"Hybrid" tablesaws a bit "tipsy!"

[Jason White]

A warning about so-called "hybrid" tablesaws...

My neighbor across the street has a Craftsman hybrid tablesaw with a Biesemeyer fence (this is the newer saw manufactured by Orion that's gotten lots of great reviews -- fully-enclosed cabinet, etc.).

Not long ago I'm sitting in my living room with the windows open when all of a sudden I hear a loud "bang" that I could actually feel. While wheeling around his new saw in the garage, the thing tipped over. Busted the fence right off the saw!

I don't know all the circumstances that led to the fall, but my guess is he had one or more of the wheels locked and pushed a bit too hard while trying to move it.

Anyway -- I've often thought the hybrid-type saws look a bit top heavy and tippy. I can't imagine it would take much to knock one over, especially if it's sitting on a mobile base.

JW

[scott spencer]

That's a really tough break (pardon the pun) for your neighbor. I don't roll mine around much Jason, but I can't imagine what it took to knock one over...that saw weighs in at 425# and essentially doesn't budge in use. Mine is considerably more stable than my 300# contractor saw was, and I always thought was stable until I got the 22124.

That said, you raise a good point that saws are top heavy in general by the nature of the cast iron tops and high motors. Does your neighbor have insurance coverage for that?

[Jason White]

This actually happened with my 6" RIDGID jointer once. I've got it on a mobile base and it took a tumble in the driveway. Luckily, I've got an asphalt driveway, which is relatively soft (compared to concrete). The driveway has a big gouge in it, but the base and fence on the jointer are still straight. WHEW!!

That jointer is VERY tippy and I don't really recommend putting it on a mobile base if you can get away with it.

Hybrid saws, to my eye, are a little "spindly" underneath -- not as wide of a base as full cabinet saws, which means not as wide of a "stance."

Jason


That's a really tough break (pardon the pun) for your neighbor. I don't roll mine around much Jason, but I can't imagine what it took to knock one over...that saw weighs in at 425# and essentially doesn't budge in use. Mine is considerably more stable than my 300# contractor saw was, and I always thought was stable until I got the 22124.

That said, you raise a good point that saws are top heavy in general by the nature of the cast iron tops and high motors. Does your neighbor have insurance coverage for that?

[scott spencer]

This actually happened with my 6" RIDGID jointer once.



...so, I'm not the only one! :eek: :o

welcome to the club! ;)

[glenn bradley]

I'm going with - too much speed or force behind the saw when the wheel locked on a small rock or wood chip on the floor. I added extra cast iron extensions on my 22124 and can't imagine having enough strength to tip it over with or without the extra iron. It can obviously happen though. I hope he just snapped a bolt and not the cast iron. Condolences to your neighbor, that's a first for me.

[Bart Leetch]

I needed to lower my jointer just a little so my fence is below the bench & Unisaw top the result is it is wider & longer & more stable too.