Best Benchtop Thickness Planer

Benchtop thickness planers are an essential piece of equipment for any woodshop. These planers are an excellent option for small home woodshops and contractors that need a portable option. While not big and powerful as full size shop thickness planers, benchtop thickness planers are still very capable of effectively planing a wide range of wood products. Thickness planers allow users to purchase a wider range of raw wood materials (often at cheaper prices) and mill the wood to the exact dimensions needed for a project.

Thickness planers perform 3 important tasks for woodworking and carpentry:

• Smoothing rough stock
• Making the faces of a board parallel
• Bringing stock to a consistent and specific thickness

Thickness planers are primarily a woodworker’s tool, however they are also often used by finish and trim carpenters in the shop and occasionally in the field. With sharp knives the surface of a planed board is often smooth enough for paint or even clear finishes. For our testing we chose the following planers (follow links for manufacturers page on each planer):

• Delta 22-555
• Delta 22-590
• DEWALT 734
• DEWALT 735X
• Makita 2012NB
• Porter Cable PC-305TP
• Ridgid R4331
• Triton TPT 125

For this head-to-head test we focused on planing several different wood species, the surface finish, the power, and pricing. Below is a detailed discussion of our testing and evaluation.

Features and Specifications

Portable thickness planers have to squeeze a lot of power into a small footprint that can be reasonably moved around a shop or to a job site. But even within this limitation there are some substantial differences in size and weight of the machines we’ve tested. But every machine is capable of planing boards 12 to 13 inches wide and 6 inches tall. The specifics and the differences are show in the lists below.

• Delta 22-555
  • Weight: 58 lbs
  • Capacity (width): 13″
  • Max depth of cut:3/32″
  • Max stock height: 6″
  • No-load speed:9400 RPM
  • Number of cutter knives: 2
  • Feed rate (feet per minute):28
  • Outfeed table length: 6-7/8″
• Delta 22-590
  • Weight: 76 lbs
  • Capacity (width): 13″
  • Max depth of cut: 1/8″
  • Max stock height: 6″
  • No-load speed: 10000 RPM
  • Number of cutter knives: 3
  • Feed rate (feet per minute): 26
  • Outfeed table length: 12-1/2″
• DEWALT DW734
  • Weight: 80lbs
  • Capacity (width): 12-1/2″
  • Max depth of cut: 1/8″
  • Max stock height: 6″
  • No-load speed: 10000 RPM
  • Number of cutter knives: 3
  • Feed rate (feet per minute): 24
  • Outfeed table length: 11-1/4″
• DEWALT DW735X
  • Weight: 92 lbs
  • Capacity (width): 13″
  • Max depth of cut: 1/8″
  • Max stock height: 6″
  • No-load speed: 10000 RPM
  • Number of cutter knives: 3
  • Feed rate (feet per minute): 14(low) 26(high)
  • Outfeed table length: 9″
• Makita 2012NB
  • Weight: 62 lbs
  • Capacity (width): 12″
  • Max depth of cut: 1/8″
  • Max stock height: 6-3/32″
  • No-load speed: 8500 RPM
  • Number of cutter knives: 2
  • Feed rate (feet per minute): 27.9
  • Outfeed table length: 9″
• Porter Cable PC305TP
  • Weight: 64.8 lbs
  • Capacity (width): 12-1/2″
  • Max depth of cut: 3/32″
  • Max stock height: 6″
  • No-load speed: 8000 RPM
  • Number of cutter knives: 2
  • Feed rate (feet per minute): 26.2
  • Outfeed table length: 6-7/8″
• Ridgid R4331
  • Weight: 79 lbs
  • Capacity (width): 13″
  • Max depth of cut: 1/8″
  • Max stock height: 6-1/8″
  • No-load speed: 9000 RPM
  • Number of cutter knives: 3
  • Feed rate (feet per minute): 23.5
  • Outfeed table length: 12″
• Triton TPT 125
  • Weight: 64 lbs
  • Capacity (width): 12-1/2″
  • Max depth of cut: 1/8″
  • Max stock height: 6″
  • No-load speed: 17500 RPM
  • Number of cutter knives: 2
  • Feed rate (feet per minute): 19.7
  • Outfeed table length: 7″

Thickness Planer Testing Procedures and Evaluations

For this evaluation we used several types of wood in order to get a good perspective on performance. We used the following boards in our testing:

• 1×4 Mahogany decking
• 1×6 White Oak
• 1×6 Hard Maple
• 1 x 8 Poplar

For this bench-top thickness planer head-to-head we evaluated several categories including:

• Pre-Test Inspection and Adjustment – We looked at how level the infeed and outfeed tables were, we adjusted them, and noted how easy or difficult the process was.
• Feed Rate (Speed) – We measured the no-load feed rate of each planer and compared that to the feed rates under load for different material types. In our opinion this provides a sense of how powerful the motors are.
• Maximum Depth of Cut Performance – For this evaluation we measured the amp draw for each thickness planer under load planing several different types of wood. Again in our opinion this helps compare the strength of the motors during the planing process.
• Depth of Cut Accuracy – For this evaluation we wanted to look at how accurately the planers remove a specified depth. Each planer has a dial that when turned a specified amount will theoretically remove a given depth in a single pass. We compared how accurately each planer was able to remove a fixed depth based on the dial.
• Snipe Evaluation – Snipe is fairly common with thickness planers, especially benchtop models like the ones in this evaluation. We compared the length of snipe for each planer and material type.
• Surface Finish Evaluation – Ultimately the surface finish is really important, especially if the finish reduces the time to prepare the work piece of paint, stain and or clear finishes. We applied blue chalk to the surface of the boards  in order to improve our visual inspection combined with a physical inspection (feeling the surface) to rank the surface finish for each planer.
• Blade Change Evaluation – Lastly we measured the time to do a blade change on these planers. Changing blades is a necessary task for any thickness planer so we wanted to see how they compared.
• Warranty Coverage – We summarized all the warranties.
• Pricing – We list the current pricing at the time of publication.

Pre-Test Inspection and Adjustment

Prior to testing day, we unboxed the bench-top thickness planers and set up the equipment with dust collection manifolds (if so supplied) and put on accessories. In particular, we adjusted the in-feed and out-feed tables to ensure each were level with the planer bed.

It’s extremely important that the in-feed and out-feed tables are level in order to have consistent and representative tests. The as-shipped accuracy of the tables varied between the different models.We adjusted the in-feed and out-feed tables separately and then checked for level across the entire machine. The worst measured vertical deviation from flat at the edge of the outfeed table nearly 1/8” above the surface of the planer. All of the machines except the DEWALT DW735X needed minor adjustments to reach a level surface.

Most of the planers utilize a bolt to adjust the table vertically with a captured nut to hold the adjustment bolt in place. All of the units had a similar table adjustment but one. We were very impressed with the Makita planer and its setscrew adjustment. The Makita machine had, by far, the easiest adjustment method of all of the planers. The four setscrews were easy to reach and we found it easy to dial in the proper adjustments.

We’re not going to rank this category as we feel a bench-top shop tool like this will always require some setup and fine tuning. Of the 8 planers Makita definitely has the best system for making those adjustments.

Dust Collection

While we didn’t rank dust collection it’s worth discussing briefly. Thickness planers produce high volumes of wood chips and dust, probably more so than most any other tool in the woodshop. All of the planers (with the exception of one) comes with a dust shroud so the planers can be attached to a dust collector. The Porter-Cable does not come with a shroud (a subscriber on our YouTube channel says one is available for the PC from Delta, Delta part number 50-359 , so maybe you can find one). So anyone that is interested in this model should plan on lots of clean up after planing. All of the other planers tested worked well when attached to the shop dust collection with little variation in performance among the different models.

Feed Rate (Speed) – Winner DEWALT DW735X

We recorded the no-load feed rates for each planer. To do this, we adjusted each planers depth until it contacted the wood but had not reached the depth where the cutter blades hit the wood. In order to record the no-load feed rate for a section of wood 45″ long (same length of the samples we’d be running through the planer), we used a longer board (60″) with two marks near each end that were 45″ apart. This allowed us to visually time the 45″ section as it passed by a reference point on the planer. For each planer, we ran this test three times and used the average of these times for a comparison between the no-load and fully loaded feed rates of each machine.

The graphic above shows the no-load feed rate for each machine along with the feed rates of each machine for each sample of wood. We were looking to see which planers had enough power to sustain the no-load feed rates throughout the different boards that were planed.

Above you can see a graphic showing the ratio of the no-load feed rate compared to the average loaded feed rate (average feed rate for the materials we planed). This just gives a good relative comparison of how the motors performed under load. The DEWALT 735X and the Triton TPT125 were able to keep the feed rate much closer to the no-load rate compared to the rest of the field.

We did rank this category as it’s a great way to evaluate the power of the planers. The top three included the DEWALT 735X, Triton TPT125 and the Delta 22-590.

