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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 23 2007, 10:32 PM EDT (current) | rjhoffmann | 314 words added |
| Aug 23 2007, 10:31 PM EDT | rjhoffmann |
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The table saw is one of the basic woodworking tools in any shop environment. It can easily make rip and crosscut cuts in wood by sliding the wood past the blade. The wood is supported be either the fence for rip cuts or a miter gauge for crosscuts. There are different types of table saws – direct drive, contractor, hybrid, cabinet and true sliders. Th table below lists the characteristics and differences between the types.
A few of the common accessories that are a crosscut sled (not needed for a table saw that has a sliding table), a tennon jig, an aftermarket splitter, upgraded fence, upgraded miter gauge and a sliding table.
| Type | distinguishing feature | duty cycle | Advantages | disadvantages |
| direct drive | universal motor, blade mounted on motor shaft | not for continuous use | least expensive, can be portable | comes with weak fence and miter gauge, may be underpowered with a 1/8” blade |
| contractor | motor behind saw, belt (s) to saw blade arbor, blade alignment by adjusting trunions | use up to 1 ½ HP motors | less expensive with cabinet saw style accuracy | harder to provide good dust control, more difficult blade alignment |
| hybrid | induction motor mounted in saw, blade alignment by adjusting trunions | roughly equivalent to contractor type | provides good dust control | |
| cabinet | induction motor, multiple or wide belt to blade arbor, motor mounted within cabinet, blade alignment by top adjustment (trunions mounted to cabinet) | usually 3+ HP, continuous duty production machines | provides good dust control, heavy duty production machine, should hold and maintain accuracy | should be run with 220V |
| true slider | cabinet style saw with a sliding mechanism to hole wood that rides next to the blade – sliding attachments mount next to table, with 6-10” space to blade | production capable | sliding table provides the most accurate and safe crosscuts, usually comes with a riving knife | expensive, may have a different size arbor then 5/8” |
A few of the common accessories that are a crosscut sled (not needed for a table saw that has a sliding table), a tennon jig, an aftermarket splitter, upgraded fence, upgraded miter gauge and a sliding table.
