Theres been a measure of messages about vertical panels saws and their
productivity.
I can only discuss why I got one and its usefulness.

I usually make cabinets or shelves from painted MDO and face them with
hardwood. At first I was cutting up four by eight plywood sheets on my Unisaw
on a rolling base. That was always a challenge, but a I got older it became a
struggle €” if not damn near impossible, and I needed a helper to support the
end of the stock.

I got the Safety Speed Cut Saw (Milwaukee), with accessories €” wheels,
support extensions, quick stop gauge, fixed stand, and a dust kit that I
connected to my dust collection system. In all, at that time, it cost me about
$1400.

With this set-up I can cut stock to size in a fraction of the time it took me
on the table saw, and, with a helper, its amazing. I can cut parts for
cabinets in two hours that took me a day and a half when I had to wrestle those
heavy sheets onto the saw table. Very quickly, the tool paid for itself.

Joel Jacobsob

Thu, Jul 29, 2004, 4:44pm (EDT+4) (Joeljcarver)
says:
There=E2=80=99s been a measure of messages about vertical panels saws
and their productivity.
I can only discuss why I got one and its usefulness.
I usually make cabinets or shelves snip Very quickly, the tool paid
for itself.

To me, it only makes sense for someone doing that for a living, to
have one. If I had a cabinet shop, you betcha I'd have some version of
a panel saw. For someone who is selling his output as a sideline,
"maybe" it would be worth it.

For most hobby woodworkers, probably not - unless they're ghe type
who buy Hummers, and never drive off-road, and have loads of cash to
burn. Those types gotta have it, even if they don't know what it does.

Me, I'd like to have one, bud don't have room. If I did have room,
I wouldn't have the money. And, I sure don't "need" one. Altho, if I
had room, I wouldn't mind making my own verson. But, really a moot
point, because it's so hard on me anymore, to handle full sheets.



JOAT
The highway of fear is the road to defeat.
- Bazooka Joe
JERUSALEM RIDGE http://www.banjer.com/midi/jerridge.mid

"J T" wrote in message
...

had room, I wouldn't mind making my own verson. But, really a moot
point, because it's so hard on me anymore, to handle full sheets.

As some of you know, I use a wheelchair. So, I too have a problem handling
full sheets of plywood, but I do have one question about panel saws, at
least about the better quality ones.

How accurate are they? With a tablesaw, a locked down fence and a motor that
is fixed in place, I am able to cut up to and better than 1/64" tolerances.
The idea of a mobile saw blade on a track suggests to me that those types of
tolerances might be harder to obtain. Admittedly, I've only seen the home
depot type and the staff are just interested in a "near close" cut and
that's all they're concerned with. Accurate isn't really a consideration.

I guess that's my only concern and hesitancy about getting a panel saw. That
and I've never seen anybody selling them.

I think it was wood that had an article on how to make one last year, using
a skill saw, I don't have room for one at the time so I didn't look to
closely, wish I had, and I don't have the issue has anyone seen a good plan
for one?

Richard

wrote:

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 19:21:00 GMT, "Upscale"
wrote:

"J T" wrote in message
...

had room, I wouldn't mind making my own verson. But, really a moot
point, because it's so hard on me anymore, to handle full sheets.

As some of you know, I use a wheelchair. So, I too have a problem handling
full sheets of plywood, but I do have one question about panel saws, at
least about the better quality ones.

How accurate are they? With a tablesaw, a locked down fence and a motor
that is fixed in place, I am able to cut up to and better than 1/64"
tolerances. The idea of a mobile saw blade on a track suggests to me that
those types of tolerances might be harder to obtain. Admittedly, I've only
seen the home depot type and the staff are just interested in a "near
close" cut and that's all they're concerned with. Accurate isn't really a
consideration.

I guess that's my only concern and hesitancy about getting a panel saw.
That and I've never seen anybody selling them.



they range from slightly more accurate than a skilsaw in your hand to
capable of consistently holding a couple of thousandths. how much do
you want to spend?

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 19:21:00 GMT, "Upscale"
wrote:

"J T" wrote in message
...

had room, I wouldn't mind making my own verson. But, really a moot
point, because it's so hard on me anymore, to handle full sheets.

As some of you know, I use a wheelchair. So, I too have a problem handling
full sheets of plywood, but I do have one question about panel saws, at
least about the better quality ones.

