Zero Clearance for Table Saws

[DelF]

A big thank you to @kurtvd19 for his article in the Autumn edition of the Nautical Research Journal, in which he describes his zero clearance solution for the Preac table saw. 

 

My Byrnes saw has a recess in the table that allows me to use inserts of different widths to accommodate various blades, thereby ensuring smoother and more accurate cuts. The Preac saw lacks this provision, but Kurt found that the Zero Clearance Tape from Fastcap.com, which is designed for full-size machines, works equally well on the miniature saw. The products comes as five 2" X 16" X 0.025" strips of tough self-adhesive PVC tape - more than enough for the little Preac. I had to get the tape through Amazon so at £12.39 it was more expensive than in the US but still worth it. Cheaper brands were available but I decided to play safe with the one Kurt recommended. Once in place with the blade lowered, the blade is raised to create a slit in the tape. 

 

 

I tried the tape with my thinnest blade - 0.1"/0.25mm - which I would normally only use on the thinnest stock. Anything too thick and the blade would wander all over. With the tape in place I was able to cut much more substantial material with very smooth results. Rather than keep changing the blade and the tape, I think I'll keep the Preac with the thin blade for comparatively delicate work and use the Byrnes saw for everything else.

 

Derek

 

 

[wefalck]

Never though of using a tape over the table as zero-clearance 'insert', that sounds like a clever idea. While creating a zero-clearance cover with a table saw on which the blade can be raised, this is not so straightforward for saws with fixed blade (such as small PROXXON). Have to think about a solution ... perhaps just a strip left and righ of the blade.

Edited Sunday at 05:48 PM by wefalck