Maximum Depth of Cut Performance

We wanted to know how each machine performed at maximum loads (which results from cutting at the maximum depth in a single pass that the manufacturer recommends). More specifically, we wanted to know which planer pulled more power (maximum amp draw) and which one had the best feed performance relative to its no-load condition.

During this test, we set each planer to its maximum depth of cut (as recommended by the manufacturer) – usually 3/32 inch. We ran four species of wood through the planers and recorded the time for the cut and the amperage profile for each cut. Each wood sample for each machine was 45” in length. This was the same length of the no-load speed test. Our team set up a FLUKE 3001 FC recording ammeter that measured values on a one second interval and sent the data via wireless link to our computer for later analysis.

The wood samples we used in this test were 1×4 Mahogany decking, 1 x 8 Poplar, 1×6 Oak and 1×6 Maple. We knew that the 1×8 Poplar at a maximum cut depth would tax the power of these planers. We also wanted to see how the different hardwoods would exercise the planer capacity.

While we’re not ranking this category we do feel the data is interesting and informative. As you can see above the DEWALT DW735X pulls some serious amps under load. It points to the much more powerful motor in that unit. The power difference was clear during the planing operations as it didn’t seem to care what we ran through it. But it’s important to note if you’re going to buy the DEWALT DW735X you MUST have a dedicated 20A circuit as it’s not going to run well on a 15A circuit.

Depth of Cut Accuracy – Winner DEWALT DW734

Bench-top thickness planers have a dial used to move the cutting heads up and down to set the depth of cut. On each model the dial indicates how far the heads move up and down per revolution of the dial. We used calipers to measure the average thickness of each wood sample before and after a pass to remove 3/32″. We then compared how accurately each planer was able to do that and listed the average deviation from the 3/32″.

As you can see above, the DEWALT DW734 performed the best with an average deviation from 3/32″ of just under 2 one-thousandths of an inch. The DEWALT DW735X came in second with just over 4 one-thousandths of an inch followed by Ridgid R4331 at just over 5 one-thousandths of an inch. Last place was the Triton that averaged just over 3 hundredths of an inch deviation.

Snipe Evaluation

We tested how much material would be ‘lost’ to snipe. We had already adjusted each planer’s tables to be flat, and level to the planer bed, prior to the snipe test.

The TBB Crew selected the maple wood for the snipe test. We thought the lighter color and tight grain structure of maple might show the location and the depth of any snipes better than the other woods. For this test, we set all of the planers to a uniform depth of 3/32”. Each piece of wood was started at the first roller of the planer and we left our hands off the sample until it stopped past the outfeed roller. Next blue chalk powder was rubbed onto the last 6” of the board in order to make the snipe condition stand out visually. Finally we marked the ‘ridge’ of each snipe cut so that we could measure the amount of material that each planer produced for waste if the snipes were cut off to use the uniform thickness material.

What’s interesting about this data is how well the snipe length correlates to the distance of the rollers inside the planers from the cutting heads. The length of snipe on all the models we tested nearly mimic this distance. The nice thing here is the snipe should be predictable for each model and allow users to plan accordingly. Users of the DEWALT DW735X will ultimately “waste” more material over the life of the planer. However, with all the planers having relatively the same amount of snipe we’re not ranking this category either but rather letting you see how they all compared.

Surface Finish Evaluation – Winner DEWALT DW735X

Another consideration when evaluating bench-top thickness planer performance is the surface finish. Bench-top thickness planers use a set of rotating blades to “shave” off the surface of the board being planed. As a result of the rotational blade movement, “small bite size” chunks are removed as each blade contacts the surface, resulting in very slight ridges that can be left on the surface of the planed board (often referred to as milling marks).

Planers can also tear out small chunks (scallops) from the surface. Between the milling marks and scallops the board could require more or less sanding to create a finished surface that will take paint, stain or clear finish well.

We applied blue chalk to the surface to highlight the milling marks, and scallops, for a visual inspection. We also evaluated the smoothness by simply feeling the surfaces. While very subjective, we ranked the planers based on the samples of Maple shown below.

While all the planers produced a “smooth” finish to the touch, there was quite a variation of smoothness resulting from the milling marks and scallops. The DEWALT DW735X was by far the best finish of all the samples we planed. The amplitude of the milling marks was consistently smaller and there was very little “scalloping” of the surface compared to all the other planers. This is likely attributed to the powerful motor and excellent blades. In addition, the 735 has three blades in the cutter head. Coming in 2nd place was the Triton TPT125 followed by the Ridgid R4331 in third place. Both the Triton and Ridgid had similar results. Coming in 4th was the Delta 22-590 with minimal milling marks but noticeably more scalloping.

Blade Change Evaluation

Is it easy or difficult to change out the blades on any given machine? Our crew took each machine and armed with the instructions and the tools in our workshop changed out each blade on each machine. Obviously, the planers with three blades would take more time than the machines with two blades. But is this process easier on some machines that others?

As you can see above the times required to change the blades on the planers varied from just over 11 minutes to just over 25 minutes. The reality is a user might change blades once or twice a year (twice would be heavy use) so the difference from 11 to 25 doesn’t seem enough to warrant why you might buy one over another model. Therefore we’re not going to rank this category, simply share the data so you can see that blade changes are not overly complicated.

Warranty

Warranties are really important to some users, and many of you have asked us to include them in our reviews.  Below is a list of the warranties applicable to the planers we tested. While ranking the warranties might seem simple, we’ve decided to just list them rather than rank them. Ultimately, warranties can be a tough issue, and how easily you can get warranty service is likely to be as important as how many years the coverage is. We’ll let you make your own determination on which warranty appeals to you.

Price Evaluation – Winner Porter-Cable PC305PT

Price is often a huge part of the equation when determining what tool is best for you. There’s a huge difference in pricing in this test from the low $300 range up over $600. We are ranking these straight on the lowest to highest with prices available at the time of publication. We realize there is a “value” proposition that many will look at, but that will factor into our overall ranking when price and the other categories are combined. Finishing with the best price is the Porter-Cable PC305PT at $320 and rounding up the most expensive is the Makita 2012NB at $650.

Overall Winner, Best Benchtop Thickness Planer – DEWALT DW735X

Here we are again trying to rank the tools in our Head-to-Head and give you a winner. The more of these we do, the more we learn, and in this evaluation we’ve taken a slightly different approach. Some of the categories that we set out to evaluate we decided not to include in the final ranking. However, we did provide information from that category as we feel it’s valuable to some readers.

Also, the more we do these the more some folks comment about how they would weigh different categories differently. That’s all great feedback, ultimately we need to come up with a winner (our winner) but each of you can take the data we’ve presented and weigh the results differently to best match your needs and come up with your own winner.

Below is a table showing how each of the 8 planers stacked up in the 4 categories that we counted in our final evaluation. Finishing in first place by a large margin was the DEWALT DW735X. This wasn’t a surprise to us as several of us have used this planer for quite some time and it’s really the best benchtop thickness planer on the market without a doubt. What did surprise us was the 2nd and 3rd place finishes of the Triton TPT125 and the Ridgid R4331. If you’re looking for a good performing affordable planer the Triton is certainly worth noting. Ridgid has a nice line of woodshop tools that go unnoticed often and it was nice to see them perform so well in this category.

While the Delta 22-590 finished near the end in this evaluation, the team felt it was also a nice planer to consider. The Makita is a very well-built planer with some nice features but the price wasn’t as competitive and the surface finish, at least on the materials we tested, wasn’t nearly as good as some of the other models.

Best Benchtop Thickness Planers – Head-to-Head Video Review

Best Benchtop Thickness Planer – Head-to-Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Portable Jobsite Table Saw

One of the most widely used power tools for carpenters is the table saw. For carpenters that don’t work exclusively in the shop a portable jobsite table saw is essential. For this Head-to-Head we’re focusing on corded portable 10″ jobsite table saws. We are not including cordless table saws in this test as we plan on doing another head-to-head exclusively for cordless table saws later this year as several are available now.

Portable Table Saw Lineup

This portable jobsite table saw head-to-head includes 8 saws from; Bosch, Delta, DEWALT, Hitachi, Makita, Ridgid, SawStop and Skilsaw. Originally, we had also to include Ryobi as a budget friendly option for DIY’ers or guys just starting in the trades. However, we were not able to adapt that saw to our testing rigs so we pulled it from the testing (you may see some photos with the saw but again we’re not including it in the results).

• Bosch Model 4100-09 10 In. Worksite Table Saw with Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand
• Delta Model 36-6022 Portable Table Saw with Stand
• DEWALT Model DWE7491RS 10″ Jobsite Table Saw 32 – 1/2″ Rip Capacity, and a Rolling Stand
• Hitachi Model C10RJ 10″ Jobsite Table Saw w Fold Roll Stand
• Makita Model 2705X1 10” Contractor Table Saw with Portable Stand
• Ridgid Model R4513 Heavy Duty 10 in. Portable Table Saw With Stand
• SawStop Model JSS-MCA Jobsite Table Saw
• Skilsaw Model SPT99-12 10″ Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw

Table Saw Evaluation Format

Once again our team has put some serious time and effort into our Head-to-Head evaluation to bring you the most comprehensive information available. For this evaluation, we broke things into several categories including: Precision & Accuracy, Performance (power), Price, and Ergonomics. For each of these categories we’ll rank the saws and at the end we’ll name the Best Portable Jobsite Table Saw based on all the results combined.

