| Author | Message | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 172 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.36.62  Rating: N/A |
I own one of the cheaper Ryobi table saws from a ig box store. I wish I could afford more, it would be nice to be able to use a Dado blade and have a deeper throat for the feed. The last straw has been that when I'm resawing wood to get a correct dimension, the open side of the blade is just too large and allows the pieces to drop down inside, causing friction on the blade, motor and bearings. On my old saw, I just cut a zero clearance insert, which is basically, just a piece of wood that fits the hole around the blade after the original insert is removed. Looking at this POS, it seems like ther isn't a good method of making a ZCI.... But Wait! I have a Dremel tool and lots of bits! I now have a decent ZCI and it works well. pictures will e forthcoming on my web site, as soon as I find the darn cord for the camera! | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 427 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.187.35.208  Rating: N/A |
You can find old Sears cast iron table saws for $50.00 and then you can get a new shaft and bearings for another $75.00 or so. It's not the same as a $5000.00 PowerMatic, but it will do the job. When we moved and downsized a couple of years ago, I had to give up my Grizzly saw but my wife bought me a new Ridgid folding saw from Home Depot (about $500). I don't know How long it will last, and it does not remotely compare to a fixed installation, but I am very pleased with it. | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 173 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.36.62 Rating: |
Len, This is a low budget conversion. For the $50 saw and the $75 bearings, I can buy 4 or 5 sheets of plywood and run them through the saw I already have.. at least until the bearings or bushings go out. I saved up for 5 months to buy this saw. No, it's not like my old cast iron table saw, but it's what I have and I have to deal with it. Now I'm saving up for a band saw to cut up some wood to make lumber for my cabinets. I'm putting pieces and parts of a Bodark tree (Osage Orange, Etc, ad nauseum), on eBay. A Feller has to do what a feller has to do to get the conversion done right! | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 183 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.225.213  Rating: N/A |
Dallas just use a piece of good quality duct tape over the insert. Turn on the saw and raise the blade.. presto instant zero clearance insert. Just have some goo gone ready to take off the glue from the tape. I had the same problem and this works for re-sawing on that little saw make sure that the fence and blade are parallel... Kick back is a b???h. Feather boards are a great idea too. Les | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 266 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 174.91.223.24  Rating: N/A |
other option is clamping a thin piece of plywood to table then bringing the blade up, works for smaller pieces. Other notes on cheap contractors saws...although they suck I use them on site as I hate moving my big cast top 10" Delta (which is also a "Contractor's saw" but is really my shop saw, and does well. So screwing the saw to the floor makes it more a shop saw, or using a bucket of gravel etc to weigh it down. The thing that really bugs me about cheap table saw is that the screws always work loose. I'm always finding nuts etc on the ground and then reattaching them. . | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1433 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.219.37.161  Rating: N/A |
Les...I'm going to try that....sounds like it might be a great solution. Wonder if a layer of aluminum foil would work, as well? (thinner)perhaps even a stiffener for the duct tape??? Thanx for the heads up!!  RCB | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 175 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.36.62 Rating: N/A |
Thanks guys! Les, I'd use the duct tape, but the factory insert was just sheet steel and never was exactly level, from day one I could see daylight between it and a straight edge laid on top. I made a zero clearance insert from some 1/4" Russian birch plywood with a smaller piece glued to the bottom for stability. As soon as I find the cord, I'll upload pictures from the camera. | ||
| thomas flocks (Taflocks)
Registered Member Username: Taflocks Post Number: 403 Registered: 9-2009 Posted From: 67.253.124.108 Rating: N/A |
len: keep that saw in the dark away from light..... it will fade and fade fast. i have one that i kept on the porch and it has very little color left. i have seen the ridgid vac's in home depot that have lost all the color just from the indoor lights. | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 184 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.225.213 Rating: N/A |
R C I don't know about the aluminum foil. i think it might tear to easy but what the heck give it a try. I was looking for a solution when I tried the duct tape. I never put a straight edge on the deck of my little table saw to see how level the deck is, now I need to go out in the cold to find out if it is level or not. I don't like using the little table saw very much but it is a lot easier to move. My big shop saw has to be dismantled to fit through the shop door. Dallas I saw a 14 inch band saw for sale in one of our local buy and sell sites. I was going to go pick it up as the guy only wanted $150 for it but it was sold by the time I got to it. Deals are to be had but timing is everything! | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1737 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.195.124.20  Rating: N/A |
Dallas - If I had some way to get it to you, you'd be more than welcome to my old Craftsman table saw. . . it's just taking up space in my storage unit. Inherited it from my late father-in-law, thing must be 40+ years old, still worked the last time I plugged it in and turned it on. FWIW & HTH. . . | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1383 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.9.99  Rating: N/A |
You can find old Sears cast iron table saws for $50.00 and then you can get a new shaft and bearings for another $75.00 or so. These are great units , but usually sold AFTER the motor has died. Figure $200 for a good sealed replacement. That said , it still can be tuned better than most new units , for nice square accurate cuts. FF | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 176 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.36.62 Rating: |
Here's a shot of my finished insert.  | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 185 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.225.213 Rating: N/A |
