I have an older Craftsman table saw which works fine most of the time. I have upgraded this saw with power link belt, shop fox fence and have aligned the blade to the table and the rip fence to within 4 thousands. This saw only has a 1 HP motor and I’m wondering if I’m just asking too much of this saw to rip 8/4 Maple. I’ve tried several times and sometimes it works and sometimes it just stops the blade (motor) dead and I resort to ripping on the bandsaw. I use a thin kerf 24 tooth ripping blade and normally raise the blade so the gullet is above the wood. Could it be that: 1) I’m just asking too much of this saw? or 2) That varying moisture content could be the difference when it will cut and when it won’t?
Thank you so much.
Doug (and his dog Ben)
Replies
I have experienced the same thing with my 1 3/4 hp saw. I think the problem was the internal tension in the wood causing it to close the kerf after the cut. A splitter after the blade helps, but I believe the bandsaw is the best solution to this problem.
Doug and Ben,
Even when properly tuned up, a table saw with only a 1 horse motor would be underpowered for cutting 8/4 maple, so that is the primary cause of your problem.
Many older saws, from the era before carbide tipped blades were common, could get away with smaller motors because steel blades required less power to cut.
If you are using a 10" blade on the saw you can switch to an 8" blade and you will be less likely to stall but the best solution would be to go to a larger motor.
John White
Doug:
I also own an older Craftsman 10" table saw, 1980 vintage, built " like a bear. In 2004, I had the exact same ripping problem with an 8/4 maple project. I replaced the motor with a re-conditioned Baldor 2 hp motor (purchased @ Advanced DC Motors, E. Syracuse, NY (315) 434-9303). The cost was about $160 and it is sealed from dust, 'so as to avoid explosion/fire hazards'. The difference was like day & night! Just feed the stock slowly to minimize burning and use a new, good quality carbide blade ( I used a 40T combo). Since then, I upgraded to a 3 hp by the same mfg.. It's cheaper than a new saw and the 3 hp works great.
-Bob
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