Given that my knowledge of woodworking (WW) is restricted to what MY analysis of what I read is, and that I do not want to use any machine in a way that might hurt me permanently, I am approaching WW with caution. So I have decided to buy a Sawstop table saw(SSTS) when I buy a table saw (TS). I wanted to ask the group in general their thoughts of buying a sliding TS attachment for the SSTS (like the Laguna=Craftex @$500). In my no-experience-mind it would seem to facilitate work and safety in a TS. What's your take?
Table saw accs
- Thread starter doc4som
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Kev
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I have mixed opinions on the saw stop ... I'll leave my comments there.
Safety is comes down to your work practices. What YOU do will dictate 99% of your safety.
Tripping over the power cord to your safe saw stop and getting speared through the eyeball by the pointy scrap of wood you left precariously leaning up against the bench is a real risk if you don't observe safe work practices ... the nice safe saw doesn't help there.
Further, table saws and table saw extensions are only benefits it you have the space ... sliding attachments, extensions, supports, etc all have positive benefits if they suit the work you intent to do and you know how to use them.
Bottom line, if you're asking other people if something is safe, you haven't yet learnt enough about safety.
To risk a motor car analogy - air bags and disk brakes improve a car's safety, but the biggest cause of injury is the driver.
Safety is comes down to your work practices. What YOU do will dictate 99% of your safety.
Tripping over the power cord to your safe saw stop and getting speared through the eyeball by the pointy scrap of wood you left precariously leaning up against the bench is a real risk if you don't observe safe work practices ... the nice safe saw doesn't help there.
Further, table saws and table saw extensions are only benefits it you have the space ... sliding attachments, extensions, supports, etc all have positive benefits if they suit the work you intent to do and you know how to use them.
Bottom line, if you're asking other people if something is safe, you haven't yet learnt enough about safety.
To risk a motor car analogy - air bags and disk brakes improve a car's safety, but the biggest cause of injury is the driver.
Point taken, Kev. I am generally speaking ,in the grand scheme of things: ( normally-existentially ) a cautious guy. I have reached retirement age with all appendages and want to keep it that way. Wood working is a hobby I am considering. My question may have been better asked:does anyone have experience with a sliding table attachment(STA) for a table saw? Those with that experience ;did they consider the STA to increase the ease of use and safety of the table saw? In any case, thank you for your contribution, I have leaned from it.
if you have the money and space for the sliding carrage then go for it. i have one for my table saw but i havent the room to leave it on. i put it on when i need it. well worth having. turns a fairly crude machine into a super percice cross cutting machine
doc4som,
I have been operating with a table saw for close to 40 years starting with a tilting table Inca table saw that had a horizontal mortising table attachment. I made a lot of cabinets and furniture with that saw but, cutting with the table tilted was very nerve racking. I made a large cross cut sled for that table saw and felt very comfortable using it for precise cross cutting.
I never felt comfortable cutting large pieces that weighed more than the saw so, I sold that saw and purchased a Powermatic model 66 table saw with an Excalibur sliding table by Sommerville Design. There are times when I would rather dis-mantel this slider and go back to a cross cutting sled but, for cutting large panels, glued up cabinet sides, and bringing plywood to final dimensions, the sliding table is just great. I have chosen to leave it on my table saw since I purchased it.
Jack
I have been operating with a table saw for close to 40 years starting with a tilting table Inca table saw that had a horizontal mortising table attachment. I made a lot of cabinets and furniture with that saw but, cutting with the table tilted was very nerve racking. I made a large cross cut sled for that table saw and felt very comfortable using it for precise cross cutting.
I never felt comfortable cutting large pieces that weighed more than the saw so, I sold that saw and purchased a Powermatic model 66 table saw with an Excalibur sliding table by Sommerville Design. There are times when I would rather dis-mantel this slider and go back to a cross cutting sled but, for cutting large panels, glued up cabinet sides, and bringing plywood to final dimensions, the sliding table is just great. I have chosen to leave it on my table saw since I purchased it.
