I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question is
though how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I think
about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find accuracy in
my technique as opposed to my tools?
--
Thank you,
"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16
>So I ordered a Dewalt. Money is tight though.
I started with a batch of benchtop tools. Most of them were worthless
for what I wanted to do. I think they're really intended for smaller
projects like magazine racks or bird feeders. If you plan on making
furniture, or anything out of plywood, you really need a better saw.
If I could start again, I would have invested in some hand tools. I
japanese hand saw, some chisels, things to sharpen them with and maybe
a couple hand planes. It's cheaper to start that way. You can start
making things sooner, then add machines as you grow. Now, I have maybe
half the machines I want, and maybe half the hand tools I want.
Now that you have the miter saw, use it. As an example though, you
could have used a hand saw to cut it, then cleaned up the miter with a
hand plane and shooting board. It would take longer, but done right
would probably make better miters than the miter saw.
I also wish I had found this newsgroup before investing in the first
batch of tools. I probably would have passed on the jointer, tablesaw,
bandsaw, and first two routers that I bought. The drill press and
planer turned out ok.
brian
>> If the bar is steel, you could try peening it. <<
Dave, what in the world good would peeing on it do?? What are you,
nuts? That'd be dangerous in a shop environment (especially if the saw
is turned on, for cripes sake!), and don't even get me started on the
rust problems that could be caused by such an action. Or the
unsanitary conditions! Imagine!
In fact, no liquid of any kind I can think of is gonna fix the problem.
He needs to get a new one, or fix that one; peeing on it won't help at
all.
And another thing. What if one of the children were to see him doing
this, huh? They could be scarred for life to see their daddy peeing on
his table saw.
If you ask me, he would be better off .......
**Uh, A.J, he said "peening," not "peeing," OK? "Peening."**
Oh.... That's very different....
Never mind.
A.J.
How about building a crosscut sled for it? Maybe even a miter sled.
Just because it is a benchtop saw doesn't mean you can't make a lot of
things with it. The "Little Shop That Could" project in Popular
Woodworking used a Skil benchtop saw and they built a dozen nice
projects with it. They upgraded to a contractor's saw with the "Little
Shop Mark II" when the budget was bigger.
If money is tight I always say try to make do with what you have
instead of giving up and waiting for something better. I can't tell
you how many things I joyfully made as a teenager and young adult with
a Hersh saw table (a circular saw mounted underneath).
Mike
Mon, Jan 30, 2006, 4:45pm [email protected] (dnoyeB) wanders in and
mumles:
I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question is
though how accurate is this thing supposed to be? <snip>
One word - saw sled.
JOAT
Shhh... that's the sound of nobody caring what you think.
"dnoyeB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter slide
>thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question is though
>how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
>
> When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I think
> about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find accuracy in
> my technique as opposed to my tools?
>
>
1/8 to 1/4 play is not acceptable to me. A saw with that much play is
dangerous.
Jim
>
> --
> Thank you,
>
>
>
> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes
> 9:16
chuck wrote:
> A suggestion:
>
> Head on down to the local library and check out all the books you find
> there on woodworking and table saws and enjoy a few weekends of reading
> and thinking. This news group and the web in general can supplement what
> you find in the library.
>
> There is probably a connection between being able to resolve the "miter
> thingy" looseness and actually constructing usable items from wood.
>
> The solution to your problem at this point does not lie in the purchase
> of any equipment (except perhaps some measuring instruments). Remember
> that no tool is perfect and learning a craft means learning to deal with
> less-than-perfect tools. It also involves an appreciation for some often
> subtle economic tradeoffs. Any efforts applied to mastering the
> Craftsman table saw's weaknesses now will pay big dividends the rest of
> your life if you continue with the hobby. It is just far too early to
> give up on the saw you have.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Chuck
Great. Lots of good answers here. Im feeling better about my table
saw, and the ways I can potentially augment it. So much so that I may
not even have needed the Miter saw. But I still plan on eventually
building that small walkway over the swampy land through the trees in my
backyard for fun. That will require some long cuts no doubt :)
--
Thank you,
"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16
"A.J. Hamler" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Snip of incoherent blathering.
