Granite Table tops

moose · Post by **moose** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:13 pm

Are there any members of the forum who actually have, or has any experience with granite table saw tops? I am aware of the disadvantage of not being able to use magnetic accessory devices but other than that, I would be interested in actual experiences such as how easy it might be to chip out the edge of the miter slot etc. I'm interested in just how delicate granite is if anyone actually has one of these units.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 4:26 pm

ashbury wrote:Are there any members of the forum who actually have, or has any experience with granite table saw tops? I am aware of the disadvantage of not being able to use magnetic accessory devices but other than that, I would be interested in actual experiences such as how easy it might be to chip out the edge of the miter slot etc. I'm interested in just how delicate granite is if anyone actually has one of these units.

I don't own one but was talking to someone in the tool bizz. Chips in the granite top at the edge of the miter slots is almost a given. It will happen.
Does not affect the use of the saw much, Just looks "Broken"

I was in the workshop of Popular Woodworking Magazine. They have a Granite top table saw and the back side of the top was delivered with a chip in it. Again, Did not affect the top at all. Just looked bad.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:32 am

We got granite counter tops and in the process I got a lesson in granite.
Frankly I don't think granite is the answer for saw table tops. In fact if I had my way I wouldn't have it in my kitchen.

Granite is nothing more than a polished rock, any rock will chip, scratch, and even break if hit properly.

While I don't have any experience with granite table top saws I would think the t-slot for the mitre gauge would be a weak spot. Also I would be afraid of the table breaking off where it over hangs the cabinet.

I think in about 10 years you are going to hear a lot of grouseing about granite table tops. Well see.

iclark · Post by **iclark** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:49 am

ashbury wrote:Are there any members of the forum who actually have, or has any experience with granite table saw tops? I am aware of the disadvantage of not being able to use magnetic accessory devices but other than that, I would be interested in actual experiences such as how easy it might be to chip out the edge of the miter slot etc. I'm interested in just how delicate granite is if anyone actually has one of these units.

your question makes me wonder: did they find a way to match the thermal expansion coefficient of the granite and the miter bar? probably only an issue for the pickiest, but the slop is probably different at 110F than at 40F.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:24 pm

We have granite counter tops in our kitchen. In the last five years they have served well and look excellent. The house has been on the market for two years during which we have had some folks like others dislike them. In the early 1960's my Mother purchased three tables for her living room. All three have Marble tops. When we moved to Virginia one top was broken in half. The movers managed to repair it. Most people don't notice the repair. We notice it every time we clean. The issue with colored stone being that as a natural product once damaged it cannot ever be brought back to its original lovely state. Yes I am aware that Marble is different than granite or slate. yet all three have similar properties as being natural stone. Jim

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:44 pm

iclark wrote:your question makes me wonder: did they find a way to match the thermal expansion coefficient of the granite and the miter bar? probably only an issue for the pickiest, but the slop is probably different at 110F than at 40F.

And your comment makes ME wonder; the steel bar and the aluminum table...they can knot expand and contract at the same rate either, hmm...

nllaeder · Post by **nllaeder** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:58 pm

[quote="a1gutterman"]And your comment makes ME wonder]

I think it might be close. Concrete and steel have very close coefficients of thermal expansion; that's why steel was originally used in reinforced concrete.

Britannica says that granite has an thermal expansion of (8+/-3) * 10^-6, and Steel is approximately 11 to 13 * 10^-6, so it could be close, depending on the specific source of granite.

moose · Post by **moose** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:05 am

Thanks for the response Guys. Our local HD has had one Rigid granite saw top in stock for ages at a really good price and it's been mighty tempting. I agree that a nick or fracture on the edge of the miter slot is probably a given and won't hurt function, however, I could see it and I'm one that can't stand broken things. Ed, I'm tending to agree with you that the manufacturers all chimed in to start producing granite tops on more than just table saws just to get in on the action but think like you do that its just a trend right now and will probably discontinue such production in the near future. I'm just going to back off my desires right now. Hope all of you just have a fantastic and productive new year.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:38 am

ashbury wrote:Thanks for the response Guys. Our local HD has had one Rigid granite saw top in stock for ages at a really good price and it's been mighty tempting. I agree that a nick or fracture on the edge of the miter slot is probably a given and won't hurt function, however, I could see it and I'm one that can't stand broken things. Ed, I'm tending to agree with you that the manufacturers all chimed in to start producing granite tops on more than just table saws just to get in on the action but think like you do that its just a trend right now and will probably discontinue such production in the near future. I'm just going to back off my desires right now. Hope all of you just have a fantastic and productive new year.

Yeah! The next thing you know somebody will start making head stones out of granite!;)

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:06 pm

[quote="JPG40504"]Yeah! The next thing you know somebody will start making head stones out of granite!]Or statues!