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If you haven't read Part I "Making a Performance Table Saw" of this series first, we recommend that you read that article as well because together these two articles complete this topic.
As a woodworker, you can only do so much upgrading of your table saw without spending some money. This article will tell you how to make your table saw really "sing", it may cost you a few dollars.
The real differnce in tuning up your table saw will be in the quality of your work and the reduced frustration by making sure your cuts are true, parallel and at right angles. It really make woodworking more fun and rewarding when things go together as they should, but click below to read more ...
I will start with the least expensive and move up. If you have never heard of a Power Twist Link Belt, now might be the time to think about this upgrade ... but while you are at it, if you have some of those inexpensive aluminum pulleys between your motor and your table saw arbor, throw them out as well and get some balanced steel pulleys.
Between these two items, not only will your table saw run smoother, it will also cut better because there is less vibration and the connection between the motor and the arbor will be stronger thereby eliminating any slippage.
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For years many of the table saw blade manufacturers have been preaching that we should be using blade stabilizers on our table saw blades in order to get precision cuts. But what about the costs, the draw backs, and do we really need these?? Read on for the answer, you could be very surprised at what you will find ...
First of all, blade stabilizers are not particularly cheap. If you get a good pair that has been balanced and trued, expect to pay in the vicinity of $20. True, they do cut down on blade vibration on some blades but what has caused that blade vibration in the first place? Is this a result of an inferior saw blade, OR, have you inadvertently jammed some wood between the blade and the fence and bent the blade yourself? In either case, you have a blade that is off true, for situations like this blade stabilizers may be helpful.
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There is no magic in making quality woodwork projects, it only takes patience and accurate measurements. The patience I am working on, the accurate measurements I rely on others to make quality tools that I purchase and use. Turns out, relying on others to make quality tools is a bit hit and miss. I have three small fixed squares, two inexpensive plastic versions and one steel, brass wood combination (my favorite) I paid over $25 for, and expected that I was purchasing a fine measuring tool ... note that I said "expected" ... click below to see what I really got.
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A friend of mine called me the other day "I need to buy an new table saw" he told me. "Why" I asked, "did you wear out your current one" (jokingly). "No, I gave it away to your brother-in-law". Now I have heard of lots of excuses to get a new table saw, but that was one of the better ones. "So I need to buy and new saw, what should I look for" he asked. Sure ... now I need to tell him everything he needs to know about buying a new table saw over the phone. Well ... here's what I told him ...