Dollies Made To Meet Your Needs

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Saw Trax

Carts & Dollies Made To Meet Your Needs

Customizing Scoop Dolly to meet your needs — Conversation at the supply vending machine company.

My goal is to design and build the carts and dollies that solve material handling problems. The original Scoop Dolly was the result of my own need to move our vertical panel saws in the safest and simplest way.

Last week, I met with someone who wants to use our Scoop Dolly to drop a vending machine door onto a pin attached to the frame.

He already likes how the Scoop Dolly makes it easier to move his vending machines and their components. But he also needed a product that would help him in other ways.

Some of his machines have two doors, an upper and a lower, and he was thinking that if the scoop dolly could help him drop on the top door, like he drops on the lower door onto the pin that holds it, it would add value to just moving the pieces around.

By learning his product and his problem, over the next two days I designed and built the prototype.

The door is positioned tilted back and then when tilted upright, the hole in the bottom of the door lines up over the pin and the door is positioned. It allows one person to attach the door instead of two, and makes it easier on the one person because the door is always supported. This version has a three position shelf.

The resulting prototype allowed him to drop on the top door like he drops on the lower door onto the pin that holds it. Problem solved!

If you have a material handling challenge, send us an email! Maybe Saw Trax can help you solve it with a cart or dolly made to meet your needs.

Superior Value In All Of Our Products

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Saw Trax

Here at Saw Trax, we have a simple philosophy.

Make A Superior Product
Our products are made with a critical eye for detail, the best materials, and a craftman’s heart.

It’s why we use sealed steel bearings; they will last for the life of the machine and always roll smoothly.

It’s why we have a patented alignment system, called Accu-Square. That means that once it’s set, your cuts will always be square and you don’t have to think twice about it.

Respect Our Customers
It’s why we won’t sell you anything you don’t need.

When you call us, our customer service representatives will ask a lot of questions, and listen very closely to your answers! Most likely, they’ll ask you a question about something you hadn’t even considered – all because we want you to purchase the right machine for your needs!

Yes, we have lots of accessories that are very useful but if, for example, you don’t need a laser guide … we’re not selling you one! We know our panel saws and carts are going to last a long time (like “family heirloom” long!) – and we want you happy every time you use them.

Offer A Whole Lot Of Value For Your Money

It’s simple. Our goal is to have sustainable, profitable growth by providing a superior value in each product we produce, through innovation, customer service and superior workmanship.

Cutting 7 Gauge Sheet Steel – No Kidding

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Saw Trax

Our Saw Trax vertical panel saws are probably the most versatile panel saws on the market!

With our Universal Plate, it takes just seconds to switch from a wood cutting saw to a metal cutting saw. The sealed steel bearings ensure that the carriage moves smoothly, every time.

And check out the dust collection system. It really sucks (in a good way).

Whatever you need in a panel saw, Saw Trax has you covered.

Cute And Creative Ideas With Coroplast®

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Saw Trax

It’s not just for yard signs! You might never have heard of Coroplast®, but you’ve definitely seen it (corrugated + plastic = coroplast)! Last year’s midterm elections brought yard signs out in force, and those sturdy visuals are made of Coroplast®.

It comes in sheets, in a variety of sizes and colors, is very affordable, and is extremely durable. And because it’s inexpensive and sturdy, it’s not just for signage anymore!

If you’re helping decorate a school, church, or local theater production, consider Coroplast® for your set design. Check out some of these ideas.

Because Coroplast® is weather-proof, it is great for outdoor holiday decorating! Spice up your Halloween with some yard ghosts, your Christmas decorations with some gifts on the lawn. Pinterest is LOADED with ideas (of course… that’s why it exists!).

You will need to be able to CUT the Coroplast®, however, and for that you will need a special cutter. Not surprisingly, we are partial to ours! You’ll also want to pick up coro-pins to hold your corners together. Learn what you need to know about cutting your Coroplast® from our video below. Happy creating!

