Delta 36-L552 5 HP Unisaw, 52-Inch Fence

Comment: I just received my new Unisaw last week also and I wasn't going to post anything just yet but in light of the first review - I have to say something. This is a fine piece of equipment and I have no complaints thus far. The main aspect of the first review I will address is that, according to articles I have read from several sources, this saw is pretty much American made - including the Biesemeyer Fence - reference an article in Popular Woodworking Magazine from January 2009 as an example, where they actually toured the Jackson Tennessee plant where the saw and fence components are MANUFACTURED - not just put together. The motor is by Marathon which is made/assembled in the USA as well. The blade they ship with it is also American made - but my Forest blade is still a bit better (also American made). So please know that while MOST of the other saws are manufactured elsewhere - the Unisaw is made right here and is worth every penny, at least so far. According to what Popular Woodworking said, there is no official standard for what determines the correctness of this label but Delta ensures at least 80% of its parts are American made. Others use 50% - I like 80% better. Like lots of people, I know a lot of stuff that comes from China (and other countries) is cheap crap. That is not the case with the Unisaw.

All the packing was correct in mine (including the dust collector attachment) and while it did not go together exactly like the video, it was close. The manuals should all be kept together instead of in different boxes but oh, well. It took me about 8 hours to set up and adjust - and this is the first time I have done such a thing with a cabinet saw. I don't have precise measuring capability on table flatness but mine seems really close. It took a little fussing to get the fence set properly but the Biesemeyer works perfectly now - it doesn't glide quite like the video shows but it is VERY close.

I would have preferred the leg brace to still be a part of the table but it is extremely sturdy without it - I even stood on the table while installing ducting for my dust collection system. That's probably not the best idea but it didn't give at all. I will probably fashion my own but that's a wait and see item because the table is very sturdy without it. Also, there is no such thing as a perfect miter gauge included with ANY saw today, but this one is head-and-shoulders above any I have seen or used. There are more precise gauges out there (that will cost you serious money) but for everyday stuff, this is a gauge I will use.

So far I am EXTREMELY happy with this machine - I have done some cutting on it and the safety gear is everything it is made out to be - and that is one of the primary reasons I chose it. Used properly, the three-part system eliminates MOST of the causes for accidents on a table saw and the parts are as well made as anything else on the saw. I looked at the Saw Stop and saw nothing but foreign-made everything and didn't care for the technology - nothing but red flags to me and I trust my instincts, especially when I have an option I can trust (and is cheaper) like the Unisaw. I think Delta has produced an excellent machine and I am proud to be a new owner!