> **Uh, A.J, he said "peening," not "peeing," OK? "Peening."**
>
> Oh.... That's very different....
>
> Never mind.
Snore.
"dnoyeB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> David wrote:
> > dnoyeB wrote:
> >
> >> I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
> >> slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question
> >> is though how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
> >>
> >> When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I think
> >> about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find accuracy
> >> in my technique as opposed to my tools?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> > Accurate work is facilitated by accurate tools, although in the hands of
> > a klutz, the finest equipment does little good. 1/4" of "play" seems
> > almost unbelievable since the slot is only 3/4" wide (or less), but
> > whatever it is must be unacceptable to you or you wouldn't be asking
> > about it. Do have any plans on upgrading the saw soon? If the bar is
> > steel, you could try peening it.
> >
> > dave
>
>
> Well I bought it before I knew what I was doing. I am just learning.
> Yes the slow is very narrow and maybe I exagerated. Perhaps its
> 1/16-1/8" play. Anyway, while holding apiece of wood up against it, I
> can move the wood left or right with it. So I have to be careful to
> keep it to the right, or left, but not switch.
>
> Im not building any furniture *yet*. But before it gets too old, I
> would sell it and buy a new one, if its not a respectable tool.
>
> I think I have been influenced by my purchase of a Miter saw. No one
> respected the Craftsman or the other Black & Decker saws I was
> considering. So I ordered a Dewalt. Money is tight though.
>
> --
> Thank you,
>
>
>
> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes
9:16
If you're on a budget (who among us is not) keep an eye out for a used
Delta/Jet/ect. contractor saw. They are commonly put on the market by
people upgrading to cabinet saws. Benchtop saws are what they refer to as
work site saws and the only reason to buy one is if you have to put it in
the back of your pickup every day. Having said that, even a good quality
worksite saw (i.e. Bosch/Dewalt) is going to cost nearly as much as an entry
level contractor. For a home shop you want the induction motor, better
fence, and cast iron of the contractor.
dnoyeB wrote:
> David wrote:
>
>> dnoyeB wrote:
>>
>>> David wrote:
>>>
>>>> dnoyeB wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the
>>>>> miter slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My
>>>>> question is though how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
>>>>>
>>>>> When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I
>>>>> think about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find
>>>>> accuracy in my technique as opposed to my tools?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Accurate work is facilitated by accurate tools, although in the
>>>> hands of a klutz, the finest equipment does little good. 1/4" of
>>>> "play" seems almost unbelievable since the slot is only 3/4" wide
>>>> (or less), but whatever it is must be unacceptable to you or you
>>>> wouldn't be asking about it. Do have any plans on upgrading the saw
>>>> soon? If the bar is steel, you could try peening it.
>>>>
>>>> dave
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Well I bought it before I knew what I was doing. I am just learning.
>>> Yes the slow is very narrow and maybe I exagerated. Perhaps its
>>> 1/16-1/8" play. Anyway, while holding apiece of wood up against it,
>>> I can move the wood left or right with it. So I have to be careful
>>> to keep it to the right, or left, but not switch.
>>>
>>> Im not building any furniture *yet*. But before it gets too old, I
>>> would sell it and buy a new one, if its not a respectable tool.
>>>
>>> I think I have been influenced by my purchase of a Miter saw. No one
>>> respected the Craftsman or the other Black & Decker saws I was
>>> considering. So I ordered a Dewalt. Money is tight though.
>>>
>> If money is tighter than time, you might consider finding use
>> equipment that's not TOO used. Getting serviceable used equipment can
>> stretch a dollar, if you aren't opposed to that idea. Personally, I
>> like to buy everything new because I don't want someone else's
>> problems, but I'm aware that there is a huge market "out there" for
>> used tools and equipment.
