and you'll save 10ish %. I think all the table saws have some sort of sale going on now.
They have their miter gauge on sale right now as well. The router table for the c300 is out of stock and will be available in October after a redesign. They have responded to all of my emails pretty quickly. I have noticed the shipping is now cheaper as well for some reason.
That Harvey Alpha looks a LOT like my Laguna Diamond Platinum saw:
I wonder if the over blade dust collection would directly fit it. Very interesting.
If that Harvey is what the Laguna was based off of, or is, I'm excited that there may be accessories available.
I can tell you I have been nothing but pleased with my Laguna. With 4hp of power it is far from under powered, and the build quality and fit and finish it top notch.
Well Harvey sent me a referral link for 15 percent off , I wasn't planning on another big purchase , maybe a bandsaw next month. If someone wants it. Not sure if I am allowed to post it here , I can email it or messenger on fb .
I heard back from Harvey, they built the Platinum for Laguna. The current version of the Alpha has a longer infeed to the blade. Kinda wish Laguna had gone that route, more infeed would be nice.
I decided to bite and bought the Harvey c300-50 today. I'd been on the fence between that and the grizzly g1023. Got an email from Harvey this morning with a promo code that knocked the price down to 1399 from 1799 (it was on sale for 200 and the code took off another 200). First cabinet saw so I'm hoping it's a worthwhile pick up. I'll start a topic when it comes.
I decided to bite and bought the Harvey c300-50 today. I d been on the fence between that and the grizzly g1023. Got an email from Harvey this morning with a promo code that knocked the price down to 1399 from 1799 (it was on sale for 200 and the code took off another 200). First cabinet saw so I m hoping it s a worthwhile pick up. I ll start a topic when it comes.
Oh, yeah, the current line of Alpha accessories will fit my Laguna Platinum. That has me super excited. Especially since they have an overblade dust collector enabled shield that is a direct drop in upgrade.
I got most of her put together yesterday. I still have the dust collection system to install and some calibration, but so far I am very happy with my purchase. Most of the adjustments have been very minor.
I do think that I will change her from 110v to 220v. Harvey sent all the parts I need to swap out, so it should be pretty painless.
I am seriously considering Harvey, but cant decide between the HW110C or C300. I like the idea of more power on the C300 but like the table depth (infeed support) of the HW. Dust collection arm might be nice too. Look forward to a full review from ShottsZ
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