A table saw is an essential tool for professional woodworker.
It’s used to cut thicker wood into various shapes and sizes.
However, there are two types of table saws: direct drive and belt drive.
Direct drive saws use a kinds of motor directly attached to the blade.
They’re typically quieter and easier to control than belt drives.
On the other hand, belt drives are much faster and more powerful.
If you’re looking for a new powerful table saw, here are some things to consider before making your purchase.
What Type Of Wood Should You Buy For Your Home Shop?
The first thing that comes to mind when buying a range of table saw is what kind of work do you plan on doing with it?
If you want to build furniture or make custom cabinets, then you’ll need a powerful table saw designed specifically for those purposes.
But if you just want to get in touch with your inner carpenter, then any model will do.
There are three main categories of table saws: cabinet-style, contractor/home shop, and portable.
Cabinet-Style Models
These table saws are ideal for hobbyists who only occasionally need to cut larger pieces of material. The biggest drawback is their size; these machines tend to be heavy and bulky.
Contractor/HomeShop Models
This category includes all standard type of table saw except cabinet-style ones. These smaller versions are great for hobbyist projects because they’re easy to transport around the house. Some also include accessories such as miter gauges and fence systems.
Portable Tablesaw
Most people think of this style of table saw as being lightweight but compact. This makes them perfect for traveling craftsmen. Most portables weigh less than 10 pounds and fold flat for storage.
How Much Power Do I Need To Cut A Piece Of Material?
When shopping for a table saw, one of the most important considerations is how big the piece of material needs to be cut.
For example, accurate cutting plywood requires significantly more power than cutting of hardwoods like oak.
You can find tablesaws ranging from 1 horsepower up to 100 horsepower systems.
In general, higher powered models have longer blades which means they produce smoother cuts. However, lower powered models may be able to handle thicker materials without breaking down.
So, if you’re planning on using your table saw regularly, look at the maximum capacity rating of each machine. If you don’t know exactly how large a project you’ll be working on, start by measuring the largest board you’d ever expect to cut. Then add about 20 percent extra so you won’t run out of juice while trying to finish off the job.
Is It Worth Buying An Electric Or Gas Powered Model?
Table saws come in both gas and electric varieties.
While many homeowners prefer the quietness of electric motors, others enjoy the convenience of having access to natural gas.
Electricity additional cost vary depending on where you live, but generally speaking, electricity is cheaper than gasoline.
So, unless you’re going to use your table saw exclusively during peak hours, an electric motor might save you money over time.
Gasoline prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, so there’s no way to predict whether they’ll go up or down.
But regardless of price fluctuations, you should always check current pricing before purchasing a powerful tool.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Direct Drive vs Belt Driven Table Saws
The advantages of direct drive table saws are that they require fewer moving parts and therefore last much longer than belt driven models.
They also provide better performance when it comes to accuracy and speed.
However, some users complain that direct drives make noise louder than belts.
And since they lack pulleys, they cannot easily accommodate different blade sizes.
Belt driven table saws offer greater flexibility when it comes to changing blades.
But their disadvantages include additional maintenance requirements and slower speeds compared with direct drive machines.
Belt driven table saws usually cost slightly more than direct drive models.
So, if you plan on buying multiple tools, consider investing in a model that offers all the features you need.
If you only want to buy one table saw, then choose between these two options based on what kind of work you do.
Which Type Of Motor Should You Consider For Your Table Saw?
When choosing a type of powerful motor type for your table saw, keep in mind that larger diameter wheels will give you faster acceleration and deceleration rates.
This makes them ideal for tasks such as ripping long piece of wood.
But smaller diameter wheels allow you to maneuver around limited space.
So, if you frequently encounter obstacles, opt for this option.
Also, remember that bigger wheels mean heavier machinery.
This could affect your ability to lift heavy objects.
For example, most manufacturers recommend lifting weights less than 50 pounds with a single hand. You can increase this limit by using a second person.
In addition, look at the weight capacity of each machine.
Some models have capacities ranging from 100-200 lbs., whereas other models weigh significantly more.
Make sure you understand which ones fit into your home safely.
Are SawStop saws belt driven?
Yes! They are designed specifically for woodworking applications.
SawStop uses patented technology called “Blade Contact Technology” to stop blades automatically as soon as they begin to get too hot.
This prevents accidents caused by overheating issues and allows workers to focus on other aspects of their projects instead of constantly monitoring the temperature of their equipment.
Some people say BCT makes them feel safer because they never have to worry about accidentally starting a fire.
Others claim that the safety feature can actually increase the risk of injury due to its inability to detect certain types of cuts.
What is a flex drive table saw?
A Flexible Drive system consists of an electric motor life connected directly to the spindle through a flexible shaft.
This eliminates the use of gears or chains, making FD systems quieter and easier to maintain.
Flexible shafts come in various lengths depending on how far away the tool head needs to be positioned from the base plate.
Most FD tablesaws have adjustable heads so you can position the cutting depth area anywhere along the length of the table.
The main advantage of FD over conventional belts is that there’s no tension involved.
There’s also no chance of slipping since the entire mechanism moves together.
However, some users report having issues adjusting the height of the blade while others complain that the speed control doesn’t always respond properly.
How much power does my table saw require?
Table saw horsepower motors ratings range from 1/2 HP up to 3HP.
The higher the number, the greater the amount of torque available.
You’ll need enough power to cut large sheets of plywood without breaking down under pressure.
If you’re planning on doing any kind of serious work, it’s best to invest in a model rated between 2.5 – 4HP.
It should provide plenty of strength to handle even the heaviest materials.
In conclusion,
Both Direct Drive and Belt Driven table saws offer many advantages and disadvantages.
Both options will allow you to perform all kinds of tasks but if you want something quiet then go with the belt drive motors option.
On the other hand, if you prefer a powerful yet silent table saw then choose the direct drive type option.
Remember that these two machines aren’t perfect and neither one is better than the other.
They just differ based on what type of user you are looking for.
