Table Saw

Introduction

A table saw is a woodworking tool that consists of a circular blade that protrudes through the top of a table. It is a potential woodworking element that helps in hooking up different accessories. The table saw is used in multi-purpose. The circular blade provides support for the material, usually wood, being cut In various workshops and industries, these equipment are widely used.

Types of Table Saw

There are different types of table saw. Like benchtop table saw, cabinet table saw, hybrid table saw, jobsite table saw, contractor table saw, sliding table saw, etc. A short briefing of these table saws is given below.

Benchtop Table Saw: The benchtop table saws are lightweight. These are designed to be placed on a table or other support for the operation. These table saws have no stand attached. Without stands, these table saws are easy to use since they only weigh 40 to 50 pounds. This type of saw is most often used by homeowners and DIYers. These saws are used for small crafts, furniture, like coffee tables, chairs, etc, light construction, such as a doghouse.

Cabinet Table Saw: Cabinet table saws are heavy that use large amounts of cast iron and steel, to minimize vibration and increase accuracy. These table saws are characterized by having an enclosed base. Cabinet table saws usually have induction motors in the 3 HP to 5 HP i.e. 2.24 kW to 3.73 kW range, single phase. But the motors in the 5 HP to 7.5 HP i.e. 3.73 kW to 5.22 kW range, three-phase. These table saws have an easily replaceable insert around the blade in the tabletop allowing the use of zero-clearance inserts, which greatly reduce tear-out on the bottom of the workpiece. If you want you can check the cabinet table saw reviews here.

Hybrid Table Saw: Hybrid table saws are a cross between contractor saws and cabinet saws. These table saws are designed to compete in the market with high-end contractor table saws. Hybrid table saws are made for professional contractors but these table saws can also be used by aspiring homeowners. These table saws are the most functional at the best price. Hybrid table saws have more power and a larger table surface to allow for even more significant cuts than a contractor saw can handle. These table saws are used for many reasons. Like home jobs, carpentry, construction, heavier-duty and larger pieces of wood, etc.

Jobsite Table Saw: Jobsite table saws are designed for professionals who will use them daily. These table saws are slightly larger than benchtop models and usually are placed on a folding or stationary stand during operation. These table saws are durable and made to withstand hard use on the job. Jobsite table saws are heavy enough that they usually have stands that fold up and wheels to help move them around. They come with things like riving knives and collection ports packaged in them as standard items. These table saws make better quality cuts. Jobsite table saws are used for small jobs, making cabinets, house construction, making quality furniture, etc.

Contractor Table Saw: Contractor table saw are designed for professional work that requires heavy use on a daily basis. These table saws are made to be smaller and more economical than cabinet saws are. They are heavier, larger saws that are attached to a stand or base, often with wheels. Contractor table saws have bigger motors and larger belts that make them weigh up to 300 pounds, so they’re definitely made to stay in one place. These table saws used for carpentry, construction, etc.

Sliding Table Saw: Sliding table saw is also know as European cabinet table saw. It is a variation on the traditional cabinet table saw. These table saws have a sliding table on the left side of the blade, usually attached to a folding arm-mounted under the table, that is used for cross-cutting and ripping larger materials. They are the largest type of table saw and are mostly used by large production cabinet shops. Most sliding table saws use 3-5, or even 7hp three-phase induction motors. Sliding table saws are generally used to cut large panels and sheet goods, such as plywood or MDF.

Table Saw Safety

Table saws are very useful equipment for any wood-workshops. But table saws are dangerous too, because the operator holds the material being cut, instead of the saw, making it easy to accidentally move hands into the spinning blade. So the table saw safety is necessary to avoid any sensitive accidents close to the sensory deficits. That is why one should know the table saw safety rules against possible injuries before he starts working with a table saw. The table saw safety tips are given below.

• Reading the manual
• Wearing safety equipment’s as needed.
• Let the saw smoothly run.
• Keeping the saw blade sharp.
• Keeping your working area clean.
• Keeping a feather board.
• Allow push sticks

 

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Table Saw Accessories

Rip Fence: Table saws commonly have a fence also known as rip fence that runs from the front of the table to the back, parallel to the cutting plane of the blade. The fence distance from the blade can be adjusted, which determines where on the workpiece the cut is made.

Sub Fence: Sub fence is a piece of wood clamped to the rip fence that allows a dado set to cut into the rip fence, allowing rabbet cuts with a dado blade.

Featherboard: Featherboards are mainly used to keep wood against the rip fence.

Miter Gauge: The table has one or two slots that run from front to back. They also parallel to the cutting plane of the blade. These miter slots are used to position and guide either a miter gauge which is also known as a crosscut fence or crosscut sled. It is set at 90 degrees to the plane of the blade's cut, to cause the cut made in the workpiece to be made at a right angle.

Crosscut sled: A crosscut sled is normally guided by a runner fastened under it that slides in a miter slot. It is generally used to hold the workpiece at a fixed 90-degree angle to the blade, allowing precise repeatable cuts at the most commonly used angle.

Splitter: A splitter also known as a riving knife is a vertical projection located behind the saw blade which can be a pin or a fin.