What Are the Downsides of Using Large Saw Blades?
Asked by CraftyMaverick42
Hey everyone! I'm looking to buy a new table saw and I've noticed some older industrial models pop up at affordable prices. These heavy-duty saws often weigh over 500kg and are slider types, which I know can have precision issues. I'm particularly interested in models that can take blades up to 450mm (18 inches). My main concerns are around precision and any potential issues aside from cost and kerf width. I've never worked with such large blades before, but the idea of resawing up to 150mm sounds great! Any insights on downsides or whether the size impacts precision?
Answers
While larger blades might limit your choices, I haven’t seen a significant drop in accuracy with 400mm blades. I doubt 450mm would be much different either.
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A lot of older saws were designed for bigger blades due to their arbor and motor size. I've used several at work, and honestly, they cut really smoothly without any noticeable deflection issues.
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Costs and availability can be a concern for larger blades. I run a cabinet shop, and some of my saws have a 16-inch main blade and a 4-inch scoring blade. Finding quality 16-inch blades can be tricky, and the wider kerf can add up quickly in terms of material loss, especially for precise cuts. That said, they do a fantastic job on larger workpieces!
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