From: mfleet@memstvx1.memst.edu
Newsgroups: rec.woodworking
Subject: Re: What is the diff between an tilt arbor and table saw?
Date: 29 Dec 92 01:34:45 -0600
Organization: Memphis State University

In article <1992Dec23.200042.3759@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com>, billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) writes:
> ameres@ithaca.cat.rpi.edu (Eric Ameres) writes:
> : In article <1992Dec23.164038.13923@crd.ge.com> kassover@rumsey.crd.ge.com (David Kassover) writes:
> : >
> : >In order to make bevel cuts, one must arrange that the blade be
> : >at some other angle than 90 degrees to the table.  Most of the
> : >time, the blade (which is held on the shaft by the arbor) is
> : >tilted (which may involve tilting the motor, as well).  But
> : >occasionally, one will find a tilting table saw, in which the
> : >arbor is stationary, but the table tilts.
> : >
> : >-- 
> : >David Kassover             "Proper technique helps protect you against
> : 
> : Don't most tablesaws (I'd assume the Delta Contractor's adn the like)
> : allow you to tilt the blade to make bevel cuts?  If so then what's the
> : difference between a tilt arbor and these normal tablesaws.  If not
> : then I've made a heck of an assumption regarding most table saws and
> : am glad someone asked.
> 
> David's description is a little confusing. The arbor is the shaft on which
> the blade is fastened.  It may, or may not, also be the motor shaft. In
> most cases, the blade arbor is driven by belt by the motor shaft.
> 
> The normal table saw is tilt-arbor. There is no difference. There are
> saws available, however, where you tip the table. I believe the Shopsmith
> series is of this design.
> 
**** With the exception of the Shopsmith, most tilting table saws I have
seen are either special commercial sawa where a set-up is infrequently
done, or very old saws, and often very old commercial saws.  It is my
impression that because the tilting table saw is inherently difficult
to control stock being fed over it, it has fallen in disfavor, in preference
to the tilting arbor, which allows the wood to remain FLAT and LEVEL.  To
complicate matters, some of the tilting table saws were rippers only,
and adjusted the blade depth by slanting the table.  I have...on a dare, used
an old tilt-table saw ... once ... and I hope never to do so again!
> : I am guessing here, but might it be that a tilt-arbor saw tilts the
> : arbor and not the motor (implying that a tilt arbor saw must also be
> : belt (or otherwise indirectly) driven ) or is this mechanically
> : impossible?  
> 
> On most of the saws, the motor tips, along with the arbor. The mechanical
> design for such a saw is simpler than one where the motor is fixed.
> 
> : From this assumption, I would further theorize that normal tablesaws
> : would therefore tilt the arbor and the motor as a unit.  
> 
> A normal table saw, as used by the people in this group, is a tilt
> arbor saw. So - yes, your assumption is valid.
> 
> : OK anyone care to relate this into some commonly acceptable examples:
> : Is the saw arbor of the Delta Contractor's directly attached to the
> : motor?  What about the Delta Cabinet Saw? I have seen posts regarding
> : the unisaw which must be belt driven.  Which of these qualify as
> : tilting arbor saws?  Does the Unisaw qualify as a cabinet saw?
> 
> All the saws you mention are belt driven. There are very few table
> saws, that I know of, which are direct drive. I believe they are all
> tilting-arbor design. 
> 
> Bill
Newsgroups: rec.woodworking