Tilting arbor VS contractors table saw, which to buy?

[Ed=Stanford%Pwr...@bangate.compaq.com]

I've got a new question on the topic of which table saw to buy.

What is the inherent or engineering advantage of a tilting arbor or cabinet saw (ie Unisaw type design)
over the contractors type of saw?

Is it just that the heavier castings are stiffer, have less vibration and hold alignment longer?
Does the short tripple belt in the tilting arbor design have less vibration than the long single belt in the
contractors saw design?

Does anyone have any comments on the import type of tilting arbor saws VS the US made contractors saw?
They both seem to be in the same ballpark price range ($500-700).

Any comments from someone who has used both would be appericiated. I am setting up a home shop and
do not plan to need to move the saw to a job sight so the lighter weight of the contractors type saw is not important
to me.

I'm new to the Houston TX area and would like to know if there are any good local stores for WW supplies.

Thanks,
Ed Stanford
stan...@twisto.compaq.com

[Rich Haubert]

In article <7960531...@131.168.114.12> Ed=Stanford%Pwr=Supply%Eng=H...@bangate.compaq.com writes:
>From: Ed=Stanford%Pwr=Supply%Eng=H...@bangate.compaq.com
>Subject: Tilting arbor VS contractors table saw, which to buy?
>Date: Fri, 24 Mar 1995 14:52:16 GMT

>I've got a new question on the topic of which table saw to buy.

>What is the inherent or engineering advantage of a tilting arbor or cabinet saw (ie Unisaw type design)
>over the contractors type of saw?

Well, almost all table saws are tilting arbor, even the cheap bench tops. The
alternative is 'tilting blade', which is what a Shopsmith does - but then
calling that a tablesaw is pushing it, isn't it?! I think you are referring
to the delta 'tilting arbor saw', which is their entry level cabinet saw. Of
course it has a tilting arbor! I don't know why they call it that.

Don't confuse it with a unisaw, however. A delta TAS has the contractor's saw
guts, and doesn't weigh signicantly more than the CS.

>Is it just that
the heavier castings are stiffer, have less vibration and hold alignment
longer?>Does the short tripple belt in the tilting arbor design have less
vibration than the long single belt in the >contractors saw design?

Yes and yes. The other purpose is more efficient transfer of power and less
slippage. Anyone who has taxed a contractor's saw (it doesn't take that much)
knows that the belt slips. The pure weight of the carriage also helps dampen
vibration.

>Does anyone have any comments on the import type of tilting arbor saws VS the
US made contractors saw?>They both seem to be in the same ballpark price range
($500-700).

Imported cabinet saws are generally unisaw copies. Many even have 3 belts and
weigh about as much. But as with anything else, you get what you pay for.

Other advantages of cabinet saws are: (generally) easier adjustments, much
easier dust collection, and a stand that can't rack.

Rich