Power source
By type of power source, all modern saw can be divided into electric and
gasoline. The common difference between them is that electrical units are more compact and lighter, less noisy, easy to maintain and do not produce exhaust gases, so they can be used indoors without restrictions. Petrol tools, in turn, combine high power and independence from power grids, but they are heavy, bulky, more difficult to operate and repair, more expensive (both in terms of their own cost and fuel price) and are generally designed for use outside premises. Therefore, most modern saw are made electric, which in turn can use different types of power:
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Power supply (230 V). Connection to a standard 230 V household network, in other words, a regular socket. This option can be used both in portable saw and in stationary tools of relatively low power (up to 3.5 kW). There are sockets almost everywhere where there is electricity at all, and the operating time of such units is almost unlimited (as long as there is voltage in the network). The main disadvantage of such a power supply is the presence of a power cord that does not allow you to go far from the outlet (and with a portable tool, you also have to make sure that the cord does not get under the canvas).
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Power supply (110 V). Tools powered in the American and Japanese manners - from power networks with a voltage of 110
...V. Power tools with such an operating supply voltage are produced for the market of North and Central America, the Land of the Rising Sun, Saudi Arabia. Also, 110 V power grids are found in the UK. To avoid tool failure when connected to standard 230 V household networks, you will need an additional link in the face of a step-down transformer or a special 110 V converter.
- Power supply (400 V). Powered by a three-phase power supply with a voltage of 400 V. Such power is suitable even for high-power saw, but it is far from being available everywhere - basically a three-phase connection is available in workshops, workshops and other industrial premises. Therefore, this option is found exclusively in stationary tools (see "Type") of high power, for which a conventional socket is no longer enough.
- Accumulator. Powered by own battery. The main advantages of this option are mobility, the ability to work independently of sockets and the absence of a power cord that can interfere with work. On the other hand, such a power supply is not suitable for high-power saw, other things being equal, a cordless tool turns out to be noticeably heavier and more expensive than a mains one, and the operating time is limited by the battery charge. However, in most cases, the battery is made removable, which allows you to keep several batteries ready and change them as needed.
- Battery / power supply (230 V). Tools that allow two power options - from an outlet and from its own battery. See above for more details on each option, and their combination makes the saw as versatile as possible. So, if there are sockets nearby, you can work from the network, saving battery power (or even recharging it in the process), and if there is a problem with the sockets or the network cable interferes with work, you can switch to the battery. On the other hand, such versatility affects the price, and the tool itself still turns out to be more cumbersome and heavy than a purely network one.Cutting depth
The greatest depth of cut provided by the saw.
In most types of saws (see “Device”), the depth of cut directly depends on both the engine power and the size of the tyre / disk. The specifications give a value for the maximum allowable size of the working nozzle; when using nozzles of a smaller size, the depth of cut, respectively, will be less. But in band saws, this depth is rather weakly related to the actual length of the tape — it is determined primarily by the length of the open section of the tape, which is directly involved in the work.
Anyway, the greater depth of cut makes the tool more versatile, but comes at the cost of weight, price, and electricity/fuel consumption. So when choosing, it is worth considering the real features of the planned work and the dimensions of the workpieces that are planned to be cut. As for specific values, the most modest tools provide a depth
of up to 50 mm ;
50 – 75 mm is considered a low indicator,
75 – 100 mm is average,
100 – 125 mm is above average,
125 – 150 mm is already quite an impressive thickness, and the most powerful modern saws can have a cutting depth
of more than 150 mm.
Cutting width
The kerf width determines the maximum size of the cutting line, and therefore the maximum width of the workpiece that the saw can cut through in one go. The value of the kerf width depends primarily on the diameter of the saw blade. Additionally, the stroke of the broach mechanism should also be taken into account. Saws with a pulling mechanism provide a cut that exceeds the diameter of the cutting blade.
Blade width
The largest blade width that a band saw can work with (see "Device"). The wider the tape — the less likely it is to break under heavy loads, the better it is suitable for hard, difficult-to-cut materials; accordingly, the high power of the saw itself usually means the ability to work with fairly wide bands. In addition, for different types of work, the optimal dimensions of the canvas also differ; this point is described in more detail in specialized sources.
Belt speed
The maximum speed of the band relative to the material that the band saw can provide (see "Device"). Higher speed allows for faster and cleaner cuts, but requires more engine power; low speed, in turn, reduces productivity, but allows you to achieve good traction with a relatively low engine power. More detailed recommendations regarding this parameter can be found in special sources.