How accurate are they? With a tablesaw, a locked down fence and a motor that
is fixed in place, I am able to cut up to and better than 1/64" tolerances.
The idea of a mobile saw blade on a track suggests to me that those types of
tolerances might be harder to obtain. Admittedly, I've only seen the home
depot type and the staff are just interested in a "near close" cut and
that's all they're concerned with. Accurate isn't really a consideration.

I guess that's my only concern and hesitancy about getting a panel saw. That
and I've never seen anybody selling them.



they range from slightly more accurate than a skilsaw in your hand to
capable of consistently holding a couple of thousandths. how much do
you want to spend?

I have never looked at a panel saw up close to see how it works or what it
can do so maybe someone can answer this question for me. Does the panel saw
only crosscut the plywood vertically or can it also rip the plywood
horizontally?

Thanks in advance,
Jim
www.woodblog.com



"Upscale" wrote in message
ogers.com...
"J T" wrote in message
...

had room, I wouldn't mind making my own verson. But, really a moot
point, because it's so hard on me anymore, to handle full sheets.

As some of you know, I use a wheelchair. So, I too have a problem handling
full sheets of plywood, but I do have one question about panel saws, at
least about the better quality ones.

How accurate are they? With a tablesaw, a locked down fence and a motor
that
is fixed in place, I am able to cut up to and better than 1/64"
tolerances.
The idea of a mobile saw blade on a track suggests to me that those types
of
tolerances might be harder to obtain. Admittedly, I've only seen the home
depot type and the staff are just interested in a "near close" cut and
that's all they're concerned with. Accurate isn't really a consideration.

I guess that's my only concern and hesitancy about getting a panel saw.
That
and I've never seen anybody selling them.

wrote in message

they range from slightly more accurate than a skilsaw in your hand to
capable of consistently holding a couple of thousandths. how much do
you want to spend?

Well, let's say that my next tablesaw purchase might be a General cabinet
saw with Biesemeyer fence approaching $3000 (Canadian funds). Figure a
little above $2000 US. Are panel saws available for that kind of money that
are capable of my 1/64" benchmark? Can you recommend any brands?

Thanks

Jim asks:

I have never looked at a panel saw up close to see how it works or what it
can do so maybe someone can answer this question for me. Does the panel saw
only crosscut the plywood vertically or can it also rip the plywood
horizontally?


Both.

Charlie Self
"Did you know that the White House drug test is multiple choice?" Rush Limbaugh

Thu, Jul 29, 2004, 10:18pm (EDT+4) (Upscale) asks:
snip Figure a little above $2000 US. Are panel saws available for that
kind of money that are capable of my 1/64" benchmark? snip

I've seen 'em on the web for about $1000-1500 range. Not eyeballed
one in person, but they look similar to the ones I have seen, that slice
up & down, or sideways.

the ones I've seen, I'd say, yes, they could to 1/64". However.
Remember the word "however", it's "alwyas" gonna be there. It depends
on the operator. Most of 'em I've seen are idiots. I often get a full
sheet slized sidways at 11 7/8", which meant I get (theoretically) 7
pieces that size, with an 8th one just a shade wider. Yeah, I wish.
Got one batch with something like a 9 7/8", 10 7/8", and 12 7/8", plus a
couple of odd sizes. Stop block? Oh, those are any use. Instead, they
usually measure each cut individuallly, or sometimes want to measure all
the custs "before" they do any cutting. But, I do have some leeway in
the width (planned), so normally can work with what I get. I do try to
keep a very close eye on t hem, but once in awhile get distracted. But,
all in all, I'd say, yeah, the machine is probably capable quite close
accuracy. Sure makes it one whole Hell of a lot easier, handling
smaller pices like that. I can even carry them inside the cab of the
truck, if its raining outside, and sometimes just do that to store them
a day or so.



JOAT
The highway of fear is the road to defeat.
- Bazooka Joe
JERUSALEM RIDGE http://www.banjer.com/midi/jerridge.mid

Richard Clements wrote in
:

I think it was wood that had an article on how to make one last year,
using a skill saw, I don't have room for one at the time so I didn't
look to closely, wish I had, and I don't have the issue has anyone
seen a good plan for one?

Richard

http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/panelcutguide.html

Not really a panel saw with all the cables etc, but takes less space than
the appropriate sized infeed/outfeed for a tablesaw and is better than
crawling around on the floor with a skilsaw - at least for my money.

