SawStop PCS175 T-GLIDE
Large Table, High Quality Fence
TOP PICK: PCS175 T-GLIDE
IN THIS GUIDE:
› PRO GRADE BASE: SAWSTOP MB-PCS-IND
› STANDARD BASE: SAWSTOP MB-PCS-000
› SPARE BRAKE CARTRIDGE: TSBC-10R3
› JOBSITE SAW: 10-INCH JSS-120A60
› SAFETY PUSH BLOCK: GRR-RIPPER
› TOP SAW RETAILERS: AMAZON, ROCKLER, JET TOOLS OR WOODCRAFT
A surprising number of woodworkers need to learn about a SawStop and its unique blade-stopping technology.
While SawStop has been known within the professional woodworker community for decades, the price point of these saws has always been high enough not to be a consideration for small-shop woodworkers.
Until now, SawStop, while retaining this unique technology on its patent, has saws from under $1000 that work on your benchtop to the standard industrial-grade saws suitable for cabinetry or furniture shops.
And, from its unique blade-stopping features, the quality of the saw itself is truly first-class.
In this review, we’ll look at the features of a SawStop PCS, including:
- Saw technology
- Fence options
- Size considerations
- Mobile bases
- Un-packaging and setup
While this saw is an investment, we were satisfied with the finish quality, construction, and parts after unboxing it. The instructions alone were a testament to the quality of the product as they were first-rate, easy to follow, and in large print.
Page Contents
#1: You WOn’t Find a HIgher Quality Base on the Market
While an afterthought to some, when I was looking at the SawStop, one of my first concerns was how it would be moved around the shop. And, even though I’ve used suitable mobile bases for my table saw, the SawStop is a HEAVY saw.
After talking with a few sales folks at Rockler, the base for any PCS or ICS saw was the four-caster, hydraulic lift-assisted floor. While the bolt-on option works, it wasn’t recommended for saws with more extended fence systems.
Why talk about this first? Waiting to buy a SawStop and put the mobile base in later isn’t possible. Installing the saw on the floor before the cast iron extensions and fence rails are assembled is best.
#2: Precision T-Glide Fence
On the professional cabinet saw the line, it is surprising SawStop doesn’t have its premium fence on all saws.
I almost made the mistake of buying the 30-inch saw until I discovered it didn’t have the premium T-Glide Fence, which is a big part of why you buy a $3,000+ table saw.
So, as you decide on a SawStop cabinet, see the T-Glide fence budget.
Here’s what to like about the T-Glide Fence:
- Smooth operation
- Precision measurement
- Deflection-free locking handle
- Easy to see imperial and metric measurement
#3: 36" or 52" Extension Tables Or Router Insert
For small workshops, you can get by with a smaller table saw. But the advantages of having a larger 48″ or more extension enables ripping plywood sheet goods, a place to store lumber during cutting, and (for many) the ability to install a router table into the end of the saw itself.
The cheapest built part of the saw was the included extension table. But, as it doesn’t carry much weight, it was easy to set up and has done the job.
#4: Dual Wrenches For Easy Blade Changes
Most woodworkers have used a block of wood for almost thirty years to change the blade in their table saw.
This makes finding dual wrenches in the SawStop a significant upgrade in more securely removing and installing a saw blade.
A minor upgrade, but a nice feature to get a firm tighten on the blade.
#5: Dust Controlling Blade Guard (Optional)
Adhering to the old saying “buy once, cry once” is true, I upgraded everything simultaneously. And with SawStop, that includes opting for the upgraded dust collection blade guard.
The advantages?
Well, as you can see from the picture:
- Completely encases the blade (I’d prefer not to test the blade brake)
- See thru
- Retains the riving knife
- And, a must, a dust collection port to capture dust.
One of the reasons I opted for a new saw was to control dust.
#6: Internal Dust Collection With 4" Port
My old Jet 10″ contractor saw was simple: open box with a 4″ dust hole. While it collected the pile of dust immediately under the blade, it let a massive amount of dust into the air.
The SawStop, however, takes dust collection to the next level with this internal dust collection system that brings the suction power of your dust collector to the blade itself.
Enough said on this one; even if some dust makes its way into the cabinet, you’ll catch a lot more dust with this cabinet saw.
#7: Top Quality Cast Iron With Serious Shipping Protection
When you first open the SawStop box, you’ll find one of the cast iron tops staring back at you.
And while your first reaction might be, “That looks like some bad rust” (it was mine), SawStop has protected their cast iron components seriously.
The brown above? It’s wax-like paper soaked in a WD-40-like compound to protect the cast iron during its voyage to your garage. Your job? Make sure to protect it from there forward.