Dallas the insert looks good. similar to some that I made for my shop saw for my dado set and for the laminate blades Be careful when using zero clearance inserts as much more of the saw dust will blow up at your face. A proper face shield is a reasonable precaution when using this kind of set up I had a bad experience cutting laminate flooring (floating floor) wish I had been wearing at least safety glasses I don't know why but I find that the small table saws send a lot more of the saw dust back at you than do the bigger saw, possibly due to the smaller area under the blade leaves less room for the dust to go. I put hockey pucks on the legs of my little saw. Helps keep it in one spot on the floor and reduces vibration Also I am a bit taller than the table was designed for plus.... I am Canadian! Les | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1091 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.1.12  Rating: N/A |
My table saw was purchased in the 50's used, from a lumber company that was closing,by my grandfather and then was passed on to me thru my father, It is all cast iron top and legs and looks similiar to yours. My problems with it were only the pulley got loose and wobbled out and I found a new one and was told when I died to will it to this on fellow and I laughed. Wouldn't take a whole lot for it until I get ready to move it. I was made by Atlas in the 40's. Gomer | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 257 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 69.171.161.162  Rating: N/A |
Just my experience FWIW.... I've had the same experiences with wide throat inserts AND I've made my own as well. You know most signs these days are not painted but use instead Computer cut high performance Vinyl..... You local sign shop guy has some material that is clear, very thin and strong enough to remain useful over a long period of time, just squeegee it on! (he'll also have extra "special" squeegee's It really protects finished surfaces from being scratched as you push them thru the blade. That guy will also sell you WIDE masking, they call it release paper.... it comes on rolls and he will have short rolls & be glad to sell them. (the stuff comes up to 48-in. wide) This stuff is terrific for temporary covering of finished surfaces that need a bit of sabre sawing or jig sawing, protection from the bottom of the tool or saw .....and it peels easily leaving no "tracks" of adhesive. | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 268 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
I also bought a cheapy Ryobi table saw. I still have the best luck with rough cutting the piece with a hand saw (whether it be a jig saw or circular saw) then finishing it off with a hand power planer. Except for making the kitchen cabinets, there aren't too many square corners in a bus anyway. Good luck, TomC | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 177 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.36.62 Rating: N/A |
Tom, I've used the circular/jig/sabre/sawzall route too. It works pretty good up to a point since I'm splitting logs that are up to 14" thick. My method there is to find the natural split and use the circular saw to extend it to the outside edge, then make marks across the tip and butt so I can follow the same line on the other side. Once I have the cut on each side made, I use splitting wedges, (Also made from scrap Bodark) and split the rest half in two. This method usually works pretty good, and then I use the electric hand planer to smooth up the cut surface. Once that's smooth, I can use the circular saw again to make a side cut 90° to the face cut. This gives me two faces that are approximately square and I can start cutting slabs from there, trying to keep them under 3 1/2" (the maximum depth of cut of the table saw). Once these are cut, I can cut them to 7/8" on the saw and finish with the planer to 3/4" thick. Yup, it's labor intensive, but since I have a lot of time and little money, it's the most cost effective way. Since I've seen some of this wood go for up to $20/bd ft. and I have some spare trees, I might as well use them! LOL! | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 216 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 65.3.251.141  Rating: N/A |
Dallas if you find something along my penguin dining route I would be happy to transport it your way. for free, or maybe for a dillo | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 178 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.36.62 Rating: N/A |
I'd happily give you a 'dillo, live, dead or stuffed with mushrooms, if I had one. It seems our last little flood condition rode them out of town down duck creek, a whole gaggle of little leather balls, bobbing and bouncing in the current. I think many of them survived downstream but others were buzzard fodder. Them buzzards will fight long and hard for a bite of 'dillo! Maybe some will be back this way before you get here and we can appropriate a few as pets/dinner/hobby farm animals. About when will you be by? any idea? | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 219 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 65.3.251.141 Rating: N/A |
I am planning on leaving mid to late Jan but it depends on the work patterns of others (sucks) doing some final work on Smoky/Phoenix. It sure will be nice to have a ditch surrounded by Bog people at the south end of Penguin town where I can wake up and have my Phoenix waiting for daily loving | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 180 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.36.62 Rating: N/A |
Wow, Mid to late January is when we really get into the winter wonderland, although, we didn't get real snow last year until March, the was the worst 4 hours of my life in Texas! Maybe we can see if we can clean up some of Smoky's exhalation problems. Lot's of tools, lots of time, you uy the adult beverages! | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 221 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 65.3.251.141 Rating: N/A |
I am so looking forward to this. in a way it will be my first after purchase live aboard road trip | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 272 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 69.171.161.129 Rating: N/A |
Just wait until you see the ditch, you'll be whining "Auntie Em, I just want to come BACK home to Kansas" By the 1st of Feb, you'll be looking backward and wondering, "Why did I have to eat my Dog just to stay in Tucson for 2 weeks! | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 196 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.36.62 Rating: N/A |
Chili and cheese with it? | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 276 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 69.171.161.173 Rating: N/A |
OF COURSE!!! and lots of CATsup & sour pickle relish! | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 240 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.215.72.106 Rating: N/A |
Al Right that's going to far. Dallas don't encourage him. the only thing I see on the menu is those tux suited turkeys he is trying to pawn of as penguins. probably has a snow machine as well to complete the delusion |
