Well it’s been awhile since I posted anything.  Between a failed hard drive on my computer and just other obligations, updating the blog took a backseat for a while.

SawStop Update

I’ve had a chance to give the new SawStop a good workout.  I couldn’t be more happier with it.  It has the power I need.  I’ve cut through some 3” think Hard Maple, without any real slow down.  The consistent accuracy I was looking for, is there.  Then there is the dust collection.  What can I say, amazing.

This weekend I was finally able to rig something up, so that I could hook the duct collection up to the blade guard.

This first mock-up is with ¾” PVC pipe and 1.5” hose.  To tell you the truth, it worked really well.  I just wish Loew’s had black ¾” pipe.  I’ll have to keep looking around for that.

Here’s a before shot of the saw, cleaned off before the cut.

Here are some shots after the cut.  I cut a long piece of ½” MDF, that I had lying around.

There is the slightest bit of dust on the top.  SawStop recommends a duct collector with 300 CFM capacity.  I do plan to get a lager system soon, but what did I use for this test?

I’m sure a larger system will pick up that small amount that sneaked by in this test.  With the ShopVac on, I tested the suction at the blade guard.  It was pretty weak, but enough to pull the dust out.  As soon as I can make room for a larger system, I’ll add it to the shop.

Miter Sled

I’ve been waiting to build a Miter Sled, because I knew I was going to be getting a new saw soon.  Miter Sleds don’t move between saws very well, so I’ve been waiting.  Not too long ago, I bought a new Miter Gauge from Incra and I have been very happy with.  Incra also sells these Build Kits, for making jigs and the like.  You can use these kits to make a Miter Sled.  I was happy with their Miter Gauge, so I thought I would see what their Build Kits were like.  Overall I’m really happy with their kits.

I think I put this sled together in about an hour or so.  That really is the big advantage to these kits.  I’m sure there are many of you who will say, it can be made a lot cheaper.  That may be true, but I’m really happy with what I ended up with.  The ease of making it was big time saver.  I plan to add guard to the back of the sled, where the blade comes through.  You need to protect those thumbs, even if you have a SawStop.