First, blade tension is a breeze to adjust with the RAPID-RELEASE™ tension lever, so changing blades is not the ordeal it once was on early band saws. And when this saw first came out, 136-inch blades were scarce, but there's a nice array available now. The maximum width blade it can take is a beefy 1-1/4 inches.

The cast-iron table tilts 49 degrees to the right and 8 degrees to the left, and it's an easy job. Just loosen the two clamp handles and bevel lock handle, tilt and retighten. The table itself is well-machines and large - 17-3/4 by 18 inches - and has a standard -inch miter gauge slot, opening you up to all kinds of cool after-market gauges. In addition, the table has expandable extension wings for even more support. It stands right around 41 inches high, which is a comfortable height for most adults.

The two speeds are easy to change, giving you a choice of 2300 and 3250 surface feet of blade per minute, and the powerful 2-horsepower motor runs extremely smoothly, with virtually no vibration. It's a heavy saw, weighing in at just under 400 pounds, and it's solid as a rock.

Now, for the down side, and something we hope Delta will re-engineer: While the upper blade guides are simple to adjust, getting to the lower back bearing is a bit of a safari. Instead of straightforward access, you'll have to remove the table insert and then tilt the table to the right, make your adjustments, then move the table back. While it's not a huge black mark against this saw, it's inconvenient, and we know Delta can come up with a better way.

Still, this is an incredible machine, aggressive and graceful at the same time, and for resawing, it just can't be beat. Any serious woodworker as well as the professional would love having this saw in the shop.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste