Thread: table saw vs panel saw

Vernon,
you've got a sliding table saw which also happens to be a panel saw. But yeah, my take on it is the same as Silent's.

Saws that have a sliding table are just that, sliding table saws.

Machines that have a sliding table saw and other functions like spindle moulder/jointer/thicknesser are combination machines with a sliding table.

A sliding table saw that's big enough to take at least a 2400 x 1200 sheet is a panel saw. If they're smaller than that they won't take a panel.

At least that's what I mean when I use those terms.


Mick

Yeah, I think what confused me was looking at the links that Silent put up and seeing two saws that basically function the same i.e. both had sliding tables. What I didn't think about was the size of the material they could take. But I'm a bit clearer now.

I should have power in the shed in a few weeks and hopefully have the saw going soon afterwards ... really looking forward to firing the beast up.

That was a bad example of a sliding table saw - it looks a lot like a panel saw

Perhaps something more like this: http://www.timbecon.com.au/details/1...-amp-8608.aspx

Originally Posted by dvdhack

Thanks for that.

Yes its a cabinet makers saw I'm looking at but I do want to be able to handle sheets for making the vanities etc - I like the idea of the cabinet saw with an extension to handle the odd sheet.

The beauty of a panel saw is that the sliding table runs along side the saw blade.

A contractors saw with a sliding table will end up taking as much room as a panel saw.

If you don't have have the room, then a panel saw with a shorter sliding table (1200mm) would be the go, you will not regret it. Don't forget a scoring unit.

Zelk

A panel saw cuts panels.
A table saw cuts tables
A contractor saw cuts contractors.

Originally Posted by Wongo

A panel saw cuts panels.
A table saw cuts tables
A contractor saw cuts contractors.

So, what do you cut?

JET Tables

OK, this is bugging me, so I've had a look in my copy of The Tablesaw book by Kelly Mehler.

Panel Saws
A panel saw is basically a large sliding table saw designed to handle primarily full-sized sheet goods. The sliding table is integral - never an add-on. A full-sized outrigger table for panel support is carried by a telescoping arm. The sliding table has a stroke of at least 8 ft., and a 10 ft. stroke isn't unusual. A panel saw always includes a scoring blade that is powered by a separate motor. Many European saws and combination machines are available in panel saw configuration.

On sliding table saws (which he calls European Saws):

Regardless of the type [integral or add-on], a sliding table provides enormous advantages for the woodworker. Pushing a workpiece across the saw table with a miter gauge is no comparison with carrying it effortlessly through the blade on a sliding table. A 4ft.-long table suits most general woodworking just fine. However, longer tables open more possibilities for ripping, as well as handling full-sized sheet goods.

Basically, his recommendation is that if a sliding table is important to you, buy a European-style saw with an integral table, because they are much better than a cabinet saw with an add on. He also comments that the safety features on the European saws are generally better and that accessories (such as the sliding table) are integral and designed for the saw, and so better than after-sales jigs and accessories fitted to a cabinet saw. On the other hand, a same-quality European saw is generally more expensive - but you can factor in the cost of making sleds, buying sliding tables etc and it may seem less so.

There you go, so what you really need to decide is whether or not you want a sliding table. If the answer is yes, go for a sliding table saw rather than a cabinet saw with an add on.

Originally Posted by Wongo

JET Tables

Cool!

Originally Posted by silentC

OK, this is bugging me

Originally Posted by silentC

...........A panel saw always includes a scoring blade that is powered by a separate motor.................

Nope, he's wrong there. Usually, but not always. On Felders they're an optional extra that most but not all buyers specify. Also on a few saws the scriber is belt driven off the main motor.

Mick

There's an exception to every rule

Now I'm confused.

The sliding table concept seems to be the most flexible.

Am I right in believing it is also the most accurate? If I cut legs of tables on the slide will they be accurately square or is a lot of fudging required?

My panel saw is accurate to fractions of a mm, more accurate than most people will ever need to be when working with timber.

Mick