Big,

Stay away from contractor saws with a metal base that look like a bench saw.

Get a saw with 220 volt capacity.

Get a name brand saw.

Get a saw with a machined metal top.

Get a saw with wings that fit together tightly and evenly.

I don't like Jet very much. I used them where I used to work and they seemed cheaply built to me. I like the Delta saws a lot and wish I had one. I'm waiting for my Ryobi to die. Dewalt makes a pretty good saw too believe it or not. Grizzly isn't bad either.

Just my opinion. I hope this helps.

i like the older ridgid and craftsman saws that were made by emerson electric in tennessee. the newer ones made in the last couple of years are made in china and in my opinion not nearly as good as the older ones. Jet is made overseas, but is a good product, with an excelent service department.

I am not familar with the general except to know that it is a canadian company.

JMHO

Carl

I agree on the older Craftsman Contractor Saws. I have one with a Biesmeyer fence on it, it's great and accurate. General is good, so is Delta, so is Grizzly. Happens I work on a Jet Contractor Saw with a warped cast iron table on it, other than that, it's ok. Every one has both good and bad. Check Wood Magazine, I think they had a comparison in the last year between various makes.