When you are going to buy a table saw, you should consider many important things. Because all affect, the table saw performance. Plenty of table saws are available in the market with different specifications. Among them how to select the best table saw for your task. In this guide, I will explain to you in detail when you choose a table saw for your job. So let’s start from the beginning.
First, you should identify the purpose of the table saw according to that, you should select other tools and equipment. At the first time, I was confused because will that compatible with my task. But that was perfectly well-matched with my requirements. So I would like to guide you step by step to choose a table saw. So let’s start this.
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Step 01 – Identify Your Task
This is the first thing you should know before buying a table saw. You should know which one is suitable for your task among plenty of table saws. Your experience and the job will be the selection factors of the table saw. We can usually categorize users’ requirements into 03.
01. DIY – DIY project is a small project, and it will not require more cutting power. Its purpose is mostly satisfactory enjoy and with the start of woodworking. If you are looking for a table saw for DIY, a primary table saw is better.
02. Basic Woodworking – When you start woodworking from the beginning, you should have a mid-range power table saw. So you had better choose a mid-range power table saw for the basic cutting operations.
03. Professional Woodworking – If you are a professional woodworker, you will need a high-performance table saw in order to operate quickly. This is mostly an industrial-level table saw. These are high power and extremely high cost.
Read More About – How to Cut Clean Using Table Saw? – My Top 08 Tips
Step 02 – Power Supply and Power Consumption
This is another important factor you should know. Power is the most important thing for the table saw. We should provide a proper power supply to the machine in order to gain full performance. We should know about the power supply, wire cord, voltage, amperes, horsepowers, etc. When you select a table saw you can hear some new terms and words. So let’s see what are power-related terms and words you should know.
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Power Source – Power sources are two types. Corded and cordless are them. Some are powered by the power supply and some mini table saws are powered by batteries. So you should know which power supply is suitable for your task. Cordless table saws are powered by a Li-Ion battery.
Voltage – Voltage is the required voltage to operate the table saw. It is most consistent with 120V and 240V in the USA. The domestic 120V is perfect. But for the high performance in the workshop, 240V is sufficient.
Power – Power is measured as the input power to the table saw. It is the power consumption of the table saw. It can measure as multiplication of voltage and amperes. Power is measured by wattage (W). Some table saw power is measured by horsepower. 1 horsepower = 746 W.
Ampers – This is the current for the electric motor.
Wire Cord – Wire cord is the electricity supply cable to the table saw. So you should use always a proper wire cord for the saw. Because improper cables can waste the power and some times wire can be damaged due to improperness. So there is a standard you should follow when you select a wire cord.
Important symbols and notifications for table saws.
Step 03 – Select the Type of the Saw Table
According to the performance, user requirements saw tables are categorized. All are specially designed for special tasks. According to the identify the work as I mentioned above, you can select the suitable table saw in this step. So let’s see what are the available types of table saws.
Read More About – 08 Types of Table Saws – (Images | Usage | Pros & Cons)
01. Mini table Saw
Mini table saws are really useful for mini-projects. It is about 4-8 kg weight and needs 90W-150W power to operate. If you are a DIY lover, this is important for you. It consists of 4″ blade, and most mini table saws have been designed for metalworking and woodworking. You can use this for cutting stones and making jewelry. Due to the 4 inch blade will not cut more than a 2-inch work piece.
02. Benchtop Table Saw
In order to keep on the bench or support, this table saw has been designed without legs. There is strong support, but those are not high enough. If you wish to use this, you should have proper permission at the proper level. The benchtop table saw has a 4-6 inch blade, and a 15 amp and 220V battery powers it. This is highly recommended for DIYs and basic woodworking beginners.
03. Compact Table Saw
The compact table saw has compacted with all parts together. Due to its compact ability, it can carry everywhere. Its size is more than the benchtop and less than the Jobsite table saw. A compact table saw can be operated with AC and DC current due to its universal motor.
04. Jobsite Table Saw
Jobsite table saw will cost about $500-$700 and is extremely used for outdoor purposes. It has handles and wheels. you can carry it anywhere with handles and wheels. It has about 2-3 horsepower.
05. Contractor Table Saw
This is like a wheel-attached cabined table saw. Before jobsite table saws come to the role, cabinet table saws are used with wheels. These are really heavy and more powerful. The trunnion is mounted to the table rather than the cabinet saw. The contractor saw is a great machine for woodworkers.
