I got my Unisaw... a "mid-term" report

Well, I posted a semi-gloat last week about the purchase of my new unisaw, and a few of you told me to let you all know how things went when I got it put together. I'm about halfway there so I thought I'd better post a "mid-term" report. (warning, long and rambling... it's

1:24 in the morning and I can't sleep so I think I'll just type a while)

I purchased my saw on Saturday the 30th of April. through Amazon. By Tuesday it became apparent that although my saw would ship quickly, the free mobile base and dust extractor would not arrive until early/mid June. We were having a garage sale on Saturday (and yes, I even managed to sell my old bench top saw.... for $5 less than I paid for it a year plus ago... :) Anyway, imagine my surprise on Friday morning when I get a call from the delivery company that they had my saw, and if I wanted it delivered that day I could have it! I made the wise choice (with SWMBO standing over my shoulder listening) and asked if they could wait until the next week because my garage was full of "bargains" Oh well... I expected the worst would happen and I would not get my saw for several weeks as delivery companies do not come into San Angelo often (it's not really on the road to anywhere) I was astounded when I received a call on Monday asking if they could bring it over on Tuesday morning! "Absolutely" I told them, and began whistling and sweeping a "special place" on my garage floor about 3 feet from my newly wired 220 outlet. The saw arrived, with tilt meter blissfully white, and I proceeded to open boxes. There is no (that I've found yet) damage and I am taking my time. So far I have

  1. Read the instructions forwards and backwards... twice
  2. Unpacked all saw materials (fence materials are still in the boxes).... wondered where the "coupon book" that was supposed to come with the saw was... called Delta... the coupon book promotion is over... I guess I can't complain much, (gloat) I paid 80 for a Unisaw with 52 inch Beis fence, Jet Dust collector, and Mobile base)
  3. Assembled Saw, sans fence materials. Everything looks great. The surface of the top is smooth, though not "mirror like" I don't suppose I'll be shaving in it with any of my chisels though, so I'm not worried) and Boy is that motor BIG...
  4. Turned on saw
  5. Frowned at noticeable "clunk" at startup
  6. Turned off saw
  7. Turned on saw again, hoping the "clunk" was from belt sitting in storage
  8. Frowned less now that the "clunk" is less noticeable, though not gone
  9. Made a crosscut with miter gauge
  10. Smiled at smoothness of cut

Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm going to put the fence on the saw or wait until the mobile base arrives. I would really like to assemble the whole thing so I can do some ripping, as I have a backlog of projects... so I'm not sure if I'll wait or not. (though I could probably use the workout from using my handsaw... just to make me appreciate my new tool even more)

As I am essentially a beginner with the table saw, I am pulling out all the articles I can find on table saw safety (Fine Woodworking #97 has a great article) and also reading the "accident reports" on the woodworking2.org page... the stories on there really make me look at my new "toy" with (always had it with my bench top, but now even more so now) respect.

Anyway, thank you all for your support and advice. I look forward to using my saw for many years to come (and chatting with all you fine folks too) If anyone has any additional advice, I'd love to learn from your experiences. Very Respectfully, Lawrence

Reply to
lawrence.karen
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The "clunk" is not unusual on a Unisaw, don't worry about it.

Reply to
Swingman

Are we talking San Angelo, TX?

Lew

Reply to
Lew Hodgett

Yes, I live in San Angelo Texas

Reply to
lawrence.karen

The Unisaw is indeed not a toy.. Safety is the "biggest" issue you face. I would begin to seriously consider getting one of the overhead guards as your next purchase.

Just remember...that's a real 3hp motor with a blade strapped to it. Making a dumb mistake with 3hp will result in some very scary moments.

Be safe and enjoy a wonderful power tool.

snipped-for-privacy@veriz>

Reply to
Pat Barber

Spent a couple of weeks in S/A many years ago.

Is the Goodyear track still in operation?

Great fun to be driving out to the track at dawn trying to run over the bugs on the road as a way to start your day.

By 10:00AM, it was time to get out of the sun.

Lew

Reply to
Lew Hodgett

Blimp races? :)

Reply to
CW

Hi Lawrence,

Enjoy your saw! And on a side note: If you're an industrious person, as you're driving through the countryside (farming community) look for an old broken, no longer used, abandoned hay transporting machine. Do you know the kind, that is used to transport bales of hay up into the loft of a barn. They are around, if you just look closely enough. Anyway, the rollers make for great outfeed and infeed rollers stands (make your own stand) for your longer lumber/woodworking. They are easy to make. I would think the owner of the hay machine might give you a several of the rollers. ......Just an idea, if the opportunity presents itself.

Reply to
Sonny

I've never been there, but from all appearances (from the web) it looks like it still is. San Angelo is an awfully nice town, though, and my family and I enjoy it immensely. LDR

Reply to
lawrence.karen

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