Tips For Purchasing The Perfect Table Saw
Thinking of buying a brand-new table saw in the near future? Is it easier
stated than done isn’t it? There are a lot of details to concentrate on and so
little time. Plus, no person intends to enter the neighborhood home hardware
store and buy that is just not going to suffice.
This is a costly investment and one that ought to be made with care and precision. Here you can find tips to take into consideration when wanting to discover the picture-perfect product that is visiting last for a long period of time and deliver outcomes. Let’s take a look at these ideas as well as why they are necessary.
Precaution
There is nothing more vital compared to being safe while working with power
tools. You do want to be having to visit the local emergency clinic because the
blade reached flesh rather than the material that it was meant to be cutting.
This has actually happened on several events in the past and it is an essential
concentration of companies around the marketplace now. Among the attributes
that must be remembered is the creation of the flesh sensing units. Just what
does this do? It is created to aid stop the table saw after 0.01 seconds when
the flesh is reached. This could elevate the cost, however, it is worth it.
Horsepower
When it pertains to the efficiency of the actual saw in action, the horsepower
it is creating enters inquiry. There are many choices on the marketplace as
well as it depends upon why you are making the purchase. If you run a workshop,
it is probably very well to go with the ‘large boys’ that can be found in the
array of 3-5 horses power. While the smaller ones that are still effective come
in at 1-2 horsepower. The smaller sized ones occupy much less power and produce
much less of a kickback, however, they likewise could not cut things that are
truly thick.
Belts
There are a couple of various types of belts out there and every one has its
own attributes. It is suggested to choose the Poly-V belts considering that
they are more effective as well as secure in comparison to several of the
various other options. The various other choices include normal v belts or the
wedge belts that have been made use of with conventional table saws throughout
the years. These are still great, however, they do not have that extra factor
that is possessed by the Poly-V belts.
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Choosing The Best Table Saw for Your Needs”
Buying a table saw is one of the most important investment decisions a woodworker can make.
To be in the best position to make the right decision for your needs you need to be clear about what your options are. What should you look for in a table saw?
In this guide, we will outline different types and classes of table saws. You will get independent advice on choosing the type and model of table saw that will work out best for your particular needs.
Types of Table Saws
Almost all table saws are categorized under one of the following classifications:
- portable or “jobsite” saws
- contractor saws
- cabinet saws
- hybrid saws
If you’re intending to buy a new saw, you’ll need to know is what these classifications mean, and what you can expect to get from saws in each class.
Portable Table Saws
Portable table saws have been designed to make it easy for you to lift and move them around.
This is ideal for carpenters and others who spend a lot of time on site. Portable table saws still manage to perform the same basic functions as heavier and bigger table saws, but on a smaller scale. Instead of using a heavy induction motor found on saws in other classes, they are powered by a lightweight universal motor. This will leave them lacking the same ‘muscle’ and make them noisier.
Another concession to portability means that generally portable saws have an aluminium top, instead of cast iron. The aluminium top and lower torque universal motor aren’t problems but it means they are less durable and the saw will give more vibration and will feel less stable to operate.
The improvements made in recent years to “portable jobsite” saws have meant they have become better for woodworkers, and carpentry tasks. The Bosch 4100 Portable Saw pictured here, with a 15 amp universal motor and 25″ rip capacity provides plenty of muscle for the most common ripping jobs and a decent capacity for cutting sheet materials.
However, portable saws do lack enough real power to cut through ‘thick’ hardwoods and they are not suitably designed to provide the true accuracy that fine carpentry demands. Contractor, hybrid, and cabinet saws provide better choices and solutions for the professional woodworker and serious hobbyist, so now we’ll look at them in detail.
Contractor Table Saws
Contractor table saws were originally intended to be light enough to be transported from site to site. They have an open base and weigh in at around 250 – 350 lbs. They are usually priced within reach of the serious hobbyist’s pocket.
