Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | May 24, 2006 05:03pm | #1

   Most woodworkers prefer to set up their table saws with the rip fence on the right side of the blade.  For safety reasons, the blade should tip away from the fence, so for a fence on the right, the blade should tilt to the left. 

   The safety consideration is that if the blade is tilted toward the fence, the strip of wood between the blade and the fence is trapped by the tipped over blade and can be kicked back with dangerous consequences and the blade interferes with using a push stick.

   So my advice would be to purchase a left tilt saw which is favored by the majority of woodworkers.  An additional point in favor of buying a left tilt saw is that a number of very nice saws are now only available in left tilt versions and the resale value of a left tilt saw is generally higher than a right tilt.

   John White

1. 
   kbaum | May 24, 2006 06:39pm | #2

   Thanks, John K

2. 
   kalman | Jan 05, 2007 05:38am | #3

   John, 

        I agree that a left tilt blade is the safest and most common , I have been using a left tilt for 40 years (old and well worn Craftsman) but at long last I have decided to purchase a new cabinet saw and was concidering one with a sliding table.  With the exception of the Excalibur at $650 all other add on sliding tables will not work with a left tilt set up.  My dilemma is ,"is it worth learning how to safely use a right  tilting saw and are there any limitations.  As far as resale is concerned, that is something my heirs will have to be consider.