How to choose an industrial circular table

When you decide to buy a circular table saw, think about the best one you can afford and the one that best suits your work. It is a machine with which you are going to cut timber or wood-based panels, and the final quality of the work will depend on how accurate the cuts are. For very precise cuts you need a solid, stable machine that can safely support the panels or timber. Even if they look the same, there are big differences between them and you need to do your homework to choose the right one for your profile.

Portable or stationary circular saw

If you work as a hobby or are a craftsman who also works at the customer's home then you need to be able to move the machine. On the contrary, if you have a factory and the machine will be working continuously making very precise cuts then you need a fixed, very stable machine.

Based on these needs, there are two types of circular table: portable and stationary. Portable models are mounted on a stand that usually has wheels for transportation. There are also models that can fold the table, making it much easier to move around. They are small, light and affordable. The disadvantages are lower power and limited cutting capacity.

But you don't always need wheels to be portable. There are stationary circulators considered portable because their weight and size are small and they can be lifted and transported relatively easily from place to place. They are designed to be compact and affordable for small workshops and are suitable for light-duty jobs. Many have high quality features that can handle even advanced woodworking projects.

Stationary table circular saws are bigger, heavier, more robust and stronger. They're made to meet the performance and durability needs of woodworking professionals. They have powerful motors and solid tables. They are ideal for professionals who use these machines every day. Despite their large volume, they are very precise. The weight gives them stability, precision and safe operation at the expense of portability. You need a table circular saw when you want perfect cuts and quality at series production level.

Important features and characteristics of table-top circulators

Sliding guide sledge is a basic component of the table circular. You can't think of precise cutting and ripping without it. It has to be perfectly parallel to the cutting blade, sit firmly on the rail, and slide easily. If it bends during use it doesn't provide accuracy and is risky.

For angled cuts, the circular saw is equipped with a transverse guide device, which allows the desired angle to be set. It also helps when making cuts that combine the settings made on the cross-cut fence angle with tilting the blade to the desired angle.

Cutting blade - disk - can be adjusted both vertically and by changing the inclination. Vertical adjustments are made by raising or lowering the blade. The higher it is raised the deeper it will cut. A larger diameter of the blade means more height and a deeper cut. Adjusting the blade axis by tilting left-right at 45º allows angled cuts. Blade quality is very important. A saw will perform well if the blade allows it. With a poor quality blade, even if put on a super performing machine, you will not get quality results.

Circulars for the formatting of PAL, MDF, of coated or melaminized boards are equipped with a pre-cutting blade. It has reverse rotation, fewer teeth and higher rotation speed. It attacks the board allowing the disk to make a clean, quality cut. One such machine is KDT's KS-132PV Circular Saw with Mobile Machine and Inciser, which you can find at WoodMatic. KDT's circular saws are designed in such a way that they are able to make precise and smooth cuts even when the factory is working at very high intensity.

Model KS-132PV is very robust and has no sensitive electronics. If the main production requirements are very high-precision disintegration and formatting, then the KS-132PV is the ideal equipment. The table profile ensures optimum resistance to twisting and rocking, and the specially profiled rollers guarantee smooth and smooth running.

Engine power is very important in a circular saw because it provides the force needed to cut. The more power the better. Low motor power can cause the teeth of the disk to get stuck in harder material or not cope with thicker slabs. Motor power and specifications are reflected in the actual cutting power of a saw and should be matched to the needs of your business.

Table extensions increase the working surface and allow machining of large workpieces.

What's important when choosing an industrial circular table

The easiest way to discover which machine you need is to find the answer to a few questions. The ones below are the ones we think are very important.

What will I do with this machine? How long will it work?  The circular must be suitable for the most complex operations your production profile can handle. If you only work a few hours a week on small projects, a professional stationary circular is more than you need. On the other hand, if you're already doing production and you've decided you need another circular, the old one is no longer enough. In this case, the new circular must cover all the shortcomings of the existing one. It has to be reliable, efficient and cope with a high daily workload.

I have enough space for the machine I want? An industrial circular table is neither small nor lightweight. It is designed for machining large workpieces and for that it needs adequate space. It's heavy because it provides stability, and that means you'll need a sturdy floor. Space for the machine itself is not enough. You also need to take into account the space needed to maneuver the boards so that you work comfortably, easily and safely.

Which machine qualities are most important to me? Before you start looking for a circular you need to prioritize the qualities according to their importance to the production you are about to make. Circulators have many extra features that increase the base price and are likely to exceed your budget. That's why it's good to know from the start what your priorities are and what you're willing to give up.

What safety features does it have? It is a very important question because bodily integrity and life are most important. Do not cut corners on this because the risk is far too high. The Circular can be a dangerous machine and the more equipment that protects the operator the better.

What is my budget? The choice is vast and to make the right choice, documentation is very important. The more you analyze the offers and compare the pros and cons for as many machines as possible, the greater the chance of choosing the right machine. Inform yourself, ask around, talk to those who have made such purchases, talk to dealers' technical advisors, ask for quotations. It's a major investment, so it's in your best interest to examine the technical specifications and quality of each option before your final choice.

Good shopping! 🙂