• Precision & Accuracy – In this category we evaluated the accuracy of the table saws straight out of the box, and how easy it is to make calibration adjustments. We also discuss the quality of the fence system as it relates to ripping accurate cuts.
• Performance – The performance evaluation took a very deep dive into the power of the saw motors and how well the saws managed different ripping materials including plywood, pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine 5/4 decking and Mahogany 5/4 decking. We measured saw RPM’s and Amps for each of the cutting materials under constant feed rates.
• Price – Price is always an important factor in determining which saw is best for a user. We’ve included the current pricing found online for each of the saws at the time of publication.
• Ergonomics – Ergonomics are really important to users and an important category to consider when purchasing any power tool. In addition to traditional ergonomics, we also included functionality in this category.

Portable Jobsite Table Saw Features

Before we present the testing results, it’s helpful to set the stage by listing all the features and specifications for comparison. All 8 of these jobsite table saws are similar in size and capacity. Each of the saws uses a 10 inch blade, 15 amp motor and they are all able to use a dado set. Specific differences in the saws are listed below.

• Bosch 4100-09
  • Weight: 112 lbs (w/ stand)
  • MAX no Load Speed: 3,650 rpm
  • Dept of Cut at 90 Deg.: 3-1/8″
  • Depth of Cut at 45 Deg.: 2-1/2″
  • MAX Rip Cut to Right of Blade: 25″
  • MAX Dado Cut Width: 13/16″
  • Traditional sliding fence.
• Delta 36-6022
  • Weight: 92 lbs (w/ stand)
  • MAX no Load Speed: 5,000 rpm
  • Dept of Cut at 90 Deg.: 3-1/2″
  • Depth of Cut at 45 Deg.: 2-1/2″
  • MAX Rip Cut to Right of Blade: 30″
  • MAX Dado Cut Width: 13/16″
  • Traditional sliding fence
• DEWALT DWE7491RS
  • Weight: 90 lbs (w/ stand)
  • MAX no Load Speed: 4,800 rpm
  • Dept of Cut at 90 Deg.: 3-1/8″
  • Depth of Cut at 45 Deg.: 2-1/4″
  • MAX Rip Cut to Right of Blade: 32-1/2″
  • MAX Dado Cut Width: 13/16″
  • Rack and pinion fence
• Hitachi C10RJ
  • Weight: 96 lbs (w/ stand)
  • MAX no Load Speed: 4,500 rpm
  • Dept of Cut at 90 Deg.: 3-1/8″
  • Depth of Cut at 45 Deg.: 2-1/4″
  • MAX Rip Cut to Right of Blade: 35″
  • MAX Dado Cut Width: 13/16″
  • Rack and pinion fence
• Makita 2705X1
  • Weight: 114 lbs (w/ stand)
  • MAX no Load Speed: 4,800 rpm
  • Dept of Cut at 90 Deg.: 3-5/8″
  • Depth of Cut at 45 Deg.: 2-1/2″
  • MAX Rip Cut to Right of Blade: 25″
  • MAX Dado Cut Width: 13/16″
  • Traditional sliding fence
• Ridgid R4513
  • Weight: 80 lbs (w/ stand)
  • MAX no Load Speed: 5,000 rpm
  • Dept of Cut at 90 Deg.: 3-1/2″
  • Depth of Cut at 45 Deg.: 2-1/2″
  • MAX Rip Cut to Right of Blade: 25″
  • MAX Dado Cut Width: 3/4″
  • Traditional sliding fence
• SawStop JSS-MCA
  • Weight: 108 lbs (w/ stand)
  • MAX no Load Speed: 4,000 rpm
  • Dept of Cut at 90 Deg.: 3-1/8″
  • Depth of Cut at 45 Deg.: 2-1/8″
  • MAX Rip Cut to Right of Blade: 25-1/2″
  • MAX Dado Cut Width: 13/16″
  • Traditional sliding fence
  • Safety: Flesh Sensing Technology exclusive to SawStop
• SkilSaw SPT99-12
  • Weight: 98 lbs (w/ stand)
  • MAX no Load Speed: 5,000 rpm
  • Dept of Cut at 90 Deg.: 3-5/8″
  • Depth of Cut at 45 Deg.: 2-3/10″
  • MAX Rip Cut to Right of Blade: 30-1/2″
  • MAX Dado Cut Width: “13/16″, but presently comes with an insert that only allows 1/2
  • Rack and pinion fence

One of the things we looked at was the ease of assembly out of the box. We had the same person assemble each of the saws and timed the assembly to see if there are any significant differences between the models. The assembly time for the saws ranged from 21 minutes to 48 minutes. While some stands required more than twice the time, we felt the assembly time was not a significant enough factor to change someone’s mind on which saw to purchase.

We also did some testing of dust collection to see if there were any significant differences between the saws. We attached a Bosch dust extractor to each saw and measured the weight of dust collected for a fixed number of cuts. The bottom line is with a good dust extractor attached there was negligible difference between the saws.

Lastly, we spent some time evaluating the fences. Overwhelmingly the crew really likes the rack and pinion fences that DEWALT, Hitachi and SkilSaw have on their saws. Rack and pinion fences are quicker to adjust, hold in place better during cuts, and provide better accuracy.

Portable Jobsite Table Saw Precision & Accuracy

In the commercial construction business, we typically buy a job site saw for each project and use it up during the course of an 18-month job. When these saws hit the site, they are unboxed, assembled and immediately put into use. We rip stacks and stacks of sheet goods with these saws and the tolerances of the cut materials are not very critical. However, that example represents the portable saw use within our commercial crews’ business.

What if a contractor uses their job site saw for high quality built-ins or high tolerance finished cuts? In that case, saw accuracy is critical for that work. In this use case, if the saw is immediately put into use, success depends upon the out-of-the-box accuracy from the manufacturer. The quality of the cuts and more importantly the potential safety of the operator is going to be a function of the as-shipped accuracy of the saw from the manufacturer.

TBB compared the relative accuracy of the test saws as soon as we assembled and set them up. How would the saws in the TBB Head To Head test compare to each other? We measured the manufactured tolerances and found out. We analyzed the data from the tests and ranked these saws for as-built accuracy.

What and How We Measured

To assess the manufactured accuracy of the eight saws, TBB looked at six areas to measure and compare: Table Flatness, Accuracy of 45 Deg. Stop, Accuracy of 90 Deg. Stop, Blade Parallel to Miter Slot, Fence Parallel to Miter Slot, and Blade Runout.

Table Flatness

We evaluated the flatness of the table by measuring the flatness by placing the edge of a precision ground flat bar across the table and placed feeler gauges in any gaps to measure any difference between the ground bar and the table. TBB took measurements in four directions. As the operator faces the saw, we measured the flatness at the arbor from front-to-rear; we measured the left-to right flatness at the arbor; we measured the flatness from the upper left-to-lower right table corners; and, finally, we measured the upper right-to-lower left flatness between the corners.

We compiled this set of data and created a ranked set of results by assigning a 1-2-3 rating to the relative values of the test measurements. Then we ranked the saws for overall as-manufactured table flatness. As a point of interest, a typical sheet of copy paper is approximately .004 inches thick. Flatness measurements varied from 0.0 to .09 inches.

All of the data for the table saw flatness can be found here. The overall ranking of the table saw flatness is in the following table:

Accuracy of 45 Deg. Stop

TBB measured the accuracy of the factory-set 45 degree stop by using a Wixey WR365 digital inclinometer. This device has an accuracy of 0.1 degree. We placed the Wixey gauge on the table and calibrated the inclinometer to the table by zeroing out the gauge. After that calibration, the measurements shown on the gauge give a result that is relative to the saw table. We attached the gauge to the blade and used the saw mechanism to adjust the blade incline to the point at which the blade or trunnion hit the factory-set 45 degree stop and recorded the measurement. TBB ran the test twice to ensure the repeatability of the measurement. In every case, the result came out to within 0.1 degree of the prior test.

As you can see below most of the saws were fairly close to 45 degrees right out of the box, but you’ll want to do some calibration if you plan on doing some finish work. SawStop was perfect out of the  box and Makita, Hitachi and SkilSaw were very close with only a 0.1 degree deviation. Ridgid was almost a full degree off from the 45 stop.

Accuracy of Vertical 90 Deg. Stop

TBB measured the accuracy of the factory-set 90 degree stop by using a Wixey WR365 digital inclinometer. This device has an accuracy of 0.1 degree. We placed the Wixey gauge on the table and calibrated the inclinometer to the table by zeroing out the gauge. After that calibration, the measurements give a result that is relative to the saw table. We moved the blade to an approximate position of 70 degrees off vertical. TBB attached the gauge to the blade and used the saw mechanism to adjust the blade incline to the point at which the blade or trunnion hit the factory-set 90 degree vertical stop and recorded the measurement. TBB ran the test twice to ensure the repeatability of the measurement. In every case, the result came out to within 0.1 degree of the prior test.

