I am using a table saw to cut acrylic sheet to create boxes for a
number of purposes. The technique is to usually run the front back
pieces together over a jointer or fenced router to smooth the edges
prior to making a 90 degree seem.
The set up will need to cut very easily upto 3/8" cast acrylic and
easily to 1/32th inch repeatability. I was considering a basic set up
of the Jet Contractor saw 1 1/2 HP with an upgraded Beis fence or Incra
fence. Anything I should look out for or good I really need to go
higher end on the saw to get the precision I want?
Blade selection is important, especially if you'd like to be able to
skip the jointer step. It's possible to get a joinable cut with the
right blade. Generally, the higher number of teeth means the better the
cut in acrylic. As for rake angle and tooth pattern, check with the
manufacturer. Some plastic companies sell blades they find best for the
task.
Also, if you can fit it into your costs (it's a bit more expensive),
cast acrylic is more machine friendly than extruded, as it has a higher
melting point. Ever try to cut or drill plastic only to have it melt
back together? Wrong type of acrylic.
Hope this helps...
Gary
I have the correct cutting blade and use cast materials already.
I am really more interested in not wasting money on second rate machine
equipment, as well as not wasting money on overkill equipment for my
needs.
I really have two basic questions.
Is a Jet Contractor saw stable enough to get reliable precision to
1/32th of an inch with the proper set up equipment ect?
Is the Incra fence recommended over the Beis fence for such purposes?
How much flex is in the fence?
I can't understand how a 1/64th inch can be standard realistic accuracy
when I can get more than that in the tail end of the fence with a
little bit of pressure of standard fences.
Is there any flex in the fence of the Incra. Local shops here do not
have them set up on display.
Drew_Y wrote:
>
> Is a Jet Contractor saw stable enough to get reliable precision to
> 1/32th of an inch with the proper set up equipment ect?
Yes.
> Is the Incra fence recommended over the Beis fence for such purposes?
>
Any stock Bies style fence should cut to 1/32" precision without
spending more money.
Many woodworkers consider 1/64" "standard" precision.
Barry
Andy Dingley wrote:
> A simple Incra is only precise to 1/32" (the smallest
> adjustment you can make), but its accuracy (how well-spaced
> these arbitrary points are) is much better than this.
Andy...
Not sure I have the Incra you're talking about (photo near the
bottom of <http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/pix.html>) but using the
micro-adjust feature allows me to adjust more finely than 1/64"
with good repeatability.
I've been thinking of using a length of parachute cord to attach
a magnifying glass to the fence...
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/solar.html
My Jet Contractor's saw will easily meet those tolerances.
I use the stock fence. Honestly, just about any saw will work
provided you set it up properly. I'd avoid the bench top units
but a decent contractor's saw should work fine. For only 1/32" accuracy,
I wouldn't run out to buy a special fence.
Cheers,
cc
"Drew_Y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I am using a table saw to cut acrylic sheet to create boxes for a
> number of purposes. The technique is to usually run the front back
> pieces together over a jointer or fenced router to smooth the edges
> prior to making a 90 degree seem.
>
> The set up will need to cut very easily upto 3/8" cast acrylic and
> easily to 1/32th inch repeatability. I was considering a basic set up
> of the Jet Contractor saw 1 1/2 HP with an upgraded Beis fence or Incra
> fence. Anything I should look out for or good I really need to go
> higher end on the saw to get the precision I want?
>
Andy Dingley wrote:
> On 4 Apr 2005 13:55:17 -0700, "Drew_Y" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> I can't understand how a 1/64th inch can be standard
>> realistic accuracy when I can get more than that in the tail
>> end of the fence
>
> That's why I don't use my Incra any more.
Not sure what (if anything) to say. I can calibrate the Incra by
sliding it to the blade and adjusting the scales to read zero at
the cursor. That part, at least, seems fairly straightforeward.
Once calibrated, I can use the scale to position within a gnat's
eyelash of where I want the fence to be.
If I'm being more fussy than usual, I lock the fence at both
rails and at the slide - which effectively prevents flexing.
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/solar.html
Drew_Y wrote:
> How much flex is in the fence?
>
> I can't understand how a 1/64th inch can be standard realistic accuracy
> when I can get more than that in the tail end of the fence with a
> little bit of pressure of standard fences.
Any Bies copy I've ever used could repeatably rip a board to a given
measurement, within 1/64", measured with calipers. 1/64" is half a
32'd, which is the smallest mark on the scale.
I don't get all that worried about pushing fences unless I see it in the
results. The pressure is realistically spread along the face of the
fence. In all honestly, I've NEVER pushed on the far side of my General
Bies copy, so I don't really know if it'll move. <G> I am, however,
very familiar with the results I can get.
Barry
On 4 Apr 2005 13:55:17 -0700, "Drew_Y" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I can't understand how a 1/64th inch can be standard realistic accuracy
>when I can get more than that in the tail end of the fence
That's why I don't use my Incra any more.
On Mon, 04 Apr 2005 00:12:24 GMT, B a r r y <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Many woodworkers consider 1/64" "standard" precision.
I call 1/16" standard precision, and 1/64" standard accuracy.
A simple Incra is only precise to 1/32" (the smallest adjustment you
can make), but its accuracy (how well-spaced these arbitrary points
are) is much better than this.