Saw benches can perform nearly all woodworking tasks whereas your saw horse would be very limited in most cases. The top part of the saw bench is the real discriminator. Sawhorses will have a long slim top and cannot really support anything on its own. The common dimensions of a sawbench at the top are about 7″. This is useful if you’re using a saw blade that’s movable where cutting angles is required. You’ll be able to cut wood at various depths, with a sturdy saw while it is nearly impossible to do so with a sawhorse.
Bench saws are a staple attachment used on the saw bench. They usually come with a rip fence for cutting boards lengthwise, allowing this movable guide to provide extreme accuracy for parallel cutting. The hold-down is another feature standard with a bench saw that keeps the board from jumping off the table during the cutting operation. These guides are adjustable and are necessary options that should be installed as part of your saw bench configuration. So you’ll need to make sure you get the best accessorized bench table saws possible to accommodate your need for safety.
The saw bench itself must be very sturdy and well built to prevent slippage and possible collapse because of size, shape, weight and thickness of the wood you’re planning to cut. The circular saw bench requires the same attention to design and optimization. A guard is positioned over the saw blade parallel with the table top. You’ll have a height adjustable guard and angular displacement settings relative to the table tops for angular, parallel and cross cutting jobs. A protective panel is included to protect the operator’s fingers.
When it comes to mitre saws, the need for a well designed mitre saw bench is no less important. Sometimes referred to as a chop saw, the mitre saw is used for precise cross-cuts and compound angles. Saw benches with left and right side long tables help keep the stock being cut level and in line with mitre saw blade. Portable mitre saw benches are commercially available for use outside the shop.
The handy bench top band saw is another reason why you should own a good saw bench. It is virtually impossible to do good work without a quality saw bench when using band saws. With an improper cutting surface, you’ll experience fluttering blades that flex and wander, as well as binding and barrel cuts. With a well designed saw bench, you have real estate on both sides of the saw, sturdiness to support the weight of material being cut, increased accuracy for angle cutting and parallel cutting on a bench that can support whatever capacity of wood you’re sawing. Saw benches can make your work seem like child’s play when you invest or build a quality saw bench.
Posted on July 26th, 2010 by Saw Bench
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Outfitting your home woodworking shop is not complete unless you have a cordless circular saw. The margin of performance between a circular cordless saw and corded models is still very wide. When it comes to speed and power which are essential for serious wood workers, you’ll experience up to seven or eight times the cutting capacity over cordless saws. The price range between corded saws and cordless models can be quite different for the same perceived cutting capacity you’d expect to use on your saw benches.
Carbon-tipped blades are industry standard and cut faster, while lasting longer than plain steel blades. Improved safety features include such advances as notches on the upper blade guard that allow you to monitor the cutting line without leaning over the saw. Readily available today also are laser guides that help with alignment and cutting accuracy. Although a seeming good idea, you’ll still need a precise line and a steady hand to achieve optimal results. The laser is really no good if you’re cutting outdoors, so don’t be overwhelmed about his feature. However, there are some excellent cordless circular saws on the market that rival their corded brethren.
Bosch cordless circular saw products are excellent saws. There have been some recalls on models such as the Bosch CS20, because of lower blade malfunctions, but overall this model performs flawlessly. One of the best features of this model is the plug-in cords location. The extension plugs into the handle so you don’t have to fuss with the cord getting caught on the edge of the workbench. Accidentally cutting the power cord is reduced as the cord also locks into place on the handle. This lithium ion cordless circular saw will certainly meet your highest expectations.
If you’re searching for a sturdy circular saw with power, that’s easily adjusted and readily controllable then the Makita cordless circular saw could be what you need. Complete with a LED lighting line to alleviate sunlight erasure and a dust blower that keeps the cutting line clear, this saw rates high on professional carpenters list. Easy to handle, and lightweight, this cordless circular saw rates highest as far as cordless circular saws are concerned. The horizontal grip may be uncomfortable for some users but because it is lightweight this does not seem to be a major drawback.
Demanding applications where a cordless circular saw is required, it is difficult to beat the Ryobi cordless circular saw. The high output powerful motor, combined with a patented laser alignment system makes cutting accuracy concerns a thing of the past. The comfort you’ll experience with the molded grip handle design is the first thing you’ll notice. Second, the left-side blade is aligned with the handle design and conveniently provides clear cut line visibility while sawing.
The power, speed and accuracy of cordless circular saws have advanced significantly over the years. Once you become accustomed to using a cordless circular saw you’ll have to remind yourself that you are using a battery powered saw because the performance will be so similar whether you’re crosscutting 2x lumber, ripping full sheets of 3/4-in. plywood, or trimming MDF (medium-density fiberboard) panels.
Posted on July 13th, 2010 by Saw Bench
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