Before You Shop: 10 Tips For Purchasing A Panel Saw

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Saw Trax

10 Tips to Choosing the Best Panel Saw for You

All panel saws seem the same, so how do you know which one to purchase? Since the devil is in the details, we came up with 10 tips to help you choose the best panel saw for your needs!

1. Does it use an “Off the Shelf” saw, or is it a proprietary saw?

If you’re looking at a panel saw that uses a proprietary manufacturer’s saw, plan on long downtimes when you have a saw problem. Being proprietary, you will have to buy it from the manufacturer and wait for it to ship. Our saws use a standard Makita 5007F or a Makita Hypoid that you can buy at the local store.

2. When your blade needs replacing, how easy is it to find your saw blade size?

Does the saw use a standard 7.25″ saw blade, or is it a non-standard size used in a proprietary saw? Big name stores carry almost two dozen different 7.25” blades. If you choose a proprietary saw using an 8″ job site table saw blade, be prepared to special order it and pay a higher price.

3. Consider the bearing mechanism.

The bearing mechanism should be designed to make the carriage move smoothly and with no play. Saw Trax uses sealed steel bearings, which provide friction-free movement. Our competitors use a U-bolt with black rings as bearings. With these, when the play is taken out, the carriage becomes harder to move.

4. Material support

Material support is an important consideration, especially if you’ll be cutting full size sheets. A Saw Trax full size machine uses 18 material rollers, as well as a center step for support, vs. 14 rollers of other panel saws. Keep this in mind when comparing brands.

5. Square Cut Alignment

For square cuts, guide tube alignment with the material rollers and roller alignment is critical. Saw Trax has a patented “set it and forget it” alignment system called Accu-Square, which ensures square cuts for the life of the panel saw. The rollers are not adjustable so there is only one adjustment for squaring vs. 13 on other panel saws. Make sure to keep this in mind as you compare panel saw systems.

6. How easy is it to replace key components?

Unfortunately, as hardy as panel saws can be, they are subject to damage in transit, or in store, or in your own shop (can’t tell you the number of times we’ve heard of rampaging forklifts killing saws … Yikes!).
At Saw Trax, we know “accidents happen” and so on our saws, two key components are bolted onto the frame: the guide tubes and the fences. Both can be changed out in minutes.
When welded components like the material fence or guide tube become damaged, you will need to replace the entire saw. Also, the heat from welding often distorts the material and can leave unseen faults that will affect the structural integrity of the metal, but it is a less expensive way to manufacture.
Because structural integrity is so important, bridges and buildings are riveted/bolted, never welded.

7. Take your function and materials into consideration!

There are many different materials people use, from OSB to plywood, from acrylic to PVC, from hardwood to solid surface, and more. If you will be using several different materials, you want a machine that is flexible for your needs. Saw Trax uses a quick release carriage (change it in 8 seconds!) that allows for different tool inserts to be used. Different cutting tools are available, such as a router insert that accepts many standard routers, a pivoting knife insert for dry wall or foam materials, a glass cutter or a rolling shear. These options are not available in competitors’ standard machines. Some Saw Trax customers buy a second saw instead of changing saw blades for different materials (aluminum and acrylic) or a steel cutting saw turning the panel saw into a steel sheer.

8. How long does the machine take to set up?

It varies among brands, so take time to compare. Saw Trax provides many components factory-attached like a stand, wheels or optional mid fence, which means you’re nearly ready to go as soon as the machine arrives. You’ll be cutting in no time.

9. Flexibility of feed

For some operations, it is faster having your measuring system on both sides of the cut when cutting pieces from a full sheet. This is why Saw Trax provides one vertical and two horizontal measuring tapes.

10. Dust Collection

With so many different materials, such as cement board, and the chemicals in some substrates, air-borne particulates become an important concern. At Saw Trax, we have the dust brush surrounding the saw blade under the insert with a 2.5″ hose attached to the dust bonnet, which can be attached to a standard Shop Vac for extraction of the suspended particulate. Our design also keeps the hose away from the saw, which sounds obvious, but not everybody does it!

Panel Saws by Saw Trax

Carts & Dollies Made To Meet Your Needs