I just stumbled upon a used one for sale and was wondering if anyone had any experiences good or bad with this machine. I know the Unisaw has a pretty good reputation but evey now and again I see a review that makes me hesitate a bit. The saw is 3hp, single phase 230V, right tilt.
Oh, if anyone wants to clue me in to the advantage/disadvantage of right vs. left tilt I’d appreciate it. The old saw I’m on now is left tilt and does everything I need it too (except cut parallel to the fence)
Replies
What little I have learned, I think left tilt is better as you can set the blade at an angle and still use the rip fence.
DesignBuild,
Welcome to Breaktime!
If you look just above this post and click onto the Knots Forum (Fine Woodworking Magazine's forum) and ask the same question I'm betting you'll get plenty of responses. Mostly woodworkers over there and plenty of knowledge -and opinions- on table saws, and many unisaw owners. Also try their Advanced Search.
They will also help you with the parallel - to - the - fence problem.
oldfred
thanks oldfred -- the parallel to fence problem is actually me just being too lazy to tune the saw up correctly. I'll definitely head over to the Knots forum with this one.
I have the same saw although my catalogue # is 34-802. I bought it new about 15 years ago and its been a champ. if I had my druthers i would look for a left tilt. matter of fact I often consider buying a new one just for that reason.
the right tilt "traps" the work piece under the blade unless I set up the fence to the left of the blade in which case I run out of table fast and I cannot use the ruler on the fence for adjustment. if your going to use it only ocasionally the right tilt is just OK. why they make both styles I do not know
I believe I paid nearly $1500 new. I have been offered $800 for it recently
I've got two Unisaws. Both are 1970-era Rockwells. I think they're a pretty good saw. Both were purchased used (one for $600 and the other for $700). I would say that $800 or less would be a good price if it's in good condition......a bit more if it has an after-market fence. There is a slight advantage with a left-tilt (less likely to trap cut-offs when ripping at 45 degrees) but I wouldn't pass up a right-tilt for that reason.
Chip Tam
Right -v- Left Tilt,
Left tilt doesn't trap the keeper between the blade and fence on a bevel rip. You can move the fence over on a right tilt saw if you must for narrow bevel rips. Also the blade points away from your hand when using the rip fence (again, unless the fence is moved over). Of course, if you use the left miter slot (like I think most do) the blade points toward your hand on miter cuts (of course you can use the right slot).
On a left tilt the fence scale will not be correct if you swap out blades of different thickness (thin kerf vs. full kerf vs. dado) because the fixed flange on the arbor is on the left of the blade. Thus you will have to REMEMBER to manually measure every time or reset the pointer when you swap for blades of differing thicknesses.
On a left tilt you get a bit of snob appeal over all of the proletariat right-tilt mouth breathers (I have a right tilt).
I think left/right is over thought.
Left tilt is regarded as safer because the stock doesn't get trapped under the blade against the fence. Notice this presumes the fence is to the right of the blade.
If you put the fence to the left of the blade and bevels are done with right tilt the safe relationship of not having the stock trapped under the blade against the fence exists.
In a cabinet shop where setups are changing constantly the longer time it takes to put the fence on the left of the blade may add up, but for most of us I don't think it's relevant - particularly if you're offered a Unisaw a good price.
Is this the one for $850? If it is, I'd jump on it, it looked like a Norm-lover bought in and never used it.
thats the one MV -- someone else beat me to it though. Oh well. Thanks for the perspectives on right/left pros/cons. Doesn't sound like the right cons are bad enough to pass up a good deal.
Another good place to look is http://www.oldwoodworkingmachines.com -- there's a wealth of Unisaw info there. You may even be able to get a date of manufacture from your serial number.
-- J.S.