The results are shown below for the accuracy of the 90 degree stop. For this evaluation both the SawStop and Ridgid were perfect at 90 degrees, Makita, Bosch and DEWALT were also only off by a small amount at 0.1 degrees. The Hitachi, Delta and SkilSaw could use some calibration.

Blade Parallel to Miter Slot

TBB used an iGauging 35-125-4 digital dial indicator to measure the accuracy of the blade position to the table miter slot. This instrument has an accuracy of .0005 inches. As part of the table saw set-up, TBB installed a new Diablo blade in each saw and these never-before-used blades were used in the measurement test. To ensure that any wobble in the blade did not enter into the test results, TBB marked a single tooth as the reference point for the measurement. The blade position was moved to the front of the saw to allow the iGauging dial indicator to hit the tooth immediately behind the carbide tooth, The iGauging dial indicator was calibrated and the indicator had a reading of zero.

We rotated the blade to the rear of the saw to enable the dial indicator to contact the same location of the same tooth behind the carbide portion. We positioned the dial indicator to the rear of the saw placed onto the blade and the reading recorded. If the blade and the miter slot were closer together at the rear of the saw, the dial indicator has a negative reading. If the blade and the miter slot were father apart at the rear of the saw, the dial indicator showed a positive reading.

The results for the blade parallel to the miter slot are shown below. Again the SawStop had a perfect reading right out of the box and the Ridgid needs some extra calibration in order to get the blade more parallel to the miter slot.

Saw Fence Parallel to Miter Slot

The accuracy and safety of any given saw is dependent upon the blade being parallel to the rip fence. Since we tested the amount of difference in parallelism between the saw blade and the miter slot in the previous test, we need only to see if the miter slot is parallel to the rip fence to see if the saw has a parallel relationship between the blade and the rip fence.

TBB used the same iGauging 35-125-4 digital dial indicator to measure the accuracy of the as-delivered factory fence to the table miter slot. We started by placing the fence in a locked position about 1” away from the blade on the opposite side from the miter slot. We adjusted the throw of the dial indicator so that we took the readings on the indicator, as before, in the middle of the indicator’s range of movement.

We calibrated the iGauging dial indicator to a zero reading at the operator’s end of the rip fence so that we started out with a reading of zero. Next, we positioned the dial indicator to the rear of the saw placed onto the rip fence and took the reading.

If the fence and the miter slot were closer together at the rear of the saw, the dial indicator has a negative reading. If the blade and the miter slot were father apart at the rear of the saw, the dial indicator showed a positive reading. A negative reading meant that the materials being cut might be subject to being pinched and a kick back more likely to occur.

Remembering that a sheet of paper is approximately 0.004″ thick, the results show that the Hitachi and Skilsaw factory settings need some adjustment for better accuracy.

Blade Runout

One term you may hear when reading about table saw accuracy is blade runout. Runout is a term that describes whether or how much the outside edge of a saw blade wobbles while being held by the motor shaft. Sometimes, operators measure runout by using a saw blade. In that case, the very use of a saw blade presumes that the specific blade is perfect or nearly perfect in its flatness. Using a saw blade that has any warping will not give a clear indication of blade runout.

To ensure that our runout measurements were accurate, TBB used a Freud calibration plate. Freud manufactures this ground stainless steel plate to a tolerance of ± .0005 inches in flatness across the plate. While TBB does not have a means to measure the accuracy of this specification, we did put this calibration plate on top of a polished granite calibration table and could not shine a light under any portion of the plate or slip the 0.001 feeler gauge under the edge.

We used the Freud calibration plate on each of the test saws to measure runout. We removed the new Diablo blade, installed the calibration plate, and raised the trunnion to its maximum vertical adjustment. Before measuring the runout, we placed a black mark on the calibration plate to give a consistent starting position for the runout test. The same iGauging dial indicator provided the test measurements, only this time, the units were set to read out in mm. TBB noticed that in the initial saws, the movements were sufficiently small to need the smaller metric units.

TBB placed the dial indicator on the starting position of the calibration disk and calibrated that position on the dial indicator to a reading of zero. We were very careful to rotate the calibration plate by using the outside rim so as not to impart any side-to-side force on the plate that might introduce errors into the measurements.

While we rotated the plate, we recorded the maximum reading on the dial indicator. We validated each maximum reading by running the test for a second time and noting that the readings were consistent. TBB also noted that as we performed these tests on all eight saws, the maximum readings occurred at different parts of the plate along its rotation. Because the max readings were in different and discrete parts of the calibration plate, TBB had a very high level of confidence in the flatness of the calibration plate, itself.

As you can see above the runout ranges from 0.00079 for the DEWALT and SawStop all the way up to 0.0126 for the SkilSaw. Typically values below 0.005″ are considered very good. Both the Bosch and SkilSaw are in a range that needs further evaluation especially if the saw is to be used for finish work.

Precision Summary – Winner SawStop JSS-MCA

From the data of the six individual tests above, we compiled a summary ranking for the overall winner of the as-built accuracy. The ranking for the summary follows:

The winner for the as-built precision and accuracy is SawStop, followed by Makita in second and Bosch and DEWALT tied for third.

We took the time to measure the as-built accuracy of these table saws. Why?

As we said in the beginning of this section, many of these saws will be used, right out of the box, for rough cutting materials and the fine accuracy may not matter so much in that application. If this is the case for a saw, the quality of the cuts and more importantly, the potential safety of the operator is going to be a function of the as-shipped accuracy of the saw from the manufacturer. So, TBB wanted to see how the various saws compared right out of the box. The results are in and, as a group, these eight saws measured up quite well for out-of-the-box accuracy.

It should be noted that all of the saws were adjusted after the accuracy evaluation prior to the performance testing. With the exception of blade runout the other adjustments can be made to dial in the saws.

Portable Jobsite Table Saw Performance

For this portion of the testing and evaluation we used three different materials (3/4″ AC Plywood, 5/4 Mahogany Decking, and 5/4 Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine Decking) while measuring the saw blade RPM, and the saw motor AMP draw. To compare the saws we’re looking for how much blade speed each saw has under load, and also how much the amp draw increases under load. Think about it like driving a car, a more powerful car will not drop as much speed going up a hill and the engine won’t work as hard.

We also measured the decibels during the test. We are including in our ergonomics section.

Blade Speed (RPM)

The first measurements we looked at with the performance testing was blade speed cutting all three of the test materials. This tests gives us a relative comparison of how much blade speed reduction the motors have under different loading conditions. In our opinion this gives us an idea of how strong the motor/gear box combination is for each saw. For each test we also recorded the “no-load” speed to capture the relative drop in rpm in the blade speed while cutting wood. We used our as-measured no-load speeds instead of the published values from the manufacturers.

In order to measure the blade speed we used a digital laser non-contact tachometer. A piece of reflective tape was adhered to each saw blade just behind the carbide tooth, so that the tape would be just above the top of the wood cutting surface, allowing us to capture the blade speed during the cuts. We used a power-feeder to ensure that all the material was pushed through each saw at the same feed rate. In the photo above you can see our test set-up with the power feeder, a decibel meter to the left, the digital tachometer in the center, and the amp meter on the right. If you look really closely at the saw blade, the piece of reflective tape is to the left side of the blade near the power feeder.

Above are the results for RPM Blade Speed while cutting 3/4″ plywood. In the left column is the no-load blade speed and the right column is the lowest recorded blade speed during the cut. The drop in blade speed is fairly small ranging from 6% for Hitachi and Ridgid, 7% for Makita and SawStop, 9% Bosch, 11% DEWALT, 14% SkilSaw, and 24% for the Delta.

In the next test we measured blade speed cutting 2x pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine decking. In this test the lowest blade speed drop was 11% for the SawStop, 15% SkilSaw, 23% DEWALT and Makita, 27% Ridgid, 29% Bosch, 31% Delta, and 33% for Hitachi.

The last test was using 5/4 Mahogany Decking. This was an even more extreme test with the lowest blade speed drop going to SawStop at 22%,  24% Makita, 25% Bosch and Ridgid, 27% DEWALT, 28% SkilSaw, 33% Delta and 41% Hitachi.

Saw Blade Speed (RPM) Summary: The table saw with the lowest average drop in blade speed for each of the tests we performed was the SawStop. Coming in second place was the Makita followed by Ridgid in third, Bosch and DEWALT in fourth, SkilSaw in fifth, Hitachi in sixth, and Delta in seventh place.

Motor AMP Draw

Another indication of how hard a table saw is working is monitoring the amperage (AMP) draw under loading conditions. We measured the amp draw for each saw using all three materials again at the same time we were recording RPMs. The first graph below shows the amp draw for each saw cutting plywood compared to the no-load amp draw. The white bar on the left indicates the no load amps and the colored bar on the right shows the maximum amp draw during the cut.

