| Shopping for your first table saw can be very | | | | see how snug they fit. Do not choose one with a |
| confusing due to the huge selection available. Table | | | | loose fit. You want one that fits snug. |
| Saws come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and are | | | | - Size Matters: The most common table saw motor is |
| designed for a wide range of applications. Buying your | | | | either a 1 1/2 or 2 horsepower motor in the contractors |
| first table saw shouldn't be an ordeal, with a few tips, | | | | models. The professional cabinet saws use a 3 to 5 |
| anyone can choose a table saw that will give them | | | | horsepowered motor. For most applications, the 1 1/2 |
| many years of reliable service. | | | | or 2 horsepower motor on the contractor saw has |
| Here are some tips on choosing your first table saw. | | | | enough power for any cutting application. Just |
| - Fence: The fence is the sliding part of the table saw. | | | | remember to take it slow and easy and let the saw |
| The fence is used when you feed the wood onto the | | | | blade do the cutting. |
| saw. The quality of the fence will factor in on the final | | | | - Saw blade: 10 inch blade models are the most |
| cost of the table saw. The higher quality of the fence | | | | popular, however, many of the most expensive |
| that comes with the saw, the higher the price. Most | | | | cabinet saws have a 12-inch blade. The type of blade |
| contractor saws have average quality fences, but not | | | | is more important than the size. Table saw blades |
| all. For normal applications, an average quality fence will | | | | come in a variety shape and types. Combination |
| be more than enough for most applications and | | | | blades are the most popular and the ones you should |
| certainly good enough for the occasional user. | | | | use until you become more experienced in the |
| Average quality fences are okay for beginners and | | | | operation of the table saw with different types of |
| weekend handy men, but will lack the quality that a | | | | wood and cuts. It's very important that you keep your |
| cabinet maker needs. You have plenty of choices in | | | | blades clean and replace them when they get dull. |
| third party fences so don't loose sleep if your saw | | | | - Tabletop: The tabletop is the most component part |
| comes with an average fence. | | | | of the saw. You'll find a wide difference of quality |
| - Tilt: Some table saws tilt for precision cutting. Table | | | | among tabletops. Don't scrimp on the table top, it pays |
| saws tilt right or left. Back in the day, table saws only | | | | to buy a high quality tabletop. Make sure the tabletop is |
| came with a right tilt with the exception of some | | | | as flat as possible if you want trouble free operation. |
| professional cabinet models. These days, you can get | | | | Not all tabletops are flat and the ones that aren't make |
| right or left tilting table saws. Right tilts are easier | | | | it difficult to make precision cuts. You can reduce your |
| cutting precision angles and preferred by many. Right | | | | chances of future problems by going with a tabletop |
| tilt saws are the most popular and come with more | | | | from a reputable table saw manufacturer. |
| accessories than left tilt table saws. | | | | With these tips, you should be more than able to |
| - Miter gauge: Table saws come with something called | | | | choose the correct table saw for nearly any |
| mitre gauges. There are two slots that are machined | | | | application you can think of. Just be sure to study the |
| into the cast iron tabletop where the mitre gauge is | | | | owners manual and any related documentation that |
| inserted. This is where you guide the wood. Just as | | | | comes with your new table saw. The manufacturers |
| with the the tabletop, the mitre gauge that comes with | | | | don't put those documents in there just to have |
| the saw are of average quality. You can buy better | | | | something to do! Table saw manuals can be an |
| mitre gauges than what come with the table saw. Try | | | | invaluable source of information. |
| inserting the mitre gauge into the slots and check to | | | | |