Selecting your first table saw can be very frustrating due to the huge selection available to the consumer today. Table Saws come in all shapes, sizes and are designed for a variety of applications. Buying your first table saw can be a nail biting experience, with a few tips, anyone can choose a table saw that will give them many years of reliable service.
Here are some tips on choosing your first table saw.
Fence: The fence is the sliding component of the table saw. The fence is used when you feed the wood onto the table and into the saw. The quality of the fence will factor in on the final cost of the table saw. The better quality of the fence that comes with the saw, the higher the price. Most contractor saws have fair quality fences, but not all. For normal applications, a fair quality fence will be more than enough for most applications and certainly good enough for the occasional user. Average quality fences are okay for beginners and weekend handy men, but will lack the quality that a cabinet maker needs. You have plenty of choices in third party fences so don't loose sleep if your saw comes with an average fence.
Tilt: Most saws tilt for precision cutting. Table saws tilt right or left. Many years ago, table saws only came with a right tilt with the exception of some professional cabinet models. These days, you can get right or left tilting table saws. Right tilts are easier cutting precision angles and preferred by many. Right tilt saws are the most popular and come with more accessories than left tilt table saws.
Miter gauge: Table saws come with something called mitre gauges. There are two slots that are machined into the cast iron tabletop where the mitre gauge is inserted. This is where you guide the wood. Just as with the the tabletop, the mitre gauge that comes with the saw are of average quality. You can buy better mitre gauges than what come with the table saw. Try inserting the mitre gauge into the slots and check to see how snug they fit. Do not choose one with a loose fit. You want one that fits snug.
Size Matters: The most common table saw motor is either a 1 1/2 or 2 horsepower motor in the contractors models. The professional cabinet saws use a 3 to 5 horsepowered motor. For most applications, the 1 1/2 or 2 horsepower motor on the contractor saw has enough power for any cutting application. Just remember to take it slow and easy and let the saw blade do the cutting.
Saw blade: 10 inch blade models are the most popular, however, many of the most expensive cabinet saws have a 12-inch blade. The type of blade is more important than the size. Table saw blades come in a variety shape and types. Combination blades are the most popular and the ones you should use until you become more experienced in the operation of the table saw with different types of wood and cuts. It's very important that you keep your blades clean and replace or sharpen them when dull.
Tabletop: The tabletop is the most component part of the saw. You'll find a wide difference of quality among tabletops. Don't scrimp on the table top, it pays to buy a high quality tabletop. Make sure the tabletop is as flat as possible if you want trouble free operation. Not all tabletops are flat and the ones that aren't make it difficult to make precision cuts. You can reduce your chances of future problems by going with a tabletop from a reputable table saw manufacturer.
With these tips, a consumer should be more than able to choose the correct table saw for nearly any application you can think of. Just be sure to study the owners manual and any related documentation that comes with your new table saw.
Related Articles
Get Great Ideas For A Home Makeover From TV Home Improvement Shows
By: Gregg Hall | 14/07/2006 | Home and Family
Now that we have satellite or DISH TV, with hundreds of channels there is virtually limitless information available on almost any subject matter and home improvement TV shows are no exception with many different styles of passing on their information. Some are actual arts and crafts type channels and some are total home improvement make over shows.
Choose Laminate Flooring For The Elegant Beauty Of Hardwood Without The Price
By: Gregg Hall | 14/07/2006 | Home and Family
There's no doubt about it, the traditional look of beautiful hardwood floors is timeless and its luxurious beauty has given a sense of comfort and elegance to homes around the world for generations, but hardwood floors are expensive, not very hard-wearing and need a good bit of regular maintenance.
Cordless Tools Give You Convinience
By: Linden J. Walhard | 11/04/2007 | Home Improvement
There are many things in your house that you need to fix when you own it. You might have just moved out of a flat into your own house and will need to do some home improvement chores around the house. When you want to do any kind...
Proper Planning For The Bathroom Of Your Dreams
By: Gregg Hall | 14/07/2006 | Home and Family
Remodeling a bathroom is a very trendy project in the home improvement world for homeowners of all ages. It can range from simply painting and replacing countertops to doing a complete bathroom makeover project like you would see on HGTV tearing out the floors, cabinets, tubs, and sinks and starting over new.
Discount Power Tools Have Made The Most Tedious And Arduos Tasks As Simple As Flicking A Switch!
By: Kalwant Rana | 16/04/2007 | Home Improvement
Think of your old saw, cutting was tedious, right? And now discount power tools come with a motor. The addition of the motor reduces the work you have to do, and even make it possible for you to do things that are difficult or impossible to do by hand.
