I’m about to take the plunge for a new Delta Unisaw and am wondering if I will be able to utilize the blade guard and all of its components with a cross-cut sled. I suspect that I will be able to do so, but am not certain. I realize I will have to remove all of these components to install and remove the sled, but that is a small price to pay for the safety that they provide.
All comments are welcome.
Replies
Congratulations!!!
Congrats on your new saw, you're gonna be amazed at the difference.
Without knowing the details of your sled, it's hard to say whether the blade guard will be usable, but the riving knife certainly will. More details on your sled will be helpful.
Thanks for your comments, but I haven't received the Unisaw yet.
I'm upgrading from a Craftsman contractor TS that I purchased in '96, so I'm sure I will be amazed at the difference. In truth, it was the lack of a precise rip fence that, in part, drove me to the Unisaw.
The contractor TS has served me admirably and I am feeling guilty giving up a faithful wood working companion. Together, we have completed quite a few projects over the years. However, the lack of the aforementioned accurate rip fence and the shortness of the arbor are two serious drawbacks. In addition, the guardless blade is always a grim reminder of what awaits if I am not careful. The Craftsman blade guard and riving knife were worthless and dangerous as designed. The Unisaw blade guard is very impressive from all the video's I have seen it demoed in. I will feel much better having it in place.
Replace the "bridge"?
Most sleds are designed with a relatively low "bridge" at the back. Replacing that with a taller bridge that would clear the blade-guard assembly should do the trick for you, I'd think.
Keep in mind the miter track guides are a different size on the Unisaw. I had the same version saw (albeit older) and the miter track was an odd size. I had to custom make all my jigs and sleds because of it. It was a good saw, and I made a lot of money off that saw, but I was glad to make the move to a cabinet saw as all contractor saws have limitations and shortcomings. You are moving into a world of much greater power, accuracy, safety, and dependability.
Thanks for your comments
wericha wrote:
Keep in mind the miter track guides are a different size on the Unisaw. I had the same version saw (albeit older) and the miter track was an odd size. I had to custom make all my jigs and sleds because of it. It was a good saw, and I made a lot of money off that saw, but I was glad to make the move to a cabinet saw as all contractor saws have limitations and shortcomings. You are moving into a world of much greater power, accuracy, safety, and dependability.
Your words are pushing me off the fence.
Are you running a Unisaw?
I ask because I emailed Delta as to which mobile base they recommend for the 36-L552 Unisaw and have not heard back from them. Amazon notes the Delta 50-289 mobile base and I have also seen the Delta 50-257 recommended. If I get this saw I want to have the correct mobile base on hand when it arrives
No, I went with the PM2000, in part because of the built-in mobile base. There was also a good sale on at the time.
If you choose to stay with the saw you have, let me know and I've got some things you can do to beef it up. Contact me offline as we have one person on here that wants to make an argument out of everything tablesaw related and I'd rather keep this informative.
The PM2000 is an import
If I thought that I had to have a new Cabinet saw, which I don't, the made in the USA Delta would be my choice.
Questionable customer service
I've been hearing a lot of complaints about Delta's lack of customer service lately. Unreturned emails, unfulfilled rebates, and frustration trying to talk to a knowledgeable tech support person are apparently common issues. The Delta equipment I own is all pretty old, so I don't recall the last time I tried to contact Delta directly. We have a regional service center I utilize whenever I need parts. Powermatic's customer service was spectacular for me. I had one small issue when the saw arrived and my call to Powermatic was answered promptly. The tech asked a few questions and pointed immediately to the solution. He then proceeded to give me a couple of quick tips on setting the saw up that made the process simple. Not only was I impressed with the exceptional quality of the saw, I was just as impressed with the support I received.
Looking at older Unisaws is a definite option. Keep an eye on Craigslist and you're liable to catch a deal somewhere. Bear in mind that the older Unisaws are all right tilt. There was a period of time where Delta offered both right and left tilt, and now all their saws are left tilt.
No compaints about Delta here. Only Kudos
Absolutely no complaints about Delta factory customer service at this location. In fact Delta factory has just come through for me in a big way.
I emailed the Delta factory last Sunday about a problem with my brand new Unisaw. I stated the problem and said what I wanted to resolve it. I included 2 large high detail pictures in my email. The next day Erin in Customer Service emailed to say they were looking at it. Then a couple of hours later I got another informing me that the parts I wanted were on the way to me via Fedex. Yesterday they arrived and are now installed in my saw.