Jack
Thank you AlanM & Jacko9. You guys have hit on some of the points I was trying to discover. You say the sliding table(ST) makes a crude tool: the table saw ( TS) more accurate. Now, does it also make it safer? Felder manufacturing seems to say it does.Hope more people chime-in. Thanks again .
Before you buy you should check out the small sliding table saws that Grizzly offers. They have several low end single phase sliding table saws with scoring blades that would probably work great for a hobbyist. Less than $3500 delivered to your shop door. I've got to think this would be better than adapting a cabinet saw with an aftermarket product.
Yes,FSHANNO, I saw those Grizzly offerings, they look good. I often wondered if the sliding table made a table saw so safe that one would not opt for the SawStop safety shut-off. But in the end,it seems to me ,it may be better to have the blanket safety of the SawStop and then add the safety/utility of a sliding table. If one buys the Grizzly, one cannot add the safety feature of the SawStop. If one can afford it, which is always a factor. That is why I am asking the group:to find out whether add-on sliding tables are good enough to use or just a bother. SawStop is coming out with another model which is going to have a scoring blade + more industrial features but it is going to be well out of my reach $. Thanks for your input, it adds to my knowledge on this matter.
As you are here (Festool owners group) you should consider if a sliding table is useful compared to at TS55 or TS75 and a 3000 mm or longer rail. Given that you are retired do you want to move large pieces of wood past the blade or wouldn't it be better to move the much lighter saw over the work?
kfitzsimons
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That's a really nice set up. First one that MIGHT be an alternative to a small table saw. Anyone else with similar set-ups?
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doc4som said:
My big old table saw had a sliding carriage but I did not like using it for anything too wide. It was safe to use, did what it was supposed to do but I just did not like it much. Since I became hooked on Festool I have learnt just how easy it is to break down sheet goods and cut large work tops using a TS55 (or TS55R) and some guide rails.
I consider my current outfit of the CMS unit with the TS55R and a separate TS55 for use on the rails to be perfect. I love using my CMS-TS55R combo and my old TS55 works brilliantly on the guide rails.
Peter
A couple of years ago I replaced my small contractor saw that had a sliding table with the Sawstop contractor saw. Never considered adding a sliding table to the SS as I found that ever since I bought the Festool MFT and TS55, I prefer to do my cross cuts on the MFT.
You're going to really like the SS saw! While I agree w/ others, that safety starts with the operator just as in driving it starts with the driver, I don't drive my car w/o insurance, and to me the SS brake system is my insurance for the TS.
Fred
You're going to really like the SS saw! While I agree w/ others, that safety starts with the operator just as in driving it starts with the driver, I don't drive my car w/o insurance, and to me the SS brake system is my insurance for the TS.
Fred
doc4som said:
The table saw, specially if it's a SawStop, is a very useful, if expensive, piece of equipment.
I have kept the table saw I have and for the reasons you state. Though I think that since you have the TS55 there is little reason to buy a saw with a sliding table. And every reason not to get a saw with fewer safety features.
Mine had no safety features but is now equipped with a riving knife at least.
I am truly glad that experienced folks have chime-in with their comments on this question of mine. Fridolin, that looks good, could you expand on it so more?. This summer I am ordering that fence for a router table and that is also the fence I am considering for a possible SS table saw. Stonemessage: I have my TS55 & rails for the large sheets and I am hoping to acquire some MFTs and continue to learn here what other members like you use.I just have to study more. By the way, I have seen some of your very good, informative and refreshing videos. You are a lively Brit! Keep the good work coming! Jerome and bruegf you guys stroke the nail on the head at the heart of my concerns
Jerome said:doc4som said:
The table saw, specially if it's a SawStop, is a very useful, if expensive, piece of equipment.
I have kept the table saw I have and for the reasons you state. Though I think that since you have the TS55 there is little reason to buy a saw with a sliding table. And every reason not to get a saw with fewer safety features.
Mine had no safety features but is now equipped with a riving knife at least.
bruegf said:
