Today I’m going to take you through how to use a Panel Saw. As we all know,panel saw also called sliding table saw.
Mahcine Introduce
Sliding table
This machine is specific to crosscutting timber when you cut the timber perpendicular to the grain It’s also very good at cutting big sheets of material especially because of it’s sliding table.
Blade
With this machine you can lower and raise the blade depending on the thickness of timber you are going to use and you can also set it or pivot it on an angle.
If you need to pivot the blade on an angle the lever is found right here and if you need to move the blade up and down, it’s just found behind the machine over here.
Machine Features
Angle Changed
One of the greatest features of this machine is that you can change the angle of this fence all the way to a 45degree angle. However, wait for your tutor to help you do that before you start.
Accessories and Clamps
The panel saws comes with a series of accessories and clamps that you can use when you are working which are really good for safety make sure you ask your Tutor about them.
Sliding table
Be mindful the machine has a sliding table so be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
Machine Inspection
It’s always good practise to do a little machine inspection before you start operating the machinery.
This is the extraction guard, make sure that it is placed on top of the blade and you can change the height by pushing up or pulling down, make sure it’s locked once you’re finished.
To turn on this machine just press the ‘Green’ button that’s furthest away from the emergency button and to turn it off, just press the ‘Red’ button.
You can also turn off the machine by pressing the emergency button. If the machine does not turn ‘On’, it’s probably because the emergency button has been pressed, and all you have to do is move the knob clockwise to release it.
The panel saw has two fences, the fence that is connected to the sliding table has a little measuring gauge, which is used to cut your stock to a certain length. It reads form the inside of the blade to the stop.
If you don’t need to use the second fence, make sure it is out of the way when you are using the sliding table.
The second fence is located on the other side of the blade there is a lever to lock it in place You can unlock by pulling the lever up and then you press it down in order to lock it.
You can also move the fence forwards and backwards, the lever is found over here and you can push it or pull it.
One important thing to consider with this fence, is if you are using it together with the siding table and you are using it either as a stop or a measuring gage you have to make sure that the fence is sitting behind the blade.
If you don’t do this, the piece of timber that you just cut is going to get stuck between the blade and the fence and you will get kick back, which means that the piece of timber is going to be propelled backwards and it’s very dangerous.
Lastly if you need to make any adjustments to the machines or if you need to change the blades, please ask your tutor.
Things to consider with your piece.
- Before you cut your timber make sure that your timber has been dressed if it’s not, consult your tutor.
- Depending on the thickness of the timber you are going to use then you are going to have to raise or lower the blade accordingly. It’s good pracrise to exposed about 3-5mm.
- Don’t cut anything that is less than 300mm in length. If you need to do that there are safe ways to go about it, so just ask your Tutor.
- Make sure you have a plan of action before you start cutting your timber.
- Make sure that it is marked, that you understand what your waste is and what you’re actually going to need. And it’s good to consider that the blade has a thickness which is called ‘Kerf’ and you will lose that 3mm thickness when you’re cutting.
- When you come to cutting a sheet of material make sure you adjust the blade in relation to the thickness of the material.
If the sheet is really big, you are probably going to need some help
if the sheet is too thin to avoid vibration you need to calmp it down to the sliding table.
This machine come with a series of clamps that you can use, please ask your tutor about it.
Setting up for a Cut
I’m going to show you now, how to use the sliding table of the Panel Saw to make a cross cut. So just a quick reminder, cross cutting is when you cut the timber perpendicular to the grain.
Make sure that the work place you are going to use is clean of all dust and little particles.
Once you have your timber ready and it’s been dressed, place it against the fence and also place it against the blade, so the thickness of the timber will dictate the height of the blade.
Also, this machine has a measuring gage if you are going to cut something at a certain length, just place the gage next to your timber. Now, if you’re not sure that the gage is working, it’s always good practice to mark your timber.
Now, if the piece of timber that you’re going cut is shorter than 300mm, then you need to use a clamp or some sort of device to hold it down. Just ask your tutor how to go about it.
If you are not going to need the fence that is on the right side of the blade just get rid of it, and make sure that the guard is on top of the blade that you are using. This will get you ready to do a cross cut.
Operating the Panel Saw
Now that we are all set up I’m going show you how to do a cut.
Make sure that you are wearing all your PPE equipment, goggles as well as earmuffs You are going use your hands like clamps.
Make sure your hands are placed with in the safety zone of the table saw. You’re left hand is pushing the timber down while while the palm of your right hand is pressing against the fence.