Panel Processing at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

Here's an extensive collection of methods and tips for cutting dadoes in panels. November 30, 2009

Woodworkers discuss choosing a second table saw, building on an outfeed table, using a "shoot board," and other ways to expand panel ripping and crosscutting capacity. August 3, 2009

Eliminating Melamine Chip-Out

Suggestions for blade choice and equipment tweaks that will help reduce chip-out when cutting melamine on the table saw. May 6, 2010

Boring Machines

Casework assembly methods that rely on evenly-spaced 32-mm holes are most efficient when you have high-volume precision equipment to bore the holes. Here's a rundown on the options in machinery for that purpose. September 18, 2008

Buying a Used Beamsaw

Input from users and maintenance techs on what to watch out for when buying a pre-owned beamsaw, and advice about teardown, transport, and re-assembly.July 29, 2011

Budget Alternatives to a Sliding Table Saw

If a slider's not in the budget, what are the alternatives? Cabinetmakers discuss table saw attachments, vertical panel saws, and track saw packages. April 6, 2011

Budget Cross-Cutting Solutions

Suggestions on gearing up for wide panel cross-cuts without investing in an expensive sliding table saw. March 25, 2007

Efficiency of nested-based manufacturing

How much time can be saved? January 16, 2002

Bit Selection for a CNC Router

A shop owner gets advice on what bits he'll need for his new CNC router, along with tips on bit care and re-sharpening. August 30, 2005

Beam Saw Cut Quality

Assuming the saw is well set up and in tune, you rarely see chipout when cutting stacked panels on a beam saw. March 26, 2012

Blade Life when Cutting Melamine

Melamine tears up saw blades. Here are some observations on blade life expectancy, some thoughts on blade choice, and a success story involving diamond blades. August 14, 2007

Buying a Sliding Table Saw

A second-hand, high-quality slider is a good investment. Here are tips on tuning it up and getting the best out of it. February 16, 2012

Blade Life in Melamine

Cabinetmakers discuss triple chip blades, hollow ground blades, blade sharpness, and equipment adjustments to get long performance from blades. January 26, 2009

Baltic Birch Plywood Dimensions and Waste

Thoughts on how to get value out of a 5-foot by 5-foot plywood panel. June 16, 2010

Beam Saw Versus Sliding Table Saw

Which to buy, slider or beam saw? Versatility, productivity, and ease of maintenance are issues to consider. August 24, 2008

Edge Trimming on a Beam Saw

It's common practice to trim off the factory edge when cutting panels into parts on a beam saw. January 3, 2014

Best Saw Blade for Melamine?

Woodworkers recommend tablesaw blades for cutting melamine. June 16, 2010

Drawers and the Utilization of Space

Why slide-integrated drawer systems are less costly to produce and provide greater space efficiency than traditional drawer construction. 1998.

Dust Cut Procedures

Woodworkers describe how they make initial cuts on sheet goods to establish straight and square edges. July 27, 2008

Do Edgebanders Provide Perfect Output?

Few, if any edgebanders will consistently produce panels that can pass your thumb's feel test — and none will without continual tending by a good operator. December 27, 2006

Dado Tooling for a Sliding Table Saw

Advice on choosing and setting up dado blades for a sliding table saw. January 9, 2015

Double-Refined MDF

Double-refined MDF provides a cleaner, smoother machined edge. But there are also ways to improve the edge of standard MDF. November 5, 2007

Drying Siberian Elm Slabs

Prone to warpage and bug damage, Siberian Elm is tricky wood to dry. March 31, 2008

Do I Need the Scoring Blade for a Vertical Panel Saw?

Many users get along fine without a scoring blade. February 11, 2010

Dressing the Rollers on a Wide-Belt Sander

Tips on getting the sander drum true again by running it over flat sandpaper. July 29, 2011

Drum Sander Sanding Marks

Drum sanders typically leave "washboard" contact marks, so that sanded pieces still require hand sanding with a random-orbit sander. March 13, 2007

Dowel drilling and use guidelines

A quick guide to dowel clearances and practices, including drilling depth, diameter-to-edge ratios, and dowel selection. 1998.

Cost of running a CNC router

Choosing the right CNC machine based on projected capabilities and costs. November 29, 2000

Choosing a Verical Panel Saw or Slider

A question about choosing a panel saw slips into familiar territory: would a slider be better? That all depends, of course; cabinetmakers here share experiences they've had with both. November 23, 2012

CNC tooling: What's the best?

