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Tilting Saw Tables


Rockytime

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Lots being said about the saws with tilting heads. I have tried an EX21 but only for a couple of cuts. Very smooth machine. I can understand the appreciation for this machine and like machines. What I do not understand is the love for the tilting head verses a tilting table. I'm reading about inlays and such things but they require such small tilts like 2, 3, 4%. Tilting the table such a slight amount seems so simple. Here's hoping someone can tell what other projects would take a drastic tilt. Just my curiosity.

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33 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

Interesting. Coincidentally I raised the rear of my 18" Hegner to give me an 8 degree toward tilt. 

I've seen in a couple of pictures, and a video or to I think, folks raising the rear of their saw...maybe a 2x4 ?

What is the purpose of that? Who all has done that, and how do you like it?

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My ex is raised in the back too.  I find it easier to stay on the line and control the piece.  I tried it after hearing about it here, and just liked it immediately

To me a tilting head just makes sense.  You don't tilt the table saw, you tilt the blade. and if you are hand sawing or drilling you don't tilt the piece. 

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Couple of points here. 

The tilting head keeps the work flat so you are not fighting gravity as you try to stay on the line.

As for lifting the back, it gives much easier view of the cut, but is not so severe that you have to worry about slippage forward. (Just don't sit your pencil on the table and expect it be there)

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it seems to me its kinda a sign of progress.  Table saws were at one time tilting blade and I believe I read somewhere it was more dangerous to use the tilting blade thus the evaloution  of the tilting arbor.  I seems to me, but I have never used a EX for more angle of cutting it would be easier with a tilting head JMO David  

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On 10/4/2019 at 1:03 AM, octoolguy said:

I tilt my EX. When I built the stand for it, I hinged the top so I could tilt the saw. i find it easier on my neck and shoulders.

I went out and tried it yesterday. I like it! I used a 2x4 under the back and the Wixey showed 6.5 deg. so I added a 1x4 - 9.6 deg. thought that was a little too much so I swapped the 1x4 for a piece of cedar fence picket...8.6 deg. OK stop right there. Very scientific...lol.  

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6 minutes ago, OzarkSawdust said:

I went out and tried it yesterday. I like it! I used a 2x4 under the back and the Wixey showed 6.5 deg. so I added a 1x4 - 9.6 deg. thought that was a little too much so I swapped the 1x4 for a piece of cedar fence picket...8.6 deg. OK stop right there. Very scientific...lol.  

Yeah it was funny some time ago, I measured mine, and silly me, I asked what others were using for a tilt, I got every answer except degrees - too funny

 

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1 hour ago, teachnlearn said:

Seems to be a starting trend here of tilting the table a little. Wonder how long its going to take the mgrs. to take this idea and add it to their machines?  Someone want to send this thread to the mgrs? RJF

They actually design the stand with adjustable legs so it can be tilted..  would guess that would be a more simple way to do it to accommodate everyone.. as we see here.. not everyone likes the tilted saw..  

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Where the tilting head on the EX really shines is when cutting projects like stacked ring bowls & boxes, like those that Carole Rothman designs.  Some of the angles are pretty steep and it's much easier to cut the rings with the table flat than it is with the table tilted at a high angle.  I've cut them on both a DeWalt and an Ex and I much prefer the EX for these kinds of projects.

 

image.thumb.png.c0f91c7645768ab670c4b7df8c935888.png

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45 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said:

Where the tilting head on the EX really shines is when cutting projects like stacked ring bowls & boxes, like those that Carole Rothman designs.  Some of the angles are pretty steep and it's much easier to cut the rings with the table flat than it is with the table tilted at a high angle.  I've cut them on both a DeWalt and an Ex and I much prefer the EX for these kinds of projects.

 

image.thumb.png.c0f91c7645768ab670c4b7df8c935888.png

Never thought about bowls and vases.  The tilting head makes sense.

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Yes. I went through the bowl making mania some years back. The whole time, I had wished I had a tilting arm versus a tilting table. Probably haven't done one in the past 8-9 years just for the fact that I still just have a tilting table.  As to the saw itself, I drifted from a forward tilt of about 5 degrees to flat. Really can't tell you a reason why. But yesterday when I was cutting, crossed my mind to give that forward tilt another try. So it might just be my Sunday project before football.

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The reason for tilting the back of the saw is to help your neck and shoulders. 
The reason I like the way my Excalibur tilts the head is the rack and pinion system. For double bevel inlay the tilt is very small and needs to be exactly correct. I could never get it correct with the Dewalt. Loosen the table and tap, doesn’t work easily.

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On 10/3/2019 at 10:26 PM, OzarkSawdust said:

I've seen in a couple of pictures, and a video or to I think, folks raising the rear of their saw...maybe a 2x4 ?

What is the purpose of that? Who all has done that, and how do you like it?

I have mine tilted forward . I find it easier with my old eyes if I'm looking down on my work instead of at an angle

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