>>
>> Dave
>
>
> Yea, I bought the craftsman new. But The dewalt, whenever it arrives,
> will be used. So I imagine I could get another used something if the
> craftsman is actually a problem. Just wondering if it is indeed a
> problem or if they are all like that.
>
You can make a cross-cut sled more accurate than the miter gauge by
using tight fitting runners. I use 2 of the Incra aluminum, adjustable
width runners on my sled. You can adjust them to take any slop in the slot.
Dave
dnoyeB wrote:
> I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
> slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question is
> though how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
>
> When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I think
> about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find accuracy in
> my technique as opposed to my tools?
>
>
>
Accurate work is facilitated by accurate tools, although in the hands of
a klutz, the finest equipment does little good. 1/4" of "play" seems
almost unbelievable since the slot is only 3/4" wide (or less), but
whatever it is must be unacceptable to you or you wouldn't be asking
about it. Do have any plans on upgrading the saw soon? If the bar is
steel, you could try peening it.
dave
David wrote:
> dnoyeB wrote:
>
>> David wrote:
>>
>>> dnoyeB wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
>>>> slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My
>>>> question is though how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
>>>>
>>>> When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I
>>>> think about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find
>>>> accuracy in my technique as opposed to my tools?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Accurate work is facilitated by accurate tools, although in the hands
>>> of a klutz, the finest equipment does little good. 1/4" of "play"
>>> seems almost unbelievable since the slot is only 3/4" wide (or less),
>>> but whatever it is must be unacceptable to you or you wouldn't be
>>> asking about it. Do have any plans on upgrading the saw soon? If
>>> the bar is steel, you could try peening it.
>>>
>>> dave
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Well I bought it before I knew what I was doing. I am just learning.
>> Yes the slow is very narrow and maybe I exagerated. Perhaps its
>> 1/16-1/8" play. Anyway, while holding apiece of wood up against it,
>> I can move the wood left or right with it. So I have to be careful to
>> keep it to the right, or left, but not switch.
>>
>> Im not building any furniture *yet*. But before it gets too old, I
>> would sell it and buy a new one, if its not a respectable tool.
>>
>> I think I have been influenced by my purchase of a Miter saw. No one
>> respected the Craftsman or the other Black & Decker saws I was
>> considering. So I ordered a Dewalt. Money is tight though.
>>
> If money is tighter than time, you might consider finding use equipment
> that's not TOO used. Getting serviceable used equipment can stretch a
> dollar, if you aren't opposed to that idea. Personally, I like to buy
> everything new because I don't want someone else's problems, but I'm
> aware that there is a huge market "out there" for used tools and equipment.
>
> Dave
Yea, I bought the craftsman new. But The dewalt, whenever it arrives,
will be used. So I imagine I could get another used something if the
craftsman is actually a problem. Just wondering if it is indeed a
problem or if they are all like that.
--
Thank you,
"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16
A suggestion:
Head on down to the local library and check out all the books you find
there on woodworking and table saws and enjoy a few weekends of reading
and thinking. This news group and the web in general can supplement what
you find in the library.
There is probably a connection between being able to resolve the "miter
thingy" looseness and actually constructing usable items from wood.
The solution to your problem at this point does not lie in the purchase
of any equipment (except perhaps some measuring instruments). Remember
that no tool is perfect and learning a craft means learning to deal with
less-than-perfect tools. It also involves an appreciation for some often
subtle economic tradeoffs. Any efforts applied to mastering the
Craftsman table saw's weaknesses now will pay big dividends the rest of
your life if you continue with the hobby. It is just far too early to
give up on the saw you have.
Good luck!
Chuck
J T wrote:
> Mon, Jan 30, 2006, 4:45pm [email protected] (dnoyeB) wanders in and
> mumles:
> I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
> slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question is
> though how accurate is this thing supposed to be? <snip>
>
> One word - saw sled.
