Table saw recommendations?

hubert liverman hubertliverman@bellsouth.net
Thu, 23 Jun 2005 15:26:25 -0500


Hi Sarah and Brad,

Sarah..use the 8 footers...you have the system, adapt it to your usage.

Brad..thank you, we must be multidiciplanary in our "craft and sullen art".
This is why thePianotech list is so important to me. Learn,Listen,and,Share
is why we are here.

Hubert Liverman
Opelika,Al






> Hi Hubert and Brad,
>
> Sorry I gave the wrong impression...  Yes, I mean cutting a long slot down
> an 8' piece of wood.  I'd do 10' or 12' lengths, except that I have to
make
> some plywood inserts, and that only comes in 8'.  ;-)
>
> Hubert, the first jig you described is exactly what I was considering
doing,
> so I think I must be on the right track.  I'll have one person on each
end,
> and we'll do big-ish production runs.  I was considering multiple passes
> with a single blade, each time expanding the kerf.  I was going to do one
> pass with all of the stock, move the jig, do a second pass with all the
> stock, move the jig once more, and then do all the final passes.  I didn't
> know about the dado sets.  Very slick!
>
> Thanks for all the safety advice, as I care very much about safety.  I
> learned most of what I know from a couple of folks who were equally
> compulsive, if not more so.  One of them easily had $100K or more in
> machinery and wasn't about to let me breathe on any of it without a major
> rundown in safety and proper usage, combined with a lot of nervous
> supervision thereafter.  He ultimately trusted me to use his shop when he
> wasn't around -- all except for the milling machine, which remained locked
> up in its own room.  NOBODY touched the man's milling machine -- or walked
> within a 5' radius of it!  But yes, it's been quite a while since I've
used
> a table saw, so the refresher was in order.  Thanks!  :-)
>
> Peace,
> Sarah
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "hubert liverman" <hubertliverman@bellsouth.net>
> To: <staff@smithpiano.com>; "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 1:37 PM
> Subject: Re: Table saw recommendations?
>
>
> >
> > Hi Brad,
> >
> > I agree with you. I was thinking  ripping 8 or12 inch  wide by    12
foot
> > boards, then slotting and cutting  to length. It takes forever to type
> > right
> > now.
> > Feather boards,jigs,measurments,and 'real long arms', or a puller.
> >
> > A large smile to you for your post.
> >
> > Hubert Liverman
> > Tuner/Tech
> > Opelika,Al
> >
> >
> >
> >> Hi Sarah,
> >> Either way router or table saw will require clamping/jigging if the
block
> > is
> >> only 1" x 2"
> >> It would be easier to accomplish if the piece were longer; allowing you
> >> to
> >> cut the slot, then slice off smaller pieces.
> >> You'll likely have to remove the blade guard to do this.
> >>
> >> I would use the table saw and some quality stack dado blades.
> >> If you opt for starting with a longer piece of stock, you can do the
> >> following:
> >>
> >> Assuming the fence is to the 'west' of the blades, you could make two L
> >> shaped push-blocks that
> >> would push in a 'southwesterly' direction on the upper right corner of
> >> the
> >> piece to be cut, parallel with the fence.
> >> Make the push blocks 12" long, so you can use one in each hand, and paw
> > your
> >> way through the cut,
> >> moving one, holding the other, always keeping pressure on the piece.
> >>
> >> At the end of the cut, your push-down should extend past the stock
piece
> > to
> >> insure a uniform slot.
> >> Your body would be at the left (west) side of the table saw,
> >> feet firmly planted, knees bent, mind clear, attitude humble and
> >> vigilant,
> >> center of gravity NEVER over the blades.
> >> (Harder to type/describe, but hopefully easy to picture)
> >>
> >> If you must do it with 1"x2" blocks, you could construct a jig with an
> >> exactly sized slot to accomodate your block.
> >> I would make it out of 5/8" plywood to hold the North, East, and South
> > sides
> >> of the block against the fence.
> >> Then, I would make a piece that sits on top of the block, rides against
> > the
> >> fence, and is screwed down tight to
> >> keep the block against the table saw surface.  Attached pdf file shows
> >> the
> >> idea.
> >>
> >> Pass the whole thing over the blades as above, and your larger piece
now
> > has
> >> the same slot.
> >> Use it over and over, as long as your blocks are the same size.
> >>
> >> It might be just as easy to cut a custom slot into a board, rather than
> >> build around your 1x2 block.
> >>
> >> Move slowly, and take little bites.
> >> Clean and polish the table saw surface so everything glides like
butter.
> >> Never lose respect for that blade.
> >> Never stand directly behind the blade, kicked back wood is like
shrapnel.
> >> I have a hole in the back wall of my shop made by such a projectile.
> >> Once the cut is done and power is off, stand still and stare at the
blade
> >> until it stops completely.
> >>
> >>
> >> Best regards,
> >>
> >> Brad Smith, RPT
> >> www.smithpiano.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Sarah Fox [mailto:sarah@graphic-fusion.com]
> >> Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 10:25 AM
> >> To: staff@smithpiano.com; Pianotech
> >> Subject: Re: Table saw recommendations?
> >>
> >>
> >> Hi Brad,
> >>
> >> Excellent advice!  Too bad I can't even begin to afford the saws you've
