Right tilting Table Saw?

[msturner79]

Why would someone want a right tilting table saw as apposed to a left tilt.

Thanks.

[TDHofstetter]

Are you right-handed or left-handed?

How's your shop laid out? Which direction would you prefer the long end of your workpiece to stick out - left or right?

-- Tim --

Member of the
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International
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[scottspencer]

Could be what someone's used to, could have run into a heck of a bargain, could just be their preference outright. There are some advantages with right tilt...the tape scale is always referenced to zero with a RT saw regardless of blade changes...even with a dado stack.

[rrich]

In a word, CONSISTENCY!

With a right tilting saw, you zero the scale on the fence once and change the blade many, many times.

With a left tilting saw the scale on the fence should be zeroed with every blade change.

(A right tilt bigot.)

[TDHofstetter]

...unless the scale runs the other direction... :)

-- Tim --

Member of the
Robert "Limey" Bolton Memorial
International
Volunteer Mentorship and Assistance
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[Sachbvn]

lol - Tim that's what I was thinking..... actually shame on me - I haven't even attached the scale that came with my Grizzly TS.... I still mark a pencil line and line it up with the edge of the saw blade. I will get to it eventually :) lol

Zac

[DougB]

Zac, I never use the TS tape except to get the fence close to where I want it. But, instead of trying to line up a pencil mark with the blade, I measure from the fence to a blade tooth to get an exact setting.

Use the same tape, rule or whatever you got your original measurement with to set the fence and you will get a very accurate setting. And remember that most blades are going to have some set to them, so if you really want to get it to a gnats arse, measure from the fence to a tooth whose set is towards the fence.

Anyway, that's what works for me, and so it don't matter to me which way the blade tilts. My TS blade tilts to the left and I tilt to the right so we have equilibrium in my shop :)

[cabinetman]

If you're trying to make a decision between right or left tilt, make an effort to use both. That might be difficult to accomplish. A machinery sales outlet may have that option, or direct you to where you might do that. Generally, if you're right handed...

As for setting the fence for cutting, if you have a "T" square type fence, with a line measure indicator on the rail over a tape measure, and it has been set up properly, that should be accurate. The whole point to the "T" square fence is for that reason, so you don't have to measure to a tooth, and tap on the fence.

[Sachbvn]

I do kinda measure using that method - or, I am atleast aware of it. I really need to invest in a folding ruler because sometimes managing a tape measure is an SOB.

Thanks Doug,
Zac

[TDHofstetter]

'Nother good point about a folding rule is that it's not such a big deal if it accidentally gets caught by the blade. It's good reason to kick yerself, but it doesn't spray steel everywhere.

-- Tim --

Member of the
Robert "Limey" Bolton Memorial
International
Volunteer Mentorship and Assistance
Programme