>
>
>
> JOAT
> Shhh... that's the sound of nobody caring what you think.
>
I couldn't imagine sawing while sleding? What exactly is a saw sled?
--
Thank you,
"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16
Tue, Jan 31, 2006, 8:29am [email protected] (dnoyeB) doth asketh:
What exactly is a saw sled?
You are gonna "have" to learn how to use google.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=SAW+SLED+PLANS
JOAT
Shhh... that's the sound of nobody caring what you think.
"dnoyeB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>>> When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I think
about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? <<<
I'm thinking you have the wrong mitre slide thingy in the wrong saw or visa
versa. RM~
On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:45:03 -0500, dnoyeB <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
>slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question is
>though how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
>
Don't expect too much precision.
>When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I think
>about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find accuracy in
>my technique as opposed to my tools?
That much slop is unacceptable. There are several techniques to tune
up the miter gauge, or you might consider replacing it.
dnoyeB wrote:
> David wrote:
>
>> dnoyeB wrote:
>>
>>> I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
>>> slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question
>>> is though how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
>>>
>>> When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I think
>>> about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find accuracy
>>> in my technique as opposed to my tools?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> Accurate work is facilitated by accurate tools, although in the hands
>> of a klutz, the finest equipment does little good. 1/4" of "play"
>> seems almost unbelievable since the slot is only 3/4" wide (or less),
>> but whatever it is must be unacceptable to you or you wouldn't be
>> asking about it. Do have any plans on upgrading the saw soon? If the
>> bar is steel, you could try peening it.
>>
>> dave
>
>
>
> Well I bought it before I knew what I was doing. I am just learning.
> Yes the slow is very narrow and maybe I exagerated. Perhaps its
> 1/16-1/8" play. Anyway, while holding apiece of wood up against it, I
> can move the wood left or right with it. So I have to be careful to
> keep it to the right, or left, but not switch.
>
> Im not building any furniture *yet*. But before it gets too old, I
> would sell it and buy a new one, if its not a respectable tool.
>
> I think I have been influenced by my purchase of a Miter saw. No one
> respected the Craftsman or the other Black & Decker saws I was
> considering. So I ordered a Dewalt. Money is tight though.
>
If money is tighter than time, you might consider finding use equipment
that's not TOO used. Getting serviceable used equipment can stretch a
dollar, if you aren't opposed to that idea. Personally, I like to buy
everything new because I don't want someone else's problems, but I'm
aware that there is a huge market "out there" for used tools and
equipment.
Dave
David wrote:
> dnoyeB wrote:
>
>> I have a craftsman bench top style table saw. I have used the miter
>> slide thingy to cut a few angles. It worked acceptably. My question
>> is though how accurate is this thing supposed to be?
>>
>> When the slider is in the slot there is a lot of play in it. I think
>> about 1/8-1/4" play. Is this normal? Am I supposed to find accuracy
>> in my technique as opposed to my tools?
>>
>>
>>
> Accurate work is facilitated by accurate tools, although in the hands of
> a klutz, the finest equipment does little good. 1/4" of "play" seems
> almost unbelievable since the slot is only 3/4" wide (or less), but
> whatever it is must be unacceptable to you or you wouldn't be asking
> about it. Do have any plans on upgrading the saw soon? If the bar is
> steel, you could try peening it.
>
> dave
Well I bought it before I knew what I was doing. I am just learning.
Yes the slow is very narrow and maybe I exagerated. Perhaps its
1/16-1/8" play. Anyway, while holding apiece of wood up against it, I
can move the wood left or right with it. So I have to be careful to
keep it to the right, or left, but not switch.
Im not building any furniture *yet*. But before it gets too old, I
would sell it and buy a new one, if its not a respectable tool.
I think I have been influenced by my purchase of a Miter saw. No one
respected the Craftsman or the other Black & Decker saws I was
considering. So I ordered a Dewalt. Money is tight though.
--
Thank you,
"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16