For this test the SkilSaw had the lowest increase in amp draw at 5% followed closely by Hitachi at 6%. The rest of the saws had fairly significant increases in amp draw with DEWALT at 32%, Delta at 42%, Bosch at 55%, Makita at 61%, SawStop at 79% and Ridgid at 120%.

The next graph includes the results from the pressure treated framing lumber.

For this test SkilSaw finished in first with the lowest increased amp draw of 14%, followed by Hitachi at 58%, DEWALT at 77%, SawStop at 110%, Makita at 119%, Delta at 146%, Ridgid at 184% and Bosch at 196%.

The next graph includes the results from the 5/4 Mahogany decking.

Again we saw the SkilSaw record the lowest increased amp draw at 59% followed by Hitachi at 86%, DEWALT at 103%, SawStop at 110%, Makita at 129%, Delta at 135%, Ridgid at 157% and Bosch at 169%.

Performance Summary – Winner Skilsaw SPT99-12

We took all of the data from the RPM and AMP measurements and added them to come up with the final performance rankings. For each saw we added up the total percentage decrease in RPM’s (for each material type) and added that to the total percentage increase in AMP’s (for each material type). This gives us a relative comparison of each saw over all 6 sets of data.

The best overall performance in our testing was the Skilsaw SPT99-12. The Skilsaw was described by many of the TBB crew as a beast and the data reinforces that. Regardless of the type of material the Skilsaw SPT99-12 offered the lowest drop in RPM’s and the lowest increase in AMP draw. Following in second place is the Hitachi C10RJ and the DEWALT DWE7491RS in third place.

Portable Jobsite Table Saw Price

Below we’ve included the current pricing (at the time of publishing this article). Pricing includes the cost of the stand and ranges from a low of $349 for the Hitachi to a high of $1,299 for the SawStop. The lowest price isn’t always the best in our opinion, we’re looking for the best value.  The Hitachi is an incredible deal at $349 and our top pick for price and value for a saw that has lots of power, a rack & pinion fence, and a solid stand.

Another really nice value is the Ridgid that’s currently selling for $399 including the stand. Lastly, it’s hard to ignore the $499 price tag on the DEWALT which is a great contractor grade saw with great features, a great fence, and a really good stand.

Price Summary – Winner Hitachi C10RJ

Portable Jobsite Table Saw Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of designing and producing tools that improve a worker’s efficiency while reducing discomfort, fatigue, and risk of injury. Ergonomically enhanced tools can include helpful features such as angled handles, riving knives, safety switches, and non-slip coatings. Whether you’re shopping for ergonomic tools or just trying to select the right one for the job from an existing collection, the key things to consider are whether or not the tool eases your work and prevents you from straining in ways that could lead to injury. Ergonomic guidelines in tool design can help maximize human performance on the job by making the job easier for the worker, improving safety and decreasing injuries.

For this ergonomic section, we considered the following factors, rating them 1 thru 3. [1 being best]

• Weight (Tool and Stand)
• Power Switch location
• Accessory Storage
• Fence
• Adjustments of Riving Knife
• Guard
• Stand
• Ascending Stairs
• Stand Leg Adjust
• Height
• Decibels

Below is a graph showing the weights of all the table saws including their stands. The saws/stands range from 80 lbs with the Ridgid up to 114 lbs for the Makita.

Below is a graph showing the average measured decibels for the saws (for each of the materials we tested). As you can see the saws range from 93.7 db to 97.9 db. OSHA allows 8 hours of exposure for up to 90 db, from 95 db up the exposure limits start dropping quickly starting at 4 hrs for 95 db so clearly these saws all need hearing protection. The Makita was given the best score of 1 as it was considerably quieter than the remaining. DEWALT and Delta were ranked worse with a score of 3, while the remaining were ranked as a 2.

Our TBB crew all helped rank each of the table saws for the ergonomics categories that we defined. Below is a table showing the ranking for each category and the final ranking. An interesting note about the stand height. The crew felt they were all decent heights but the Makita offers several heights which is a really nice feature!

Ergonomics Summary – Winners DEWALT DWE7491RS and Makita 2705X1

The DEWALT and Makita finished in first for our ergonomic rankings followed by a tie for second between Hitachi and Skilsaw and a tie for third place by Bosch and Ridgid. Both the DEWALT and Makita built their saw with the professional contractor in mind. Overall the entire crew really likes the saws with a rack-and-pinion fence system and the large wheels on the Skilsaw were also a big favorite.

Best Portable Jobsite Table Saw – Winner Hitachi C10RJ

Choosing the best portable jobsite table saw wasn’t an easy task but we’re confident we’ve done a thorough evaluation. In a very close race for the best table saw Hitachi beat out the DEWALT which came in second place followed by Skilsaw in third and Makita in fourth. It’s very interesting that the Hitachi and DEWALT look extremely similar. Hitachi edged out the DEWALT in performance and price resulting in the final scores. Skilsaw beat out Makita for the 3rd place only slightly and that result is really a function of pricing.

It’s interesting to note that if pricing was taken out of this evaluation the ranking would have been: DEWALT in first, Makita in second, Hitachi, Skilsaw and SawStop tied for third, Bosch in fourth, Delta in fifth and Ridgid in sixth place. But at the end of the day price is certainly a factor. What we didn’t do in our evaluation is any long term testing to look at durability which ultimately could affect your purchase decision as well.

We really should point out a big deal here and that’s the SawStop. It’s hard to put a price on safety and while the SawStop costs more than 3 times what the Hitachi costs it does offer safety that no other saw in test can offer. For those that can afford the additional cost that feature alone may tip the scales for you. Regardless of price SawStop came in 5th place for the categories we evaluated.

Final Thoughts

These tests and evaluations are very difficult, take a lot of time, and ultimately limited in scope as we’re not a professional testing company and we’ve got limited time to evaluate the tools. We cannot do longer term testing that would shed light on durability and we can’t possibly test every application that you might use of one of these saws for. However, we feel comfortable that all the table saws in this Head-to-Head are good saws and our testing helps bring to light pros and cons for each saw.

Ultimately everyone needs to choose a tool based on their specific needs, uses, and budget. With all the data above we’re very confident that all of you can make a better educated decision when you buy your next portable jobsite table saw.

Best Portable Jobsite Table Saw Head-2-Head Video Review

Best Portable Jobsite Table Saw – Head-To-Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Delta 26-2250 12 in. Dual Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw Review

Delta 26-2250 12 in. Dual Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw

3.5/5

Manufacturer: Delta
Model number: 26-2250
Price: 646.00
Power source: 120v 15 amps
Motor size: 4000 rooms
Weight: 57 lbs

Robot-Like Arms

The CRUZERS robot-like arms are constructed of military-grade aluminum and we found them super SMOOTH! The CRUZER arm design folds, rather than slides, as you move the saw-head back and forth.

Heavy-duty bearings provide unparalleled smoothness in the travel, and we were impressed. Delta also built in a tension adjustment so you can select your personalized travel tension.

Also nice to see on the CRUZER is upfront control features that allow you to set FAST dual-bevel miter cuts.  An easy-to reach bevel switch lets you bevel 45 degrees left or right.  There are stops at the most popular bevel angles and an accessible override switch.

Delta CRUZER Capacity

The CRUZER we reviewed was the 12in. blade model, and boasts a 16in. crosscut capacity.

Note: You can achieve 18” if you take off the guards and fashion a wooden table to place below the wood you are cutting to achieve the 18 inch cutting capacity.

The saw has a dual bevel capacity of 47° left and 47° right with front bevel release and 7 positive stops at the most popular bevel angles.

The CRUZER miters  50° left and 60° right, with 10 miter detents and positive stops. One-hand front miter controls with a push button miter detent override and front bevel controls  make this saw easy to operate and adjust.

CRUZER Cutting Capacity

• Maximum: 1.5 in. X 17.25 in. (2 X 18 lumber)
• Miter 0° / Bevel 0°: 3.5 in. X 13.25 in. (4 X 14 lumber)
• Miter 0° / Bevel 45°: 1.5 in. X 13.25 in. (2 X 14 lumber)
• Miter 45° / Bevel 0°: 3.5 in. X 9.25 in. (4 X 10 lumber)
• Miter 45° / Bevel 45°: 1.5 in. X 9.25 in. (2 X 10 lumber)
• Baseboard (Vertical): 6.5 in. (maximum cutting depth)
• Crown (Nested): 7.5 in.

Motor

The CRUZER features a pronated, molded handle and ergonomic trigger that we found comfortable for right or left hand users. The 120 volt, 15 amps, brushed motor is powerful and we had zero issues using the saw to cut framing stock. An electric blade-brake slows and quickly stops 4000 RPM blade from spinning.

Size

The CRUZER weighs 57 lbs. It is 25-1.2” wide, 21-1/2” tall and 30” deep. It is not lightweight or small, I would describe it as more robust and sturdy. We set it up on a recent remodel and left it set up for the entire project. We found it to be a solid framing, remodeling and general construction saw.