> >> suggested.  :-(  I might upgrade with aftermarket add-ons later, if
needs
> >> arise.
> >>
> >> Your emphasis on jigs leads me to post a question to you (or to anyone
> > else
> >> who cares to comment):  I have in mind a jig for cutting a 5/16" wide x
> >> ~3/8" deep rectangular slot through the length of a 1x2 piece of poplar
> >> stock.  I have a choice of doing it with a jig on a router (slowly,
with
> >> lots of heat and noise) or doing three passes through a jig on the
table
> >> saw.  I've never used a table saw to cut grooves.  Am I asking for
> >> trouble
> >> with regard to kickback?  I'm thinking that I'll avoid trouble by
having
> >> a
> >> simple jig that holds the workpiece securely against the table and
fence
> >> (while also covering the blade).  However I do this, I want to do it
the
> >> best way, because I'll (hopefully) be cutting LOTS of stock this way.
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Peace,
> >> Sarah
> >>
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Brad Smith" <staff@smithpiano.com>
> >> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> >> Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 2:19 AM
> >> Subject: RE: Table saw recommendations?
> >>
> >>
> >> > Hi Sarah,
> >> > My two cents...  or, my $1400...
> >> > I went through the process a few months back after having destroyed
> >> > my direct-drive table saw.
> >> > I chose Delta Unisaw, with extension table and mobile base for same.
> >> > The mobile base was 'free' with a coupon included in the purchase.
> >> > http://www.deltawoodworking.com/index.asp?e=136&p=4737
> >> > Delta has deals like this currently for all the X5 tools. It is 3HP,
> > cuts
> >> > thru the maple like butter. You can go to 5HP, if your needs require.
> >> > Researching, I found so much good news about the Biesmeyer fence,
> >> > that I added it to my 'must have' criteria.
> >> > http://www.deltawoodworking.com/index.asp?e=139&p=801
> >> > The fence makes the cuts jointer quality, EXACTLY where you want
> >> > them. The blade tilts to the left. I think it would accommodate a 12"
> >> > blade, not sure, check first.
> >> > Had to rewire the shop for 220V, but once you get to the larger saws,
> >> > most require it. I just got a nice dado set from Home Depot.
> >> > Diablo Stack Dado Saw Blade Set Model DD208
> >> >
> >> > It's more saw than I currently need, but I plan to move into more
> >> > woodworking stuff as I gracefully age.
> >> > My new motto is: "Buy it right, and buy it once".
> >> > Great tools pay for themselves, and you'll rarely regret getting the
> >> > 'good stuff'.
> >> >
> >> >>From the videos below, I learned about making customized throat
> >> > plates for the various dado cuts; general woodworking and machine
> > safety.
> >> > It's amazing what can be done with home made jigs and post-it note
> >> > shims. Mastering Woodworking Machines (Taunton Press) Mark
> >> > Duginske, Andrew Schultz
> >> > http://www.cambiumbooks.com/books/woodworking_machines/0-942391-98-5/
> >> > Mark Duginske has some good stuff on using the bandsaw for tenons,
> >> > with homemade fence, and paper shims to 'dial in' the thickness. He
> >> > does some dovetail joinery this way, that is really excellent.
> >> > DVD Mastering Your Table Saw (Taunton Press) Kelly Mehler
> >> > http://www.cambiumbooks.com/books/video-and-dvd/B0001KNH4K/
> >> > Great stuff on jigs, sliding miter box, cross cutting, safety, large
> > piece
> >> > work, odd shape work in sliding jigs, etc. He makes some jigs using
> >> > plexiglass, which function as miter box, and blade guard.
> >> > After viewing these, I'm more skeptical about buying expensive add-on
> >> > gadgets. (That's saying a lot, since I am a serious tool junkie). To
> > take
> >> > advantage of a full size cabinet saw and extension table, you
> >> > definitely
> >> > need shop space. I'm using an old lightweight door as a table top for
> >> > the saw, when not in use. Then, I have positions and wall jigs to
move
> >> > the table top for use as outfeed support. I actually enjoy the
> >> > challenge
> >> > of making a small shop space function.
> >> > Dust collection gets most of it conveniently through the port in back
> >> > of
> >> > the
> >> > saw. Adding dust collection above the blade is my next step. In the
> > Kelly
> >> > Mehler video, he uses a blade guard that extends out over the blade,
> >> > for
> >> > cuts that require removal of the original guard.
> >> > Just for fun, you might also check out: http://www.sawstop.com/
> >> > They have an ingenius system that would save your fingers, should you
> >> > momentarily lose focus while cutting.
> >> > Another good motto:
> >> > "NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF A MOVING BLADE"
> >> > Good luck with your purchase!
> >> >
> >> > Best regards,
> >> > Brad Smith, RPT
> >> > www.smithpiano.com
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > -----Original Message-----
> >> > From: Sarah Fox [mailto:sarah@graphic-fusion.com]
> >> > Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 2:38 PM
> >> > To: Pianotech
> >> > Subject: Table saw recommendations?
> >> >
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> > ----
> >
> >
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives


This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC