subject: Power Tools – For Quick and Precise Cuts [print this page] Jobs can be completed quickly and efficiently with power tools. However, there are a variety of different electrical devices for different jobs. The first power saws to provide quick and precise cuts were table saws. Most heavy-duty motors can rip through any type of hard or soft wood, with a choice in motor size. The average craftsman will use a 1-1/2 horsepower motor. This will cut most woods up to 2 inches thick. Some harder woods require a larger motor, such as 2 horsepower. Cabinet saws can have motors with as much as 5 horsepower.
Most table power saws and power tool saws have rip fence that keeps the wood stable as it is slid through the blade giving a straight, precise cut. The blade guard stays over the blade until you begin passing the wood over the power tool saw and then it slides over the wood helping to protect your hands. Table power saws can come with or without stands. They make the job easier though, providing elevation. Table power tool saws also come in two sizes, a 10 inch blade and a 12 inch blade. They work equally well for most jobs. However, the 12 inch blade will ultimately cut a thicker piece of wood.
Table power saws use a variety of different blades. Rip blades are designed to move wood through the saw at a fast rate. They tend to have fewer, but larger teeth. Crosscut blades, on the other hand, have up to 80 teeth and are much smaller. These are used for more controlled cuts with a better edge. As the name implies, they is used to cut against the grain instead of with it like a rip blade.
There are other types of blades like gullets, which offer a better cut than the rip blade. Perpendicular cuts are not the only type of sawing that these tools can do. Miter gauges are an important element of table power tool saws. These help slide the wood through the spinning blade and keep the board even. When making an angle cut, the miter blade can adjust to the precise angle, making it a very useful guide.
Table power saws are one of the most important type of power tool saws available and should be in the workshop of every home craftsman, particularly for specialty cuts.
