Graphical Construction Glossary >> Tools. >> Power Tools >> Circular Bench Saw

Circular Bench Saw

A woodworking workshop machine designed mainly for rip sawing.

Originally driven by a water wheel, a bench saw of about 48" diameter.

The very first circular saws were known to Dr. Hooke 1636-1703, but they were very small and used for cutting clock wheels, so in effect they were milling cutters rather than saws.

What we do know is that first the true circular saw made it's appearance at the Royal Dockyard in Portsmouth UK soon after 1800. General Sir Sam Bentham is attributed with it's invention, but it seems most likely that Mark Isambard Brunel was the designer. (See Brunel's mortise machine here).

The bench saw above is at Stott Park Bobbin Mill in Cumbria, UK. The factory was purpose built in 1835 and it closed down in 1971. The mill ran for around 50 years powered by a water wheel and was then converted to steam when production increased.

It would be a fair guess that this was the one and only rip saw here. Which gives it a working life of a hundred and thirty years.

A modern bench saw, aDELTA 36-717 10'' Hybrid Saw w/30'' BIESEMEYER Commercial Fence System, Rail and Table Board from Rockler

I owned one particular 24"circular saw bench for over 20 years, it was second hand when I bought it and I sold it when I shut my workshop down to a young guy. I have no doubt that it is still working. These machines when built solid for professional work just keep on and on.

Here's a fairly new site that specialises just in table saws and Rick has the space and the knowledge to go into the subject in great detail.

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"What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?
Adam Smith 1723-1790

"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900