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View Full Version : stabilizers for portable table saws ?



Brad Clarkston
08-27-2008, 5:06 PM
Does anyone know of a good stabilizer(s) for a portable TS?

I have a little Hitachi C10FR that I've built a torsion box base
on casters plus cabinet for (wider and heaver than the legs
it came with) it. And I'm looking for a stabilizer set to steady
the blade (Diablo combo).

I've seen the CMT Stabilizer set but I'm afraid it's probably
to thick for my little TS. I'm not looking to buy a big bad
cabinet saw yet as I need to get my current house sold and
a new one bought before spending money on hobbies and
the current saw works fine for the home improvements and
little projects I'm able to do so I'm only willing to spend a
bit of money on improvements rather than a new saw.

- Brad

glenn bradley
08-27-2008, 7:14 PM
I've used some Craftsman ones that I came up with somewhere. I thought I would give them a shot but have ended up using them for years. They were about $20. Once I started using better blades they didn't really provide much benefit

At some point I will move the saw or change something that requires a review of the setup. At that time I can just shift the top over a bit but for right now all my jigs and fixtures are setup with the offset so I just keep using them ;-)

Lee Schierer
08-28-2008, 11:11 AM
What makes you think you need blade stabilizers. Most saw blades are stiff enough in their own right, even the thin kerf ones, to not require stablilzers. If your saw is properly aligned and you are letting the saw dictate the cut rate instead of forcing wood into the blade, the blade should not ordinarily deflect. Most modern blades are tensioned and have radial slots for relieving expansion that would cause the blade to warp or cup. If your blade isn't getting hot, then it isn't going to expand unevenly.

Good saw alignment is the most critical factor to making good cuts. If you haven't already done a meticulous alignment of your saw, you won't believe the difference it will make in performance.

P.S. Remember adding stablizers will also move your blade away from the flange on teh drive shaft. This may require you to make your own throat inserts.