Using the CRUZER Miter Saw

We’ve been using this saw daily for several month now and like it. It was accurate out of the box and did not need adjustment, which is not the norm for many saws.

We were able to achieve accurate cuts and tight miters. The saw doesn’t have an LED light or laser guide feature. We’re not fans of lasers, but do like the work lights, and LEDs that cast shadow cut-lines.

The robot-like arms allow this saw to tuck right up to a wall which is a great option for space saving, and we took full advantage of this in a small laundry room we were working in.

The saw has a 7-foot cord length which we found was adequate.

The CRUZER’s slide is impressively smooth and the entire crew LOVED the controls. As I mentioned earlier, the motor is powerful and this saw eats up lumber for lunch.

CRUZER Improvements

After several months of testing we have a few concerns with this saw. The saw head spring is incredibly strong and we found ourselves having to “jerk” the saw down to achieve a chop cut. We reached out to Delta and were told that the saw head spring is tested to last over 1-million cycles and will loosen up over time.

Additionally, one of our guys noticed that as a dominant right-handed person, he tended to grab the miter saw handle toward the blade side. When he would do this, and lower the saw, the blade guard hit his hand, indicating a tight clearance between the handle and the blade guard. I did not experience this, as I tend to grab the handle fully.

Lastly, we notice a little bit of side to side play when the saw head was fully extended. I will note that MOST miter saws have this, it’s a result of the full extension design. Even though we noticed this movement, we did not have accuracy issues, as I am always carful to push down and back straight. Force of habbit as a trim carpenter!

Dust Collection

The CRUZER has a 1-1/2” dust port and comes with a dust bag that works as well as any other dust bag. When connected to a dust extractor it worked very well.

Delta CRUZER Miter Saw Cost

Available in 12 inch or 10 inch blade models, either CRUZER will cost you approximately: $646.00

Overall Impression of the Delta CRUZER Miter Saw

The Delta CRUZER is a solid go-to saw, especially on tougher job-sites with many users. As a trim carpenter this is good, not great, but when remodeling and framing this saw is perfect.

The robust design and power of the CRUZER is where its at!

Delta 26-2250 12 in.  CRUZER Miter Saw – Video Review

Delta 26-2250 12 in. Dual Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Delta 14 Inch, 1 HP Band Saw

My new woodshop finally has a band saw and it’s the newly released band saw by Delta, model 28-400 which replaces an older 28-280.  This is a 14-inch bandsaw with a heavy duty 1 HP motor and a refreshing new look compared to the older style band saws from Delta.

Specifications and Features

• Motor: 1 HP, 115/230V, 1 Phase Speeds: 1,620 FPM and 3,340 FPM
• Blade: 93 1/2 in. – 1/8 in. min. width to 3/4 in. max width Table: 15 3/4 in. x 18 7/8 in., oversized, cast iron
• Table Height: 40 3/4 in. Cutting Capacity: 13 5/8 in. wide x 6 in. thick
• Base Dimensions: 23 in. long x 16 wide Dimensions on Stand: 27 in. x 19 in. x 65 1/2 in.
• Shipping Dimensions: 44.69 in. x 17.72 in. x 21.46 in. Weight: 164.9 lbs.
• Heavy duty steel frame design reduces flexing and features a superior finish and aluminum trunnion table support for long-lasting durability
• Two speed drive system featuring tool less belt tensioning
• Durable aluminum, rubber-coated upper and lower 9 spoke wheels are precision balanced for superior blade tracking
• Standard size t-slot accepts all 3/4 in. x 3/8 in. miter gauges
• Precision ball bearing upper and lower blade guides ensure consistent tracking for accurate cutting performance
• Oversized table insert provides visibility when adjusting lower blade guides
• Larger insert for visibility when changing lower guide settings
• Includes 4 in. integral dust port, steel stand and a 93 1/2 in. wood-cutting blade
• UL Listed

Quality Construction / Materials

No surprise here but it’s worth pointing out. Delta once again has built a very nice shop tool with good quality materials and rugged commercial grade design. All of the component fit together nicely during assembly. The stand is made from very strong powder coated steel which was also easy to assemble.

The cast-iron table top has a large, very flat, smooth polished surface. I found the surface to be of equal quality to my UniSaw (which is very good!). This seems to be a nice upgrade compared to reviews that I’ve read about previous older designs that may not have had as nice of a surface.

Overall I’m very pleased with the quality and “mass” of the materials. They all contribute to the smooth accurate results that we were able to achieve while using the band saw.

Cast-Iron Table

As mentioned above I think the cast-iron table is machined very well with a very flat smooth surface. The miter slot is also well machined and accepts most common miter gauges (3/8″ and 3/4″). While this model does not come with a miter gauge I was able to use my Delta UniSaw miter gauge on the table without any trouble.

The table easily tilts allowing bevel cuts. The table has an easy to read bevel angle gauge mounted just below the table as you can see in the adjacent photo.

Blade Guides

One of the most important features on a bandsaw are the blade guides. The Delta 28-400 offers precision ball bearing roller guides above and below the table surface.

The upper guides are very easy to adjust and they stay in place. If you look closely at the photo they are very easy to adjust because they only use one screw to lock them in place. The lower blade guides work the same way but they are a bit harder to reach under the table. Once you’re familiar with the guides it only takes a few minutes to adjust all of them and keep the blade working in great shape.

Blade Wheels

The 28-400 uses aluminum spoke wheels with a rubber surface to grab the blade. The wheels rotate with a high degree of precision and are really easy to adjust. I’m told heavier cast iron wheels are preferable by some users but I’m not sure there’s a need for a band saw at this price point and size.

Dust Collection

The 28-400 has a large 4″ diameter dust collection port on the rear side of the cabinet adjacent to the motor. It’s located at the bottom of the wheel housing so it can effectively keep dust off the rubber coated wheel. Small holes in the table opening plate help suck dust down away from the cut zone.

The dust collection collects about 90% of the dust. This is certainly a shop tool that MUST be connected to a dust collection system. If you don’t own one I’d suggest you not buy this unit because there’s no place for the dust to escape from the cabinet.

1 HP Motor

The Delta 28-400 is powered by a Dual Voltage (115/230V) TEFC motor. The motor is quiet and smooth. I’m using it powered by 115 volts and had no power problems. The ability to wire the motor for 230 volts is a nice option when additional power is needed.

Performance

I’ve been using the Delta 28-400 14″ Band saw for several months now on a variety of projects. I’ve used it for cutting curves, cutting really small delicate pieces, and resawing larger lumber. Once the band saw was setup I was able to make all kinds of different cuts with very good results. The band saw had plenty of power even when resawing larger pieces of wood.

When it comes to resawing this model has plenty of power but you are limited to a piece of wood 6 inches tall. While this isn’t a deal breaker for me it certainly is a limitation that should be considered. Having said that I’m not sure you’ll find many other band saws in this category that can resaw much larger pieces of wood.

Band Saw Accessories

The 28-400 comes with a 1/2″ wood cutting blade. Besides that you’ll have to order other accessories as extra for your band saw. Several accessories that you should consider are:

• Miter Square (I use the one from my UniSaw)
• Fence (Delta offers fences, I happened to get a Kreg Fenced which I’ll write about in another article)
• Work Light – This is something that came as standard equipment on my Delta drill press and I sure wish it had some standard on the band saw.

Overall Impression

The Delta 28-400 is a very well built band saw fit for any woodshop. Being a 14″ model it’s really a great option for small and medium size shops where shop space is tight. This model is a perfect fit for my tight shop. When you consider that this band saw is priced around $650 it’s a great value and a great buy.

My only word of caution is for people hoping to resaw larger pieces of wood. If that’s your focus then I recommend you look at a larger model.

If you own a small to medium shop like mine then I highly recommend the Delta 28-400. It’s very well built at a very competitive price. If you want to buy it then I recommend you check out Amazon here: Delta 28-400 14 in. 1 HP Steel Frame Band Saw

Delta Model 28-400 14 Inch Band Saw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Delta Bench Grinders: 8-inch, Model 23-199 and 6-inch, Model 23-198

DELTA®Power Equipment Corporation recently introduced two more new products to their lineup including an 8-inch, Model 23-199 and a 6-inch, Model 23-198 Bench Grinders. Details include cast iron bases and powerful 2-1/2 and 5.0 HP motors. These are clearly built for long life and regular shop use.

