Calling all Startrite table saw owners....

[JustBen]

To all the startrite table saw owner past and present...

I currently have a TA165(or so I believe) but there are some original parts missing both standard and add ons.

I like my my saw but feel that it could be better.

Does anyone own one of these saws or a similar model and have modified it in some way to get over a problem with design?

For example.
1. My saw have a dust collection chute on the right hand side but has no cover on it....
Should it have a cover? Should there be some sort of cowling that fits under the trunion to attach a dust collector to?

2. My guide slots get tighter at the ends. Is this common on these or any other table saw?

3. My fence rails also vary in tightness. Again is this common?


Has anyone else added anything to their saws to increase its usability? Like a new fence, extension tables etc

Care to share your mods?

I've added a pic of my tablesaw. If its not model I believe it to be, please tell me.

Thanks.

 

[flh801978]

Hi there
It should have a cover/guard over the right hand side
It would have not quite reached the base to allow the dust /chippings to fall out..H&S hadnt quite kicked in when these were made
A simple sheet material will suffice unless you wish to tilt to 45 then it needs a bulge in it to clear the motor
theres nothing around the trunnion area to catch dust...just a simple guard to stop dust being thrown forwards to the tilt slot

Is it a cast iron top or built up pressed steel? have you facilitys to measure the slot to see if its worn? a slight build up of dust or resin can make your slots tight or not slide cleanly

Hope this helps

Ian

 

[Mr_P]

I'm sure you already know this but in case anyone else finds this thread in future

Startrite spares and manuals are available here

http://www.altsawsandspares.co.uk/

I haven't used this firm or have any connection with it, I did request a quote a few weeks back and the reply was very professional/swift and thorough. Sadly it was well outside my budget.

 

[Peter Sefton]

I cut my teeth on a Startrite saw bench like yours and a great bit of kit it was. The table slots should be fine but as already said may have a resin build up in them. The fence should run smoothly unless the bars have become worn or bent. I like the router table set in; if you are looking for an upgrade have you considered an Incra fence http://www.incra.com/product_tscombo.htm
If you would like to see one give us a call as we have them in stock.
Cheers Peter

 

[JustBen]

Hi all, thanks for the replies.

I have checked the width of the slots all the way along and they are fine (give or take 0.05mm here and there)
The top is cast iron.
It seems the issue is with the aluminium bar I use on my mitre gauge.
It has a very small bulge at one end which causes it to be stiff in the slots.

I ask about the dust collection as it throws a lot of dust at me when cutting. I would like to fit a connector for my extractor but have no way of rounding the dust up.
If I closed off the open end and connected a 4" pipe into the board, would this created enough suction to clear most of it through a standard (850m3/h ish) extractor?

The router table has an adjustable fence that connect to it but its off most of the time as I like to use the full width of the saw a lot of the time.
I will be adding a router lift once I clear the backlog of jobs.

I do like the table a lot. Despite being very old and looking like its had a tough life, its very quiet and chomps through anything I throw at it.

I had a look at the site and have now got the manual for the saw I believe mine it.

The thing that made me question which saw I had was that I've never seen another saw with the same 'startrite tilt-arbor' badge as mine?