Buying a table saw

A place to hang out, chat and post general discussion topics. (Non-technical posts here)
User avatar
Casey
Wizened and wise in the old ways
Posts: 722
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 5:34 pm
Location: Eastern WV
Contact:

Re: Buying a table saw

Post by Casey »

If you have 240v available, all the better. Even the 1 1/2hp saws can be wired to run happier and cooler on 240.
If you have 3 phase, a 5hp unisaw or Powermatic is a thing to behold.
The belt-drive saws by Jet or Grizzly or whichever is being sold at Woodcraft are fine for the homeowner.
Try to find a woodworker to show you the ins and outs of tablesaw safety.
Casey
The artist formerly known as Sombreuil

phil
Has many leather bound books
Posts: 4616
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 6:11 pm
Location: Near Vancouver BC

Re: Buying a table saw

Post by phil »

if you have a long run from the source you can use lighter wire with 220 than 110.

Try to get a single phase saw. If you buy a three phase saw you can use an invertor like this
http://www.tecowestinghouse.ca/controls/drives/fm50/

and then you also may need to change the contactor , start stop box. larger than about 1 HP and you have a contactor turning the motor on and off and start and stop buttons.. there is also something called a motor overload that protects the motor if you get the blade stuck.

under 1 HP and it might just have a light switch basically those motors might have a reset button on the motor. this is dangerous if the motor happens to be one that can reset itself. they can start again with no other interaction and that can surprise people.

if it's 220 the plug and socket is a hundred bucks plus he might not be able to plug in just anywhere. It won't increase the power of the saw. either is ok in my opinion, for Vala. Usually you can just swap jumpers to change it this is very minor. the motor plate will specify if it is dual voltage. installing a 220 outlet could be unnecessary expense depending on his needs.

little saws , under 1 HP like the little craftsman or delta home use saws usually have a motor hanging off the back . the motors inherently jump around because the belt tension changes. Its not a great system but it's ok. but it's easy to swap those little motors as they usually use a standard motor mounting.

better saws have the motor mounted down under the blade and it moves up and down or tilts with the blade and this much more stable, they will usually have more than one belt. with these motors they are usually specific to the maker with regards to the motor mounting so a bit harder to swap motors to change from three phase to single phase by switching motors.

if he gets a good deal on a three phase saw he can do it but there is the added cost of conversion to using the phase invertor. - or there is something called a rotary phase convertor that can be used, which is like a motor driving a generator and you can convert single to three phase with that too.

I'd look for a used single phase unisaw. but dont turn down other commercial cabinet saws if the price is right. Little contractor saws come with little wimpy fences and aren't accurate, they are better than using a circular saw and a board as a guide. a track saw might be another option.


if the fence is of the type that locks both front and back I wouldn't buy it. look for one with a more modern fence, it will have a piece of 2" x 3" square tubing that the fence runs on. this style is much less problematic.

the square of the fence is important not only for the accuracy of your work but also for safety. if you have "toe in" between the fence and blade then as you feed the stock it binds on the blade , this can cause kickbacks. fences that dont move easily and lock squarely every time are frustrating and dangerous.

arwenmark
Knows the back streets
Posts: 94
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 4:17 pm
Location: Weirton WV

Re: Buying a table saw

Post by arwenmark »

Just in case you or anyone else needs a good but cheap table saw.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-15-Amp- ... w/50056619

I have had this one for about a year and have been very happy with it. Obviously not in the same class as some of those mentioned but it has been very good.

Post Reply