Solving the problems of worn-out router bits and torn-out melamine. January 3, 2001

Capabilities of a Point-to-Point Router

If you're buying older used equipment, be aware of its limitations and its condition. August 17, 2006

CNC Router Versus Vertical Panel Saw

Which to invest in? It all depends on the shop's needs and the business plan. January 8, 2007

Chinese Plywood

Cabinetmakers complain about the quality of hardwood plywood imported from China. April 13, 2012

Compensating for Material Thickness Variations

Thickness differences between pieces can cause trouble when machining parts out of sheet goods. But a savvy operator can work around the problem. August 29, 2006

Components--Not Cabinets

A longtime adherent of the system process of cabinet manufacturing makes his case for componentizing. 1998.

Comparing Sliding Table Saws

A discussion of the merits of competing brands of sliders. July 28, 2012

Cutting Square on the Table Saw

The main pitfalls are that your stock is out of square from the factory, and that table saw fences move. Here are tips on squaring up panel cuts. December 11, 2006

Choosing Table Saw Blades

Thoughts on table saw blade selection for cutting plywood and for ripping hardwood. March 26, 2010

CNC Equipment for MDF Door Production

Advice on choosing the right CNC setup for milling doors from MDF. October 9, 2006

CNC Versus Panel Saw Accuracy

CNC equipment has a reputation for superior accuracy. Here, cabinetmakers discuss the reasons it may be so. March 25, 2007

Clamp Retrofits for Sliding Table Saws

Here's a discussion of site-built clamp setups for the slider, with some instructive photos. June 17, 2009

Construction Boring Machines and Confirmat Screws

Tips on how to bore, countersink, and align cabinet parts for assembling with Confirmat screws. July 21, 2006

Cabinetmaking Forum -- 32mm: Imperial Versus Metric

Frameless cab systems use metric measurement. Your crew will make the transition with ease, but you'll still need to talk feet and inches to most customers. August 29, 2006

Cutting Veneered MDF on a Bevel

Tips on blade selection and table-saw technique for clean cuts on veneered panels. November 28, 2006

CNC V-grooving

Suggestions for tooling and techniques. March 23, 2002

Cleaning Sander Belts

Shop owners share their methods for cleaning wide-belt sander belts. November 14, 2009

Chip-out on HPL panels

Solving problems with chip-out during CNC machining. August 12, 2001

Choosing a Slider Blade

Advice on blade choices for a sliding table saw. March 27, 2012

CNC vs P2P

Defining the difference between P2P and CNC. June 13, 2001

Cleaning Melamine Blades

Solvent cleaning will give you a little more mileage between blade re-sharpenings. March 9, 2008

Curing 32mm hole alignment problems

Improving results achieved with a single-hole line borer. January 24, 2001

Cleaning Wide-Belt Sander Belts

Tips for getting the gum and dust out of a wide-belt sander belt. April 14, 2010

A Sliding Table Saw in a Small Work Space

Here's another long discussion of the value of sliding table saws, and the practical aspects of fitting one into a small shop footprint. July 29, 2012

Are Tracksaws Under-Powered?

A tracksaw is handy when you need one, but it's no straight-line rip saw. February 27, 2015

Aligning a Sliding Table Saw Carriage

Another good discussion of ways to tune up a slider for accurate, precise cuts. February 28, 2012

Accurately Squaring Cabinet Boxes

Methods foraccurately squaring frameless cabinet carcasses. October 16, 2003

Are Two Motors Better than One on a Two-Head Sander?

Some two-head sanders drive both heads with a single motor. What difference does it make? February 6, 2007

Assembling Frameless Casework

Dowel, dado, or confirmat screw? August 9, 2005

Aftermarket Dust Collection for a Sliding Table Saw

Product suggestions and a look at a shop-rigged example of a dust collection saw blade shroud for a slider. April 15, 2013

Adjusting a Wide-Belt Sander

Tips for fine-tuning a belt sander for smooth operation and good control. February 6, 2007

Face-Frame Versus Frameless Cabinetry

Have we had that discussion yet on the relative merits of face-frame and frameless construction? August 15, 2006

Optimizing Materials Versus Speed when Cutting Parts on a Slider

Wasted time is pitted against wasted material. November 30, 2009

Methods of 32 mm system layout

Different interpretations on the 32mm system. (Cabinetmaking Forum) March 23, 2003

Nested-Based Routers Versus Beam Saw and Point-to-Point

Two different technologies, same product — why pick one or the other? January 14, 2008

Stroke Sanders and Wide-Belt Sanders

More thoughts on the choices in production sanding equipment. March 13, 2007

Nested Base Versus Beam Saw and PTP

A closet system fabricator and installer describes his journey through various shop equipment situations. May 26, 2014

Table Saw Safety Accessories

A long discussion on the utility and practicality of guards, splitters, and automatic blade brakes. November 26, 2007

Sliding Table Saw Accuracy

Cabinetmakers discuss how to tune up a slider and provide tips for accurate cutting. January 13, 2009

Table Saw Blade Height Above Material

Here's a long, thoughtful discussion of the practical and safety aspects of setting blade height when working with a table saw. November 13, 2009

Sliding Table Saw Safety

Here's an extensive set of tips and cautions for working safely with a sliding table saw. December 2, 2010

Going from handcrafted to CNC

Discussion of P2Ps, dedicated boring, edgebanders and other equipment, software and processes. August 29, 2001

One Man, One Kitchen, How Many Days?

