Sedgwick Table Saws?

[Chris72]

Does anybody have any opinions about sedgwick table saws?.Everybody always seems to rave about wadkin but i've never seen any comments on sedgwick.i've seen a couple and they do seem very solid looking.
Chris

 

[Scrit]

Chris

I've got a Sedgwick 16in rip saw. It is what it is - basic, fairly agricultural, but accurate and dependable (what Sedgwick is known for). I was looking for a Smith's turret saw or something like a Wadkin BSW or BSS when this came up at the right price....... The Sedgwick tilting arbor saws I've seen seem in the same mould (mine doesn't tilt), but I reckon you'd pick up an AGS12 or a Startrite TA/SP275 quite a bit cheaper secondhand, although only a post-1980 (circa) will have a decent fence bar on it (the earlier ones and TA/SPs had a fore and aft clamping mechanism which is not as good).

Scrit

 

[Chris72]

I have a Startrite TA 275 at the moment with the for an aft clamping system.I havnt had any problems with it so far,actually, I thought it was rather good.Can you shed any more light?.Thanks for the morticer reply by the way

 

[Scrit]

Hi Chris

Two issues, really. Firstly in order to get a short rip fence like that show in HSE information sheet no. 16 (here then select Machine Safety/Circular saw benches: safe working practices PDF - woodworking information sheet 16) you'd need to build a jig - so OK, I'm probably being lazy-minded and evenf you do you'll need a second jig to get the high/low fences normally found on modern panel saws, etc. Secondly older AGS/BGS saws and Startrites I've seen frequently have sloppy fences (through wear) which can be a bit of a faff to square-up and lock. The later single point design used on the AGS and Sedgwicks (and, incidentally on the Startrite TA/SP300) is just quicker and easier to use and the fact that the fence plate slides in and out and can be either a high fence (for ripping) or a low fence (for panel sawing) is an added bonus. If you currently have a TA/SP275 and you're happy with it, why change? Unless you need deeper ripping capacity, perhaps?

Scrit

 

[Chris72]

Ah!
My fence has a short guide bolted to it which is removable,which I exchange for another taller guide where nessasary.I think the saw which I bought must have had an easy life cause the fence locks up extremely solidly and square.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
Chris

 

[Scrit]

Chris

For a good article on this subject see this article by Barb Siddiqui and Richard Jones (who is known to drop in round here on the odd occasion)

Scrit