Grizzly G0661 Review

Model	Table Size	No-Load RPM	Max Cut Depth (45º / 90º)	Bevel Cuts	Rip Capacity (Right / Left)	Weight (combined)
Grizzly G0661 Table Saw Check Price on Amazon.com	27" x 44"	3 450	2-1/4" / 3-1/8'' Guides: saw alignment, maintenance, safety	-2º to 47º	36" / 12"	292 lbs.

Pros:

Cast iron extensions are very sturdy
2HP motor can power through almost anything
Includes both zero clearance and dado inserts

Cons:

Zero clearance insert is loose and wobbly
Fence rails not predrilled on right for extension table
Miter gauge is sloppy and loose

Introduction

A good table saw is every carpenter’s best friend, whether you’re a pro or a hobbyist. While we may dream of a full-on cabinet saw, sometimes that just isn’t an option. Either it is a matter of room, or the location of your workshop is prohibitive to installing a cabinet saw. In situations like these, a good contractor saw can often serve as an excellent substitute for a contractor saw. The Grizzly G0661 Contractor saw is an excellent choice in this regard, as you’ll see from our review.

What’s in the Box

This table saw with stand comes almost completely disassembled, so I won’t go into piece by piece what you’ll find in the box like I normally do. Instead, I’ll just summarize the contents as so:

The Grizzly G0661 Contractor Style Table Saw (Amazon link)
Table saw stand (disassembled)
Extension wings
Miter gauge
Push stick
Blade wrenches (2)
Fence rails
10” carbide-toothed blade
Assembly hardware
User’s manual

How Hard is the Grizzly G0661 To Assemble?

This is an easy saw to assemble, as long as you take your time. The table saw itself is almost fully assembled right out of the box, only requiring blade installation and attaching the riving knife and handwheels. The stand, on the other hand, requires full assembly.

It took about an hour to have this table saw fully assembled and ready to go. Once I was done putting it together, it was time to check the alignment of the fence and blade. Make sure you do not skip this step, as my table saw was not dead-on straight out of the box. Use a table saw alignment tool to check the blade and fence accuracy, and take your time completing this task. It took me about an hour to zero in the Grizzly G0661, but once I had it accurate, it kept its accuracy throughout all of my use.

What Are the Best Features of the Grizzly G0661?

While it definitely makes the beast heavy, my favorite feature of the Grizzly G0661 is the use of cast iron throughout the table saw and the extension. It just feels stury, and there is no give to the extension even if I’m ripping very heavy wood.

The 2HP motor is also a nice feature, since it qualifies as an upgrade over my last table saw motor. Using this table saw, I was able to cut through everything I could think of, and the saw cut through it all like a hot knife through butter. The Grizzly is an amazing machine, and is well built and powerful.

Finally, I truly appreciate a table saw that actually includes a dado insert, since having to buy or engineer one is usually a pain in the rear. The zero clearance insert is horrible quality, but the dado insert is quite nice and has stood up to quite a bit of use and abuse.

How Durable is the Grizzly G0661?

Since this table saw is built from cast iron, it is built to last. The motor is also strong and has operated for quite some time without any problems. The motor is permanently sealed and lubricated, so you don’t have to worry about anything getting gummed up inside.

The table saw stand is sturdy and stable, and holds the saw steady no matter what you throw at it. I’ve seen Grizzly table saws used for years and years, without any major problems, and every indication says this particular table saw will be one of those long-lasting Grizzlies that become a lifelong partner in my carpentry work.

Is the Grizzly G0661 Easy to Use?

Everything on the Grizzly is laid out just the way it should be, from the start/stop switch to the riving knife. I particularly like the way the riving knife can be quickly swapped out for a blade guard if your needs change.

The major problem with the use of this table saw is the miter gauge. For the cost of the saw, I would not have expected to have to re-engineer or replace the miter gauge, but that’s exactly what I had to do. The included miter gauge is loose and wobbly in the slot, with far too much play to be accurate. It is also far too easy to knock the miter adjustment knob off your desired value without even realizing it, so I’ve ruined a few pieces of wood having the wrong miter value dialed in by mistake.

Another problem is the with zero clearance insert, because it is made of a poor material that simply does not stand up to as much use and abuse as the saw itself can handle. The T20818 zero-clearance unit is a great fit here, and a terrific investment to extend the lifetime of the saw.

What’s the Warranty Like for the Grizzly G0661?

The Grizzly G0661 comes with a 1 year warranty, which is a bit short for the cost and quality of the table saw. I haven’t had any problems with mine, other than the ZCI, but I’m not sure why the warranty period is so short for an expensive contractor saw. Grizzly’s customer service staff, though, are very friendly and helpful, and can definitely explain how to properly and safely use your table saw.