We manufacture louvered shutters and the cleaner the saw cuts the better the shutters look. When I crosscut the material on a table saw I get a super clean cut...no tear out...excellent cut. However, I've recently switched to a saw that holds the workpiece stationary as the blade comes through cutting the material, and exits the material. The cut is not as smooth as what was cut with the table saw...same blade and same height was used on both as far as the material entering the blade. Any ideas as to why?
- David
Our Expert
The surface quality of a cut is affected by a number of things such as the number of teeth on the blade, the tooth geometry, the speed of the saw and the feed rate.
Because you're using the same blade you expect to have the same quality of cut with each of the two machines which, of course, is within reason. Here are a few things to consider:
1.Feed rate--the new saw may be feeding the blade through the material at a faster rate than you used previously. Feed rate has a direct affect on the surface quality. A faster feed rate causes each tooth to take a larger "bite" which results in a coarser surface.
If possible, slow down the feed rate and/or switch to a blade with a greater number of teeth. I've had excellent results with the
Amana #610801 Fine Cut-Off Saw Blade
2. Arbor runout--the new machine may have more runout than the old one. Even a small degree of runout can affect the surface quality. You can check the arbor and flange runout with a dial indicator.
3. Stock support--to avoid splintering and tear out when crosscutting it is important to support the stock on the surface where the blade exits the cut.
The best cuts are achieved when the stock is completely supported right up to the teeth of the blade. I do this by fastening an auxiliary wood fence to the miter saw and a zero clearance insert on the tablesaw. The new saw may not be providing sufficient stock support for the fine work that you're creating in your shop.
