In article
Dave writes:
On Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:53:43 +0000 (UTC), lid (Drew
I like cast iron, and I'd like to have the full surface cast iron.
That said, the upgrade isn't near the top of the spending list.
I'm hoping this is the year I can afford a band saw, and that is
far higher on the wish list.
One thing that I consider detrimental about cast iron is it's weight.
Supporting that weight is often a problem and under certain
circumstances, that weight tends to affect alignment. Also, it rusts.
It sounds a little like your desire for cast iron is more you just
being enamored with it than having a real need for it. The only
practical reasons I can see for cast iron is that it's probably flat
and likely to stay that way. Finally, it's an unyielding solid surface
that you can use to hammer things on.
I like cast iron because it is, within my conditions and lifetime,
unchanging. If it is flat when I get it, it will still be flat the
day I die. (All assuming I take enough care to prevent rust.)
And, once things are assembled and upright, I consider the weight
to be a major benefit. Turning the saw upright was a pain in several
body parts, but I only have to do that once. After that, it is all
inertia to resist vibration.
Do I *need* the wings to be cast iron? Certainly not. If I
absolutely needed that, I'd have held out until I could afford a
saw in the next price step. But I'm a hobbiest. I don't really
need a table saw. It's a really cool toy. I make my living in a
cubical.
--
Drew Lawson | We were taking a vote when
| the ground came up and hit us.
| -- Cylon warrior