Contractor saws make concessions to affordability and portability. Because contractor saws generally have a solid cast iron table top, the extension wings will often be “open webbed” cast iron or stamped metal. The gearing, trunnions and arbor assembly of a contractor saw are less powerful than those found on more expensive saws. The contractor saw’s motor is situated off of the back of the saw, this makes the motor easier to disassemble for transporting. It is usually connected to the arbor assembly with just one v-belt.
Contractor saws are suitable for carpentry, small cabinetry projects, trim work, and basic furniture making. Many contractor saws now come with high quality fence systems. Using the best quality saw blade – and using blades designed for a specific type of cut – can enhance the performance of a contractor saw and bring it up to speed for many more advanced woodworking projects.
Cabinet Table Saws
Cabinet saws – named due to the fully enclosed “cabinet” style base. These saws represent the other end of the spectrum from the contractor table saw. They are designed to meet the performance and durability requirements of the professional woodworker/carpenter. Cabinet saws are more substantial and robust in their overall construction than contractor saws. They are built with more cast iron and steel, heavier and stronger trunnions, gearing, and arbor assemblies. They are equipped with more powerful huskier motors than contractor saws. This means the cabinet table saw is capable of cutting through the thickest hardwood stock with ease, all day long. There is very little wearing vibration on the saws alignment and settings or on the operator’s nerves.
A number of features set the cabinet saw apart.
1. The motor is enclosed inside
the cabinet base, making it a quieter saw, and
2. The fully enclosed base has the advantage of making dust collection easier.
3. The motor and arbor assembly are held in place with heavy-duty trunnions
that attach to the cabinet base (instead of the table) which makes bringing the
saw blade into alignment with the miter slot and fence much easier.
4. Cabinet saws are normally manufactured to more demanding standards than less
expensive saws, their
i. tables are flatter,
ii. bearings and pulleys heavier and more robust, and they’re
iii. equipped with a more reliable fence system.
A cabinet saw is a bigger investment than a contractor saw. Because cabinet saws use more powerful motors (3 -5 HP as opposed to 1 – 1 ¾ HP for contractor or hybrid saws) they use a 220 volt circuit for operation.
They aren’t portable, weighing upwards of 600 lbs. However even considering the greater expense, the electrical power requirements, and the hulk of the machine, cabinets saws are definitely the preferred saw for professional woodworkers/carpenters and serious hobbyists alike because of their superior performance.
Hybrid Table Saws
Recently manufacturers have recognized that there is a gulf in class between affordable contractor saws and professional cabinet saws. This has resulted in a new class of table saw. The “Hybrid” table saw captures some of the most valuable cabinet saw features at a price that’s still in range for the serious amateur.
Some hybrid saws have a more cabinet style base, others have a short enclosed base and legs. In both cases, the base is enclosed, housing the motor inside. Hybrid saws have more robust trunnions and arbor bearings and often have a better drive belt system and gearing than contractor saws. The trunnions of hybrid saws are often mounted to the base of the saw, which makes accurate alignment of the blade with the miter slot much easier.
In reality hybrid saws are a scaled down version of a cabinet saw. They are lighter in weight, and equipped with motors in the 1-1/2 – 1-3/4 HP range so that they can be used with standard 110 volt electricity. They’re not quite in the same class as larger cabinet saws, but hybrids are sturdy and solidly constructed and may offer many advantages for the serious amateur.
Choosing the Best Table Saw for Your Needs
The type of saw that will suit your needs best depends upon:
1. The type of woodworking you
do,
2. The amount of time you spend woodworking,
3. Your budget and,
4. Your working space and the kind of access you have to your working space
(for example, think twice before moving a full cabinet saw into a small
basement).
If you only spend minimal hours a week in your workshop, making small cabinets and craft-type projects, although a cabinet saw might be great to own, it’s more than you need. However, if you’re running a small professional workshop and you need a saw that can reliably run for hours on end, a low-end contractor saw will slow you down and you’ll be disappointed. As we’ve already touched on, hybrid saws offer flexible solutions for both serious amateur certain small-scale professional workshops. Jet offers a surprising breadth of advanced features in its affordable ProShop saw.