That's outstanding customer service. That's why I buy Delta. They're made in America, they're top notch tools, they're reliable. All of my stationary tools are Delta. The Unisaw is only the latest.
mobile base differences
It appears that either will work, the apparent difference being the location of the lift wheel:
50-257: http://www.deltamachinery.com/accessories/bases/item/50-257
50-289: http://www.deltamachinery.com/accessories/bases/item/50-289
Not the Cabinet saw sales pitch AGAIN !
wericha wrote: I was glad to make the move to a cabinet saw as all contractor saws have limitations and shortcomings. You are moving into a world of much greater power, accuracy, safety, and dependability. Thats a rediculous statement, and a typical cabinet saw sales pitch. Not all Contractor's table saws are created equally.The older American made Delta's and Powermatic's are the ones to look for.
Can't face the facts, Chuckie?
CharlieL wrote:
wericha wrote: I was glad to make the move to a cabinet saw as all contractor saws have limitations and shortcomings. You are moving into a world of much greater power, accuracy, safety, and dependability. Thats a rediculous statement, and a typical cabinet saw sales pitch. Not all Contractor's table saws are created equally.The older American made Delta's and Powermatic's are the ones to look for.
It is spelled RIDICULOUS, and you are wrong. Obviously you haven't taken the time to look at and understand the differences between the two. Why do you think if someone extolls the virtues of a certain machine it is a sales pitch? And aren't you the one refusing to help somebody out with their dust collector because you aren't getting paid by FWW for some fictitious device you supposedly concocted? Talk about sales a sales pitch.......
wericha, I've got some facts for you ...
wericha wrote:
Can't face the facts, Chuckie? It is spelled RIDICULOUS, and you are wrong. Obviously you haven't taken the time to look at and understand the differences between the two. Why do you think if someone extolls the virtues of a certain machine it is a sales pitch? And aren't you the one refusing to help somebody out with their dust collector because you aren't getting paid by FWW for some fictitious device you supposedly concocted? Talk about sales a sales pitch.......
I see that your back to the childish name calling again. Either your a Cabinet saw salesman, or you have been suckered by one, no one knows because you won't prove that you actually bought a PM2000. Woodworking is a dead art, and your out there SUPPOSEDLY spending a couple grand on a new industrial Cabinet saw for your hobby shop. I put in alot of time designing dust collection improvements that cost me very little and are for machines that I allready own. There isn't enough money to be made in woodworking to justify extravagant machinery and tool purchases.
WOW Chuckie, a perfect score!!!
CharlieL wrote:
wericha wrote:
Can't face the facts, Chuckie? It is spelled RIDICULOUS, and you are wrong. Obviously you haven't taken the time to look at and understand the differences between the two. Why do you think if someone extolls the virtues of a certain machine it is a sales pitch? And aren't you the one refusing to help somebody out with their dust collector because you aren't getting paid by FWW for some fictitious device you supposedly concocted? Talk about sales a sales pitch.......
I see that your back to the childish name calling again. Either your a Cabinet saw salesman, or you have been suckered by one. Woodworking is a dead art, and your out there spending a couple grand on a new industrial Cabinet saw for your hobby shop. I put in alot of time designing dust collection improvements that cost me very little and are for machines that I allready own. There isn't enough money to be made in woodworking to justify extravagant machinery and tool purchases.
Unfortunately, it's a perfect zero as you're wrong on absolutely every count. Let me break it down for ya Chuckie.
I'm not now, nor have I ever been a cabinet saw salesman, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express several times. And the only cabinet saw salesman I ever talked to was at the woodworking store and he was pushing Saw Stops. Since I didn't buy one, that pretty well blows that one out of the water as well.
Woodworking is alive and well in my world, albeit harder and harder to find folks willing to embrace true craftsmanship. But they are out there. For me woodworking is a passion, not a hobby, and I've had the privilege of having made a very good living off my passions for many years. I realize I am truly blessed in that respect, few people have had that opportunity. As a side note in response to one of your deleted posts about me building birdhouses for the next craft show, I don't build them but have a friend that makes a pretty good living off them. He has a very nice client base and his houses are an exceptional quality and very well priced.
