Panel Saws

[Jon Barnhardt]

Pic, as promised:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/allnightproduc ... l_saw4.JPG

[Rick Lee]

Looking good!

[LiefStevens]

Very nice. Looks like a lot of work! I may go pick up a panel saw tomorrow. It's the one from Shopnotes 4 and it looks like it's well made. I would prefer to build the one your building but I'm finding I'm really short on time and this one is cheap. I figure it will do the job till I have the time to build one.

[Jon Barnhardt]

Got enough done tonight to make the first cut. I can already tell I'm gonna love this saw.

I do have to make a couple of adjustments to the grid to accommodate my increased height, but already accurate to within a 1/16 of an inch before being permanently mounted.

Here it is temp mounted to my wood rack:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/allnightproduct ... el-saw.jpg

So far I would estimate about 10 hours in the shop, including head scratching for the increased height. To build a second, following exact dimensions in the plan, I think I could do it start to complete finish in those ten hours...

[LiefStevens]

Very impressive. I'm off to pick up my new panel saw.

[Rick Lee]

Very impressive. I'm off to pick up my new panel saw.

Have fun! Jon, What's the outside measurements? I have plenty of vertical space but horizontal space is a deciding factor for me.

[Jon Barnhardt]

It is exactly ten feet wide and about 7' 4" tall

[BoostFab]

very nice... that's really great for working in limited space. maybe i'll have to build me one

[Jon Barnhardt]

More thoughts:

I added another "brake" on the right side of the carriage as the added weight was flexing the roller board assembly. This seemed to tighten up the design and increase accuracy.

I put most of the final touches on last night (including the springs, with a little reworked design). I also had to shorten the pegs on the bottom so the saw would reach close enough to cut through the final inches of stock.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the results, but if I were to build again I would change a few things with the bar and carriage design to achieve an easier build with less play. (I can't complain too much now, as with the added "brake" on the other side, there is very little play - less than 1/16 of an inch from top to bottom.) I would probably also increase the width of the saw sled to at least 24" to accommodate the extra length I added. (pendulum effect)

Hopefully I'll have more to report tomorrow as I put it into production tonight hopefully.

EDIT: pic:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/allnightproduc ... l_saw6.JPG

[LiefStevens]

Really good work! When I have a some free time I will try building one. I ended up picking up the Saw from Shopnotes 4. It came with a circular saw, was built well and was very cheap so it will tide me over.

[UROK]

How easy is it to change the saw to horizontal?

[Jon Barnhardt]

How easy is it to change the saw to horizontal?

About 6 seconds. Just rotate the saw into the other recessed slot/pattern in the base.

[Jon Barnhardt]

A few more thoughts after a week of use:

I like the cut of my track saw (eurekazone) better. (same saw, better setup). It just makes for a much cleaner cut that is dead on accurate.

The panel saw is much easier to position and load full sheets, but the track saw makes for a more comfortable experience when cutting.

I am undecided if the panel saw will earn a permanent place in the new shop just yet...

[UROK]

A few more thoughts after a week of use:

I like the cut of my track saw (eurekazone) better. (same saw, better setup). It just makes for a much cleaner cut that is dead on accurate.

The panel saw is much easier to position and load full sheets, but the track saw makes for a more comfortable experience when cutting.

I am undecided if the panel saw will earn a permanent place in the new shop just yet...

Interesting thoughts, Jon. So EZ bench wins except for panels over 5'? Would that be a reasonable summary?

I'm waiting for an EZ One to come from NJ right now. Do/did you convert the bench into the smart bench (or whatever he calls it) for ripping panels? How would you say that compares/might compare with the panel saw you built?

[Jon Barnhardt]

I just bought the bridge and enough track to handle a 60" crosscut and mounted it on my own DIY table. I was going to order an EZ One but it only handles up to 48-50" cuts out of the box.

I really like my EZ setup.