Larry and Ted:
I like what I see about the Hammer, but the price with a helical cutter is more than I can justify. Buying used is not much of an option for me, because in Vermont (where my shop is) I have seldom seen good used higher-end machinery (except for the occasional Unisaw ) on the market. If the Jet seems like a good machine, it will be big enough for my needs. Grizzly makes one of that size, but from the videos I have seen, I don't like the way it converts as much as I like the Jet.
Maybe I should explain the upgrade program; it starts with the table saw. I currently have a TS3650 equipped with the Incra fence system and a Bench Dog cast iron router table in place of the left table on the saw. When I installed the fence , I chose not to split the rear rail, and so I cannot use the TS3650 blade guard. I use micro splitters, grippers, and adrenalin when I'm ripping boards. That's what is pushing me to the Sawstop.
I want to keep the Incra fence. If I could mount it on the Sawstop contractor saw without the rear rail interfering with the blade tilting, I could use the Bench Dog router table on the Sawstop, but since I'm assuming that this will be the last saw I buy, I'm leaning toward the cabinet saw for the stability, ease of alignment and better dust collection. That would mean a separate new router table and an Incra positioner, but I could handle that. The trouble is, I'd be getting crowded if I added another piece on the floor.
My shop is in the basement, and not very big. In addition to the table saw, I have a Makita SCM saw on a Ridgid tool cart, a 14" PM bandsaw, a DW734 planer on a roll around cabinet, and a Ridgid 6" jointer. A shop made assembly/outfeed table takes up the remaining open floor space. Drill press and belt/spindle sander are bench top units. No mortiser; I use Dowelmax, MortisePal and Beadlock jigs for that.
The jointer is too small; the planer is OK, but on both of them I have had tearout problems with figured maple, which I can get from a local source, and love to work with.
So that's where I am, and why. I think I should be able to sell the saw and the other tools easily enough if I price them reasonably; they're all in good condition. We'll see.
Tony