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Straight Line Rip Saw Versus Table Saw
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor J: I agree with the above. I worked in a shop with a SLR and a laser for ripping. We would rip one edge while the lumber was rough, then start milling. Once parts were milled, we could run them through a Tannewitz with a 1 hp feeder and rip to finish widths. With the volume you do, it should pay for itself fairly quickly. From contributor B: Some of the import SLR's are a great value for the money. I bought mine from Lobo and there are others (Sunhill comes to mind). It wasn't what I wanted, but a deal was three times the price. I paid $7200 some years ago and am very happy. The comparison between a TS&F and this is like night and day. I would spend the money for a SLR, even an import. Getting material SLR'd is okay, but re-rips are easier with the SLR and faster. Changes are faster than a feeder that is mounted on an arm that moves. The SLR just goes up and down. From contributor C: At the volume of doors you are producing, don't even bother with the feeder and TS; go straight to the straight line rip saw. Diehl and Mattison are the two biggest names, but there are several others. I'd buy a used one because I can't imagine one of these battleships ever wearing out. These are dedicated machines for ripping rough stock to rough width, which when done correctly, can make a huge difference in your profit margin in a short time, considering the cost of wood these days. In the old days, a really clever sawyer could make the difference between a profitable company and a bankrupt one, and a straight-line rip saw was his biggest asset. Check around for a good used one. They are going pretty cheap these days if you have the ability to pick it up and move it. From contributor G: We produce the same amount of doors you are referring to. You could not trade me ten tablesaws with feeders for my one SLR saw. There is just no comparison between the two. With your volume, if you can not justify the purchase of a SLR, you are not doing something right. Do not ask "How much will this saw cost?" but "How much will this saw save?" Would you like to add information to this article? Interested in writing or submitting an article? Have a question about this article? Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below? 
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