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I don't know where all the forum posts come from on damage? But as you can see.. these boxes are practically unscathed.

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The saw is well packed and fitted with styrofoam for protection, so even if there were minor box damage? Chances are pretty good the saw is still untouched. The tall box on the right is my 3 hp dust collector, and this box hasn't got a scratch! The only damage was on the saw box, and this is understandable considering they have to move this thing by fork lift. Paying a visit to a terminal, one can see the job they have in moving shipments around (not just mine)

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Now, with that damaged corner? Look at how tightly the table wings are packed and plenty of styrofoam to absorb any punishment

Here's the saw out of the box. All that's really needed is to mount the wings, fence, switch, fine tune it...... and wire it up!

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Now I've got to tell you, all the holes lined up perfectly! Not one slight miss alignment at all. The tops were fine, and the only slight problem was that the edge needed to be ground slightly to bring the very ends down so that the top was dead level. Now this was no big deal in my book, I just set the table on my disk sander slightly out of square, and used a 60 grit disk and one pass took just enough off to get that great fit. (you don't have to do this if you read the instructions before hand, and use masking tape prior) The front has a beveled edge on the actual saw top, but the wings don't. I did however, want to show how everything is lined up perfectly!!!!!

I have no earthly idea where all these guy's come up with warped tops. This is the second saw I set up, and no sign at all of any sort of warp

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Now ....... allot was said about fit and finish, whatever that means? This top as you can see.... is so smooth and shiny, you can see reflections. Now if this isn't finish enough for anyone? I don't know what is.

I didn't shrink the next shots, so you can better see the finish. A nice metallic green.

Now this impresses me as far as finish, and quality. Check out the "Leading" American made competitor and see if the hand wheels look remotely close to this! NO PLASTIC! Notice the reflection of the green in the handle and wheel

This is a comparison of my Delta on the right, and Grizzly's on the left. I definitely prefer Grizzly's gauge and I'll explain. Its a tad bigger, heavier and it has a series of set screws to keep it snug in the slot to take any sloppiness out and improve accuracy.

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I couldn't hold the camera steady enough to get a good shot of the set screw, but this will give you an idea. Yes the switch is on the right, but I'm use to it cause the switch on my Delta is also mounted on the right ........he he he he he

I've still got to put on the motor cover, and dust port (extra's) I ordered. I won't be using the stock fence, because I already have the shop fox on my Delta, so I'll just re install it on the 1023. Now the stock fence isn't bad at all. I'm spoiled with the shop fox, but have used the stock fence on a friends saw and it worked fine. I love my shop fox because of its ease of operation, positive front and rear lock and in my book....... the absolute best on the market. The negative feedback on all these products is shocking to me and I just can't lay back and see this equipment get torn up because of biased tests and" American made" partiality. I don't work for magazines, get any Grizzly bonuses or commissions. I'm just a woodworker who earns a living off of the equipment I use and am sorry I didn't stumble on to these folks years ago ;-) This stuff is the best dollar you'll ever spend in my book.

The whole saw took about 2 hrs. to set up. Oh?..... the outside edge of the wings did feel a bit sharp, but no big deal. I took a simple file and went around the whole thing and took about 30 seconds. Now all that's left is to calibrate the blade, and I'm sure there will be no problem at all.

I'll be adding to this page, as I continue the set up, and also with my 3 hp dust collector. You ought to see this monster! It looks like it will suck up everything in my shop. Better get busy and start nailing things down ;-)

SUNDAY 7/25/99

I still haven't had much time to tinker with the saw, but had to focus on other things while renovating our house. Had to put together the dust collector in order to get it out of the pathway between boxes of packed furnishings, in order to walk by (good excuse) ha ha ha

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Man is this thing ever slick! I couldn't believe the size of this thing altogether on the base is 50x22, and well over 6' tall. I'm so anxious to finally get settled in so I can play with this stuff more than just a touch passing through doing something else.

Finally !!!!!!!

finally got to hook up the 220 volts to the dust collector and saw, after a week of partitions and wiring. I used a master plate and super bar I ordered from Grizzly for lining up the blade to the miter slot, and was impressed at its accuracy. The Master plate is put on the shaft in place of the blade. Its a flat piece of true steel and the bar gauge is then slid along the slot taking readings against the master plate. Any adjusting of the table can be done easily by unloosening 4 bolts without moving the saw, and shifting the top. I must confess...... I've never in my 30 yrs at this had a saw set up so accurately and cut so smoothly. I should have done this years ago, and recommend to anyone to spend the extra money on the "Super Bar" and open a whole new world to cutting material on a table saw. It doesn't stop with just the blade set up, but you can also get your rip fence, miter guage, and even bearing wear. You can visit their website at: http://mastergage.com./

Now the fence. I swapped over the shop fox, and that sun of a gun was dead on, no adjustments needed. I held the standard fence (off the old model 1023 and not the newer model in the 2000 catalog) along side for all to see, and I've got to say that had I not had the shop fox on my old delta, I would have probably kept the standard fence.

The two side by side, and the shop fox is a bit longer, about 5 1/2" more sliding surface, and a tad taller....... which is great for my sliding tenon jig. I like the Chanel on the top for the use of board buddies. Of course, you couldn't pry my Shop fox from my dead fingers because in my opinion its the Cadillac of fences. When spending over 200.00 in an after market fence? you expect that fence to be accurate, and easy to move, and on the money. This fence moves on ball bearing wheels. It unlocks, as it locks...... dead on, without a shift at all. I've tried other fences and find them to go out of alignment when unlocked and therefore causing slight resistance in movement. This fence also has a rear lock down as opposed to others. A real pleasure to use, that borders "heavenly" I exploded the underside so you can see the wheels that glide along the rails. This is why I consider this to be the best fence on the market.

Bar none!

And of course?...... the famous nickel test. All in all, I've got to give this experience and set up very pleasurable and this saw is ready for some serious work! I wish I could say something negative, but I simply can't. Oh....... I forgot. The motor cover didn't come with hinge pins, so I used two 16d nails in place of, till I get around calling the company.

You Betcha!

July 1, 2003

Its been 4 yrs since my purchase, and I'm happy as a lark ..still! In fact....... if some Delta or PM rep came to the door and said they had one of their saws to drop off in replacement for my Grizzly.... FREE? I'd politely tell them to give it to someone who really needs it, because I'm perfectly content with my 1023. Now I know this sounds a bit much, but in all honesty I personally have no reason to say otherwise. I've not had a single problem with the saw, it performs as well as the others, and I could care less if the other saw has an extra coat of paint....... or one extra screw for the money. The bottom line for me is simple....... does this saw measure up to the others as far as quality produced with it? Well..... you be the judge, and browse through my site and decide for yourself. The money I saved enabled me to purchase other equipment, which of course keeps the overhead down, and ability to expand my craft quicker and deeper. I'm not concerned about bragging rights, but end results and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever with this purchase at all.