Popular Woodworking 2009-08 № 177, страница 23

■ Tool Test ■

BY THE POPULAR WOODWORKING STAFF

The New Unisaw

Another great feature located front and centeris the bevel dial. Delta says the angle is correct withinone-quarterofadegree. We say it's never been so easy to set an accurate bevel cut. This isa big improvement.

Abigchange compared lo the older model is the add it ion of a rivi ng k ni Te. 11 you a re a woodworker who doesn't use the splitterand anti-kickback pawls on your saw because the setup is cumbersome - and certain jobs couldn't be completed with them in place -you will certainly enjoy the riving knife.

During our testing period, we found no reason lo remove this safety device. It's simple to lower the knife when making a non-through cut and it'sequallyeasy to reposition the knife to add the see-through blade guard and pawls. Any knife adjustment is done via a front handle.

The Riesemeyer fence is a new design, too. The handle locks down with an extra click to assure usersitis latched. When you lift the handle to release its hold, a magnet grabs the handle and holds it upright asyou make adjustments. Both of these changes are details, but add to the overall experience.

Our saw arrived in near-perfect adjustment. Fit and finish were first rate. There were no major changes to make and the

Delta ■ 000-223-7278

or dcltaportercable.com

Street pricc:

■ 3 horsepower with 52" fence" $3,000

■ 3 horsepower with 36" fence ■ $2,874

■ S horsepower with 52" fence" $3,199

For more information, go to pwlrcemfo.ccm.

assembly went as instructed.

Operating the saw is what you would expect from a top-tier machine. The saw is solid and does not shake during startup or while running. Cutsare simple lo make and easy to see. The accuracy and smoothnessof thecutarebetterlhanwilhtheoldermodel. However, lhe re is one area of concern.

I f you operate your cu rren t saw wit hout dusl collection (or if it's undersized), you'll have issues with this saw. Due to its blade shroud, the Unisaw requires dust collection above 650 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at the saw. To meet the requirement, you'll need at least a 1 horsepower collector or about 1,200 cfm. Without collection, a visible plume of dust exits from behind the blade.

Overall, the new Unisaw is a much better table saw. Afler six years of research, design and production Delta has re-invented and improved its flagship table saw.

—G/ercD. Huey

PHOlOSe* AL PAKfliSH

Delta re-invertts its flagship table saw with great success. Bravo.

I here's been so much written about Delta's newUnisawthat it'sdifficuli not to repeat the information forasecond orthirdtime, Bui many oflhe design changes are significant enough to point out once again.

The most noticeable changes are right up front. Both the height-adjustment and angle-bevel cranksare located on the front ofthe saw. The crescent opening on the older Unisaw that allowed the heighi-adj ust-menthandleto move as lhe bevel angle was changed is gone. Both cranks are fixed.

But l hal's not t he entire story. N ever have we operated a saw with adj uslmenls as easy lo tu rn as these. The mot ion is as smooth as good ice cream on a summer day. And when you lock the handles, they are locked tight. Also, there's no backlash in the setup.

Added strength. The insert plate's contin uous rim adds support, hutrequ/res that safety gear be pulled before the plate ran he removed.

28 ■ Popular Woodworking August 2009