J. Waters
Charlie,

I have BOTH!!! OK, so we are not alike like I said last week. I had a 9" Rockwell saw, and it used it for many years (about 4-5). But then I realized I could use a more powerful motor. I didn't worry about, and thought something would come along. And it did!! I went to the Tampa Woodworking show about 10-12 years ago, and I went after work on Friday (it was really near my office), and there was a Dealer selling Unisaws with a 52" Bisemeyer Fence (I liked both), and tableboard (Platinum Edition-but I could have cared less) for a good price. I can't remember, But I think it was $1100 (maybe $1200 but I think that was the before price!) after rebate, plus sales tax. I wasn't sure about the price, and came home and checked out the deals online. It was indeed a good price!!! I went back the next morning over an hour before the show opened, and waited. I made a bee line for the saw, and bought within 5 minutes of opening. We went out back, they adjusted their liftgate truck to my tailgate height and we slid it in. That was some of the best money I ever spent. It is a joy to use. Of course, I have never seen that deal again. They had 4 to sell, I was #2. I could have gotten the same deal on a 30" Unifence saw but why? A contractor saw was about $750-850 at the time with the same fence setup, and offered little more inprovement from what I had.
Would I pay what Delta wants today? Not sure. But it's a different saw too.

As to the cartridge filters, IF you know what you are doing, you can build a cyclone, and buy cartridge filters pretty reasonable off Eb@y, but you have to look at specs, etc. That's what I do, but it's not for everyone.

Yes, I could have done everything without what I have and using my old equipment, but I have done a lot of home improvement work, furniture, and probably have at least broken even on most equipment, and I have exactly what I want in my house.

Making money at woodworking would be hard to do with a lot of people wanting to go to big box furniture stores every 3 years and redo their living room. I see it all the time, it's their choice, just not for me, just like the saw and pleated filter...........

I truly like discussions like these here, I think people get a lot of insight on wants and needs.