There are many experienced woodworkers who are of the opinion that the standard table saw fitted with a universal motor should be opted only if you are a novice and are not interested in any serious woodwork whatsoever. While this may sound like a very harsh assessment, it must be allowed that the universal motor, more often than not, is not good enough to take up big tasks.
The biggest problem that the person faces is the lack of power in cutting wooden boards. The universal motor is an example of a one size fits all policy adopted by the manufacturers. While it is convenient to reduce cost by installing the same type of motor with minor variations in different devices, there's no doubt that performance takes a huge hit.
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Experts also point out that going in for a table saw with universal motor only increases the chances of damage due to wear and tear and vibrations. This is because the device is not capable of undertaking big tasks. The end result is that the motor is often stretched to the maximum when high performance is required.
This results in faster wear and tear and more expenditure on maintenance. Further, it also results in complications in the form of excessive vibrations. Beginners might often find it difficult to focus on precession cutting with so many jerks and movements on the surface of the table saw.
Does this mean one should ignore universal motors completely? Well, this is a subjective decision. If you intend to start using the bench top table saw as a hobby, you need not pay special attention to the choice of motor.
However, if you intend to use the device for commercial and professional purposes, it is obvious that you should go in for a device that has a proven track record of catering to your requirements.
The smartest option is to focus on other resources apart from the guarantee or the promises made by the manufacturer. There are many persons who do not bother about this point and end up purchasing the table saw as if it is a single package.
Remember, the size of the blade and the capacity of the motor happened to be the most important characteristics. You cannot take excessive precautions when you're dealing with these two features.
Rather than purchasing the device and regretting at a later date, you should go in for a specific resource that will give you the necessary information before you take a final decision relating to your table saw.