6-Inch Model 23-198 Specifications

• Motor: 2 1/2 AMP, 120 Volt, 1 Phase
• Shaft Diameter: 1/2 in.
• Wheel Dimensions: 6 in. Diameter x 3/4 in. Thick
• Wheel Speed: 2,000 to 3,400 RPM
• Wheel Grit: 36 Grit Coarse and 60 Grit Friable
• Cord Length: 6 feet
• Assembled Depth: 11 in.
• Assembled Width: 14 1/2 in.
• Assembled Height (not including light): 11 in.
• Base Dimensions: 7 in. Depth x 9 in. Width
• Tool Weight: 27.5 lbs. (Net); 31.9 lbs. (Gross)

8-Inch Model 23-199 Specifications

• Motor: 5 AMP, 120 Volt, 1 Phase
• Shaft Diameter: 5/8 in.
• Wheel Dimensions: 8 in. Diameter x 1 in. Thick
• Wheel Speed: 2,000 to 3,400 RPM
• Wheel Grit: 36 Grit Coarse and 60 Grit Friable
• Cord Length: 6 feet
• Assembled Depth: 11 in.
• Assembled Width: 16 1/2 in.
• Assembled Height (not including light): 12 1/2 in.
• Base Dimensions: 7 1/2 in. Depth x 9 3/4 in. Width
• Tool Weight: 41.1 lbs. (Net); 45.5 lbs. (Gross)

For More Information Check Out The Formal Press Release Below

Anderson, SC, September 2012 – DELTA®Power Equipment Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of stationary and benchtop woodworking machinery and equipment, has introduced two new bench grinders, an 8-inch, Model 23-199 and a 6-inch, Model 23-198, which make quick work of all grinding, sharpening, polishing and buffing operations.

Both DELTA® bench grinders feature patented tool-less quick change nut and tool-less wheel cover that make changing wheels fast and easy. They also feature variable speeds with an upfront speed dial allowing for easy control of speeds from 2,000 RPM to 3,400 RPM, which offers an excellent level of control no matter what material the user is working with.

They also feature a cast iron base for durability and reduced vibration during operation and come with four rubber feet to help prevent movement. The full-size clear safety shields have thumb screws for easy adjustment.

Both come with a 36-grit coarse wheel for grinding and a 60-grit friable wheel for sharpening, and a diamond wheel dresser. The white sharpening wheel is used for sharpening tools and chisels. Its tool rest has a drill bit rest milled into the surface so the user will get the correct angle on the tip at all times. The two-piece tool rests are independently adjustable to minimize wheel wear and to provide a variety of angles for the user.

Each has a worklight (40-watt bulb not included) with separate on/off switch and flexible goose neck, providing illumination during set up and while grinding or sharpening, buffing or polishing.

The new  DELTA® 6-inch Bench Grinder has a 2-1/2 Amp induction motor for long lasting performance. The 8-inch Bench Grinder features a 5-Amp induction motor to handle the toughest tasks.

The new DELTA® 6-inch and 8-inch Bench Grinders come with a Five-Year Warranty and are available at woodworking distributors and retailers. The suggested retail price for the 6-inch Bench Grinder, Model 23-198 is $124.99; the suggested retail price for the 8-inch Bench Grinder, Model 23-199 is $169.99. For more information, customers can visit www.DeltaMachinery.com or write to customercare@dpec-na.com.

Delta Adds Two New Bench Gringers Including 6-Inch and 8-Inch Models is a post from Tool Box Buzz

New, Easier-To-Use Design For Table Tilt Lock

Anderson, SC, July 9, 2012 – DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of stationary and benchtop woodworking machinery and equipment, has introduced a new 12-inch Disc Sander, Model 31-140, with heavy duty cast iron construction and heavy duty steel bevel assembly supporting the table.

The DELTA® Disc Sander features a new design on the table tilt lock. Instead of two knobs to loosen or tighten the tilt table, the new disc sander has one easy-to-use dual-purpose bevel table adjustment and lock, which secures the table on both sides with just the one handle. The 17-1/4-inch x 6-1/4-inch tilting cast-iron table has left and right stops at 22.5°, 45° and 90°.

The disc sander features a 12-inch diameter heavy duty steel disc for fast and accurate sanding. A convenient top-mounted manual brake stops the sanding disc in seconds. It also features a powerful 1/2 HP, 120V motor, running at 1725 RPM, for long-lasting, smooth performance and an integral dust collection fan that draws dust away from the table and into the hose for cleaner sanding operation. The dust hose, with 2-1/4-inch O.D. connectors, attaches quickly to any standard shop vacuum.

The new DELTA® Disc Sander also features a 3/8-inch x 3/4-inch miter gauge slot machined into the table for projects that require sanding an angle or straight edge. The cast-iron base has pre-drilled base holes for easy bench mounting. It comes with a miter gauge, hose with 2-1/4-inch O.D. connectors, one 80 grit abrasive disc, and wrenches.

Available accessories include a Deluxe Miter Gauge, Model 34-928 and 2-packs of 12-inch PSA aluminum oxide sanding discs in 50, 80 and 120 grits.

The new DELTA® 12-inch Disc Sander, Model 31-140, has a suggested retail price of $239.99 and is backed by a Five-Year Warranty and will be available this summer at woodworking distributors and retailers.

For more information, customers can visit www.DeltaMachinery.com or write to customercare@dpec-na.com.

Delta Introduces New Heavy Duty 12″ Disc Sander is a post from Tool Box Buzz

DELTA® Expanding Line-up with New Sanders

Anderson, SC, April 16, 2012 – DELTA®Power Equipment Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of benchtop and stationary woodworking machinery and dust management systems, is introducing four innovative new sanders designed to meet the needs of today’s professional woodworker and serious home shop woodworker. The new sanders include a 26-inch Dual Drum Sander, Model 31-481; a 6-inch x 89-inch Oscillating Edge Sander, Model 31-482; a Heavy Duty Oscillating Bench Spindle Sander; Model 31-483; and a Heavy Duty Oscillating Spindle Floor Sander, Model 31-484.

DELTA® is also introducing more than 95 abrasive SKUs to support these new sanders, and all DELTA® sanders, with high quality, long lasting sanding products, including sleeves, belts, discs and strips.

“We are very proud to be able to expand the Delta offering in the sander category,” said Bryan Whiffen, President and CEO of Delta Power Equipment Corporation. “We are not only filling out our product line in a very important woodworking category, but bringing an innovative new product to market in the Delta tilting spindle arbor design. With these new tools, Delta is continuing its tradition of offering woodworkers the very latest innovations and the very best in terms of capability and durability.”

Heavy Duty Oscillating Spindle Floor Sander, Model 31-484

This new sander features a unique 0° to 45° tilting spindle arbor design which allows the woodworker to adjust the sanding angle and to bevel sand while the table remains flat. Its 1-1/2-inch oscillating action uses more of the sleeve, prolonging sleeve life while protecting wood from excess heat created by a fixed oscillating spindle. It has adjustable positive stops at 45° and 90° and large bevel scale for accuracy and convenience.

It also features a 24-5/8-inch x 24-1/2-inch precision ground cast iron table and fully enclosed, heavy duty steel-frame construction for optimum dust management and minimum vibration. Its heavy duty, cast iron trunnion system supports an oil-bath gear box, providing increased stability and accuracy.

It has a powerful 1 HP, 110V motor with 1,725 RPM spindle speed and 71 oscillations per minute. Precision ball bearings support the main spindle and heavy duty worm and gear mechanism drives the oscillations. A removable rear access panel makes spindle changes easier. It has on-board storage for all inserts, spindles and wrenches and comes with 10 interchangeable threaded spindles with 100-grit sanding sleeves (1/4 in., 3/8 in., 1/2 in., 5/8 in., 3/4 in., 1 in., 1 1/2 in., 2 in., 3 in., and 4 in.), 6 inserts, power lock-off pin and 2 wrenches. It will be available in June and has a suggested retail price of $1,649.99.

Heavy Duty Oscillating Bench Spindle Sander, Model 31-483

This sander features fully enclosed, heavy duty steel frame construction for minimum vibration with a 14-3/4-inch x 14-3/4-inch precision ground cast iron table. Its 15/16-inch oscillating action uses more of the sleeve, prolonging sleeve life. The sander has a 0° to 45° tilting table design, allowing for accurate bevel sanding with a positive stop at 90° and a large bevel scale for accuracy and convenience.

The Model 31-483 also features a heavy duty, steel table support and bevel system which provides increased stability and long-lasting durability with twin locking handles for stability in any bevel position. This sander has a powerful 1/2 HP, 115V motor with 1,725 RPM spindle speed and 29 oscillations per minute. Its smooth precision ball bearings support the main spindle and heavy duty worm and gear mechanism drives the oscillations.

It has on-board storage for all inserts, spindles and wrenches and includes 5 interchangeable threaded spindles with 100 grit sanding sleeves (1/4 in., 1/2 in., 5/8 in., 1 1/2 in., and 2 in.), rubber drums on 1-1/2-inch and 2-inch spindles, 4 inserts, power lock-off pin, 2-1/4-inch to 4-inch dust port adaptor and 3 wrenches. It will be available in May and has a suggested retail price of $449.99.

6-inch x 89-inch Oscillating Edge Sander, Model 31-482

This sander features a powerful 1 1/2 HP, dual voltage 115V/230V (wired 230V), 1 phase motor with 3,900 SFPM belt speed and 108 OPM allowing it to be an aggressive, powerful sanding system for quick material removal in vertical or horizontal positions and any bevel positions in between. Its 1/4-inch belt oscillation ensures full use of the belt, reducing uneven wear and reducing the potential for sanding lines while prolonging belt life.