06. Cabinet Table Saw
The heaviest and high-performance table saw is the cabinet table saw. This is really used for professional woodworkers or industrial-level projects. It had 5-7 horsepower motor and wide rip capacity. It is more weight and hard to move here and there. So fixing a single point is a must task, and it can operate with 15amp and 220V.
Step 04 – Select Sufficient Rip Capacity and Table Top
Table to and rip capacity are really important factors. We use the top for keeping the workpiece and feed to the saw blade. When the top space is not enough, we cant handle the workpiece well. Normally, mini table saw, compact, job site table saws do not have sufficient top space.
Sometimes you have to create additional support with space to increase the top area. Some saws come with a folding top. These are not much strength. When the folding is done a long time, it can wear, and we can observe some level deviation on the top. If you try to add a permanent top workspace, it will be long-lasting.
Rip capacity is the space between the saw blade and the fence. Most fences can be moved and tight. The fence is very important to feed the workpiece parallel to the saw blade. It will not move the workpiece here and there. But there is limited space.
Rip capacity is important to feed a large amount of the workpiece to the table saw. When the rip capacity is not enough you had better use an expanded fence.
Step 05 – Table Saw Cuts
when you select a table saw, you should know which type of cut can be done using the machine. Because some cuts are not allowed on the workpiece. Because those saw blades are not able mount to the table saw. So make sure which saw blade can use in your table saw. I will explain you here, what are possible cuts can conduct using a table saw.
- Rip Cut
The rip cut is a popular and most used woodcut. When the saw blade use to cut the workpiece along the grain is called rip cut. When you rip cut you should use a lower number of teeth saw blade. Because rip cut can remove higher amount of chips. So those need to remove quickly. Hence use a lower number of teeth in the saw blade.
- Cross Cut
The workpiece is cut through the grain is called crosscut. Crosscut is stronger than rip cut. Hence it requires a higher amount of teeth for the smooth cutting purpose. Surface burning is a regular problem in the crosscut due to improper saw blade and cutting speed.
- Bevil Cut
When the workpiece is cut angular, it is bevel cut. Bevil cut can be done along grain or trough grains. Bevel cut is one of the most used cuts in woodworking.
- Dado Cut
Making a drain on the workpiece is called a dado cut. There is a special saw blade for the dado cuts. dado cuts are used to fix the two connections without any loosening. So dado cut should be high accuracy and low tolerance. You can use a wobble blade for the dado cut. but is it not a perfect matter. The best and the perfect method is to use a dado saw blade.
Dado blade is thicker than a regular blade. When it operates, more power is required. As a result, using a dado blade needs a special arrangement in the arbor or saw top. So make sure is there a possibility to use a dado blade in your table saw.
- Rabbet Cut
This is the same dado cut in the workpiece, but it is with one side open. So there are 2 surfaces. It is like “L” shape cut. for this, you can use a dado blade. So fixing the dado blade is a really important thing when you select a table saw.
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Step 06 – Noise and Dust collection
Noise and dust is directly affecting the user’s health. Normally table saws are with noise and dust. So when you buy it make sure to select the lower noise with proper dust collecting mechanism.
- Effect of Dust
Dust and chips are debris of the table saw. Saw and dust should be collected in a proper way else it will spread everywhere and it gives many problems. When the sawdust is spread on the saw machine, it can clog the mechanical operations.
When the dust is spread on the motor, its lignin can melt and brushes can be clogged. So you had better buy a proper sawdust removing system with your sawing machine.
Sawdust affects health badly. When sawdust is inhaled a long time, it can cause lungs cancers also. You had better use a face mask when you use a table saw.
- Effect of Noise
Sawing mechanism regularly produces noise. It depends on the workpiece, blade clearness, number of teeth, blade material, wood material, RPM, feed rate, etc. Anyway, most of the table saws produce more than 100 dB noise levels. it is more than the recommended limit of 85dB. So you had better use an ear guard while you operate the table saw.
You can use the below things to reduce the noise. if you wish to use your table saw in an apartment, I can help you to set it up.
You can Reduce the Table saw noise by following things.
- Oil the bearings
- Remove old bearings
- Use sharp brush
- Soundproof walls
- Use eco barrier
Read More About – How I Use Table Saw in My Apartment? – No Noise | Dust