Solo cabinetmakers compare notes on the time it takes them to complete a basic kitchen job. April 26, 2006

Value-added pricing: Why? -- Because you're worth it!

We all fear "those guys in their garages, doing work for cheap." But we really have nothing to fear at all.

What's your Favorite Machine?

Woodworkers chime in about the equipment they love. May 26, 2010

Saws

Basic descriptions of sliding table saws, miter saws, re-saws, and related saw equipment used in wood shops. November 13, 2008

Installing Rollout Shelves

Keeping rollouts clear of the hinges. March 14, 2004

Machinery Choices for Slab Door Production

A discussion of which machinery will best optimize productivity: a beam saw, a panel saw, or a CNC? May 15, 2014

Why Does Plywood Warp?

An extended technical and practical discussion of dimensional instability in plywood panels. January 20, 2010

32mm manual vs NBM setups

Will any efficiency be gained by adding high-tech equipment to a small shop? July 24, 2002

Vertical Panel Saw and Sliding Table Saw Comparison

This discussion of the choice between vertical saws and sliders includes some thoughts on sliding table saw technique. November 21, 2006

Using the Rip Fence as a Stop on a Sliding Table Saw

There are calibration and accuracy issues when using the rip fence as a work stop on a slider, but they are minor ones. November 20, 2008

Radial Arm Saw Cut Tolerances

After a discussion of the inherent roughness of radial arm saw cuts, a woodworker gets his unit tuned up for fine cuts on melamine. October 14, 2009

Plunge Cut Circular Saw Versus Table Saw

For a part-time shop, can a high-quality circular saw and guide setup take the place of a table saw for panel cutting on small jobs? June 3, 2009

Sliding Table Saw Versus Vertical Panel Saw

Another take on a common topic: whether to buy a panel saw or a slider (or both). September 26, 2009

Widebelt Sander Adjustment and Scratch Patterns

A close look at widebelt sander head adjustment and its effect on the quality of the results. April 29, 2010

Marketing High-End Cabinets

Cabinetmakers share ideas for attracting big-ticket clients. February 10, 2004

Fastening dado joints

Fast techniques for assembling dadoed cabinet boxes. June 24, 2002

Value of a Sliding Table Saw

Cabinetmakers discuss whether, and why, a sliding table saw is worth having around when other tools can do (sort of) the same thing.April 29, 2012

Shopping for a Panel Saw

Advice on how to get your money's worth for a panel saw, and thoughts on choosing a slider or a track-guided circular saw instead. May 28, 2010

Fence Considerations with a Sliding Tablesaw

Here's a lot of detailed advice for getting the most out of the fence on a European-made sliding table saw. May 11, 2011

Squaring Up a Sliding Table Saw

Pros walk a newcomer through the steps of getting a slider trued up for accurate rips and crosscuts. February 20, 2008

Sliding Table Saw Versus Conventional Cabinet Saw

Input for a shop class student on the academic comparison between a sliding table saw and a traditional table saw. April 18, 2011

Melamine Chipping on a Sliding Table Saw

A cabinet shop goes through the learning curve cutting melamine on an entry-level slider. The discussion covers blade choices, sharpening, setup, adjustments, and technique. August 8, 2008

Ripping Accuracy with Vertical Panel Saws

Tips for making accurate panel rips, and a discussion of equipment tolerances and various quirks. March 25, 2007

Shopping for a Slider

Comparing and contrasting two makes of sliding table saw, with comments about the fine points of user-friendliness. February 2, 2011

Sliding Table Saws — New Versus Used

When the budget is tight, a used high-end slider can be a better value than a brand new low-end machine.November 15, 2011

Shopping for a Used Slider

Cabinetmakers discuss the desireable and undesirable attributes to consider in purchasing a previously owned sliding table saw on a budget. November 15, 2011

Troubleshooting "Banana Cut" Problems with Melamine

Humidity issues cause some panels to curve or bow when cut. Here, CNC operators discuss possible solutions. December 6, 2006

Shop-Built Sliding Table Saw Sled Decisions

Advice on whether to build a shop-rigged table saw sled, buy a sliding table attachment, or step up to a professional-grade slider. January 19, 2011

Sliding Table Saw: Manual or Digital?

