Under Powered Table Saw

[rjn2649]

Sorry but it's not a V8, its maybe an old VW motor, so I say THAT is underpowered.

But honestly I got to say MOST saw are not underpowered, people just need to feed slower.

I felt my old greenie was fine, I think my 11/8 hp 1980 SS is fine, and my 3/4 hp 1950's cast iron craftsman table saw is fine to do anything I need.

[lightnin]

SS Power pro is not under powered LOOK heres Mike at one of the Lowes demos.
Would not suggest using it that way he's just demonstrating that it don't bog down.
That was powered by 110v not 220v

[Ed in Tampa]

I think in all fairness the Shopsmith does have less power than most saws used in the home shop. I believe the Power Pro changed that but I think the first impression is the one people remember and in most case the first impression was that of a regular Mark V and not the Power Pro.

Perhaps if the PowerPro is around for 25 years or so. Most people's first impression of ShopSmith may be that of the Power Pro.


Yes I did say the SS had less power than most saws in the home shop but that does mean I believe it is under powered or incapable of doing any wood cutting task I have asked of it.

[dusty]

SS Power pro is not under powered LOOK heres Mike at one of the Lowes demos.
Would not suggest using it that way he's just demonstrating that it don't bog down.
That was powered by 110v not 220v

I saw a similar demo here in Tucson. I was not favorably impressed. Oh yes, the PowerPro did what Mike wanted; it did not bog down. But who feeds stock into the blade that way? Does anyone really believe that the PowerPro design team set out to achieve what Mike demonstrated.

If he really wants to impress the user audience, come in with a piece of 8"x8"x8' hard maple or a piece of mesquite and demonstrate a "normal pass through" the table saw.

I have no doubt that the PowerPro will handle it. Why? Because the 520 will if you just slow down the feed rate and let the blade do the work.

BTW If your machine won't handle it, make sure you have a sharp rip blade mounted and that the table and fence alignments are spot on.

NO, my Shopsmith Mark V Model 510 is not under powered but then I don't mill lumber. I have a home work shop and I do home workshop like work.

[dusty]

SS Power pro is not under powered LOOK heres Mike at one of the Lowes demos.
Would not suggest using it that way he's just demonstrating that it don't bog down.
That was powered by 110v not 220v

OFF TOPIC: How did you manage to embed a link to a .wmv format?

[ryanbp01]

SS Power pro is not under powered LOOK heres Mike at one of the Lowes demos.
Would not suggest using it that way he's just demonstrating that it don't bog down.
That was powered by 110v not 220v

After watching that demo, I was surprised he had all of his fingers left! I guess he doesn't believe in push blocks!
BPR

[lightnin]

OFF TOPIC: How did you manage to embed a link to a .wmv format?

It's just that.... a link... not an attachment..
I used FTP to send it to my domain then linked to it.
Most people don't have their own domain but
probably have web space provided by their ISP that could be used.

[idcook]

After watching that demo, I was surprised he had all of his fingers left! I guess he doesn't believe in push blocks!
BPR

That sorta crossed my mind too.

[JPG]

That sorta crossed my mind too.

Notice he kept his finger over the top of the rip fence. Aside from the forced feed rate, I think the method has more control than a push stick. All a push stick does is push. No other guidance.

[dusty]

It's just that.... a link... not an attachment..
I used FTP to send it to my domain then linked to it.
Most people don't have their own domain but
probably have web space provided by their ISP that could be used.

Thank you for the explanation. Now all I need is a domain name.