Replies

1. 
   RickL | May 08, 2008 07:21pm | #1

   The Exactor is OK but in your case an up grade to a real slider would solve your problem. The slider, which is about 12" wide stays in place but the outrigger support is removable. The other advantage is you could put the saw on a mobile base for mopre flexibility. The other advantage is the slider is much more stable than an Exactor. 

   http://www.kufogroup.com/SAW.htm

   Other manufacturers would be Paolini, Minimax, Rojek, Hammer, Robland, Feltder and a few others.

   http://www.atlanticmach.com/saws/table-saws.html

   The Paolini S 150 does have a dado capacity

   
   

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   Edited 5/8/2008 12:32 pm ET by RickL

2. 
   philip_r | May 09, 2008 01:10am | #2

   lol, people always bring up the Euro sliders but neglect the fact that you didn't ask about them :0)

   I have the Excalibur with the 49" cross-cut and the two are almost exactly the same. 

   First, let me say that you need an outfeed table.  The slider does not provide support beyond the table.  It does, however, support the full sheet to the side of the table saw.

   Second, if you currently have a fixed table and space is a concern, make a folding outfeed table.  I think tomsworkbench.com has an example of one (not sure, darn work internet filter). 

   Third, if you install a slider - you will need to remove the left wing on your TS and cutting your rails.  This will reduce the overall footprint a little!

   Now I must admit, I just upgraded my TS (SawStop baby!) and I have not installed it yet.  I just need to take some time before I bring my self to cutting my new $4,300.00 investment.  I've had my Excalibur for 3 or 4 years and I love it far more than I ever thought.  I actually gave away my RAS and barely use my 12" SCMS anymore.  When I was considering the purchase I tried to find as many reviews as I could.  The main complaints that people had were:

   1. Size - Add about 2.5 to 3 feet (depending on the 49" of 60" model) to the side of your TS, minus the left wing and add 6 or 7 feet to the back side for the rails
   2. Instructions - yep, they sucked and, in one case, were wrong.  But it was not a big deal.  It does not take a lot of brain power to figure out what to do and were the parts need to go
   3. Can be bumped out of alignment - I found this to be complete BS.  I'm guessing that these people were shaken as babies or bumped it with their car.  I've bumped the crap out of mine and never had a problem.  I just lift up on the table to make sure the legs are sitting flush with the floor
   4. Does not have fixed stops - amen brother.  You will have to calibrate your settings anytime you move/remove the fence.  In time, you will get pretty good at squaring the fence to the blade! 

   Here is what I love:

   • The adjustable stop goes out to something like 96"
   • I use it to cross-cut almost everything - ever need to do a 36" miter?  Me neither... but you could!
   • You can safely run full dados (across the width) in a 4x8' sheet of plywood.  This operation ("safety week") would be too dangerous on the TS without a sled or sliding table
1. 
   Y1RET | May 09, 2008 07:29pm | #3

   Thanks for the input. Although a Euro style slider would be cool, it is not in the budget right now. Adding the slider sounds like it would do what I was thinking at a price I could live with.

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   What I am doing is redesign my shop. I have added and upgraded some machines and the old basement corner is no longer enough space. The area I would like to move the TS to is longer and narrower than its current spot. I was thinking of removing the extension table and long fence rails to the right of the saw and adding the 26-inch wide slider and shorter fence rails. The total width would be several feet narrower yet still provide me the ability to crosscut longer stock and handle sheet goods. I would be using the slider instead of the extension table. I would still use an out feed table but it would no longer serve as my bench. Woodcraft sells one that is made of rollers and sized to work with a slider.   

    

   What I was wondering about is if the slider could replace the function of the extension table, at least for cutting. I would still need to find some place else to set stuff. Sounds like it would be a good solution,

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   Thanks,

   Bob T.   

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1. 
   philip_r | May 09, 2008 11:11pm | #4

   Oh, you're thinking about changing out the 50" rails with 30" rails... and then adding a slider? 

   If so, yes, it would provide plenty of flexibility.  My old TS was a DeWalt hybrid with 30.5" rails.  It was a great setup and I never had any issues.  Just don't bump it with your car :0)

1. 
   Y1RET | May 09, 2008 11:26pm | #5

   If my car ends up in the basement I have bigger problems than moving my saw. LOL