A
Anonymous
Guest
Well, i found that the Kity was no longer up to the jobs I asked of it. Ripping 2" oak was a little more than it was comfortable with. So, I concluded that I had to buy a new saw.
I ended up with this one
I considered 4
Large Xcaliber 806 (a la Philly)
Smaller circa £500 Xcaliber
SIP
Axminster
All are large cast iron saws - I don't care if the table is cast iron or aluminium, but at this size, the majority are cast iron, so there it is, I have a cast iron tablesaw.
Right away, the 806 was off the list - too expensive and no benefit over the Axi and SIP other than a dado capability that I really don't care about. The table area is smaller too. **
The small Xcalibre. Don't like it much at all. Open frame and motor sticking out???
The SIP is nice but the build and finishing quality leaves a bit to be desired. I have looked at and played with 4 in total and on all of these, the extension table had a different camber machined on it to the main table. A lack of attention to detail that may be reflected elsewhere. Also, on these 4, the cabinet pieces did not line up too well, again leaving me with 'budget' feeling. Also, on each of them, the mitre was very sloppy indeed in the slot.
A nice saw, but let down on the final attention to detail.
Although the Aminster and SIP look almost identical, there are several differences - and the Axminster has a sliding table + outfeed table
Well, the build quality on the Axminster saw is substantially better than the SIP (I guess Axminster have some 'clout'), the fence support extrusion is smaller in width than the SIP which I like, but it is still very meaty.
The fence and the fine adjuster is the same on both saws.
All panels fit much better on the Axminster than the SIPs I saw. Attention to detail.
Even the inside of the saw is very well finished with everything painted etc. On the paint front, I subjectively reckon the Axminster scheme looks more attractive than the SIP too.
The mitre gauge fits in the slot better than I have ever seen. No play at all. I suspect that this may have been pure luck though as it came wrapped separately. The 90 degree stops on blade and mitre were spot on when it arrived - the 45 degree tilt stop is a tiny bit out - maybe 1/4 degree, but noticeable when holding a square to two cuts to form 90 (89.5) degrees.
The motor runs smoothly and is fairly quiet, though louder than my Kity. Runs off a normal 13A plug which is very handy.
All movements on rise/tilt are very nice and smooth + easy to operate.
The bevel on the extension table is milled exactly the same as the main table - I was very pleased to see this as it gives me a bit of confidence in the attention to detail elsewhere.
The free blade they are giving with it at the moment cuts quite nicely along and across the grain- but then it is new.
My only gripe is in the positioning of the magnifier on the fence, it is too far towards the table and so I have ot lean over to make out the numbers on the printed scale.
I have pushed some 2" beech through it about 5 times faster than with the kity without the blade even slowing, never mind stalling and the max. depth of cut is 80mm, so i am chuffed to bits.
The sliding table is HUGE, and HEAVY but I have a singe garage and you can see form the photos that it will never get used as i won't have the guide rail on.
Never mind, the Osbourne Eb3 should be here any day and only cost $119 + $40 P&P.s
If you are thinking of a new Xcaliber or SIP, then I would say the Axminster is worth a look too.
One last thing, Axminster were absolutely outstanding. The driver phoned me when he left the depot to tell me when he would arrive and then updated me when he was 30 miles away. He also helped me carry it into the workshop. A fantastic bloke.
**I don't care about the dado as in the time it takes to take out the standard blade and then fit a dado head cuter and shims and new insert, I have installed a straight cutting bit, cut the dado with my router using a fence or the router table and had a cup of tea
- I once owned and used a dado head regulatory and this was the main reason I sold it.
I ended up with this one
I considered 4
Large Xcaliber 806 (a la Philly)
Smaller circa £500 Xcaliber
SIP
Axminster
All are large cast iron saws - I don't care if the table is cast iron or aluminium, but at this size, the majority are cast iron, so there it is, I have a cast iron tablesaw.
Right away, the 806 was off the list - too expensive and no benefit over the Axi and SIP other than a dado capability that I really don't care about. The table area is smaller too. **
The small Xcalibre. Don't like it much at all. Open frame and motor sticking out???
The SIP is nice but the build and finishing quality leaves a bit to be desired. I have looked at and played with 4 in total and on all of these, the extension table had a different camber machined on it to the main table. A lack of attention to detail that may be reflected elsewhere. Also, on these 4, the cabinet pieces did not line up too well, again leaving me with 'budget' feeling. Also, on each of them, the mitre was very sloppy indeed in the slot.
A nice saw, but let down on the final attention to detail.
Although the Aminster and SIP look almost identical, there are several differences - and the Axminster has a sliding table + outfeed table
Well, the build quality on the Axminster saw is substantially better than the SIP (I guess Axminster have some 'clout'), the fence support extrusion is smaller in width than the SIP which I like, but it is still very meaty.
The fence and the fine adjuster is the same on both saws.
All panels fit much better on the Axminster than the SIPs I saw. Attention to detail.
Even the inside of the saw is very well finished with everything painted etc. On the paint front, I subjectively reckon the Axminster scheme looks more attractive than the SIP too.
The mitre gauge fits in the slot better than I have ever seen. No play at all. I suspect that this may have been pure luck though as it came wrapped separately. The 90 degree stops on blade and mitre were spot on when it arrived - the 45 degree tilt stop is a tiny bit out - maybe 1/4 degree, but noticeable when holding a square to two cuts to form 90 (89.5) degrees.
The motor runs smoothly and is fairly quiet, though louder than my Kity. Runs off a normal 13A plug which is very handy.
All movements on rise/tilt are very nice and smooth + easy to operate.
The bevel on the extension table is milled exactly the same as the main table - I was very pleased to see this as it gives me a bit of confidence in the attention to detail elsewhere.
The free blade they are giving with it at the moment cuts quite nicely along and across the grain- but then it is new.
My only gripe is in the positioning of the magnifier on the fence, it is too far towards the table and so I have ot lean over to make out the numbers on the printed scale.
I have pushed some 2" beech through it about 5 times faster than with the kity without the blade even slowing, never mind stalling and the max. depth of cut is 80mm, so i am chuffed to bits.
The sliding table is HUGE, and HEAVY but I have a singe garage and you can see form the photos that it will never get used as i won't have the guide rail on.
Never mind, the Osbourne Eb3 should be here any day and only cost $119 + $40 P&P.s
If you are thinking of a new Xcaliber or SIP, then I would say the Axminster is worth a look too.
One last thing, Axminster were absolutely outstanding. The driver phoned me when he left the depot to tell me when he would arrive and then updated me when he was 30 miles away. He also helped me carry it into the workshop. A fantastic bloke.
**I don't care about the dado as in the time it takes to take out the standard blade and then fit a dado head cuter and shims and new insert, I have installed a straight cutting bit, cut the dado with my router using a fence or the router table and had a cup of tea
- I once owned and used a dado head regulatory and this was the main reason I sold it.
