What are Fixed and Sliding Table Saws?

Antec by Joway Sliding Table Saw

Table saws are categorized as fixed table saws and sliding table saws.

Fixed table saws come in a variety of sizes from small 8-inch hobby machines up to heavy-duty 14-inch industrial machines. They also range in power from 3HP to 10HP.  Smaller table saws run on single-phase for home-based wood shops while the larger machines run on 3-phase electricity for industrial environments. Fixed table saws saws are typically used to cut solid wood or smaller composite panels. Some utilize a scoring saw for clean cuts when cutting panels. They generally are equipped with a tilting arbour to perform angle cutting between 45 and 90 degrees. 

Sliding Table saws used in small industrial production shops. They are also used for special custom cutting in a large industrial shop that also has a beam panel saw to do most of their panel cutting. Sliding table saws tend to be very versatile having a tilting arbour as well as a mitre fence for angle and mitre cutting, respectively. These sawing machines usually are equipped with a scoring saw. The sliding table allows 5-foot or 10-foot (more common) sheets to travel while supported on the sliding table. The sliding table allows the operator to more smoothly advance the sheet through the cutting saw. Sliding table saws range in power from about 5HP to 12HP. Although some have electronic setup assistance, most of them do not.

Popular brands of table saws include:  Altendorf, Antec by Joway, Bauerle, Boss, Casadei, Casolin, Concord, Delta, EMA, Griggio, Holz-Her, Italcava, Lazzari, Magic, Martin, Ortza, Paoloni, Poitras, RGA Italtalcava, Robland, SCMI, Sicar, Stema, and Wadkin.


If your shop needs a table saw, sliding or fixed, please visit the selection at Contacts Machinery's used woodworking machines web site or call 1-866-514-0890 today.