A table saw is a cutting tool for the people who do constructional or woodwork. It is essential equipment used for cutting of different materials.
A table saw is a machine with versatile features of cutting. Every skilled worker can use it for the accuracy, precision and convenience in work.
For woodwork projects, a table saw is considered to be a King of tools. That’s why for chopping, trimming and sizing of different materials, it is the backbone of any workshop.
The tool can be used for various types of cuts and make joints. A table saw enjoys a high rank among other tools because of its design.
It consists of a wide table providing enough space to put large workpieces on the surface, and a circular blade in the middle which can be handled up and down. The larger blade can cut deeper.
How to Get the Most out of Your Table Saw Basic Tips For Beginners
With above mentioned pieces , we can primarily perform the following tasks:
- Make Straight Cuts
- Make Angle Cuts
- Joints
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Make Straight Cuts
As we have discussed before, the main function of a table saw is to make cuts like rip cuts and cross cuts which come in the category of straight cuts.
The cuts that are made along the length of a workpiece and wooden surface are known as rip cuts. While the cuts that are made along the width, at 90 degrees, are denoted as crosscuts.
For a rip cut, you usually need to have a rip fence for guidance. These cuts can also help the workers to make the crooked or curved boards straight.
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Make Angle Cuts
A woodworker can easily make angled cuts both along with width and length of the board with the help of a miter fence or a taper jig with rip fence.
These tools have angle scales which help them set accurate cutting angles. In some saw tables, there are the blades to tilt up to 45 degrees to the left or right, for making bevel cuts.
The worker needs to use his own way to measure angle because these saws do not have built-in measuring scales.
There is a digital gauge that provides the angle in the real time as we tilt.
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Joints
Some table saws consist of a groove on the table that can elevate the width of a dado blade.
This is the feature that can help the woodworker create different joints like dado, rabbet, finger, tongue- and groove, half-lap and mortise.
The Benefits Of A Table Saw
A table saw has many benefits for its users on worksites. Following are some of these benefits:
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Speed of work
The circular blade in the table saw that is attached to an electric motor accelerates the blade. It makes the saw capable of high revolutions per minute (RPM).
Such high speed allows us to cut through surfaces at much faster than that of other saws.
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Versatility
Table Saws are regarded as one of the most diverse in wood or timber cutting tools. It is the backbone of a workshop.
Having different applications and multidimensional features, it can produce accurate and smooth cuts.
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Easy going work
Table saw is an easy going machine with its exceptional power and speed. It can cut the solid materials with little resistance.
But for proper cutting and precise results precautionary measures and protective equipment are essential.
When To Use A Table Saw?
A table saw has multidimensional works to do. It is a powerful tool that enables us to cut the wood accurately and quickly.
It is indispensable for heavy duty and finishing work as we need it to cut long and wide pieces of wood easily. A table saw is used for the following tasks:
- Cutting boards for required size
- Making rip cuts
- Crown molding
- To straight the out crooked boards
Table saws are specified reasons to use which make them essential tools in woodworking sites. We can use them for several reasons:
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Accuracy And Precision
Precision is the hallmark of a table saw. A table saw is used for its perfection and accuracy in cutting , joining wood pieces that never go wrong.
Any professional woodworker would use it for its convenience .
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Simple And Easy Going Tool
A table saw is quite simple in use because we only have to plug it and start using by pressing the button.
For different types of working, we need to use different additional tools with it. After learning it properly, a worker may be able to handle a major project.
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Safety And Reliability
Safety is one of the main reasons for its wide range use. Precautionary measures are taken in every wood work and we have to take special steps for it like the use of glasses, hand gloves and ear plugs to secure fingers.
These measures can make us feel at ease during work and help us avoid injury.
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Cutting Of Large Wooden Board
By using a table saw, a wood worker can make different types of cuts easily like rip cuts or cross cuts etc.
But it requires different cutting equipment for different cuts.
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To Straight Wood Edges
A table saw is also used to straighten the old wooden boards by straightening its corners.
For this reason, it is considered as an excellent and helpful tool to turn the old into new.
It is also necessary to get smooth and well-furnished furniture.
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Cutting Other Materials
Having versatile structure, a table saw can be used for cutting of different materials like Styrofoam, Plastic, marble and Tile etc. They also use similar techniques for it.
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Joining Smaller Wood Pieces
Joining wood pieces is another good feature of a table saw. It helps in making shapes of materials into the required size and joins the wood pieces together.