Cabinetmakers consider how to assess the productivity benefits of a digital or computer-controlled slider. November 15, 2010

Mounting a Digital Scale on a Sliding Tablesaw

Advice on the purchase, installation, and use of a digital scale on a sliding table saw. March 22, 2013

Panel Processing Time with and without CNC

A CNC shop and a cabinetmaker using conventional equipment compare the labor time used to cut up and bore an entire kitchen. January 1, 2012

Squaring up a Vertical Panel Saw

Here's advice on tweaking a second-hand vertical panel saw into square (with the proviso that a trained tech will do it faster and better).February 16, 2014

To nest or not to nest?

Is nesting appropriate for all shops? June 4, 2003

Point-to-Point and Beam Saw Versus Nested-Base

A short dialogue on a much-discussed topic about alternatives in cabinet-shop automation. April 17, 2009

Troubleshooting Melamine Chipping on a Panel Saw

Advice on blade selection, sharpening, and saw operation to avoid chipping out melamine when cutting with a panel saw.March 13, 2014

Slider, Panel Saw, or Festool?

"All three" is the easy answer; but here are some thoughts for the cabinetmaker who is forced to choose. April 29, 2012

Table Saw Cutting Out of Square when Set on the Bevel

A little help with the problem of a table saw that cuts out of square, but only when the blade is tilted over to 45 degrees. November 16, 2010

Plywood Cupping and Moisture Content

Check panel moisture content when you receive it, advises the Wood Doctor. April 16, 2009

Raised panel wainscot

Making wainscot onsite. November 24, 2002

Frameless Cabinet Fastening

Attaching lower cabinet sides to deck. August 7, 2004

Squaring Up a Cross-Cut Sled

Getting a cross-cut table-saw sled jig squared up just right is a finicky and time-consuming process. June 30, 2007

Routing Dadoes with a Vertical Panel Saw

People who have relied on a vertical panel saw for dadoing panels say the idea is problematic at best. February 26, 2007

Think before you take the CNC plunge

WOODWEB technical advisor Brian Personett offers some food for thought to those thinking about purchasing CNC equipment. November 15, 2000

Inset-door cabinets

A cabinetmaker goes from frameless to face frame and seeks advice. September 19, 2001

Wide Belt Sander Choices

More advice on selecting a widebelt sander. April 27, 2011

Vertical Panel Saw Score and Cut Accuracy

Advice on adjustments to keep the score cut and the through cut aligned on an older vertical panel saw. October 13, 2012

Machining Scallops or Flutes into MDF Panels

With CNC equipment, you can machine any kind of regular or irregular scallops, waves, or flutes into MDF — but it can be pricey, and makes a lot of dust. January 26, 2008

Resetting the Sliders on a Sliding Table Saw

A detailed description of the process for fixing a sliding table saw slider mechanism that has gone out of adjustment. January 3, 2014

Shopping for a Sliding Table Saw

Cabinetmakers recommend top-grade equipment with large-panel cutting capacity. February 13, 2009

Upgrading the Table Saw

Where do you go when you step up from that old table saw? February 8, 2008

Left-Tilt Versus Right-Tilt Table Saws

In response to a question about which is better, here's a well-thought-out list of pros and cons. December 28, 2006

Whether to Keep the Slider

Does a sliding table saw earn its keep when there's also a CNC in the shop?February 1, 2011

Vertical Panel Saws Versus Sliding Table Saws, Again

The perennial discussion, with a few new observations. March 3, 2009

Stripes in Fir Plywood

A cabinetmaker's finisher notices a strange defect in some Fir plywood, probably caused by grain compression that happened at the plywood mill. October 13, 2012

Track Saws for Breaking Down Panels

A tracked circular saw is no substitute for a panel saw or sliding table saw, but it's a productive tool that's worth the investment. October 13, 2010

Squaring a Sliding Table Saw

Advice on how to adjust the fence on a slider to restore its ability to make accurate, precise cuts. January 13, 2015

Good Things to Have on a Sliding Table Saw

Are independently-powered scoring blades or extra-long length important? January 8, 2007

Sawblades 101

Select the right blade for the job with this quick rundown of blade characteristics. January 7, 2007

Producing Quarter-Inch Thickness Lumber

Here are several different approaches to the challenge of producing very thin board lumber. January 17, 2011

Is a Motorized Sliding Table Saw Fence Worth It?

