I received a Tradesman table saw a few months ago as a gift and have now started to get into a little bit of woodworking. I am definitely not in a position any time soon to invest in a $400-$1000 table saw (which I would like to have someday). However, I want the saw to work as best as it can for me while I am using it. Besides upgrading the blades (in the process of getting some Freuds for cutting and ripping) what are some other things I can do to make the saw work at optimal levels. I don’t think that I can get too many add ons for it. I purchased a standard feather board for it and found the tracks were too small for the feather board.
THanks
Tom
Replies
Tom,
There are a few things you can do to accurize your saw.
Make several zero clearance inserts. (If you posted the problem with the dado head then this would solve that problem as well.)
Make a crosscut slide.
Outfeed table(s)
Kick switch for safety.
Adjust your fence. If your fence is short consider making an add on.
Your off to a great start. Enjoy.
Get the blade aligned accurately parallel to the miter slots; the fence should also be parallel. If the fence does not always lock down parallel, you will need to check it for parallel each time you set it, by measuring from fence to the same tooth, turned to the front and to the back. A book can help.
Also, check out these online:
Basic tablesaw techniques: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/nmw027_vid01.asp
Kickback: what it is and how to avoid it:
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00066.asp
(Click on the shopmade splitter link too.)
Blade care:
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00109.asp
Buy a rousseau table/fence for it.
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
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