DELTA 36-715 Hybrid 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-3/4 Horsepower Intermediate Saw with T2 30-Inch Fence and 2 Cast Iron Extension Wings, 115/230-Volt 1 Phase

For such a powerhouse, it’s amazing that this saw runs on a standard household current. This is huge bonus for the home woodworker who’ll be plugging this saw into a basement or garage outlet. It can be rewired for 220 volts, of course, if that’s what you’re set up for.

Once it’s all assembled and set up (be prepared to work!), this is one rock-solid saw, tipping the scales at 358 pounds. The large table and extensions are smooth-as-glass cast iron, and you get a generous 30-inch rip capacity to the right of the blade, 13-1/2 inches to the left. This saw comes with Delta’s own T2 30-inch Fence and Rail; you can buy this same saw with either a Unifence or a Biesemeyer, but we’re as happy with one as the other. The 30-inch T2 that comes with this saw has a three-point T-square locking system with a hairline pointer for super accuracy, and the extruded aluminum fence face attaches to solid steel angle iron and tubing. It glides easily on its rails and lifts off quickly and easily, but what we liked best was the rear hold-down support for use with featherboards and jigs.

Paired with the superb fence on this saw is a beautiful, heavy-duty T-slot miter gauge. We like it particularly because it has a larger face than most gauges, and that gives you a lot more stability as the gauge travels. The other thing that puts this gauge at the head of its class is that you can easily micro-adjust all the positive stops.

We hope you use your blade guards, but if you don’t and it’s because it gets in the way of blade height measurement, this saw even solves that problem. The guard locks neatly in the raised position so you can measure accurately without dodging the guard.

Vibration is absolutely minimal, in part because the saw is so heavy and solid, but Delta’s poly-V belt has little ribs that line up with the pulley, producing smooth power. The way a saw runs is most important, but we also like how this one stops: There’s a huge "off" paddle switch under the front left fence rail, easily hit in an emergency and just plain convenient the rest of the time.

Dust collection is better than we anticipated, in part because inside the closed cabinet, there are ramps that let the waste slide down to the 4-inch dust port, where your dust collection system can carry it away.

Whether you’re looking to step up from a contractor’s saw or you’re adding to a shop of cabinet saws, you will not be disappointed with this saw.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste