I have $3,000 for a Table Saw. But I rent! 10Amp/15Amp??

Hey All:U,

Over the last 4 months I have been enjoying reading all the wonderful posts regarding workshops and equipment on here, so many super tips from you all! Now I have a question for you all..

We are planning to move buy our first home in around 12 months. I will be working with local hardwood (Red gum, Mulga, Other Central Aust hardwoods) and softwoods (Cypress pine, plywood, chipboard)

So.. What would you all recommend?

Option 1 *Wait 12 months until we buy a house and then grab a 3HP saw 15 Amp saw, which I will have wired in appropriately.

Option 2 *Buy a 10 amp saw which I can move around.. Actually! What size motor can I run with 10 Amps?


Thanx for your input. :)

Miko

Miko, I too am in a rental property, but I needed two x 20A circuits. The simple solution was to set up the electrickery so I can take it with me.

It depends on how long the run is from the power box to the shed. You could install a 15A circuit with a GPO very close to that (to limit the length of flat cable installed by the electrician), and then run a 15A extension lead to the shed from there. Maybe have the lead inside conduit or, as I did, 40mm water drainage pipe which is significantly cheaper than conduit.

The cost of the Sparky for this would be minimal. If it's a longish run to the shed you could use 20A flex for the extension lead, but you would need advice from a licenced Sparky on that.

HTH
Brett

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Miko, I too am in a rental property, but I needed two x 20A circuits. The simple solution was to set up the electrickery so I can take it with me.

It depends on how long the run is from the power box to the shed. You could install a 15A circuit with a GPO very close to that (to limit the length of flat cable installed by the electrician), and then run a 15A extension lead to the shed from there. Maybe have the lead inside conduit or, as I did, 40mm water drainage pipe which is significantly cheaper than conduit.

The cost of the Sparky for this would be minimal. If it's a longish run to the shed you could use 20A flex for the extension lead, but you would need advice from a licenced Sparky on that.

HTH
Brett

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Thank you Brett for you rapid response! The shed is powered with 4 double plug 10Amp switches. The power box main is about 30mtrs from the shed (other side of the house, as far away as it possibly could be).

So you would recommend getting a 20 amp socket put in at the mains and run a 15 Amp lead to the shed? Leaving the owner with a new switch? I guess if it is not over $150 but I cannot take it with me though.. :)

Miko

Buy your saw now and replace one of the 10amp GPO covers/plates with a 15amp GPO cover/plate. All that will happen is the switch in the box may trip.

Instead of interfering with the elecktrickery in your rented place maybe consider one of these?

Portable RCD with 15A to 10A Mains Plug Conversion - Jaycar Electronics

It's along shot but what you need to find out is if the shed circuit has its own breaker back at the house CB box.

If it does then you may be able to safely run a 3HP/15A saw in the shed provided you run nothing else except perhaps a light at the same time. It is unlikely for example that you would be able to run a DC on the same circuit at the same time.

The fact that there will be a plug compatibility issue is for you to resolve.

The main reason that 3HP saws use a 15A plug and dedicated circuit is because the start up currents can very briefly (e.g. ~2s) be as high as 50A.
The breakers in most 10A circuits are usually something like 20A breakers but are normally designed to cope with 50A start up current for a couple of seconds, but only if there is not already something else that draws a high current, like an electric kettle or an air con, running on the same circuit.

A 15A dedicated circuit will often use the exact same breaker (20A) as the 10A circuit

You should be aware that a motor rated at 3HP/15A is just a nominal rating for a motor.
My 3HP/15A TS only draws ~6A when it is free running, about 8A when doing light cuts, ~10A when doing intermediate cuts, 12A on heavy cuts and it will continue to draw current up to 17A before the motor (not the 20A breaker) trips. When I connected it to a 10A power circuit with nothing else running on that circuit it starts fine and runs fine even when doing heavy cuts, and I could not get the 20A Breaker to trip before the motor tripped.

Edit - Just read BS post and agree that this device is by far the easiest route - but given it is rated only to 10A it may still trip on starting - I would definitely try or find out before buying.
If the breakers in the house keep tripping you will just have to keep turning other devices off until the breakers stop tripping.
It is unlikely that Jaycar will know what that thing does, what we need is someone that has one and has tried it out on their TS.

There are several ways (as above posts prove) to run a 15 amp saw on a 10 amp circuit. But you can expect that your warranty will be void if you do so and the motor fails (for any reason).

Voice of experience.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Miko Zaire

So you would recommend getting a 20 amp socket put in at the mains and run a 15 Amp lead to the shed? Leaving the owner with a new switch? I guess if it is not over $150 but I cannot take it with me though.. :)

Miko

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Exactly, except I'll be taking the circuit board stuff with me as well.

Thanx Guys! A lot of great ideas.

It so happens that the shed has it's own dedicated circuit, unfortunately the lights and all switch's run off the same line. My uncle is a sparky over in Bingara NSW so I asked him today about how it would fair, he said "It would work no worries, but it is not a good idea". Just as you guys have mentioned

-It is possible but there are added risks, I had a conversation with the wife and outlined those risks.. So now we have both agreed to hold off on the saw purchase until we get our own place, but then I have permission to rewire and deck out the shed to my desires, I can not disagree with that. I think I might be better off in the long run.

I guess I will have to turn my focus back to milling timber with my Alaskan mill in preparation for my new work shop later this year.

I appreciate all the good will and good ideas guys. Thanx

Miko

p.s Anyone want to trade for some Desert timbers? I would love some Tassie or north QLD species.

:)

Don't write off a saw that runs off 10a. I've got a jet cabinet saw - it runs on 10a, and came complete witha 10a plug. Not sure what he power of the motor is, but it doesn't ever have any problems in practice, which is all that counts. I can run a dado stack or rip 50-60mm hardwood without trouble.

Trav

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trav

Don't write off a saw that runs off 10a. I've got a jet cabinet saw - it runs on 10a, and came complete witha 10a plug. Not sure what he power of the motor is, but it doesn't ever have any problems in practice, which is all that counts. I can run a dado stack or rip 50-60mm hardwood without trouble. Trav

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It probably has a 2HP/10A motor rebranded as a 3HP/15A on other machinery.

I don't know how long it will be until you purchase your own home
so think of this; the dollar is falling and the price of saws will rise.

Will you be better off to buy your saw and store it until you have
your own place?

:U

Yep! The money just came through and in 3 weeks we will be living in our own home! I even have an 8 x 4 mtr powered shed which I plan to upgrade the power in.. So now..


Who has a 12 inch saw they can recommend? What seems to be the best deal or design relating to a 12 inch saw in the current market?

My budget is now reduced to around $2,000 anyone have any recommendations?

:) Woot yeah!

Miko

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Miko Zaire

.... I even have an 8 x 4 mtr powered shed which I plan to upgrade the power in.....

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:2tsup:

Great to hear Miko!!!:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

My prediction about the dollar has not been entirely accurate! Lucky you!!

I had a look at the Laguna saws at The Bris.WWW show. Very nice units but no idea of price.

Other than that Jet has a good reputation and I think someone here reviewed a Harvey. Have a look in the reviews forum.

And good luck!!