In box
- Disc. The presence of a saw blade is included in the delivery set of the circular tool. It can be either one or
several, which allows you to use the saw “out of the box” without the need to purchase additional consumables. If you already have a saw blade or intend to select it for specific tasks, it is worth taking a closer look at the configurations
without a blade - they are usually cheaper.
- Chain. One or
more chains included as standard with the saw. The presence of a chain with teeth for cutting allows you to do without purchasing a separate executive body for chain saw. However, there are configurations
without a chain - it is assumed that the customer already has a chain or he will select the required option himself.
— Saw blade. The presence of one or
more saw blades in the complete set of a reciprocating or band tool. They ensure that the saw is ready for use literally immediately after unpacking. There are also configurations of reciprocating or band models
without a saw blade - they are cheaper, and the customer has the right to choose a suitable blade independently.
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Dust collector. A dust collector is included with the saw. The dust collector is a container for collecting sawdust and other d
...ebris generated during operation; As a rule, such a container is made removable. Installing a dust collector slightly increases the dimensions of the entire tool, but this is compensated by cleanliness and convenience: dust and other production waste mostly settle in the container and not on surrounding objects.
- Charger. The presence of a charging block in the package allows you to charge batteries. Accordingly, for models with batteries, this accessory is necessary to power the battery. However, there are models without a charger. And saw with it may differ in the charger model, the name of which will allow you to learn more about its characteristics and, if necessary or if required (breakdown), purchase a similar one.
— Case (bag). Availability of a case or bag included with the instrument. A case is a container-suitcase made of hard material; bags are usually made of soft material. This way the case provides maximum protection and the bag can be folded away compactly when not in use. The specific type of case that comes with the saw should be specified separately. However, in any case, a complete case or bag will be more convenient for storing and transporting the instrument than impromptu packaging.
- Stand. The stand makes the saw tool more stable, reliable and safe. The presence of a stand is typical for stationary type saw. Mostly these are powerful, productive, large and heavy models that are located in a separate place. The stand can be implemented either with classic legs (bed) or with a cabinet with a tool compartment. The stand can be equipped with various types of saw: circular saw, miter saw, band saw, cutting saw and even chain saw (with electric drive).
— Wheels for transportation. Transport wheels make it easy to move sawing equipment around the shop. The presence of wheels will come in handy when the saw needs to be moved a little to install some large workpieces or simply when cleaning the workshop. As a rule, wheels are typical for stationary saw with a table top or work holder.Noise level
The noise level produced by the saw during operation. Note that this parameter is rather approximate, because in fact, the “loudness of the work” depends not only on the tool, but also on the material being processed and the characteristics of the environment. Nevertheless, the data given in the characteristics make it possible to assess the comfort of working with the tool. The lower this indicator, the less discomfort the noise will cause, and at high values, even special hearing protection may be needed.
Note that the noise level is usually measured in decibels, and this unit is not linear: for example, a difference of 3 dB corresponds to a difference of 2 times, 10 dB — to 10 times. Therefore, it is easiest to evaluate the noise level using comparative tables. Here is a simplified version of such a table for the range in which modern saws operate:
70 dB — loud conversation of several people in close proximity;
75 dB — a cry in the immediate vicinity;
80 dB — truck engine, mechanical alarm ringing;
85 dB — loud scream;
90 dB — freight car at a distance of 7 – 10 m;
95 dB — subway car at a distance of 7 – 10 m;
100 dB — industrial shop;
110 dB — tractor engine;
120 dB — demolition hammer, thunder from a close lightning strike (pain threshold of auditory perception).
Folding table
The folding table allows you to quickly and easily increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe working area of \u200b\u200bthe saw machine, which may be necessary when processing large-sized workpieces. Upon completion of the work, the structure can also be easily folded back. When folded, the saw equipment is convenient to store, it does not take up much space and will not interfere. Usually, a folding table is installed on a stand, that is, a frame. On the surface of the folding table, a linear measuring scale or a marking grid can be applied. In some cases, the table is equipped with grippers, hooks, or other types of workpiece holders.
Size
General dimensions of the saw. For a stationary tool (see "Type"), this parameter determines primarily the amount of space that will be required for installation; problems with this can only arise in very tight spaces, so in most cases the dimensions of a stationary saw do not need to be given special attention. In the case of hand-held models, the small size makes it easier to work in hard-to-reach places and improves overall usability. On the other hand, a compact tool inevitably turns out to be low-power; and some jobs by definition require large, heavy saws, with large bar lengths or blade diameters.
