Panel Saw

[lostparts]

Hey Guys there are to many tools in my work area! I have been thinking about downsizing what I have in relationship to what I need. I have been pricing a panel saw. Does anybody else have one? The one I am looking at is a wall mounted job.

Currently my table saw is just way to much machine for anybody! Its a huge cabinet model that is very hard to move. My thoughts are the panel saw will replace this item and give me some room to grow.

My buddy has a ShopSmith, for those who don't know it is the swiss army knife of wood working, it does a little of everything but it just does it ok, not great. He has been trying to pawn this thing on my for a couple of years but the table on it seems very small.

Any thoughts?

[Bigtyme]

I don't believe the panel saw is a good replacement for a table saw. It does cut panels well, but that's about it. It won't rip well and I don't believe it will do any type of dado jointing along with a number of other things a table saw can do if properly equipped. If space is a problem, then a shopsmith is a far better option. It takes a little time to set up the various pieces, but they are well built and can do some nice work.

[Dan-Woodman]

Panal saws are designed for rough construction. When ripping there's nothing to keep the pieces seperated so at the end of the cut the blade would bind. Also there's no zero clearance for the blade like you can do on a table saw. I would like the Shopsmith for the drillpress , horizonal boring, and lathe operations. The table is not large enough for a table saw, That's my 2 cents.

[PCOutlaw]

I have a DeWalt panel saw in my shed that I use quite a bit. No, it doesn’t replace my table saw but it does help in a pinch. I have a combo blade on it, it rips 1x’s just fine, and I have stop blocks on it for cutting sheets quick and easy. It takes up about 12’ of one wall, but only about 14” of floor space from the wall.

[badbert]

Build a bigger shop! But hey if you want to get rid of that table saw... I'll come haul it off for you! LOL

[200k]

I've lusted for a panel saw but could never justify one. I never cut any large panels on my table saw even though I have large extension wings on a high-end cabinet saw. It's just too hard to maneuver a four by sheet of anything and accurately guided through the blade even on the rare occasion when I have someone else to help me. Since I normally work in my shop alone that option is rarely available.

Instead I use a clamp guide (see photo) to make very accurate cuts with my skill saw. I have a 4 and 8 foot long version. The 8 foot long version will work for 4 feet and even less but it's unwieldy. It's much easier to get very accurate cuts on a 4 x 8 sheet of 3/4" MDF lying on four sacrificial pieces of 5/8's deck planking (saved for just this purpose) on my garage floor, than it is trying to lift that kind of weight onto the top of a table saw and guide it accurately through the blade. You move the much lighter saw instead of a huge, heavy board. I find I can cut my sheet goods with as good or better accuracy than any panel saw and it's a crap load cheaper - not to mention takes up a great deal less space. After cutting up the large sheets in my garage, I can take the now smaller pieces down to my shop with less effort also. Of course as usual with all things wood, measure twice, cut once.



200K

[lawrence]

instead of a panel saw, have you considered a tracksaw? It takes up less space and is useful for more than just panels. I have a Festool TS55 and dust extractor that I love and my boys call "Daddy's backsaver" but there are others available (even grizzly is coming out with one that is MUCH cheaper than the festool)

Lawrence

[dcalvin4]

I a hurry i have my pannels cut for 50cents a cut at home depot where i buy my 4by8 pannels They have a panel cutter
denny

[lostparts]

Strait up who use's there dado kit?? I used mine once and only once! It takes way to long to set up the saw. Now I lock down a strait edge and break out the router! I have never thought about the tracksaw, but again it would still need alot of room or at least a table to hold the work piece.

I do need a larger work space! Sadly I am set up in my basement, along with my collection of lawn mowers!! But the war department has vetoed my last barn building plan (I was told we needed another tractor!? we own 3??)

[Bigtyme]

I had to chuckle when I read the question about who uses the dado kit. A couple of years ago, I would have agreed very much, but lately, I have had the occassion to use mine multiple times. It does take a little time to set up, but a good set is pretty darn precise and can really help make a piece of furniture work well. One thing is for sure that I have never spoke to anyone who said their shop was too big, so I guess we all have a space problem of some type. I hope you are able to work that out at some point. Best of luck...