You know nothing about me or what I do, so quit making assinine assumptions. More importantly, you need to lighten up dude. You're getting your panties in a wad over an internet discussion board. You're like a bottle rocket, one spark and you go off into the stratosphere. Life is way too short, Chuckie. Take a deep breath, count to 10, and put a smile on your face.
Peace out, Bro!!!
Giving up old friends
Way back when I used to drive a 61 ford falcon, 63 plymouth valiant and a Datsun B210. They were my reliable friends. Now I drive a 2010 Loaded Ford Tarus and don't miss the old friends ;-) The old love will soon fade away.
Datsun B210!!!!!
I used to have a station wagon version and could not wear it out. We bought it used and it just never quit. The driver's seat was so worn out you were litterally sitting on the floor board. I sold it years ago and it may still be running. Great car and easy to maintain.
I hear you on the ol' loves, but still if they served you above and beyond, it's hard to let them go. However, in my case since I'm giving it to my uncle, it will still be in the family, so to speak. So, I suppose that's a good thing.
Now, about my '93 Toyota Extended Cab ... with over 250K miles ... that still purrs like a kitten ....
Indestructible
I had a B210 hatchback as well. I put over 200K miles on that puppy and just couldn't kill it. The lifts on the hatch went out and I was too poor to replace them so I had a broomstick for a prop.
I even carried lumber in that thing!!!
A 93 hatchback unisaw?????
250k miles, must have been some mobile base.... Wait, back to the original question. The riving knife, a valuable device for ripping is of little use for crosscutting. The blade guard has little use for either unless you are cutting a lot of panels and it has a dust port (the Unisaw does not). Lose them both when using your sled to cross cut, keep your fingers away from the blade, easy to do if you haven't been drinking, and fence your work to the rear of your sled and you will be fine.
You will surely like your new saw
Regards
Rob
I too had one of those Craftsman contractor's saws. Weak in the motor department. As you note, the fence isn't very good.
I turned that contractors saw into a very good tool with one change - I bought a Biesemeyer homeshop fence for it. With that one change, it turned a so so tool into an accurate reliable friend. I replaced it with a hybrid saw. Better, and maybe enough, but like you, I just got a Delta Unisaw. In fact, I have to assemble the whole thing today in my shop.
Good luck with your new Unisaw. FWIW, the riving knife will work with your cut off sled. You'll raise or lower it as appropriate for a through or not through cut (dado). The anti kickback pawls are independently removeable as is the guard itself.
I seriously considered the hybrids as well. Good saws with better features than contractor saws, but not what I needed. Enjoy that new saw, you will find it makes you challenge your skills and will take you to a whole new level of woodworking!
More sales pitch jibberish
wericha wrote:
I seriously considered the hybrids as well. Good saws with better features than contractor saws, but not what I needed. Enjoy that new saw, you will find it makes you challenge your skills and will take you to a whole new level of woodworking! Once again, inflated claims with no evidence or facts to suport any of it.
Delta unisaw cross cut sled
I've tried to send you pictures of my unisaw sled and other things I made for it but I keep getting a mesage that I triggered the spam filter. Does anyone know how to get around this?
The Filter is an on-going issue here. You may need to log off, clear cookies, and log back in. It is unclear what triggers the filter, as its behavior seems random at times, but it often doesn't like links.
You can also contact Gina Eide, the FWW producer, (geide here) and ask to be but on the list of members who are allowed to bypass the filter.
One thing that triggers it like mad
are multiple exclamations or question marks ! ! ! !
But hey ! ! ! Lookie there ? ? ? Now that I am on the magic list no problem.
Your photos ... maybe ...
I would like to post one of the photos you tried to post. Here it is for all to see and appreciate.
Sleds Have Some Built In Safety
One of the nice things about a sled is by their design your hands can be farther away from the blade than when ripping. That and having the sled locked into the table slot and it gets real hard to find yourself doing something dangerous.
Something else to consider, run a strip of acrylic/Lexan/Plexiglas from the front to the back above where the blade enters. It's not 100% foolproof but might be enough to save the day (look at it as a warning strip).
Having said that, never let anyone talk you out of your comfort zone. If you want the guard there, build a sled that allows for it.
Phillip, Thanks for posting that picture. My message would not go through the spam fiIter.
I designed my sled to use the new Unisaw's blade guard. Even though I use it with the blade at full height I feel much safer because the guard covers the blade entirely.
Bud
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