new toy gloat and recommendations for books/dvds/jigs...

[Orcamesh]

Spent most of last weekend putting together my new table saw (TS4020) which took longer than expected due to the poor instructions from scheppach, but we got there in the end. I have asked a few questions in other threads in here but no replies so thought I would collate them all here.

As I'm new to table saws (not woodwork) I am still bit unsure of everything and am heeding all the safety warnings. I see some of you use crosscut sleds but if you have a sliding table then is this still needed?

I looked at Steve Maskery's short videos and for the short fence for ripping (to avoid kickback), I was wondering why you need that if your fence can move backwards and forwards relative to & alongside the blade? Maybe Steve can answer here?

What other jigs are essential for a TS? What do you folks recommend? I'm sure different people will have different opinions but would be useful to see what those are.

Also would like to hear what books or DVDs you recommend, I think Steve M's videos look very good, but what else do you recommend?

Thanks
Steve/HM

 

[wizer]

I see some of you use crosscut sleds but if you have a sliding table then is this still needed?

No not really. The sliding table in many respect is much better than a crosscut sled. But you may need to build one for special operations. Generally you won't tho.

I looked at Steve Maskery's short videos and for the short fence for ripping (to avoid kickback), I was wondering why you need that if your fence can move backwards and forwards relative to & alongside the blade? Maybe Steve can answer here?

Nope, you just slide the fence back as and when needed. But something like Steve's invention might be more convenient. See how it goes first.

What other jigs are essential for a TS? What do you folks recommend?

The only thing I can really think of are feather boards. Do you have a Cast Iron table? If so, the MagBlok jigs are very good. I am pretty certain your mitre slots will be 'non-standard'. his means things like the Incra mitre gauges and other commercial jigs that ride in the slots won't fit.

Also would like to hear what books or DVDs you recommend

You should probably buy "The Table Saw Book" By Kelly Mehler (I think?) Which is very American but very good all the same. You will find that most books will be very American and almost none will cover advice or instructions on using the sliding table. There is a short chapter in the above book, but it's only a general coverage.

 

[Orcamesh]

Thanks very much Wizer, much appreciated.

That clears up my immediate confusion then, I guess with time it will all become obvious. I have been using radial arm saws for years and portable circular saws and bandsaws etc, so it should all help, but just hear so much about the dangers of table saws so want to ensure I am starting off correctly.

thanks also for recommendations too, I have Duginskes bandsaw book, so I guess this will be very similar in style.

I have a cast iron table and I think the slots are t-slots on the scheppach because the mitre fence rides in that. I have heard of these magbloks so will take a closer look at them.

cheers!

 

[Henning]

Heed Tom's advice and in addition, buy Steve's DVD's.
If for nothing else, the safety advice and the guards.

 

[Orcamesh]

Heed Tom's advice and in addition, buy Steve's DVD's.
If for nothing else, the safety advice and the guards.

OK thanks Henning, will do, just one question, who is Tom?

So I can follow his advice...

 

[DaveL]

just one question, who is Tom?

Tom, also know as wizer, Professional Mutterer of this forum.

 

[big soft moose]

and if you buy steves dvds (and you really ought to get them all , even tho its only WE3 which deals with the tablesaw) , you will then be moved to make a UTSTJ - ive resisted so far but its only a matter of time. :lol:

 

[wizer]

oh and in return for all the good advice, you must post a pic of the new toy, er tool

 

[woodbloke]

What other jigs are essential for a TS? What do you folks recommend? I'm sure different people will have different opinions but would be useful to see what those are.


Thanks
Steve/HM

There are no jigs that are essential on a table saw, though some like SteveM use the slots on some saws (not all though) to make some useful jigs. By far the most useful facility for me though is to have a good, accurate sliding table, which you'll find on most big panel saws in professional 'shops. This then gives you the opportunity to accurately size panels (if needed) and the facility to repeat cut pieces to length. I'm currently looking at one or two decent saws that don't have the slots in the table but do offer a sliding table which is my preferred option - Rob

 

[Orcamesh]

right, well that makes sense now!

I am deffo going to buy Steve's dvds, so I hope they are still on the production line!

and for all the good advice, here is the requested pic...

sliding table removed in this pic, but still tidying up (you cant see the mess in this pic) and will take a final pic once we are a bit more respectable in the shop!

thanks again, Steve/HM

 

[Orcamesh]

What other jigs are essential for a TS? What do you folks recommend? I'm sure different people will have different opinions but would be useful to see what those are.


Thanks
Steve/HM

There are no jigs that are essential on a table saw, though some like SteveM use the slots on some saws (not all though) to make some useful jigs. By far the most useful facility for me though is to have a good, accurate sliding table, which you'll find on most big panel saws in professional 'shops. This then gives you the opportunity to accurately size panels (if needed) and the facility to repeat cut pieces to length. I'm currently looking at one or two decent saws that don't have the slots in the table but do offer a sliding table which is my preferred option - Rob

Hi Rob, ok thanks for that. The TS4020 seems pretty substantial to me although I am sure pro-woodworkers would probably go for the more industrial end of the market. I know that Sedgwicks are held up as decent saws, and of course you have all the big boys like Felder, Robland, Wadkin, and so on... But for me being the weekend/evening woodworker it is fantastic. As for how accurate the sliding table is will be down to my patience in setting it up. I spent quite some time last weekend tweaking it! Fine adjustment still needed I think... This saw has both sliding table and slots so I guess I have the best of both worlds. So far the sliding table looks very good, but again when used in anger that will determine whether it really is as good as I think it is at this point. Time will tell.

I dont know what you consider to be a decent saw, but good luck in your search and thanks for the input.

 

[woodsworth]

You can make anything from a dowel making jig to a crown moulding jig. But it all depends on what you like to make. When i made chairs i made a dowel making jig that worked brilliantly on the table saw. I'm thinking of getting back into it so i might make another one.

The table saw is an amazing tool that can do more then just size wood and i find necessity is the mother of all invention. Jigs are an extension of this in my opinion. There are plenty of machines that do very specific things that reduce the need for jigs so it all depends on what kind of woodworking we do and how much money we have for equipment. Jigs make up the difference.

 

[woodbloke]

I dont know what you consider to be a decent saw, but good luck in your search and thanks for the input.

I'm now seriously considering this...

 

[Orcamesh]

I dont know what you consider to be a decent saw, but good luck in your search and thanks for the input.

I'm now seriously considering this...

OK, had a look at these too before buying mine, and had chat to Jet peeps as they didnt have a 100mm max depth of 90 deg cut version on offer. They said they have one in development, due out at end of 2010. So hold fire if you want a bigger blade. So as I was after max depth of cut I went for the scheppach. I'm not so keen on the swing arm support, the slide on the schep easily comes off in seconds and I can get it out of the way which is a boon in my tight workshop. Good luck with your quest...!