Chapter 8 Power Tools 199
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
carbide or titanium carbide. Carbide tips greatly extend the useful life of a
blade, in part by increasing the length of time a blade will retain its sharpness.
Two types of blades, abrasive and diamond impregnated, do not have
teeth. They rely instead on the coarseness of the abrasive materials infused
on the outer ring of the blade to wear through the work material. Abrasive
blades are used for cutting masonry tile and steel, while diamond blades are
available for cutting glass, ceramic tile, and concrete.
Table Saws
Table saws are stationary versions of circular saws that are ideal for ripping
lumber into narrower boards and for making cuts in plywood. They are
sometimes called tilting arbor saws because the motor and blade can be moved
to change the depth and/or angle of the cut. Based on their intended purpose,
most table saws are equipped with larger, more powerful motors than handheld
circular saws. However, many modern table saws could be considered
to be semi-portable. They are constructed to be lightweight enough to be
transported to the job site, yet sturdy enough to be set up as a stationary saw.
The capability to make long, accurate
cuts and complex angled cuts has much
to do with the table saw’s design and
operation. The guides and adjustments on
most table saws offer more possibilities and
much greater precision than those on most
handheld circular saws. Figure 8-26 shows
the parts of a typical table saw. Special table
saw blades are available for cutting dados
(straight grooves) or rabbets (recessed
edges) to create strong woodworking joints.
Radial Arm Saws
Radial arm saws are always stationary
tools. Invented by Raymond DeWalt, radial
arm saws basically consist of a heavy-
duty circular saw mounted to a rotating,
tilting, yoke-like frame that slides below
a horizontal support arm. Radial arm
saws are ideally suited to be used as a cut-off saw. They also are capable of
rip, miter, and bevel cuts. If equipped with the proper attachments, radial
arm saws can also cut dados or form moldings. Due to its versatility, the
radial arm saw has been used in the past in place of a table saw for many
operations. It also requires clearance on only three sides because it rips
lumber from side to side rather than from front to back, as a table saw does.
Radial arm saws are particularly susceptible to kickback and binding
in the work. Teeth in blades designed for radial arm saws are arranged at
a different angle than the teeth in most circular saw blades; the blades are
therefore not interchangeable.
Power switch
Depth
adjustment
Angle
adjustment
Miter
guide
Fence
Blade
guard
Table
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Figure 8-26. A table saw can be used to make a variety of
intricate cuts on small or large pieces of work material.