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 Post subject: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 10:18 pm 
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Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
One of the challenges in resurrecting the shop is a space problem: When the lathe and sharpening systems came in, space became a huge problem. One solution might be to replace the 52" Unisaw with something a bit smaller, and probably/preferably safer (saws have changed a lot in the past 5 years!) I don't enjoy browsing the catalogs as much as in the past -- any suggestions out there?


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:53 am 
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Bosch has a new saw...

http://www.boschtools.com/Abounisaols/P ... xxsaw.aspx

Although, I would keep the unisaw. :)


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:28 am 
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Hi, Jamie! Why not just replace the 52in. fence with the standard one?

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:13 pm 
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Larry, have to confess I've had thoughts of using a hack-saw. :) My overhead dust collection (PSI) doesn't reach, so it's been in storage for years.


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:35 am 
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Found this treasure for $5 at the swap meet.....very small footprint.....sharpened it up and it cuts oak like a hot knife in butter Image
Gotta be careful, though...the slope is slippery!
good luck,
Don


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:01 am 
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Hey Don,

Is that a D12? For $5? You found a bargain my friend.

Let me know if you find another one in that shape, and I'll take it off your hands for you. :D

Cheers,
Tom

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 1:50 am 
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No Tom.....it's not a D-12....It's a Keystone K-5 http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/key1935.html
I'm very impressed with this saw, though.
AND .... this pristine sawset
Image
Don't mean to highjack your post, Jaime.....but I had to change my posture in the shop, too. The result was that I have many more things that bring me joy. Swap meet saws (as you can see) for one. there seems to be a resurgence of 'hand tool' enthusiasts in the past few years and I found it to be a very satisfying indulgence. You might really enjoy getting back into your shop with new ideas.

good luck,
Don


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 9:33 pm 
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No worries, Don -- hijack away. I need to learn how to use a saw set, have a couple of decent hand saws. As for the Unisaw, I might just cut a hole in the table for the pipe that holds the overhead blade guard. The end of the table currently houses the drill press, so that's not wasted space. As soon as I get Nick off on this trip (Friday), I'll start cleaning up and get some help re-arranging the space.


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 3:24 am 
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FG, have you looked into track saws?
I got one and have got rid of my stationary tools.
Once you figure out all the possibilities and get creative with it, you probably will not use that uni saw very much if at all.
The track saws really are a small shop users dream.


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:54 pm 
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Hi, Ron! Sorry I've not been watching the boards, just saw your post. I love the idea of a track saw for panel stuff (am past the age of easily juggling full sheets of plywood!). I guess the sliding miter saw (Makita 12") could take care of the repetitive cross cuts and such. Sometimes I like to use the TS for dadoes or rabbits (instead of a router). Somethin' to think about though! What about rip cuts?


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 2:42 am 
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Duplicate post


Last edited by RonTeti on Fri May 08, 2015 1:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 2:44 am 
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The Festool MFT along with the track saw can perform all you cross cuts. I got rid of my big delta TS and all my stationary tools except for a thickness planer and haven't looked back.

Though it may take a little more time to perform some things with a track and guide rail, with a few well thought out jigs you can do almost everything.

I've been going to a site called Festool Owners Group FOG they have a lot of info and ideas about tracks saw, jigs etc.

For a small shop it's a pretty good system. Not cheap by no means. I'm reduced to a UK sized one car garage now and can do just about everything I need.

Use a tool put it in the box put the box on a shelf, don't with my router table fold it up set it out of the way...

Lately I've been getting into refinishing, just took a course on it.

I'll have to take a photo of my shop for you to appreciate how small it is.


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Wed May 06, 2015 10:45 pm 
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Clean-up efforts moved inside 2 days ago, and I got most of my tools located where they'll stay. The Unisaw will be spared any amputations. I put the slow-speed grinder on the far end of the extension table, where it's very close to the lathe. Was reminded this evening, via the Penn State website, that my overhead blade guard/dust collector can be mounted to the ceiling (if I can just find the turnbuckles, which weren't used with the old contractor saw). Estimating sawdust can be made by Monday! (but don't hold me to it :lol: )


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Fri May 08, 2015 1:45 pm 
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Cross cuts can be done with a miter saw I have one that can cross cut up to 12 1/2 inches, for larger one you can buy a MFT, just use a guide rail and measure or make your own jig.
Go to tube and search for the Ron Paul's ultimate work bench. Lots of guys like that one. Large, you can cross cut with it and it breaks down easy. He sells plans. He also has a ultimate miter saw table to.
I just found a video of one nice one. German guy who made his own it's pretty slick. I'll go get the link for you. Watch the entire video, he has some good stuff in it.

It's a German guy named Guido Henn he has some good stuff to

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MBBozODQQy8


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sat May 16, 2015 12:28 am 
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I "downgraded" from a Unisaw to a contractor saw when we moved from Texas to Arizona. (I got the Ridgid) I actually didn't mind the downgrade much though 2 things were definitely noticeable.

My arbor length was shorter which kept me from using a full dado stack. The contractor saw also took FOREVER to spin-down whatever dado I did use... always made me a little wary when the blade was still spinning 30 seconds on+ after shutdown.

I missed my Beis. fence from my Unisaw.... I wouldn't get another saw without it now.

Other stuff was missed but was "work aroundable" for me.

Lawrence

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sat May 16, 2015 10:06 pm 
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Ron, somehow I missed your posts on Apr. 30 and May 8 until just now. Thanks for the extra info. I will definitely think about this as an option down the road! I'm sure I could finance the Festool with sale of the Unisaw. I have a Makita 12" sliding CMS, and have made some pretty long crosscuts by flipping boards over. Love that machine.


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2015 2:21 am 
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The track saws are pretty versital. They take up little room.

To get started you would need the saw TS 55 which comes with a 55" guide rail. You will need another guide rail and rail connectors. The dust collection can be done with whatever DC you have now with some hose adapters.

You don't need but I recommend their MFT table plus some clamps.

One thing about the Festool system, is that it is a systems you buy what you need and adapt it to whatever your doing.

I'm not going to kid you FG it is pricey. But when you get through the sticker shock and get your kit together, you will be happy.

There is a learning curve as well. But plenty of support to help you through it.

Here is a video using the track saw in a very small shop. It's a very basic video series but it will give you a idea of the possibilities as to what can be done in a very small shop
http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2014/11/ ... tutorials/


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2015 8:46 pm 
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If you'd ever like to take a festool track saw for a test drive before you buy swing on by. My tracks were both bent by the moving company but are still usable and will be getting replaced soon.

Lawrence

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2015 10:19 pm 
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Sounds like a plan! Thanks, Lawrence.


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 Post subject: Re: Replacing a Unisaw?
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2015 10:25 pm 
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I'm a couple sheets to the wind tonight, but reviewing the thread didn't see any pearls of wisdom about ripping without a table saw. What do you do about that?


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