Table saw with or without sliding table?

[woden]

I've been looking at the SIP 10" table saw lately and I've noticed that for a considerably greater price they do this model with a sliding table. Axminster also do one for a more reasonable price. Is the sliding table much of an additional benefit on a table saw? The sharp jump in price certainly seems to suggest it's a big improvement. Or are they more of a marketing gimick without which you can get by just fine?

Does the inclusion of a sliding table make the saw overly specialised, limiting its general purpose uses. I notice that on the SIP and Axminster versions with sliding tables the usual extension isn't provided on the left and the rip fence can't travel very far to the left of the blade as the bars it runs on stop when they come to the sliding table. Is this much of a drawback, especially if you find that you've no real need for the sliding table and want to use the saw in its standard mode. I suppose the fact that SIP do a version of their 10" model without the sliding table means that it wouldn't be hard to pick up a regular extension wing for the left side and full length bars for the rip fence to run on.

Do SIP dealers usually stock separate parts for the 10" saw if say you wanted to remove the sliding table and revert back to basic mode? That is if anyone would find themselves wanting to do this anyway.

I should add that when I get back into woodworking I'll be mainly focusing on smaller stuff so a sled and toggle clamps would probably suffice for crosscutting. However, I do see myself making the odd larger piece as well as making up units and stuff for the workshop so there might still be a need for a sliding table.

Hmm... advice please. :?

 

[Lord Nibbo]

I've got a 10" without the sliding table. I have no need or use for the sliding table version plus it uses up too much room. I do believe that the left hand table top will bolt on to the right table top if the sliding table is added, this would make it one huge saw far to big for me.

If you want one THIS might be going soon but you will have to be quick it's at £410 at this moment.

 

[Adam]

For me, I use the sliding table all the time, and can't see how people get the best of their saw without it. But thats the nature of this forum!

BTW, I reckon that saw in the picture has a Scheppach sliding table on it. Guess they come out the same factory.

Adam

 

[Mike.C]

Adam,

For me, I use the sliding table all the time, and can't see how people get the best of their saw without it. But thats the nature of this forum!

Snap, If you have room for a sliding table then I would say it is definitely a worth while accessory. Yes you can do without one and use a sled, a Osborne EB3, or one of the Incra telescopic mitre gauges, but IMHO a sliding table takes a table saw into another league, especially if you cut a lot of sheet material.
Also if you do not want to use it all of the time, it is easy to take off and store.

As for the extension table, you get 2 with the SIP as I belive you do with the Axminster and if you get the sliding table they will both fit on the right hand side of your machine.

The choice is really yours, if as you say most of the time you will be doing "smaller stuff" then a sliding table may not suit you, but again IMHO if I were you and you have got the room and the money then I would still get a sliding table.

Adam,

BTW, I reckon that saw in the picture has a Scheppach sliding table on it. Guess they come out the same factory.

You are right Adam it is the same as the Scheppach.

HTH

Cheers

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

Woden

The Axminster is a better quality saw for the same money (they are far from the same saw). I sold my Sliding table for £150, bringing the cost of the Axminster way below that of the SIP.

 

[Sawdust]

Another vote for the sliding table, I find that mine is brilliant.

There is one caveat though - they take up a lot of room so if you're short of space you might struggle.

Mike

 

[woden]

Thanks for your thoughts, guys. Yeah, I'd seen that ebay listing Lord Nibbo, that's what put me in the mind of wondering whether they're a good thing or not. One thing that puzzled me about it though were the grey wheels as all the other SIPS I've seen have all black handles. Got me thinking it was maybe a different make but I guess it's just a tweak of design.


My problem is space, I don't have any now but won't have very much when getting back into the swing of things. I'd thought about the sliding table more as an investment for the future if I could pick one and a table saw up cheap as in that ebay link above. I could use the basic saw for now and then bolt the table back on when I have the room.

As for the extension table, you get 2 with the SIP as I believe you do with the Axminster and if you get the sliding table they will both fit on the right hand side of your machine.

So you'd still get both the regular extension tables even when buying a saw with the sliding table? When you say they'd both fit on the right hand side does that mean you can bolt on one and then bolt the other onto it? There is one definate difference though, the rails that the rip fence runs on are cut short so you can't move the fence as far to the left of the blade as you can on the basic model. Is this much of a loss - would you find yourself needing to do much ripping on the left side of the saw anyway? :?

 

[woodbloke]

A sliding table is a 'must have', I wouldn't even look at a table that didn't have one as it makes the saw into a much more versatile animal. When I retire in a few years SWIMBO has said I can update all the machinery in my 'shop so I'll probably be looking at something like the Axminster saw or whatever is available from them at the time - Rob

 

[Dad]

I've not had a sliding table long, but have very quickly started to wonder what I did without it but again, it's a space hog (especially as my workshop has to double up as a garage)

 

[Gill]

Another vote for sliding tables here. I've got one on my Kity 419 and it's such a boon.

Gill

 

[Scrit]

A minor note of caution here. There's a limit to how long a piece you can effectively handle on a sliding table before the unsupported weight causes the work to cantilever around the outboard edge of the sliding table. The actual length varies from saw to saw, though, and sheet stock is far more susceptible to bending than solid stock. Having had a few saws with sliding tables I find that they can get in the way for operations such as ripping unless you have the type which detach quickly or fold down flat against the side of the machine.

Scrit

 

[suprasport]

just ordered the axminster today on special delivery for tuesday for £570 all in saving me £105 :wink: