Originally Posted by
Warren Lake
is it not more that the small sliders simply dont have the bulky slider support extending out back. I never stood behind one large slider that felt comfortable to me after a lifetime of ripping on cabinet saws
Yes, the smaller/shorter sliders don't have as much bulk behind the blade because that structure (and weight) isn't necessary to balance and support the shorter throw wagon. For a larger slider, it's not really practical to stand behind the blade for any ripping unless, for some strange reason, one is ripping a panel using the fence that's wide enough to permit your body to fit in the space between the blade line and the rip fence. That negates the whole reason for having a slider. For doing narrow rips, you stand parallel to the blade and fence, not behind the cut line like you would with a cabinet saw. This can be uncomfortable at first, but it becomes the "new normal" after a bit and being out of the line of the cut also means you're out of the line for a kickback in most respects. It's a different way of working and yes, it requires getting used to...
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...