Haven't built it yet, but it's on my list. Plan to modify it to make it
mobile with lumber rack on the back side and space for sheet goods
sandwiched between.

LD

snip

"J T" wrote in message

the ones I've seen, I'd say, yes, they could to 1/64". However.
Remember the word "however", it's "alwyas" gonna be there. It depends
on the operator. Most of 'em I've seen are idiots. I often get a full

I guess I should start looking at panel saws. Of course, I've got lots of
questions such as when you're slicing a full length sheet horizontally,
what's to stop the weight of the upper piece clamping down on the saw blade
as it goes by? I'm guessing that panel saws have some kind of riving knife
that follows the blade. And there must be a few jigs around to allow
accurate mitres without having to spend ten minutes properly aligning wood
before you cut it.

On 29 Jul 2004 16:46:48 EDT, "Jim" wrote:

I have never looked at a panel saw up close to see how it works or what it
can do so maybe someone can answer this question for me. Does the panel saw
only crosscut the plywood vertically or can it also rip the plywood
horizontally?

Thanks in advance,
Jim


some- I think most- can rip. you rotate the saw to 90 degrees to the
rails and push the plywood through it.

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 22:18:34 GMT, "Upscale"
wrote:

wrote in message

they range from slightly more accurate than a skilsaw in your hand to
capable of consistently holding a couple of thousandths. how much do
you want to spend?

Well, let's say that my next tablesaw purchase might be a General cabinet
saw with Biesemeyer fence approaching $3000 (Canadian funds). Figure a
little above $2000 US. Are panel saws available for that kind of money that
are capable of my 1/64" benchmark? Can you recommend any brands?

Thanks



here's one of the more reputable manufacturers' lowest end machine
that they guarantee 1/64" accuracy for.
http://www.panelsaw.com/products_saws_6400.htm
they don't give a price...

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 19:21:00 GMT, "Upscale"
wrote:

"J T" wrote in message
...

had room, I wouldn't mind making my own verson. But, really a moot
point, because it's so hard on me anymore, to handle full sheets.

As some of you know, I use a wheelchair. So, I too have a problem handling
full sheets of plywood, but I do have one question about panel saws, at
least about the better quality ones.

How accurate are they? With a tablesaw, a locked down fence and a motor that
is fixed in place, I am able to cut up to and better than 1/64" tolerances.
The idea of a mobile saw blade on a track suggests to me that those types of
tolerances might be harder to obtain. Admittedly, I've only seen the home
depot type and the staff are just interested in a "near close" cut and
that's all they're concerned with. Accurate isn't really a consideration.

I guess that's my only concern and hesitancy about getting a panel saw. That
and I've never seen anybody selling them.


Bought the Milwaukee 6480 with extentions and crosscut stop for our
community theater scene shop a couple of years ago. With a little
attention to setup, accuracy is around 1/32". We use it to cut 1/4 to
3/4" plywood and mdf. Up to 1/2" - 4x8 sheets are easy to crosscut or
rip by one person. 3/4" sheets are doable, but ripping is somewhat
easier with 2 people. We probably average around 20 - 30 cuts per
month and everyone who has used it wonders how we got along without
it.

I'm lucky. When I have to make the occasional cut in a full sheet, I
just haul it up to the playhouse. :0)

HTH
Bill

On 29 Jul 2004 16:44:21 GMT, (Joeljcarver) wrote:

There’s been a measure of messages about vertical panels saws and their
productivity.
I can only discuss why I got one and its usefulness.

FWW had a Shop Tip on a faux panel-saw. Take four 2x4s, notch
them so they hang from above on a pipe you mount to the ceiling or the
wall, and so they hang at about 5 degrees tilt when contacting the
floor. Screw/glue a block near the bottom (at a comfortable height for
you) of each 2x4 to support sheet goods. Use a clamp-n-guide to guide
a circular saw to make vertical cuts (across the 4' width of the
sheet). Accuracy depends on your ability to clamp the guide. You can
cut anywhere on the sheet without contacting the 2x4s because they can
be moved independently along the pipe.
To make horizontal cuts (along the 8' length) set the saw to
cut the sheet plus 1/8" or so, and clamp the section *above* the cut
line to the 2x4s to keep the cut section from closing the kerf.
When you're not using the jig, the 2x4s can be put away.

