Replies

1. 
   81treehouse | Dec 14, 2004 05:44am | #1

   What are the main applications for which you plan to use the TS?  Biesmeyer is my choice.  Left tilt for cabinetry, right tilt for construction.

   A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
1. 
   FCB | Dec 14, 2004 03:57pm | #4

   As an amatuer woodworker, it will be used for everything. I have built some cabinets but have never beveled an edge. When would you bevel edged in cabinet construction?

    

   Frank

1. 
   81treehouse | Dec 16, 2004 08:59am | #9

   Not all cabinets are boxes.  Some are angled, some freestanding and not square or rectangular, and some are even corner cabinets in "L" shaped islands.  Some tops are wood with bevels.  Sometimes it is easier to cut bevels on the TS than to set up a router with bits. 

   Just my thoughts and experiences.

    A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!

2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 14, 2004 07:38pm | #6

   Your advice on the R/L-tilt issue is interesting.  I'm very curious!  Could you explain please?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   81treehouse | Dec 16, 2004 09:17am | #10

   Without repeating, see reply 20563.10 for some of my limited explanation.  And possibly limited expertise.  In construction, I have found most cuts to be rips and crosscuts.  In cabinetry, I do more bevels.

   My Unisaw is left tilt.  It is harder to cut a bevel to a marked line on a left tilt but I think the safety overrides the ease in this case.

   There are opinions on both sides and no one is right or wrong.  What works best for one may not work best for someone else.  These are just my experiences.  I don't charge for woodworking advice so you can see what it is worth. LOL.

   Cheers.

    A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!

2. 
   SRToolguy | Dec 14, 2004 06:43am | #2

   I sell left tilts and right tilts but by far the left tilt is the most popular now. The Beismeyer fence is also the most popular which is why so many saw manufacturers either have a clone or offer it as an option.

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

3. 
   elbert | Dec 14, 2004 07:00am | #3

   I have had a right tilt Unisaw with 52" Unifence for 11 years.  Were I to buy a new one I would get the left tilt and the besimeyer fence.  I have also added a Sommervile sliding table.  Reasons are: 

   • Frequently I need to make a bevel cut on narrow stock that puts the blade mighty close to the fence, and at the same time is "pinching" the stock to the fence.  The left tilt would eliminate this.  As for not moving the fence to the left of the blade, the sliding table does not permit the fence to work to the left of the blade with any amount of room.   Even w/o the sliding table, there is not a lot of rail to support the wide base of the Unifence that will allow much room to work to the left of the blade.
   • The Unifence is a good fence, and easily adjusts for either left or right work.  It also slides, making it a great cutoff guide.  However, it is not designed for hold downs on top, nor does it readily support jigs such as one for making bevel cuts on door panels.  (You can screw a wood fence to it if needed) Thus, I would get the Besimeyer if I was to do it over.  Have thought about switching, but you have to switch the whole fence/rail assembly, and the cost is not worth it.  Too many other toys on the wish list.  I did purchase an aftermarket fence blade that fits the Unifence and has two T tracks in the top.  This works great, but still it is not easy to use jigs because of the fence base setup.

   Hope this helps.

4. 
   Hochar | Dec 14, 2004 06:10pm | #5

   A few years ago I was lucky enough to come into a little extra cash. I had been eyeing the Unisaw for a while. I wanted to buy a cabinet saw that would be my last one. After having the frustrations of the Ryobi BT3000sliding bench saw, I was looking for a rock solid, accurate piece of precision equipment. There are a few in the Unisaw price range but I opted for the 52" Unisaw, left tilt w/ Beisemeier fence. I know there has been a lot of bashing on this forum of Delta but I have only high praises. It arrived with all the pieces, that fit, and after a little set up, was ready to roll. The left tilt is what I am used to so I can't really compare with a right. As a previous post said, the Beisemeier fence is often imitated but its really nice to have the real thing. I'm done with half-measures when it comes to my tools. I try to only buy when I have the cash to buy good stuff. If Delta's quality control can hold it together, I think you'd be happy with the decision.

5. 
   jackplane | Dec 14, 2004 07:54pm | #7

   "new opinions" on these subjects?

   nope, all the same opinions.

6. 
   gb93433 | Dec 14, 2004 09:24pm | #8

   Before you buy, I would take a look at General http://www.general.ca