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Deft Table Saw
Friday 03 October 2008
Rob Sandall and Michael Huntley find that high standards can be affordable
1.Michael found making veneer cuts easy and accurate in excecution, the crown guard working well
The first thing to note about the British-designed table saw range is that everything feels decidedly sturdy and well thought-out.
The clear acrylic factory-fitted crown guard is a clever and safe idea, each side of the guard moving independently, increasing protection as you move your wood through. The riving knife is machined well, and adjustable by removal of the table insert. The insert also had screws to allow it to be adjusted flush: a thoughtful inclusion. Similarly, the mitre guide, which ran true, had strips for adjustment: adaptability and accuracy are watchwords.
The face of the fence is an extrusion - one that can take a high or low profile - but one mounted on a solid steel bar and carriage, and one that enables quick and easy fine-tuning. To help your accuracy, a clear double-haired viewfinder does a good job once you're used to it, and you can mount this on either side of the bar. Locking down doesn't present problems either: the fence sits straight across the table.
Build quality
On the theme of robustness, hand wheels were impressively easy to lock, with no give at all, and the starter motor keeps the user safe and in control. Safe, too, is the process of changing blades. You have plenty of room to manouevre, and an included spanner - which you can hang on handy hooks on the side of the unit - will do the job.Inside, the gearing is chunky and looks very reliable, while easy access allows for adequate extraction. Side and rear extension tables are also available, along with the option of wheels and elevation stands to fascilitate using the unit on uneven ground.
There are T30 and T50 models available, the key difference being that there's 762mm rip to the right of the blade on the former, and 1270mm on the latter.
