[jspadaro]

Yeah, go find any decent contractor saw with a cast iron table and an induction motor, and you'll be fine, honestly. If you find yourself short of power, you could always bolt in a bigger motor very easily, but I think you're overthinking it.

The only way you could really go wrong here is to get a cheap saw with a universal motor or a plastic table, and you're already aware that you shouldn't do that.

Honestly, worse case with a table saw, if you really ran short on power you could always make successive cuts, raising the blade further each time. But like I said, my "1.5hp" 15amp Delta has cut through 2" of white ash most recently - with a good Freud rip blade on it, that was no problem.

 

[kevinfenblik]

I am curious about this and fully look forward to seeing other opinions on this. I currently have a Dewalt 2hp 15 amp table saw and am looking at getting a Laguna F1 1.5hp 20a table saw. I know that my current table saw has a few issues at cutting through thick hardwoods and I am wondering if the Laguna saw will have the same issue? Does the 20a 1.5hp motor in the Laguna cut better than the 15a 2hp?

 

[Bob Bengal]

Does the 20a 1.5hp motor in the Laguna cut better than the 15a 2hp?

Welcome to the forum.

I believe the amp rating is more reliable than the HP number.

 

[kevinfenblik]

So if understand correctly I wouldn't be taking a step back on cutting power by going to the Laguna F1 saw, Correct?

 

[Bob Bengal]

So if understand correctly I wouldn't be taking a step back on cutting power by going to the Laguna F1 saw, Correct?

I would expect the F1 to have at least the cutting power and likely a bit more than the DeWalt.

It might be good to start your own thread in Power tools with the title something like "Considering a Laguna F1 saw". Describe the kind of wood working you do, the species and thicknesses of what you want to cut, are you cutting thick wood multiple times a month or a few times a year etc.

Power Tools & Machinery

www.woodworkingtalk.com

 

[Woodworking Wolf]

I'm not familiar with either saw. I think you also need to consider blade diameter. I think a larger diameter blade needs more power. So if the blades are different diameters, that would make it harder to compare cutting ability.

Agree with @Bob Bengal about starting a thread.

 

[GeorgeC]

I don't think you will need to worry about power. From your description I think just about any contractor size saw would do you well.

Now here is a simple, good answer. After a whole lot of BS.

George

 

[_Ogre]

Yeah, 6 yr old thread

Describe thick hardwood. If your constantly ripping 3" hard maple, you need a 3hp, 240v saw min. That said, a 20A motor will have more power than a 15A motor. Manufacturers play games with up numbers. You can buy a 6hp shop vac in many brands, that run on 120v and a 16 gauge cord. go for the amps, it's hard to lie about amps

6hp vac at harbor fright not picking on hf, all manufacturers have them
Same goes for router specs. 3hp 120v motor is mathamagic dreaming

 

[kevinfenblik]

I apologize for jumping into another discussion, as soon as I can figure out how to start a new Thread I will do that, but thanks for the information thus far.

 

[Bob Bengal]

I apologize for jumping into another discussion, as soon as I can figure out how to start a new Thread I will do that, but thanks for the information thus far.

No need for apology. When you look at a sub forum etc to start a new thread look for the Create Post button towards the upper right.

Power Tools & Machinery

www.woodworkingtalk.com

 

[calabrese55]

You might check out this thread as there is similar discussions there that may help in your decision process.

Amps vs Horse Power? which provides better judge of...

I have been using a Dewalt 10" 120v 15amp jobsite tablesaw for several years now and I am starting to see that as I get into cutting more and more hardwoods that are various thickness but for the sake of comparison. I spend 90% of my time cutting oak, walnut, ipe, cumaroo, on my table saw and I...

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calabrese55