Cabinetmakers describe the benefits of upgrading the fence on a slider. June 15, 2009

Grinding a Warped Cast-Iron Table Saw Top Flat

It's not unusual for machinery tables to get deformed out of their proper flat shape, but the problem is correctable. March 25, 2007

Vertical Panel Saw Choices

Information on capabilities and setup details for different vertical panel saws. May 2, 2011

Troubleshooting Chip-Out with Melamine

Blade characteristics and plunge depth are factors to consider. February 18, 2011

Line-boring for adjustable shelves

The full range of options for getting shelf holes in place is reviewed. 1998.

Widebelt Sander Belt Tracking

Advice on how to get your belt running straight. January 20, 2010

Setting Up a New Slider

Nine out of nine doctors agree: have the supplier's tech set up your brand new sliding table saw for you. Do not do it yourself. January 23, 2014

Pneumatic Clamps for Sliding Table Saws

Info on aftermarket and shop-built pneumatic setups for clamping material to a sliding table saw. March 26, 2009

Preventing Blow-Out When Cutting Double-Sided Veneer Plywood

Advice on equipment, blades, and techniques to prevent a ragged edge on the underside of table-saw cuts. January 20, 2007

Throat Plate Tweak for Laser-Guided Sliding Table Saw

Advice on a shop-rigged throat plate for a sliding table saw to augment the laser guide, and tips on zeroing in the laser for accuracy. June 18, 2010

Vacuum Lift Versus Scissor Lift

A discussion of equipment options for moving panels onto the sliding table saw. October 26, 2007

PTP vs. CNC: What's the difference?

Technical differences and applications of point-to-point and CNC routers. December 12, 2000

Rolling A-Frames for Moving Plywood

Ideas for a low-cost shop-built plywood-handling rack on wheels. July 10, 2007

Wood-Core MDF Panels

A quick look at the pros and cons of panels with plywood cores and MDF skins. April 22, 2014

Stable spoilboard material

Choosing spoilboard material that won't shrink, grow or warp. January 3, 2001

Track Saws and Accessories

Advice on the choices in the track saw category. November 15, 2011

MDF and Shaper Cutter Life

How much wear and tear does MDF cause for knife edges? August 31, 2010

Panel Router Versus Slider for Dadoing

Cabinetmakers discuss the choice of equipment for routine dado work in panels. February 1, 2015

How to Saw Curved Panels

Advice on cutting up bowed panel stock for making curved cabinet doors. February 13, 2009

Getting Straight Table-Saw Rips

Tips on tuning a table saw for straight ripping. May 23, 2007

Foreign Material in Sheet Stock

People have found nuts, bolts, wrenches, nail sets, and sheet rock knives embedded in sheets of MDF or plywood. September 3, 2011

Flipping Heavy Sheet Goods

Ideas for managing the weight of MDF and other heavy sheet goods when laminating sheets on both faces. September 15, 2011

MDF Bowing After Panel Saw Cutting

Panel moisture content can cause pieces to bow when cut. October 14, 2009

Sliding Table Saw Crosscut Fence Safety

The crosscut fence on a slider is positioned for managing large panel cuts. April 10, 2008

Sharpening Schedule for Scoring Blades

If you cut a lot of melamine, how often does the scoring blade need to be sharpened? January 19, 2012

Mill Shed Show and Tell

Bandmill owners share photos of the shelters they have built for their saws. February 27, 2013

How Much Weight in a Truckload of Lumber?

Information on wood weight and truck carrying capacity. July 20, 2011

12-Inch Versus 14-Inch Table-Saw Blade Performance

Twelve-inch blades seem to cut straighter and smoother. September 8, 2007

Sources for Panel Handling Carts

Several companies make competing hand carts for moving and lifting panels in the shop. December 2, 2010

Troubleshooting Warpage with Kiln-Dried Cherry

Why did a load of Cherry boards warp in the kiln? May 16, 2008

Troubleshooting Curved Rips in Melamine

Cuts coming out curved when you rip melamine? It's probably due to stresses in the material, not a problem with the table saw. August 14, 2007

Troubleshooting Blade Chip-Out with Melamine

Advice on checking the blade for imperfections and the saw setup for inaccuracies. December 28, 2014

Face frame versus frameless

December 28, 2002

Is CNC Equipment Practical for a One-Man Shop?

A long and thorough analysis of the value of an investment in CNC equipment for the small shop, this thread should be read by anyone considering the upgrade to CNC. August 23, 2006

Three Phase Current, Demand Charges, and Phase Converters

Shedding some light on ways to minimize power company "demand charges," with an in-depth look at the way phase converters function. December 3, 2010

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