Popular Woodworking 2007-08 № 163, страница 46
the machine on a mobile base. The PM2000 has a unique solution that allows the table saw to sit on its cast base until it is j acked up on its internal wheels. Table Saw Types: Contractor Saws and European Site Saws Contractor's saws were originally developed for the housing boom after WWII for building contractors. The motor was put on the outside of the saw with quick-release holders so it could be removed for easier transport. This table saw was never intended to be used inside a woodshop where an open back and bottom and a motor extended to the rear are not necessarily desirable features. In Europe there is a saw for the construction jobsite called a site saw of all things. Typically it has at least a 12" blade that doesn't tilt. Primarily designed for ripping, it has a stand, usually with foldable legs and a foldable outfeed table. Because it is intended for outside use, the saw is not required to have dust collection. The saw assembly is enclosed below the table and there is a chute for the sawdust below the table. Cabinet-style Table Saws European and U.S. cabinet saws both have a large cast iron top mounted on a steel cabinet-style base. The U.S. style has been pretty much based on a Delta Unisaw design which dates back to 1939. Generally there is a difference in the way that the saw assemblies work. Both the U.S. and Europe an assemblies are mounted to trunnions at the front and back of the cabinet; these allow for tilting. For adjusting blade height, U.S. saws incorporate an arbor assembly that swings up Tighten up. Stock European throat plates are much narrower than those on U.S. saws, providing more support around the blade. in an arc independent of the carriage assembly. On the majority of European saws, the whole assembly travels vertically and tilts. I don't see any particular advantage either way except there is less complication for the manufacturer when designing a riving-knife assembly on the European saw. Right Tilt, Left Tilt An ideal table saw would allow the user to choose either a right-tilting or a left-tilting blade position. However, since this situation exists only in a limited market the questions you might have are: "Which is better?" and "Does it make a difference?" Many U.S. saws have moved to having a left-tilting blade while the typical European saw has a right-tilting blade. As a rule, you will be safer and will get cleaner bevel cuts by tilting the blade away from the workpiece being cut. When ripping bevels it is better to have the blade tilt to the left because the fence is on the right. With a miter slot on either side of the blade on U.S. saws, the user has the option of using whichever slot is appropriate for blade tilt when crosscutting bevels. Because European saws have a sliding table affixed to the left side of the saw, having a right tilting blades works best for crosscutting bevels. Other than when making bevel cuts, the blade tilt is not particularly significant. (The two contradictions are the DeWalt 746 and the Jet Supersaw which, when outfitted with a sliding table to the left of the blade, still have a left-tilting blade.) Cost Differences European table saws are generally more expensive than U.S. saws, depending on the number of features or additions on the saw. European saws have many desirable built-in features that woodworkers later add to their U.S. saws to improve them, including sliding tables, Sources Felder 866-792-5288 or felderusa.com ■ Hammer ■ Format 4 Grizzly 570-546-9663 or grizzly.com Laguna Tools 800-234-1976 or lagunatools.com MiniMax 866-975-9663 or minimax-usa.com Rojek 800-787-6747 or rojekusa.com improved guarding and superior dust collection to name a few. Once you factor in these extra features, the price difference between European- and U.S.-style saws is reduced, and the European saws look more competitive. For me, after spending lots of money on aftermarket accessories and time building shop jigs for the table saw the price differences did not seem so substantial. Additionally, the increased accuracy and safety of the European saws outweighed the initial cost and have ended up paying worthy dividends. Your budget, frequency of table-saw use, purposes for which you use the saw, and your expectations about the performance of the machine are all factors that weigh into your decision about which table saw to use. Fortunately for you, finding and using a table saw that suits your needs and purposes is very possible in both the U.S .-style saw market or the Euro-style saw market. Hopefully this article has provided you with some information that will enable you to make an active and informed choice so that you will be a safe and effective using the table saw of your choice. PW Kelly is the owner of the Kelly Mehler's School of Woodworking and author of "The Table Saw Book" (Taunton). Working together. The right-tilting blade tips away from the operator when crosscutting and prevents the blade from cutting into the crosscutting fence. popularwoodworking.com ■ 55 |
