Used Grizzly TS query

**Bada Bing** · 02-14-2007, 05:42 PM

Hi, All:

Someone nearby is selling an 8-year-old used Grizzly TS, saying its a 3HP right tilting unit, with a Unifence. $300 seems like a solid deal. The guy's just bought a Powermatic 2000.

I have a TS book and our archives have some notes about how to check out used saws. But I do wonder if the Grizzly line has changed much in the last 8 years, because the guy couldn't give a model # offhand. The current unit is a G1023.

Also, he says it's a cabinet saw but adds that it doesn't have the motor cover. I thought cabinet saws had motors wholly inside the cabinet.

I'll get a chance to look this weekend, if it's still available. Thought I should get informed first, though. I'd be upgrading from a Bosch portable which frankly works pretty well, but I'd like a bigger table and better dust collection. Any thoughts?

David

**scottspencer** · 02-14-2007, 06:31 PM

If it's in good shape, that could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wouldn't hold off looking at it! At that price, it could go very quickly....first looker is likely to buy it.

I know Grizzly quality has reportedly improved steadily, but the biggest knock we usually hear about older Griz 1023's is the fence...but the Unifence is a keeper.

**beagles** · 02-14-2007, 07:41 PM

On the 1023, the motor extends out of the cabinet so there is a swing-out cover with a latch. The actual motor position depends on blade height & angle. The missing cover would hamper effective dust collecting, but you could probably make one from 1/4 in or 3/8 in plywood... or get the real deal from Grizzly.

If it really is a cabinet saw, I'd think there is not much that could not be fixed with some relatively minor $$$ compared to a new saw.

If the motor had not been abused, it probably has decades of life left in it.

**cracker** · 02-14-2007, 08:28 PM

I actually have the 1023z and it is 5 years old. I know that when the 1023 was being sold then, it was sold without the motor cover and you had to purchase it seperately. The 1023z came with the motor cover. I think this would be a great buy. I really like my saw.

**Bada Bing** · 02-14-2007, 09:22 PM

Thanks, everyone. Your feedback got me to call the guy again and set up a visit first thing tomorrow. He's had seven calls in the few hours since I called! I'll bring a square and hope I have a clue checking the thing out.

David

**Bada Bing** · 02-16-2007, 06:10 PM

Not likely to leap for this one, after all: just in case anyone wonders. I had too little time to check it out properly, esp. given my limited knowledge of the possible issues and the fact that I had only about a half hour before work (after all my snow delays). Seemed that I needed to address these issues:

1. No blade on the machine, so I couldn't test for arbor runout easily. That would take some time.
2. Both the blade tilt and the blade lift mechanisms squeaked a lot--probably nothing that lubricant wouldn't fix, but I felt I'd need to get a good look inside the cabinet to check for corrosion
3. While the motor powered up fine, it also made a kind of scraping sound, with a bit of extra vibration, on being turned off.

I know that a tool veteran could whip this one into great shape, but I don't think I'm going to bring this home, create a new 240 volt line, and then assume I've got it in me to do it! So I'm officially among the tech wimps for the time being.

Great to see the guy's shop, though! He has a separate building, heated, about the size of a four-car garage. Does "pattern-work" and furniture. Amazing inlays!

David

**woodmannie** · 02-16-2007, 07:10 PM

>>1. No blade on the machine, so I couldn't test for arbor
>runout easily. That would take some time.

I always checked this with the blade off anyway.

>2. Both the blade tilt and the blade lift mechanisms
>squeaked a lot--probably nothing that lubricant wouldn't
>fix, but I felt I'd need to get a good look inside the
>cabinet to check for corrosion

Good idea to check, but grease would probably fix it

>3. While the motor powered up fine, it also made a kind of
>scraping sound, with a bit of extra vibration, on being
>turned off.

Mine does that noise, it's the belt rubbing the gaurd, easy fix. And when shut down, the vibration is the motor brake kickin in.

**Bada Bing** · 02-16-2007, 07:43 PM

Thanks! I'll call the guy and see if he still has it. But he's had lots of attention, so it might be gone...

David

**woodmannie** · 02-16-2007, 10:23 PM

Give it a good looksee. Take a rag along to wipe dust off the trunions and what not. As for the noise, take off the belt gaurd( you'll want to do this to check the belt anyway) and look for a wear mark on the gaurd. The gaurds black, so look for a shiny, silver spot. It's easy to fix by tweeking the gaurd a little outward. I have one of these saws and I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
Good luck.

wm