It exclusively joins pieces together with dado joints.
What Are The Types Of Table Saw?
With their basic designs, table saws have a uniform composition. But they comprise different types with distinct features and benefits. Here we have some important types:
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Cabinet Table Saw
To cut the wood at a fixed location, the cabinet saw is the best choice. Most of the professional and heavy duty workers use this machine as it is engineered for such kind of work.
It consumes a quite high power that is why probably it is the most expensive. It is more powerful than the contractor table saws and upgraded.
It is designed to perform robust operations and offers durability. It is usually made of iron or steel so that it may be used for a longer time.
This machine is regarded as long lasting and reliable among others. After doing specific adjustments to get high level accuracy and precision out of it.
Being every woodworker’s dream, it is used in every workshop for making large pieces of furniture.
The only drawback of a cabinet saw is its size and weight which is 600 lbs. because of which it is not easily portable.
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Contractor Table Saw
Contractor table saws are being used for the longest time by woodworkers for heavy duty cycles.
It is considered to be less heavy and more economical than cabinet saws. It seems like a portable machine to see at first.
Some models of a contractor saw use wheels for easy transportation. With the advancements, its weight has also been increased.
That’s why it’s difficult to call it a portable machine. Now it weighs two hundred to three hundred pounds.
It is classified as stationary and a worker has to install it at a workshop or take it to the construction site for any project.
The contractor saw consists of a solid iron table top which guarantees its long life. It also has a motor that hangs off from the rear of the saw.
This saw, with higher rip capacity, has the ability to cut through larger and thicker materials.
The contractor saw is used in small cabinetry projects, carpentry works and construction.
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Hybrid Table Saw
This is a new emerging saw in the market with latest innovations. Having features of contractor and cabinet saws, it provides a bridge between contractor and cabinet saws.
Its motor size is the same as a cabinet saw but it has an enclosed cabinet for dust collection.
It is usually heavier than the contractor models but lighter than cabinet saw.
It is important to note that it has an in board belt driven motor and outboard hinged motor. This belt system is advanced with a gearing system.
A Hybrid table saw has a power of two horsepower motor. It is quite versatile in its features and functions that are useful for professional woodworkers.
The fences and larger rip capacity make it favorite for professional users and make them feel at ease while using it.
It is also used in constructions, heavy duty cycles and residential projects.
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Benchtop Table Saw
It is the smallest , lightweight and a portable saw in the market. This is an ideal model for an enthusiastic DIYer. It consists of strands attached to it.
The worker needs to have his own table and working surface which can be a bench or log. It has a direct-drive universal motor that runs at 1.5 to 2 horsepower.
There is a blade in it that matches the size of the motor. A benchtop table saw is suitable for small projects. Most of its models on average weigh about 50 lbs.
It doesn’t have a stand so it needs to be handled carefully at any surface level as one uses it. This saw has lowest rip capacity and is suitable for only cutting softwoods and light duty tasks.
It is used for quality furniture. It is great for first-timers who are beginners in wood cutting.
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Portable And Jobsite Table Saw
The name of this saw suggests its functional and features as it is designed as portable and useful for job sites. The professional with regular work can use it easily.
It has a strong structure and solid look that ensures durability and reliability. These features enable it to work at the job sites.
This saw has more updated features than the benchtop saw. It proves better for the beginners who can easily fold and use its wheel for easy movement.
It has a sturdy fence that helps the workers to produce cleaner and more accurate cuts. on the whole it is better saw than the benchtop.
A portable and job site saw has a longer rip fence, riving cutters, dirt collection ports and push sticks.
All these features make it superior or preferable to its counterparts.
It’s suitable and beneficial for house construction, making cabinets and quality furniture.
Final Verdict
All in all, table saws are very versatile tools. Even though their main task is making straight cuts, after some time in use, you will discover their value in your workshop as the true workhorse.
For versatile, multi-dimensional usage and the easy way of working, it is outstanding to use. So use it for perfection. The truth is, there is a table saw to meet everyone’s needs.
While deciding which type to choose, there are several things that you have to consider. For starters, understand your level of experience and expertise.
Another important thing is what you intend to do with the table saw. After all this, it will be easy to get a table saw that perfectly fit your needs.
You can see that a table saw is used for woodworking primarily. However, the size you choose determines the kind of work you can use it for when working.
Also, you’d need to know the aftermarket costs of each one and see how you can maximize your expenses when buying any of them.
This is definitely a great piece that you can use to make the right purchase.