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Why Choose a Panel Saw

Submitted by mkuyvenhoven@e… on

Panel Saws are a great alternative to the conventional table saw. Whether it’s done in the shop or on the job site, accurately cutting sheets of wood, MDF board, plastic, or other sheet goods usually requires a table saw and often a second person to lift heavy sheets on and off the saw. But there isn’t always a spare employee available, particularly these days, when many formerly busy contractors are glad to take on any one-man job they can get. So, if you’re outfitting custom closets, applying MDF paneling to a dining room, trimming down replacement doors, or just trying to get an accurate cut, a panel saw can make your job a little easier.

 

The first benefit of using a panel saw over a table saw is its ability to be operated by one man. When you don’t have to lift a sheet onto the saw top, slide it over outfeed tables or strategically place roller stands, finally to wrangle the resulting two pieces back down to the ground, the benefits of using a vertical panel saw become obvious – especially if you’re a one-man operation. Not only does a panel saw offer a less labor-intensive solution, it also saves you time and saves your back.

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Portable Panel Saw

 

Crosscutting is a simple action that every contractor makes daily when working with sheets. Though a table saw is often the first tool to be chosen, table saws were never meant to make accurate cross cuts on large sheets. Especially portable table saws for on-site jobs. But crosscutting is the specialty of a panel saw. Not only do they offer more accuracy, portable models have a small footprint. Shaving off a quarter-inch to true up a factory edge is no problem for these tools. Rip cuts on a panel saw are easy as well but require consideration of the fact that the material above the cut rests on the blade. To help with this problem, we recommend the saws have a riving knife that trails the blade to support the cut off piece.

 

Portability is a huge factor when deciding to replace a worksite saw. Manufacturers such as Safety Speed Manufacturing offer a few options for people who are looking for a portable panel saw. The first, and more economical saw, is the Safety Speed C4. This home hobbyist saw makes it easy to handle large sheets of wood or plastic and cut them accurately – horizontally or vertically. One operator can cut large sheets of material into finished sizes or into sizes that are easy to handle for further processing. You are then able to store it away with ease when not in use. The functionality and portability of the C4 means you can use it in your shop or take it right to the job site.

 

If portability is not a major factor in choosing a straight line rip saw or panel saw, Safety Speed offers saws up to 72 inches. With many different options in, size, HP, phase, and more, there is a saw that will fit your needs. Either on the job site or in your shop.