Dust Extraction
When making any cut, a saw is going to generate a lot of sawdust. Fine dust that is ejected into the air can make you sneeze, cough, and experience other allergy‐like symptoms. It’s small, lands on everything in sight, and gets inside your tools. Experts agree that limiting our exposure is the best protection. Good dust extraction extends the life of your tools by reducing dust‐induced tool fatigue. It improves your accuracy by giving you a clearer view of your cut lines, and helps create a healthier environment. Dust extraction should not be an afterthought, and is should be included in the design of the tool.
Good dust extraction should capture more than 92% of the sawdust being created, and it should not hinder the user when making a cut. Features like 360 degree rotating dust ports, which allow you to adjust the hose exit to the left or right side of the cut, and guide rail deflectors that prevent the hose from binding on the end of the guide rail are all nice features to consider. Being able to use larger hoses and higher air flow (cfm) will improve dust extraction considerably.
Blades
Professionals know that you need to match the design of the saw blade to the material being cut, and the operation being performed. Blades should be designed for cutting efficiency, long‐life, and superior cutting results. Variable tooth spacing, laser expansion slots, large arbor holes, and properly tensioned blade blanks all reduce vibration and result in cleaner cuts.
For best results, use blades that incorporate fine‐grain tungsten carbide tips, as they are robust, sharpen nicely, and wear well under the toughest conditions. Some manufacturers color code their blades to make choosing the right blade for the job easier. While a combination blade is useful for general work, don’t compromise by buying a saw with a limited selection of saw blades. Make sure that you can purchase blades for both ripping and cross‐cutting in various materials including hardwoods, softwoods, plywood, melamine, and soft metals like aluminum. Owning a wide selection of blades will improve results and expand the capabilities of the saw.
