DELTA 36-980 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2-Horsepower Contractor Saw with 30-Inch T2 Fence and 2 Cast-Iron Extension Wings, 115/230-Volt 1-Phase

I helped a friend put this saw together last night. I would rate it about 4 and 3/4 starz. This saw has many improvements over past Delta contractor saws!

I own two Delta contractor saws.

Improvements that Delta has made:
There is more room for your hand when lowering and raising the blade.
The operation is even smoother than before.
Cast iron wings are beveled like the main table.
The cast iron on the extension wings and table were of excellent quality.
No swirl marks. Very nice finish.
The saw comes with a quality built in mobile base now.
The saw comes with a built in dust collection funnel for a 4" DC or 5 gallon bucket underneath.
The saw comes with a better gauge for 0-45 degree setting.

Problems:
We had to slightly ream out the holes on the cast iron wings so that they would align properly. 1/4 star deduction.

Suggestions:
I suggest that on the parts...Read more

I must say this is the best contractor saw I've used!

I bought this saw to replace my old jobsite saw that I had outgrown--what an improvement!

From the beginning, I decided on this model with the T-square (T2) fence primarily due to price. I looked at the Unifence option, which is amazingly versatile, but I just couldn't justify the extra expense for it. You can also get this saw with a Biesemeyer fence, but it's a pretty expensive option and not very much different from Delta's T-square fence.

When you get this saw home, I hope you have a strong friend to help unload/move this behemoth. I had help getting the saw and fence box in the back of my SUV, but getting it out was all me! The saw is packed in one HEAVY, huge box and the fence in a second. I wrestled the box out of the car, onto a dolly and into the garage, hoping I could get it inside and nearer to the basement stairs, where my workshop is located. I didn't make it past the...Read more

For context, I'm a beginner in woodworking and my last table saw was a Delta model that they now call "Shop Master". This table saw is outstanding in comparison. Easy to assemble, easy to zero alignment and measurements. It took me several hours to assemble as I did so carefully. Some manual directions seemed off from the assembly hardware but not enough to effect assembly, or it missed something. This saw easily gives me clean cuts to 1/32" with the rip blade provided. Very quite operation compared to the cheaper models out there as well as MUCH less dust when hooked to a shop vac. Note, you will need a dedicated 15A 110V outlet, do not use any other items on the circuit while using the saw's 1.5HP motor. There are many good saws but you will not be disappointed with this purchase.