Since I’m on the subject of new woodworking tools Sears has a two really big holes in their lineup.  I will get to the 16 volt lithium review in my next article.

I want it No. 1 Sliding Bed Table Saw

My cast iron table saw is the focal point of my workshop.  I don’t have a lot of room in my shop so I don’t own a sliding compound and do ALL my cutting on the table saw.  For me though the biggest problem I have alway had is making accurate cross-cuts on a table saw.  Holding the wood firmly against a miter fence and then sliding the wood across the top of the table I always have problems with getting a “perfect” cut.  The main problem for me is the wood wants to stick while sliding it over the top of my cast iron table.  Yes I wax my table.  I use a homemade sliding bed that fits into the miter slots and that has fixed 50% of my problems.  There are some solutions to this problem out there like the “Jessem Mast-R-Slide™ 7500 Precision Sliding Cross-Cut Table” but frankly the Jessem is just a band-aid to the problem and is too expensive.   

The other major problem is trying to cut boards longer than my table saw top.  When I try to cut boards longer than 4 feet they also do not want to slide smoothly on the top.  I’ve tried all kinds of table extensions and work supports.  I’ve even made extensions with slippery tops for my saw that extend the top 4 feet to the left or right of the blade.

I would like Sears to reinvent the table saw.  I would like the saw to have ball bearing slides, a cast iron table on the slides and has extentions built into the saw to hold 4 feet or longer boards to cross cut.  I would like the extentions to move WITH the work piece.  I would like to see and basic saw in the $500 dollar range and another commercial grade saw about $1200.00

I want it No. 2 Panel Saw.

In reality the table saw in it’s present form is obsolete.   Just like the sliding compound miter saw made the radial arm saw obsolete for cross cutting, a good panel saw eliminates the need for a table saw.  I would like to see a panel saw that holds the piece of wood near vertical and the saw blade moves vertically and horizontally on ball bearing slides similiar to the slides on a sliding miter saw. 

The panel saw should have the capability to easily “tip” the wood or the saw blade so you can cut an angle. 

The panel saw should have the capability to hold dimensional lumber (i.e., 2 x 4) in addition to panels. You could then use it for cross cutting and ripping to completely replace a table saw. 

The saw should use standard 10 inch blades and have an arbor long enough to accept a dado blade.   Think of the accuarcy you could have for cabinet making if you could move the saw blade instead of the work when cutting dados for shelves or cabinet assembly.

Too complicated?  Maybe, but I would like to see someone like Sears try.

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