bb

"boorite"

02/09/2006 11:34 AM

Mighty Mite 4" saw from HF: 1st look & sled

SWMBO got this miniature "table saw" from HF for making models and
small parts. Cost $30 on sale, comes with a blade for wood and a blade
for tile or stone. Here it is with some items for scale:

<img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0077.jpg">

<a href="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0077.jpg">Or
here.</a>

That pretend miter gage thing is completely useless. So I made a little
sled out of tempered hardboard, some pre-dimensioned oak hobby board,
some scrap for the fences, and a piece of Lexan:

<img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0079.jpg">

<a href="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0079.jpg">Or
here.</a>

Now it actually works. It'll actually cut 1/2" hardwood, but you have
to watch your feed rate. Very tiny motor, maybe 1 amp. It's great for
cutting a 1/4" piece off of 1/4" ply. No tearout!

Just goes to show that even el sucko tools can work if you think of
them as a platform for shopmade jigs. If the motor spins and the all
the machine threads hold, you can do something with it. In the case of
this saw, you absolutely have to make your own fixtures, or you will
probably decide the tool is useless.

This little sled amused me so much I just had to post about it.


This topic has 12 replies

bb

"boorite"

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

03/09/2006 11:22 AM

Morris Dovey wrote:
> Nice sled! What are your plans for dust collection?

A two-stage system: brush and dustpan.

> Please share pix
> of new attachments as you make 'em.

Will do. Gonna make a rip fence today... and then get right to work on
the adjustable mighter and taper jig.

--Scott

bb

"boorite"

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

03/09/2006 11:29 AM

Lee Michaels wrote:
> How much power does it develop on those two AA batteries?

Aw, them's just for scale. This bad boy has to plug into the wall
'cause it draws almost a whole amp and develops 1/8 HP! Haven't wired
it for 220 yet so it don't dim the lights when I turn it on.

--Scott

bb

"boorite"

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

03/09/2006 11:35 AM

J T wrote:
> If I was big into model making I'd want one too. But I notice on
> your little sled you can see where the blade comes right out the back -
> if it was me, I'd glue on some sort of a little stop or something, to
> prevent my thumb from accidently sliding over to that slot, and risk
> pushing the sled too far forward. In fact, I'd glue a little block on
> the fence, so my fingers wouldn't get over too near the blade either.

Yeah, I'm definitely gluing a little block to the back of the fence.

The real struggle is finding good aftermarket blades for this thing.
They're 4" diameter with a 1/2" arbor. There are lots of diamond-tipped
gem and tile blades out there, but Micro-mark is the only source I've
found for wood blades. They sell 3 different ones, each of which costs
almost as much as we paid for the saw. But at $30 I expected that.

--Scott

bb

"boorite"

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

03/09/2006 11:43 AM

J T wrote:
> If I was big into model making I'd want one too. But I notice on
> your little sled you can see where the blade comes right out the back -
> if it was me, I'd glue on some sort of a little stop or something, to
> prevent my thumb from accidently sliding over to that slot, and risk
> pushing the sled too far forward. In fact, I'd glue a little block on
> the fence, so my fingers wouldn't get over too near the blade either.

Yeah, I'm definitely gluing a little block to the back of the fence.

The real struggle is finding good aftermarket blades for this thing.
They're 4" diameter with a 1/2" arbor. There are lots of diamond-tipped
gem and tile blades out there, but Micro-mark is the only source I've
found for wood blades. They sell 3 different ones, each of which costs
almost as much as we paid for the saw. But at $30 I expected that.

--Scott

JJ

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

02/09/2006 9:13 PM

Sat, Sep 2, 2006, 11:34am (EDT-3) [email protected] (boorite) doth
proudly proclaimeth:
<snip> That pretend miter gage thing is completely useless. So I made a
little sled <snip>

If I was big into model making I'd want one too. But I notice on
your little sled you can see where the blade comes right out the back -
if it was me, I'd glue on some sort of a little stop or something, to
prevent my thumb from accidently sliding over to that slot, and risk
pushing the sled too far forward. In fact, I'd glue a little block on
the fence, so my fingers wouldn't get over too near the blade either.
Of course that wouldn't keep the sled quite as pretty, but up to you.



JOAT
Justice was invented by the innocent.
Mercy and lawyers were invented by the guilty.

DB

"Dave Bugg"

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

02/09/2006 12:15 PM

boorite wrote:
> SWMBO got this miniature "table saw" from HF for making models and
> small parts. Cost $30 on sale, comes with a blade for wood and a blade
> for tile or stone. Here it is with some items for scale:
>
> <img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0077.jpg">

That is pretty nifty. Good job.

