Thread: What is this unusual table saw designed for ?

It would be interesting to know more about this saw. Having a vacuum table makes it more intreuging.

I assumed the mention of vacuum was just dust extraction.

A strange beast. It is likely for cutting sheet stock. 1300 throat will handle 1200 wide sheets. 0.5 hp is a bit light however. Be OK for making kitchen units perhaps but not much use for the average woodworker. If the description is right its also a monster scroll saw so that may bring some interest if someone has a special project in mind. The suction is likely dust extraction.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by Arron

I assumed the mention of vacuum was just dust extraction.

With multiple small hoses to ports in the cast iron table its unlikely to be dust extraction as say a down draft table. I haven't been successful in Googling much on the manufacturer "Notting" or the saw. Seems to be some interesting saws for sale lately, particularly "linotype letter press saws" so I'm wondering if that is its origin?

You are right google doesn't have much, found out lots about Notting Hill though
What I did find suggests it is a combination machine as you can have a table saw, scroll saw and a drill

Rick

Notting table bench circular saw ~ Drill and jig saw all in one !! | eBay

NOTTING TABLE BENCH circular saw with Drill and jig saw - PS150.00 | PicClick UK

Notting table bench circular saw with Drill and jig saw | eBay

My guess is that it was designed for the commercial sign making trade - cutting out acrylic sheet and other flat panels into complex shapes such as letter & numbers. The example at this link shows it fitted with circular saw, scroll saw and drill. That would make it ideal for cutting signage, the sort where Individual letters- mounted on the wall or another panel (directly or with spacers), which give a floating effect and produce a shadow. The vacuum would keep material in place for drilling & other processes.

The original link shows fences that are for thin material, an ideal setup for making square cuts. The manual effort for making this sort of sign making has been replaced by the cheap prices of CNC. And sign-making industry in general has been dealt a body blow by rise of cheap electronic LED panels.

Ross's reply makes good sense. I had also thought about the production of fretwork panels but by the time these saws would have been produced fretwork was probably out of favour with home buyers etc.