In addition to the type of saw you need
the individual features of the saw are equally important. Some more affordable
contractor saws offer some of the same features that you’d find on a
top-quality cabinet saw.
But remember that although saws in the cabinet saw class share particular
features such as a 3HP or bigger motor, trunnions that attach to the base and
weigh more – they aren’t all manufactured to the same quality. Look closely at
the quality of a saw’s components, including the quality of:
1. The fence system,
2. The mass and stance of the trunnions,
3. The grind and finish of the top and extension wings,
4. The features that make power transmission to the blade more efficient.
When you buy a table saw you are making a sizeable investment so it’s worth careful consideration. So read reviews, compare specs and features, look at the pros & cons.
Table Saws
| Type | Blade Diameter | Power | Weight | Key Benefits | Recommended Application |
| Portable Table Saws | 10″ | 3 – 15 amps | 40 – 100 lbs |
– Easily portable, compact, space-saving – Less expensive – Standard voltage for homes, shops and jobsites | Light- to medium-duty home and professional use |
| Contractor Table Saws | 10″ | 1 – 1¾ hp | 200 – 350 lbs |
– Can be transported to jobsites – Power, stability, cutting capacity and support for big work pieces – Durable, long-lasting performance | Medium – duty home and professional use |
| Cabinet Table Saws | 10″ or 12″ | 3 to 5 hp or more | 400 to 800 lbs |
– Durable, high-performance parts and design – Greatest cut capacity, stability and workpiece support – Cabinet contains dust, protects motor and muffles noise | Frequent and demanding professional and home use |
| Hybrid Table Saws | 10″ | 1 – 1¾ hp | 250 to 400 lbs |
– Durable, high-performance parts and design – Power, stability, cutting capacity and support for big work pieces – Durable, long-lasting performance | Medium- to heavy-duty home and professional use |
Features
Bevel Cut Capability: Usually table saws let you tilt the blade to the left for angled cuts. Some right-tilt models are also available to accommodate your personal preference. Look out for how easy it is to adjust and look for positive stops at the most common angles, to let you make fast and accurate bevel cuts.
Miter Gauge: This is a removable gauge for fast and accurate miter cuts and crosscuts. Consider one with positive stops at 45º and 90º. If a miter gauge isn’t included with your saw you can purchase one separately. Check the miter gauge slot on the saw table; it has to be perfectly parallel to the blade or your miter cuts will not be precisely accurate.
High-Quality Controls: Check for smooth and precise adjustment with a good durable design. Controls should be easy to access and comfortable to grip, especially if you use your table saw a lot.
Rip Fence: A rip fence guides cutting parallel to the edge of the work-piece. Take note that longer fences will offer better control. The rip fence should fit snugly, slide easily, lock in place solidly and always be absolutely parallel with the blade on every setting. It’s possible to buy rip fences separately if you need to replace or upgrade.
Splitter (Riving Knife): A splitter is an anti-kickback feature that automatically separates the wood once it’s been cut to prevent binding. Check for a splitter with an adjustable kerf that’s able to handle different blades and materials.
Anti-Kickback Pawls: Are jagged teeth that stop the work-piece kicking back at the operator. They must stay sharp and bite at the right angle.
Electric Brake: Stops the blade fast following each cut, improving handling safety and speeding up the next cut.
Magnetic Switch: Safety feature stopping a table saw starting up automatically following a power outage / blown fuse. This prevents the work-piece from shooting back out of the saw, which is particularly important for any high-powered models that can potentially blow a fuse.
Easy-Change Blade System: An easy-change system minimizes
downtime if blades have to be changed frequently..
Dado Blades: For making grooved cuts look for a table saw that accepts dado
blades. Many table saws will accept dado blades with a maximum width of 13/16
“.
Dust Port: Table saws of course create lots of sawdust but cabinet saws keep dust levels down. However on all table saws check for a dust port if you need to connect up to a dust collection system during cutting.
