3 Ways To Cut Substrates Without Dust And Noise
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on April 5th, 2013
Dust has always been an unwanted byproduct when cutting panels down to size with a saw. It becomes even a greater problem when you are required to cut your panels indoors. Especially if you have expensive equipment nearby such as computers, printers, phone equipment, etc. One way of solving this problem is to use a substrate cutter that utilizes some kind of knife cartridge system.
Due to strong customer demand, Safety Speed Mfg. is now offering the SSC 165 and SSC 210 vertical substrate cutters as a truly affordable and accurate cutting solution for sign and graphic production shops. These units are designed to cut cleanly and accurately without [Read More]
Table Routers Make Cross Dado and Rabbet Cuts a Breeze
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on March 5th, 2013
Many experienced woodworkers hold the opinion that horizontal routing tables can be one of the most useful tools in your workshop. A close cousin to your standard routing table is the TR2 panel router by Safety Speed Manufacturing. This unit is a horizontal model offering accuracy and power in a space saving size ideal for cross dado jobs up to 36 inches. Designed with a guide tube carriage assembly similar to a panel saw but showcased with a 3 1/4 hp router motor it easily cuts dados as well as full-length rabbets. Its adjustable rulers and 2 blind dado stops take the guesswork out of shorter length cuts. Use the optional gauging system [Read More]
Preventing Your Panel Saw from Binding During Rip Cuts
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on February 8th, 2013
There are a few things an operator can do to eliminate the blade from binding. First, make sure that your saw blade is sharp and clean. Dull blades and dirty blades tend to bind and stall more often increasing the risk of kickback. Visual blade inspections are good disciplines that for some reason most operators seem to neglect. Chipped teeth or rounded edges are sure signs that your blade needs to be replaced or sharpened. It is very important that the blade is sharpened as soon as visible saw blade deterioration occurs. The blade will dull up much faster if the blade continues to be used resulting in more of the tip having to be removed [Read More]
Panel Sizing Made Easier
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on December 27th, 2012
A vertical panel saw can make panel sizing easier in the shop, or even on site. Vertical panel saws, which offer smaller footprints and are cost efficient, are becoming an integral part of custom woodwork and closet shops. Vertical saw manufacturers are seeing increased demand for flexibility. Options in demand include digital positioning of the stock, the ability to cut a variety of substrates, repeatability, laser alignment and auto positioning on the X axis.
Portability is also a feature in demand for vertical panel saw manufacturers. For cabinet and closet firms creating custom closet systems, applying MDF paneling to a dining room, [Read More]
More Schools are Realizing the Benefits of Vertical Panel Saws
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on November 27th, 2012
When you’re the curriculum coordinator for a school district with more than 100,000 students, and are in charge of a very active technical education program covering more than 10 high schools, you’ve got a lot to consider when you’re preparing young people for a career in the trade. One challenge David Reynolds faced recently was how to make sure the wood tech programs he oversees in the Cypruss Fairbanks Independent School District are as safe as possible, while at the same time maximizing space in sometimes cramped wood tech labs.
“We wanted to find a saw for our wood tech teachers and students that was both extremely safe and would [Read More]
Top Reasons For Sign Shops To Own A Panel Saw
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on October 19th, 2012
Vertical panel saws allow signmakers and graphic production shops to cut a large variety of sign blanks safely, easily and accurately. Simply speaking, vertical panel saws are designed to cut large sheet goods into smaller more manageable pieces and do it much more efficiently and accurately while only requiring one operator. For sign shops, this is a great way to save money and time by cutting their own custom sign materials with ease. Almost all sign substrates can be cut with a vertical panel saw such as acrylics, hardwoods, melamine, aluminum, foamboard, pvc, corrugated plastic, and polycarbonates just to name a few.
Anyone who has tried [Read More]
Portable Panel Saws For Cutting Large Panels
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on September 25th, 2012
Whether it’s done in the shop or on the job site, accurately cutting sheet goods usually requires a table saw and often a helper 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, or trimming down replacement doors, a portable panel saw can make your job a little easier. When you don’t have to lift a sheet onto the saw top, slide it over outfeed tables or strategically place roller stands, [Read More]
Cutting And Routing On One Vertical Frame
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on August 28th, 2012
When routing and cutting are necessary to your operation, woodworkers should seriously consider adding a combination Vertical Panel Saw/Router to their shop. These handy tools switch from a saw to a router in less than a minute without having to do any realignment whatsoever. Woodworking enthusiasts can enjoy all the features of vertical panel saws including; space savings, safety features, accuracy, one person operation, vertical and horizontal cutting capability, etc. These combination machines are ideal for cabinet shops or any operation that requires plowing or cross dados in addition to sizing panels. Features for routing include [Read More]
What Is Edgebanding?