--
Dave
www.davebbq.com

c

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

02/09/2006 10:26 PM

On 2 Sep 2006 11:34:48 -0700, "boorite" <[email protected]> wrote:

>SWMBO got this miniature "table saw" from HF for making models and
>small parts. Cost $30 on sale, comes with a blade for wood and a blade
>for tile or stone. Here it is with some items for scale:
>
>This little sled amused me so much I just had to post about it.
>

I just know I have the have one.

Enjoy
Pete

MD

"Morris Dovey"

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

02/09/2006 4:56 PM

boorite (in [email protected])
said:

| SWMBO got this miniature "table saw" from HF for making models and
| small parts. Cost $30 on sale, comes with a blade for wood and a
| blade for tile or stone. Here it is with some items for scale:

| http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0077.jpg

| That pretend miter gage thing is completely useless. So I made a
| little sled out of tempered hardboard, some pre-dimensioned oak
| hobby board, some scrap for the fences, and a piece of Lexan:

| http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0079.jpg

Nice sled! What are your plans for dust collection? Please share pix
of new attachments as you make 'em.

FWIW, an adjustable miter sled and a taper sled might go over well.

Sometimes it's not the size of the tool... :-)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

02/09/2006 10:56 PM

I saw one of those several years ago when a HF had just opened up around
here. Would have bought if it didn't have an, I believe $80.00 price tag on
it. At thirty bucks though, it would be worth having. Set it next to your
big one just to show your range of versatility. :)

<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I just know I have the have one.
>
> Enjoy
> Pete

LM

"Lee Michaels"

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

02/09/2006 6:10 PM


"boorite" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> SWMBO got this miniature "table saw" from HF for making models and
> small parts. Cost $30 on sale, comes with a blade for wood and a blade
> for tile or stone. Here it is with some items for scale:
>
> <img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0077.jpg">
>
> <a href="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0077.jpg">Or
> here.</a>
>
> That pretend miter gage thing is completely useless. So I made a little
> sled out of tempered hardboard, some pre-dimensioned oak hobby board,
> some scrap for the fences, and a piece of Lexan:
>
> <img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0079.jpg">
>
> <a href="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0079.jpg">Or
> here.</a>
>
> Now it actually works. It'll actually cut 1/2" hardwood, but you have
> to watch your feed rate. Very tiny motor, maybe 1 amp. It's great for
> cutting a 1/4" piece off of 1/4" ply. No tearout!
>
> Just goes to show that even el sucko tools can work if you think of
> them as a platform for shopmade jigs. If the motor spins and the all
> the machine threads hold, you can do something with it. In the case of
> this saw, you absolutely have to make your own fixtures, or you will
> probably decide the tool is useless.
>
> This little sled amused me so much I just had to post about it.
>

That saw is small enough to do a tablesaw comedy routine!!

That is the first time I saw a sled that is bigger than the saw.

I am sure that this little tyke would be perfect for that odd small job.

How much power does it develop on those two AA batteries?

Good fix and improvisation there!


md

mac davis

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

04/09/2006 8:01 AM

On 3 Sep 2006 11:35:27 -0700, "boorite" <[email protected]> wrote:

>J T wrote:
>> If I was big into model making I'd want one too. But I notice on
>> your little sled you can see where the blade comes right out the back -
>> if it was me, I'd glue on some sort of a little stop or something, to
>> prevent my thumb from accidently sliding over to that slot, and risk
>> pushing the sled too far forward. In fact, I'd glue a little block on
>> the fence, so my fingers wouldn't get over too near the blade either.
>
>Yeah, I'm definitely gluing a little block to the back of the fence.
>
>The real struggle is finding good aftermarket blades for this thing.
>They're 4" diameter with a 1/2" arbor. There are lots of diamond-tipped
>gem and tile blades out there, but Micro-mark is the only source I've
>found for wood blades. They sell 3 different ones, each of which costs
>almost as much as we paid for the saw. But at $30 I expected that.
>
>--Scott

Check with a local saw shop.... some contractors use small blades at high rpm,
and someone has to sell and sharpen them..


Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

Ll

Leuf

in reply to "boorite" on 02/09/2006 11:34 AM

02/09/2006 7:07 PM

On 2 Sep 2006 11:34:48 -0700, "boorite" <[email protected]> wrote:

>SWMBO got this miniature "table saw" from HF for making models and
>small parts. Cost $30 on sale, comes with a blade for wood and a blade
>for tile or stone. Here it is with some items for scale:
>
><img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0077.jpg">
>
><a href="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/boorite/DCFN0077.jpg">Or
>here.</a>
>
>That pretend miter gage thing is completely useless.

I got their 4" sander a little while ago, and damned if it isn't the
exact same thing with a different table. Same pretend miter gage.
You gotta love the "almost red" color though.

It's a little bit of a step down from the Byrnes saw, but at 1/15th
the cost, hey.

http://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/tablesaw.html?id_mm=0105MM362063


-Leuf


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