This sander’s table height easily adjusts to position the work piece in order to use a specific area of the sanding belt and it has a large belt surface allowing for edge and surface sanding and the additional option of contour and inside curve sanding using the 9-3/4-inch x 11-3/4-inch cast iron table attachment around the 4-1/4-inch drum on the motor side of the machine.  Other features include:

• Heavy duty steel, adjustable 24-inch x 4-inch fence for horizontal sanding
• Precision ground steel platen with graphite pad provides consistent sanding results
• Graphite pad keeps the platen cool during operation which helps eliminate distortion and extends belt life
• Large, 29-3/4-inch x 10-inch cast iron support table with t-slot
• Locking t-slot miter gauge provided for sanding miter angles
• Convenient, top-mounted tensioning lever and tracking controls
• Integral dust shroud and 4-inch dust port ensure optimum dust management.

The Oscillating Edge Sander comes with a back stop, sanding drum cast iron support table, miter gauge, tracking tool, fence, one 6-inch x 89-inch 100 grit sanding belt, and adjustment tools/wrenches. DELTA® offers 80- 100-, 120- and 150-grit sanding belts, sold separately. It will be available in May with a suggested retail price of $1049.99.

26-inch Dual Drum Sander, Model 31-481

This sander features increased capacity which allows for sanding material up to 12-1/4-inch deep x 25-1/2-inch wide. It also has an independent adjustable rear drum, offering the woodworker one-pass sanding capability using 2 grits, reducing processing time. Its rear roller adjustment dials ensure the rear drum is level and it has a heavy duty steel frame design with superior finish for long-lasting durability.

The sander’s latching top door provides direct access to dual drums for easy sanding wrap changes, and features toolless drum wrap tensioning clamps, making installation and removal of sanding strips easy, requiring less downtime. It has an industrial grade 3 HP, 230V, 60 Hz, 1 Phase Main Motor with magnetic controls; 1/6 HP, 1 phase, variable speed feed belt motor with feed speeds from 3 FPM to 20 FPM and a drum speed of 1,550 RPM. It comes with a magnetic on/off main motor switch and a removable key switch for the variable speed feed belt motor. Its two 4-inch dust ports provide efficient dust collection requiring a total of only 600 CFM. It comes with feed belt, two sanding drums, one 80-grit and one 120-grit sanding strip. Sold separately, DELTA® offers 3-piece sanding strips in 80-, 100-, 120-, 150-, 180- and 220-grit. The 26-inch Dual Drum Sander will be available in May with a suggested retail price of $2299.99.

The new DELTA® Sanders are all backed by a Five-Year Warranty. For more information, customers can visit www.DeltaMachinery.com or write to customercare@dpec-na.com. Join DELTA® on Facebook at www.facebook.com/deltamachinery .

Delta Announces 4 New Sanders: Drum, Edge, Bench and Floor Spindle Sanders is a post from Tool Box Buzz

State-of-the-Art Features That Woodworkers Will Appreciate

Anderson, SC, February 17, 2012 – DELTA®Power Equipment Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of benchtop and stationary woodworking machinery and dust management systems, is introducing an all new 14-inch, 1 HP Steel Frame Band Saw, Model 28-400. This new Delta® band saw has been designed for today’s serious woodworker.

The new 28-400 features a 1 HP, 115V/230V, 1 phase TEFC motor with 2 speeds (1,620 FPM and 3,340 FPM). It has a heavy duty steel frame design that reduces flexing. And it comes with a superior finish and heavy duty trunnion table support for long-lasting durability.

The new Delta® 14-inch Band Saw has a two-speed pulley with easy tensioning system to make speed changes simple, and its durable aluminum, rubber-tired upper and lower 9-spoke wheels are precision balanced for superior blade tracking. Its poly V-belt drive provides for smooth operation, consistent power transfer and will not “take a set” when left under tension.

Its smooth ball bearing upper and lower guides ensure superior blade accuracy and performance with a maximum cutting capacity of up to 13-5/8 inches wide x 6 inches thick. The oversized 15-3/4 inch x 18-7/8 inch precision ground cast iron table tilts 3° left to 45° right with a positive stop at 90°. It has a standard size t-slot that accepts all 3/4 inch x 3/8 inch miter gauges.

It is designed with a large table insert for visibility when changing lower guide settings, has a dust brush on the lower wheel to keep the blade clean during use, and a special knob design on upper and lower doors helps prevent injury by forcing the doors completely open or securely closed.

The 28-400 includes a 4 inch integral dust port, steel stand and a 93-1/2 inch wood-cutting blade. Available accessories, sold separately, include a Deluxe Miter Gauge, Model 34-928 and a Magnetic Work Light, Model 25-870. It will also accept the 12 inch and 24 inch fence systems, Models 28-848 and 28-856.

The new Delta® 14-inch, 1 HP Steel Frame Band Saw will be available at dealers in March 2012 and has a suggested retail price of $629.99, and is backed by a Five-Year Warranty. For more information, customers can visit www.DeltaMachinery.com or write to customercare@dpec-na.com. Join DELTA® on Facebook at www.facebook.com/deltamachinery .

Delta 14-inch 1 HP Steel Frame Band Saw Preview is a post from Tool Box Buzz

A Premium Line Of Band Saw Blades

Anderson, SC, February 20, 2012 – DELTA®Power Equipment Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of benchtop and stationary woodworking machinery and equipment, is introducing a premium line of band saw blades under the well respected Timber Wolf® sub-brand.

Timber Wolf® band saw blades are made of high quality Swedish silicon steel so the blades last longer than the competition and offer true tracking and no wandering. Their induction hardened front edge ensures optimum blade sharpness and accuracy. The precision milled and set teeth provide professionally smooth cuts and exceptionally tight turns.

They are also designed to be used at lower tension which requires less horsepower from your band saw, and Timber Wolf® band saw blades are re-hardened at the weld for long-lasting endurance where other blades most often fail.

Each blade package is marked with a series annotation that ensures you select the right blade for the type of work or material you are using.

The Timber Wolf® Band Saw Blade Series by DELTA® initially available include:

• PC Series (Positive Claw) – for kiln dried wood
• AS-S Series (Alternate Set Special) – for straight line veneer cutting
• VPC Series (Variable Positive Claw) – for straight line re-sawing; kiln and air dried wood
• HP Series (High Performance) – for detail work
• RK Series (Raker) – for detail work.

They will be available in the following lengths: 56-1/8 inches, 72-1/2 inches, 93-1/2 inches, 105 inches, 111 inches, and 142 inches.

For more information, customers can visit www.DeltaMachinery.com or write to customercare@dpec-na.com. Join DELTA® on Facebook at www.facebook.com/deltamachinery .

Delta Now Offers Timber Wolf® Band Saw Blades is a post from Tool Box Buzz

New Delta® Portable Cyclone Dust Collector Features Powerful Dust Collection with Unique Chip Barrel System

Anderson, SC, January 31, 2012 – DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of benchtop and stationary woodworking machinery and dust management systems, is introducing a new 1-1/2 HP Portable Cyclone Dust Collector, Model 50-905 with state-of-the-art performance and a unique, convenient Chip Barrel System.

The new DELTA® Cyclone Dust Collector has a powerful 1-1/2 HP, 240V, 1 phase motor that produces 10 inches of static pressure with 810 CFM restricted and 1,638 CFM unrestricted (120V control box conversion kit, Model 50-907, is also available).

It is designed with cyclonic action to separate and force large particles into the chip barrel (32 gallon capacity) while small dust particles are trapped in the 1 micron canister filter and lower bag. The unique and convenient chip barrel system simplifies the emptying of the bag and repositioning the barrel with a leak free seal. The large bail-type handle lifts the barrel into position for operation – no tools required – and drops it for easy access and bag disposal.

The top filter cleaner crank rotates to knock down particles into the bag as they build up on the inside of the canister, prolonging canister life and efficiency. The user can connect up to two machines with the two 4-inch dust ports or remove the manifold to use as one 6-inch dust port to connect to a central dust collection system.

It comes with a remote control (batteries not included) which offers convenience for on/off and timer programming. The timer settings go from 1 hour to 15 hours, allowing the user to set the unit with confidence that, while away, the unit will clean the air in the shop and then turn itself off.

One new accessory that woodworkers will want is the Model 50-906 Dust Collector Floor Sweep Attachment so you don’t have to pull out a shop vac to clean your shop floors. Other available accessories include: 50-736 three-pack of dust bags for canister; 50-737 three-pack of chip bags for barrel; and 50-738 canister filter.

The new DELTA® 1-1/2 Portable Cyclone Dust Collector, Model 50-905, comes with a barrel, two dust port covers, one canister filter, two plastic dust bags, three plastic chip bags and four locking wheels.

It has a suggested retail price of $1299.99 and is backed by a Five-Year Warranty. For more information, customers can visit www.DeltaMachinery.com or write to customercare@dpec-na.com.

Delta 1-1/2 HP Portable Cyclone Dust Collector Preview is a post from Tool Box Buzz