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on July 19th, 2012
Edge banding is a common way of making inexpensive wood materials look more refined and more finished. Anyone familiar with a piece of furniture manufactured by Ikea has likely seen an example of edge banding. In edge banding, a length of a veneer product is applied to the raw edge of plywood or particle board (other surfaces can be used) and glued into place, thus given the edge a more finished appearance. Edge banding can also be used to make it seem as if a certain type of wood or metal is being used when, in fact, it is not. The practice is commonly used in interior decorating and in the manufacture of affordable furniture.
Types and Sizes
Edge [Read More]
Reduce Your Sanding Time By 70%
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on June 26th, 2012
If you’re a professional or regular woodworker that does a lot sanding by hand, then a wide belt sander is definitely a finishing tool you should consider purchasing. Woodworkers have shown to reduce their sanding time up to 70% leaving them with a lot more time to spend on the more enjoyable aspects of the craft.
Safety Speed Manufacturing builds two different models of wide belt sanders that are easy to use and maintain because they are made from high quality components. They feature heavy welded construction to reduce vibration, a photo electric eye system for belt tracking control, emergency stops, simple controls, a 6” internal [Read More]
How To Tell If Your Saw Blade Needs To Be Sharpened Or Replaced
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on June 8th, 2012
When the cut quality on your panel saw is no longer acceptable it is time to change your blade. Running a dull blade to get a few more cuts will yield a worse cut quality and result in diminished sharpening life of the blade. At the first sign of material chipping, remove the blade and replace it with a new or professionally sharpened one.
Pay attention and listen to the sound of the motor and blade. A trained ear can tell from the sound of the machine when the blade is working harder. A sharp blade requires less horsepower and cuts much easier and quieter than a dull blade. Essentially, what happens is the machine’s amperage draw [Read More]
Using Stops To Improve Panel Saw Productivity
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on May 25th, 2012
One of the easiest ways to improve panel saw productivity is through the use of stops. There are typically a few different options to choose from:
-The first method is utilizing a Quick Stop Gauge that consists of a metal extrusion with an embedded scale and an adjustable stop block. This type of system provides an easy to use method of making repeat cuts at any length. This system also has an optional digital readout that mounts on the stop block adding digital precision and repeatability.
-The second method is by using a Stop Bar Gauge. This is a multiple stop system for production shops. It consists of a metal extrusion with an [Read More]
3 Common Gluepot Edgebander Mistakes
Posted by admin | Published on May 14th, 2012
Listed below are three common mistakes woodworkers make that affect the edgebanding process when using a glue pot edgebander.
1. Forgetting to turn the heat off if the gluepot edgebander is not in use for 30 minutes or more.
Ideally, a gluepot edgebander has a built-in standby temperature reduction mode. If the machine is left standing unused for more than 30 minutes the glue temperature is reduced until the operator engages the machine. This feature will dramatically increase the lifespan of the glue and glue pot. If your machine is not equipped with this feature, make sure to turn it off while not in use.
2. Adding too much glue to the [Read More]
How To Avoid Wide Belt Sander Chatter Marks
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on April 27th, 2012
Chatter marks can come from different sources. Most often they come from the splice on the abrasive belt. Belts are usually glued to hold them together which makes them a little thicker at this point. As the splice comes around, the splice is pushed into the wood by the contact roller sanding the wood just slightly deeper than the rest of the belt causing a deeper cut at that particular point.
A few solutions to this common problem are:
Make sure your contact roller has the proper rubber hardness (durometer) for your application. We recommend a durometer of 60 for most sanding applications. Harder contact rollers will take off more [Read More]
8 Important Things To Consider Before Purchasing A Vertical Panel Saw
Posted by Tom Houska | Published on April 13th, 2012
If you are considering a vertical panel saw for your shop, you have more than likely thought about the many advantages such as one-person operation, safer cutting, cut accuracy, space savings, and many others. However, when you decide to buy a panel saw, it is very important to know the critical parts of the machine that can make the difference between your high expectations, and the real savings in time and money.
Let’s take a closer look at the important features you should consider before making your panel saw investment.
1. Factory assembly and alignment – A key reason to buy a panel saw is to get guaranteed cutting [Read More]
