April is National Woodworking Month, and a great time to start a new project. Will it be a project for a yourself, a customer, or a friend? Or will the project be improving the shop itself? The great thing about having tools and skills is that there is no limit to possibilities.
This month, we will explore the tools that, when used with our skills and creativity, make everything possible.
The first tools we will look at are the table saw and bandsaw. These - often the table saw particularly - are thought of as the heart of the shop. They are used for everything from initial stock break down to creating fine joinery and decorative effects.
Both machines are available in a wide range of sizes from small bench top versions to industrial behemoths.
Table saws
Essential features:
- Smooth operation with minimal vibration.
- Flat table top for accurate cuts.
- A powerful motor for high-quality cuts.
- Easy adjustments with solid locks.
Features to consider:
| Safety systems such as a riving knife, or SawStop's braking system, enhance operator safety by reducing the likelihood of an accident or the severity of an accident. |  |
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An integral or retro-fitted sliding table provides additional ways to guide the workpiece through the blade. It makes wide crosscuts and jointing an edge simple. |
| Length of rip fence determines with width of rip cut the saw can make, and usually comes with more table surface to support large work. |  |
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Consider adding an outfeed table if you routinely process long materials. Folding, or removable tables free up valuable floor space and make moving the saw easier. |
Effective dust control provides a cleaner safer environment that allows more control and visibility of the cutting area. The SawStop PCS comes with a blade guard that provides excellent dust extraction. |
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These are our best-selling table saws:
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Festool CSC SYS 50 Cordless Table Saw |
SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw |
SawStop Compact Table Saw |
Laguna Fusion F3 Table Saw |
We also sell table saws by these brands:
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In the next installment, we'll look at bandsaws.