Sounds good to me. I've installed the pipe, and when the next
sheet needs cutting, I'll do the rest.


=====
Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others.
=====
{remove curly brackets for email}

On Fri, 30 Jul 2004 03:38:07 GMT, Chuck
wrote:

On 29 Jul 2004 16:44:21 GMT, (Joeljcarver) wrote:

There’s been a measure of messages about vertical panels saws and their
productivity.
I can only discuss why I got one and its usefulness.

FWW had a Shop Tip on a faux panel-saw. Take four 2x4s, notch
them so they hang from above on a pipe you mount to the ceiling or the
wall, and so they hang at about 5 degrees tilt when contacting the
floor. Screw/glue a block near the bottom (at a comfortable height for
you) of each 2x4 to support sheet goods. Use a clamp-n-guide to guide
a circular saw to make vertical cuts (across the 4' width of the
sheet). Accuracy depends on your ability to clamp the guide. You can
cut anywhere on the sheet without contacting the 2x4s because they can
be moved independently along the pipe.
To make horizontal cuts (along the 8' length) set the saw to
cut the sheet plus 1/8" or so, and clamp the section *above* the cut
line to the 2x4s to keep the cut section from closing the kerf.
When you're not using the jig, the 2x4s can be put away.

Sounds good to me. I've installed the pipe, and when the next
sheet needs cutting, I'll do the rest.


But I dont HAVE 8 feet of wall to set it up on....

"Upscale" wrote in message
gers.com...

what's to stop the weight of the upper piece clamping down on the saw
blade
as it goes by? I'm guessing that panel saws have some kind of riving knife

Nothing at the BORG panel saws I see. I wondered why they don't have some of
those small plastic kerf-keepers nearby, myself.

Patrick Conroy notes:

"Upscale" wrote in message
ogers.com...

what's to stop the weight of the upper piece clamping down on the saw
blade
as it goes by? I'm guessing that panel saws have some kind of riving knife

Nothing at the BORG panel saws I see. I wondered why they don't have some of
those small plastic kerf-keepers nearby, myself.


Most of the "vertical" panel saws I've seen--all, in fact--have enough tilt
back off the vertical to keep the kerf from closing up. It only takes a few
degrees.

Charlie Self
"Did you know that the White House drug test is multiple choice?" Rush Limbaugh

To me, it only makes sense for someone doing that for a living, to have one.
If I had a cabinet shop....

I made my kitchen cabinets and all sorts of built-in bookshelves. It easily
paid for itself --- especially on wear and tear to my aging body.

I've got lots of questions such as when you're slicing a full length sheet
horizontally, what's to stop the weight of the upper piece clamping down on the
saw blade as it goes by?

The operator pulls up slightly on the upper piece on the outfeed side as you
pull it through. It's really simple. If you're nervous about precise ripping,
you can cut the stock slightly oversize and then trim the more managable piece
on your tablesaw.


... I'm guessing that panel saws have some kind of riving knife that follows
the blade.

Not needed.

To me, it only makes sense for someone doing that for a living, to
have one. If I had a cabinet shop, you betcha I'd have some version of
a panel saw. For someone who is selling his output as a sideline,
"maybe" it would be worth it.

For me getting a panel saw was the same feeling as getting my first router.

I remember when I could actually put a round over on something now, I was
totally stoked!


Rich

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 20:03:07 -0700, vaguely
proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Well, I went to an Oz dealer (not knowing US zip codes, and the US
dealers all se4emed to want email requests for price) and that one's
Aud$10,700. Probably guess at US$5,000 +)

It weighs 600lb!

here's one of the more reputable manufacturers' lowest end machine
that they guarantee 1/64" accuracy for.
http://www.panelsaw.com/products_saws_6400.htm
they don't give a price...

************************************************** ***
It's not the milk and honey we hate. It's having it
rammed down our throats.

"Old Nick" wrote in message
Well, I went to an Oz dealer (not knowing US zip codes, and the US
dealers all se4emed to want email requests for price) and that one's
Aud$10,700. Probably guess at US$5,000 +)

Well, unless I turn out to be a missed long lost relative of Bill Gates,
that would put it out of any price range I'd ever consider for a saw. I'd
guess that most people go with a tablesaw, because panel saws aren't mass
produced enough to bring the prices for them down to what some might
consider a reasonable level.