General...
How To Find Quality Home Improvement Products That Won't Break Your Budget
By: Gregg Hall | 14/07/2006 | Home and Family
When you are considering any kind of home improvement project one of the most important considerations is the cost of the products you are using. Even though they can be purchased virtually anywhere, as with anything the prices can vary greatly.
Benefits of Using Air Tools
By: Chris Nicholas | 01/05/2007 | Automotive
Benefits of using Air Tools that will save you time and money. What you can do to finish projects in half the time with half the effort.
Power Tools Vs. Hand Tools
By: Chris Nicholas | 01/05/2007 | Home Improvement
Explains how using power tools enables you to finish the job in half the time with half the effort compared to using hand tools and how power tool technologies have made cordless power tool batteries with 2 times more capacity for longer use.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Labeling school computors
By: oleary361 | 16-08-2008
What type of tool can i use to label computers?
Bad wiring/receptacles
By: caretaker | 16-08-2008
I have an old house{1949}wiring cloth wrapped wires.Itook out a pull switch from ceiling light.Now some wall receptacles don't work.Going to replace them{receptales} wires are the same old color cloth wrapped. And even a wall light switch quit working. All on the same end of the room?
I'm Looking for imfromation about making stone ...
By: Paul Giblin | 15-08-2008
I'm Looking for imfromation about making stone tools and arrow points ? how would some one start too make tools?
Standing seam roof leak
By: csr | 15-08-2008
Standing seam roof leaks around the waste vent pipe which was just sealed with silcone by the installer...no boot was used over the vent pipe, just silcone... need some help here
1. What is the Difference between project ...
By: Muhammad Suleiman abdulkadir | 15-08-2008
1. What is the Difference between project management and construction project management. 2. Which of project management and construction project management is more marketable or has larger boundries?
How much insulation should there be in an unfinished attic
By: Barbara | 14-08-2008
Our home was built in 1964 and I do not think we have enough insulation in our attic. We have some there but I am not sure how deep the insulation should be.
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Home Improvement Articles
Choosing a Kitchen Worktop
By: Dominic Bulstrode | 05/09/2008
Once you've chosen your kitchen layout and cabinets, the next thing on the list is choosing worktops. There is a vast choice of worktops available - different colours and different materials. Your choice may depend on your budget, but choose the most practical work top you can afford because work...
The 5 Fatal Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Designer Kitchen
By: Dominic Bulstrode | 05/09/2008
Planning a new kitchen is an exciting project. The kitchen is the most important room in the house and needs to fulfil many functions. Here are some typical functions of a kitchen:-
A food preparation area.
A cooking area.
Washing up area.
Eating area.
The heart of a party - All parties seem to end...
Soft Options And Fitting Solutions
By: Karl Hopkins | 05/09/2008
Furnishings can make or break the appeal of rented accommodation - and have a bearing on rent. But as well as style and durability, landlords have to think about safety and other regulations.
Popular Brands of Dining Sets
By: David H. Urmann | 05/09/2008
Purchasing the right dining sets requires careful research and proper comparisons. This can help save time and money as well as provide you with the most appropriate dining sets for your purposes.
There are hundreds of dining sets in the market. There are a lot of factors you need to consider...
Five Home Improvements You Should Make Before Selling Your Home
By: Art Gib | 05/09/2008
Before you sell real estate, you should consider doing some minor home improvements. Here are five home improvements you can make for relatively low cost that will help you sell your home faster and for a higher price.
Choosing a Real Wooden Kitchen
By: Dominic Bulstrode | 05/09/2008
Wood is a great material for kitchen cabinets because it is timeless and doesn't go out of fashion. Remember those 1970s bright orange kitchens and mushroom or turquoise bathrooms that everybody spends money on ripping out and replacing when they move into a house? Well, you don't want a kitchen...
Choosing a Designer Kitchen Sink
By: Dominic Bulstrode | 05/09/2008
When you are planning a new kitchen, you need to remember to budget for a sink and taps. It's very easy to forget these fittings but the sink and taps are an important part of your kitchen, especially if you don't have a dishwasher.
When you are considering the location of...
How to Design Your Dream Kitchen
By: Dominic Bulstrode | 05/09/2008
You've got your eye on that luxury wooden kitchen and you've got savings set aside, but you don't know where to start with planning your new kitchen. You hate your present kitchen and know that you need a different layout but what? It is important to plan a kitchen carefully...
Home Improvement 
