Replies

1. 
   Ricks503 | May 26, 2005 09:15pm | #1

   the argument on left vs. right tilt still goes on.

   the consenus is that the right tilt may tend to trap the workpice between blade and fence and cause kickback more often. I have not seen any stats either way so cannot comment.  That being said, I have a left tilt.  As for the kickback from the uni hurting more - either a 1.5 hp contractors saw or a 5hp cabinet saw kickback can kill or severly maim you - just make sure you take standard, common sense precautions and equipment on either one

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
1. 
   danfromsaskatoon | May 27, 2005 06:01am | #4

   common sence is 95% of the battle thanks dan

2. 
   Dustmight | May 27, 2005 01:00am | #2

   It's mostly a matter of preference, and there are pros and cons to each side with legitimate arguments either way. The LT is safer for the reasons already stated, but RT owners can just move the fence to the left side of the blade then do a bevel cut which equally reduces the chance of kickback. The downside to that action is that most of us are more acclimated to cutting on the right side of the blade so it's a bit less familiar, which in turn still gives the LT the safety nod.

   A strike against the LT is that any blade thickness changes will throw off your reference tape. For most blades this can be remedied by adjusting the cursor or adding a shim to the arbor....for a dado you have to measure using a source other than the saws scale. One of my favorite pro of a LT is that the arbor nut is a normal rotation....a RT is reverse.

   Add on sliding tables can be an issue for more of the LT's than RT's, but I'm not sure for which sliders and which saws. From what I've read LT seems to be the most popular. I've owned both and prefer the LT.

   
   

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   Edited 5/26/2005 6:01 pm ET by knot scott

1. 
   danfromsaskatoon | May 27, 2005 05:58am | #3

   well just got the power hooked up and made my first cuts with the saw it seems awkward with the right tilt hope i can get used to it my last saw was a left tilt 9'' 3/4 horse what a difference, you are right about the measurements being out i found i had to make a few test cuts to get it exact. moving the fence  to the left of the blade seems quite awkward also will just have to be carefull bought the saw used so not much choice thanks dan

3. 
   GaryK | May 31, 2005 12:36am | #5

   Hi Dan,

   I faced the identical situation 3 years ago. I went from a LT Rockwell to a RT unisaw. I still miss the LT when cutting bevels for panel raising. Other than that I am used to it now. But if you were lucky enough to get a used unisaw, that more than makes up for it.

    

   Gary

1. 
   danfromsaskatoon | May 31, 2005 06:41am | #6

   the saw sure is a big difference,thought i would miss my Rockwell but this saw sure is sweet right tilt or not,wish I had one 20 yrs ago, think I will make a sled for it should help with the bevel cuts thanks Dan

1. 
   GaryK | May 31, 2005 07:00am | #7

   Please let me know how that works out.  I am having difficulty with holding the panel in the vertical direction with the RT. To be honest (some shame here) I hadn't considered a sled with the stock in the horizontal plane, parallel to the table.  I presume that is what you have in mind. Without giving it too much thought on first glance the potential for binding (& G-d forbid kickback) gives me some pause.  Pls be careful.

   Gary

1. 
   danfromsaskatoon | May 31, 2005 07:14am | #8

   havent really thought to much about the bevels yet still fine tuning it, it  has a lot more power than i'm used to, had a couple good kickbcks on the 3/4 horse can't imagine one on this, ouch ,couldn't pass it up about half price and always wanted one ,feel guilty though

4. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 02, 2005 08:52pm | #9

   Right of Left Tilt been going on fer' years..  I'm not sure what is best and for years I never saw anybody tell me that my LEFT Tilt was the 'BAD' one!