My manual wheelchair is the same thing. $3000 for what it cost new. Put
three or four of them together and you've got the equivalent in funds for a
small compact car, but there sure is a hell of a lot less engineering in
those chairs than there is in the car.

Upscale notes:

My manual wheelchair is the same thing. $3000 for what it cost new. Put
three or four of them together and you've got the equivalent in funds for a
small compact car, but there sure is a hell of a lot less engineering in
those chairs than there is in the car.


IMO, there's a heavy gouge factor added to every piece of medical equipment
sold today. I can recall paying for my own knee surgery and getting
clipped--and I use that word advisedly--for $38 for a 6' long Ace bandage.

When my mother was alive, the hospital whacked her 10 bucks for two generic
aspirin and couldn't understand when she told them where to put their billed-in
donation: I really loved that one, because they didn't ask if you wanted to
donate, they billed it and waited for you, or your insurance company, to delete
it. Mom had 2 things going: she was an RN who worked nearly 50 years, including
several as acting hospital adminstrator, and she was raised during the Great
Depression. I'd love to have 5% of her fiscal handiness.

Charlie Self
"Democracy is a process by which people are free to choose the man who will get
the blame." Laurence J. Peter

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 20:03:07 -0700, vaguely
proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Actually that's not one of their lowend saws at all. It's middle of
the range. But as you say, it is the first one to offer 1/64th cutting
accuracy.

For a mere (probable) US$2500 or so (Aud$5500), you get 1/32, with max
cut 4' by 8'.

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 22:18:34 GMT, "Upscale"
wrote:

wrote in message

they range from slightly more accurate than a skilsaw in your hand to
capable of consistently holding a couple of thousandths. how much do
you want to spend?

Well, let's say that my next tablesaw purchase might be a General cabinet
saw with Biesemeyer fence approaching $3000 (Canadian funds). Figure a
little above $2000 US. Are panel saws available for that kind of money that
are capable of my 1/64" benchmark? Can you recommend any brands?

Thanks



here's one of the more reputable manufacturers' lowest end machine
that they guarantee 1/64" accuracy for.
http://www.panelsaw.com/products_saws_6400.htm
they don't give a price...

************************************************** ***
It's not the milk and honey we hate. It's having it
rammed down our throats.

Chuck wrote in message . ..

snip

FWW had a Shop Tip on a faux panel-saw.

snip

Hey, Chuck, got a date or issue for this reference?

Dan

On 02 Aug 2004 13:12:17 GMT, otforme (Charlie Self) wrote:

When my mother was alive, the hospital whacked her 10 bucks for two generic
aspirin and couldn't understand when she told them where to put their billed-in
donation:

,,, but the charge includes installation!

On 02 Aug 2004 13:12:17 GMT, otforme (Charlie Self) wrote:

When my mother was alive, the hospital whacked her 10 bucks for two generic
aspirin and couldn't understand when she told them where to put their billed-in
donation:

,,, but the charge includes installation!

On 2 Aug 2004 20:16:23 -0700, (Dan Cullimore) wrote:

FWW had a Shop Tip on a faux panel-saw.

snip

Hey, Chuck, got a date or issue for this reference?

FWW #153, Winter 2001-2002, pp16.


=====
Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others.
=====
{remove curly brackets for email}

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 23:07:52 -0700, wrote:

Sounds good to me. I've installed the pipe, and when the next
sheet needs cutting, I'll do the rest.


But I dont HAVE 8 feet of wall to set it up on....

Well, aside from the obvious (the sheet goods have the short
side vertical) I'd love to see the saw operator reaching up nine feet
or so to make a cut. Tough even for Shaq.


=====
Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others.
=====
{remove curly brackets for email}

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 14:54:58 GMT, vaguely proposed a
theory
.......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

PMFJI.

This is a home-built panel saw? From the WW plans?

What sort of accuracies do you get from it, OOI? The ones that you
buy, as you may have seen in this thread, that get 1/64" are very
expensive.

TIA

I have a small sturdy step made for this purpose.
Once the saw is in the guide it requires very little handling.
I was using a trigger lock and a switch in the cord so I could start and stop
the saw with my free hand but found it was not necessary.
The worst part is eating the sawdust coming down on you.
I solved the worst of that.

************************************************** ***
It's not the milk and honey we hate. It's having it
rammed down our throats.