Woodworker's Journal 2006-30-5, страница 57

Cabinet Saws:

Heavy-duty gearing for blade tilt and for raising and lowering the blade

Trunnions (and gearing) mounted to cabinet

Large, well-made adjustment wheels

Large, substantial trunnions

Every feature of this cabinet saw is certifiably heavy-duty. Made for professional shops, they're increasingly popular with home woodworkers.

If I look at it rationally, I know that there is little that the cabinet saw can do that I cannot do sufficiently well on one of the less substantial table saws. But in tough tasks that challenge smaller saws, the cabinet saw breezes through without even breaking a sweat.

Power and durability are the key factors that cabinet saws deliver over and above the other table saws under discussion here. In every detail, with the possible exception of the fence systems, cabinet saws are bigger, stronger and, in general, better built.

Motors that range from 3HP to 5HP (and larger) are common on cabinet saws. These saws are designed to run all day, every day.

Cabinet saws are the true "power brokers" of the home-shop table saw market.

bearings. They have more powerful motors (requiring 220-volt circuits for 3HP and larger motors), often with three belts driving the arbor. Their weight is considerable. They are, in general, machined to more exacting standards. All this costs more money to produce — it's as simple as that. But the additional heft and substance mean that they will also last almost forever. When I started serious woodworking in the 1970s, I used a Unisaw that was built in the 1940s ... and it never missed a beat.

Prices for these big-boys range from just under $1,000 (Grizzly's G1023S) to well over $2,100 (Powermatic's PM2000). Within each category of saw, you get what you pay for.

Cabinet Saw Lowdown

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More saw than the average woodworker needs, but not more that they can make use of. Here are some common cabinet saw features:

0 Fences and miter gauges that are of good quality 0 Large, flat, cast-iron tables 0 Low vibration due to solid construction 0 Exceptional durability

0 Powerful motors (won't run on 120-volt common household current) 0 Price range: $1,000 to $2,100 plus — some much more

Powermatic PM2000 Cabinet Saw

57 October 2006 Woodivorker's Journal

Precise, powerful and pricey

Motor: 3HP and larger, 220-volt

Motor enclosed in cabinet

These saws are designed for professionals but are well-loved by all woodworkers. Cabinet saws have more cast iron and steel, bigger pulleys, gears and more robust

The classic cabinet saw is the quintessential woodworking power tool to my way of thinking. I want a Delta Unisaw or a Powermatic 66 in my shop in the same way I want a mint, early-model Thunderbird or a full-sized 4x4 pickup truck with the off-road package.

More efficient drive (often 3 belts) to saw