Using a Sliding Tablesaw

Having worked with a conventional tablesaw for 30 years, I found the transition to a sliding tablesaw (‘slider’) mentally and practically daunting. I was so unfamiliar with sliders that I knew little about their pros and cons. However, I have learned to adapt my methods of work and would never return to a conventional saw.

The fundamental difference involves how material is introduced to the sawblade. No longer does the operator push timber through the cut. Instead, timber is clamped to the sliding table and the whole package – sliding table, outrigger table, and timber – is moved through the cut. This equates to significant safety and accuracy gains.

Ripping

On a conventional tablesaw ripping operations are usually achieved on the right side of the blade. After adjusting the rip fence for width, the operator pushes the timber against the rip fence and through the blade. This operation is called a ‘conventional rip’. There are very).