#8: Best Assembly Instructions Of Any Tool You’ll Purchase
If the saw wasn’t enough to impress you, the assembly instructions should. Every component, from the saw to the rails, had a complete, step-by-step visual guide on assembling the saw.
#9: Heavy Duty Cast Iron Table Wing Assemblies
Unfortunately, I assembled my SawStop by myself.
One step in the process had me thinking about how to hold the wing in place while I inserted the screws. Yes, a block of wood and a clamp would have worked.
But, like any woodworker, why go simple when you can pull out another tool like my trusty cabinet jack?
This simple setup lets you place the cast iron wing while inserting the threaded bolts from underneath.
#10: SawStop Blade is Included
After spending all the time and money on the saw, you will need a blade. As a solid, good-for-most-everything SawStop has included a carbide 40-tooth blade that can rip hardwoods and cut plywood.
Of course, you’ll want to look at other blades and Dado inserts. But it beats slapping an old blade in your brand-new saw.
SawStop Review: Bottom Line
After pushing a few boards through the saw, it is a massive leap up from a contractor saw in power and feel.
Because my workshop is in the home garage, and I need to move the saw now, I maxed out the size and options immediately. But even so, the following features were what I hoped for:
- Dust collection was great
- Plenty of power
- Cast iron table top was immaculate
- The fence is massive and was quickly the best surprise.
Other SawStop Models I Considered
I’ve owned and used a contractor saw for a long time.
And with my next saw wanted an actual cabinet saw for better dust collection. But there are other options.
There are three:
- The 36″ contractor saw costs around $2300 (without shipping) and features the T-Glide fence.
- For about $1600 plus extras and shipping, you can land the 1-1/2HP job site saw
- And, new in 2022, a bench-top compact saw for small shop woodworking
Deciding on a Horsepower
I only spent a little bit of time deciding on horsepower.
With my projects mainly being a steady diet of 3/4″ thick hardwoods and softwoods, the base 1-3/4 HP was more than enough. While a 3HP would have been nice, the extra cost and need for a 230V circuit weren’t worth it.
Update August 2023: After using this saw for about a year, I recommend the 3HP upgrade if you feed it a consistent diet of hardwoods like Maple. If wood binds in the saw, it can “stress” the cartridge system and cause a trip, which means diagnosing a series of beeping lights. I suspect more horsepower would get past this.
SawStop Optional Equipment
Unique to purchasing a table saw, there is an opportunity to spend as much on optional equipment as the price of the saw itself.
While some accessories are up to the style of woodworking you’ll be doing, others I view as a must. And SawStop has a massive list of optional accessories to splurge on.
Recommended Accessories / Upgrades
- Dust collection blade guard
- Dust collection extension arm
- Four-wheel caster base
- 36″ T-Glide fence
- Zero clearance dado insert
Capability Expanding Accessories
- Integrated router table
- SawStop router lift
- Sliding crosscut tables
- Outfeed tables
- 36-INCH T-GLIDE FENCE ASSEMBLY: The 36-inch...
- SAWSTOP PATENTED SAFETY SYSTEM: Stops a spinning...
- UNMATCHED QUALITY: The trunnion and arbor are...
- DUST COLLECTION: 99% dust collection is delivered...
- RELIABILITY: The Control Box houses the on-off...
- Positive locking latch allows for tool-free...
- Positioning screws ensure a solid and precise fit...
- Pre-formed clearance slots for SawStop blade guard...
- Solid phenolic core
- Low-friction, wear-resistant melamine surface
- SAWSTOP PATENTED SAFETY SYSTEM: Stops a spinning...
- UNMATCHED QUALITY: The trunnion and arbor are...
- RELIABILITY: The Control Box houses the on-off...
- CONFIGURABILITY: Over 150 unique configurations,...
- UNIVERSAL PERFORMANCE: The Contractor Saw offers...
- 52-INCH T-GLIDE FENCE ASSEMBLY: The 52-inch...
- SAWSTOP PATENTED SAFETY SYSTEM: Stops a spinning...
- UNMATCHED QUALITY: The trunnion and arbor are...
- DUST COLLECTION: 99% dust collection is delivered...
- RELIABILITY: The Control Box houses the on-off...
- Includes SawStop 10" table saw brake cartridge...
- Comes with standard lock down insert (TSI-SLD)...
- Brake cartridge offers revolutionary SawStop...
- Insert has dual metal wear plates for...
Last update on 2024-04-08 at 01:04 / Images from Amazon
- About the Author
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Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
