Well, I posted a semi-gloat last week about the purchase of my new
unisaw, and a few of you told me to let you all know how things went
when I got it put together. I'm about halfway there so I thought I'd
better post a "mid-term" report. (warning, long and rambling... it's
1:24 in the morning and I can't sleep so I think I'll just type a
while)
I purchased my saw on Saturday the 30th of April. through Amazon. By
Tuesday it became apparent that although my saw would ship quickly, the
free mobile base and dust extractor would not arrive until early/mid
June. We were having a garage sale on Saturday (and yes, I even
managed to sell my old bench top saw.... for $5 less than I paid for it
a year plus ago... :)
Anyway, imagine my surprise on Friday morning when I get a call from
the delivery company that they had my saw, and if I wanted it delivered
that day I could have it! I made the wise choice (with SWMBO standing
over my shoulder listening) and asked if they could wait until the next
week because my garage was full of "bargains" Oh well... I expected
the worst would happen and I would not get my saw for several weeks as
delivery companies do not come into San Angelo often (it's not really
on the road to anywhere) I was astounded when I received a call on
Monday asking if they could bring it over on Tuesday morning!
"Absolutely" I told them, and began whistling and sweeping a "special
place" on my garage floor about 3 feet from my newly wired 220 outlet.
The saw arrived, with tilt meter blissfully white, and I proceeded to
open boxes. There is no (that I've found yet) damage and I am taking
my time. So far I have
1. Read the instructions forwards and backwards... twice
2. Unpacked all saw materials (fence materials are still in the
boxes).... wondered where the "coupon book" that was supposed to come
with the saw was... called Delta... the coupon book promotion is
over... I guess I can't complain much, (gloat) I paid $1380 for a
Unisaw with 52 inch Beis fence, Jet Dust collector, and Mobile base)
3. Assembled Saw, sans fence materials. Everything looks great. The
surface of the top is smooth, though not "mirror like" I don't
suppose I'll be shaving in it with any of my chisels though, so I'm not
worried) and Boy is that motor BIG...
4. Turned on saw
5. Frowned at noticeable "clunk" at startup
6. Turned off saw
7. Turned on saw again, hoping the "clunk" was from belt sitting in
storage
8. Frowned less now that the "clunk" is less noticeable, though not
gone
9. Made a crosscut with miter gauge
10. Smiled at smoothness of cut
Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm going to put the fence on the saw or wait
until the mobile base arrives. I would really like to assemble the
whole thing so I can do some ripping, as I have a backlog of
projects... so I'm not sure if I'll wait or not. (though I could
probably use the workout from using my handsaw... just to make me
appreciate my new tool even more)
As I am essentially a beginner with the table saw, I am pulling out all
the articles I can find on table saw safety (Fine Woodworking #97 has a
great article) and also reading the "accident reports" on the
woodworking2.org page... the stories on there really make me look at my
new "toy" with (always had it with my bench top, but now even more so
now) respect.
Anyway, thank you all for your support and advice. I look forward to
using my saw for many years to come (and chatting with all you fine
folks too) If anyone has any additional advice, I'd love to learn from
your experiences.
Very Respectfully,
Lawrence
Hi Lawrence,
Enjoy your saw! And on a side note: If you're an industrious person,
as you're driving through the countryside (farming community) look for
an old broken, no longer used, abandoned hay transporting machine. Do
you know the kind, that is used to transport bales of hay up into the
loft of a barn. They are around, if you just look closely enough.
Anyway, the rollers make for great outfeed and infeed rollers stands
(make your own stand) for your longer lumber/woodworking. They are
easy to make. I would think the owner of the hay machine might give
you a several of the rollers. ......Just an idea, if the opportunity
presents itself.
[email protected] wrote:
> I expected
> the worst would happen and I would not get my saw for several weeks as
> delivery companies do not come into San Angelo often (it's not really
> on the road to anywhere)
Are we talking San Angelo, TX?
Lew
The Unisaw is indeed not a toy.. Safety is the "biggest"
issue you face. I would begin to seriously consider getting
one of the overhead guards as your next purchase.
Just remember...that's a real 3hp motor with a blade
strapped to it. Making a dumb mistake with 3hp will
result in some very scary moments.
Be safe and enjoy a wonderful power tool.
[email protected] wrote:
>
> As I am essentially a beginner with the table saw, I am pulling out all
> the articles I can find on table saw safety (Fine Woodworking #97 has a
> great article) and also reading the "accident reports" on the
> woodworking2.org page... the stories on there really make me look at my
> new "toy" with (always had it with my bench top, but now even more so
> now) respect.
Blimp races? :)
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Is the Goodyear track still in operation?
>
[email protected] wrote:
> Yes, I live in San Angelo Texas
>
Spent a couple of weeks in S/A many years ago.
Is the Goodyear track still in operation?
Great fun to be driving out to the track at dawn trying to run over
the bugs on the road as a way to start your day.
By 10:00AM, it was time to get out of the sun.
Lew
<[email protected]> wrote in message
> 4. Turned on saw
> 5. Frowned at noticeable "clunk" at startup
> 6. Turned off saw
> 7. Turned on saw again, hoping the "clunk" was from belt sitting in
> storage
> 8. Frowned less now that the "clunk" is less noticeable, though not
> gone
> 9. Made a crosscut with miter gauge
> 10. Smiled at smoothness of cut
The "clunk" is not unusual on a Unisaw, don't worry about it.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 5/6/06