Popular Woodworking 2001-10 № 124, страница 56

tablesaws

Almost every woodworker needs a table saw; here's how to choose the right one for your shop.

Delta Manufacturing makes a $170 table saw, a $1,600 model and dozens more in between. Which one is best for woodworking? That's one of the most common questions we field here at the magazine.

Table saws come in basically three styles. Benchtop models cost between $100 and $530. Contractor saws cost between $300 and $900. And cabinet saws cost $800 to $2,000 or more. All cut wood. The bigger price tag buys you more power, better accuracy and more weight (a good thing for many table saw users). We've talked to hundreds of woodworkers over the years, and it's fair to say the No. 1 mistake they make when buying this machine is they skimp and quickly outgrow that saw. So tell your spouse that we said, "Plan for the future."

Benchtop Saws

It's tempting when you start wood

working to buy a $200 benchtop saw and then plan to upgrade later. For the most people, this is a $200 mistake.

Basic benchtop saws just don't have the accuracy you need for most woodworking. Benchtops are designed for job-site carpenters who value portability. The saws' rip fences are less adjustable and accurate than those on even bare-bones contractor saws, and there's almost no way to later upgrade your fence. Plus, these saws have little resale value.

All benchtop saws are powered by universal motors, which are noisy and less reliable than the induction motors on contractor and cabinet saws. Because the motors are bolted to the underside of the table saw's top, the motor and blade are more likely to flex than in a contractor or cabinet saw, which has massive cast iron trunnions instead.

The only reason to buy a bench-

SHOPPING GUIDELINES

for table saws

• The most common mistake is to buy a smaller or less powerful saw than you need. You'll save money in the long run if you choose correctly the first time.

• Front-locking fences are easier to adjust and generally more accurate than fences that lock at both the front and back.

• Make sure your saw can lock in the height of the blade — especially in benchtops.

• Check how smoothly the controls work on several saws to see what works for you.

• Solid cast wings are preferable over stamped steel or open-style cast wings.

• More weight is a good thing in a contractor saw and cabinet saw. Weight reduces vibration.

The contractor-style saw is the workhorse of many home workshops

10 Popular Woodworking October 2001

top saw today is if you absolutely don't have the space for a contractor or cabinet saw. And while the top-of-the-line benchtop saws get better every year, they are as expensive as entry-level contractor

Contractor Saws

We recommend entry-level woodworkers buy a low-price contractor saw when they begin their hobby. The fence is more accurate, the motor is quiet, reliable and powerful, and you can upgrade your saw with dozens of accessories.

Most contractor saws (priced between $300 and $900) are powered by a 1¹/2 hp induction motor that hangs outside the rear of the machine on a belt and pulleys (a few are direct drive). You'll find this motor is sufficient for most woodworking and should last longer than you do. Almost all of these motors can easily be rewired to run on 220-volt power, which can improve the performance and longevity of your motor. Check the information plate or spec sheet on the saw and make sure it's "TEFC," which means it's a totally enclosed fan-cooled motor — a good thing in a dusty shop.

The first upgrade you should make to your saw is to replace the standard belt. You'll greatly reduce vibration by switching to a link belt, sometimes called a Powertwist belt. Then replace the standard throat insert with a zero-clearance insert. You can buy one or make it yourself. This will reduce tear-out, improve dust collection and increase safety.

Another worthwhile improvement is to buy cast iron extension