Original Saw Company

How To Increase Cutting Efficiency with a Beam Saw

Jennifer Eden — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:23:54 +0000

Beam Saws - Cutting Large Material Made Easy

Everyone wants their business to operate efficiently. In this cutting episode of Small Business Talks, Dave Brown from The Original Saw Company sat down to discuss Beam Saws. Dave dives into the advantages of beam saws, explaining their superior platform, stability, and exceptional cross-cut capabilities. We delve into the practical applications for businesses, both large and small, emphasizing the beam saw’s ability in cutting a variety of materials.

Dave also touches on the importance of the right tooling, offering insights into cutting materials beyond just wood. From power requirements to the nuances of manual vs. electronic powered crossfeeds. Plus, get valuable tips on maintaining your beam saw to ensure longevity and precision with every cut.

Beam Saws are a crucial tool to boost production. Cast iron, cast aluminum, box tubing beam, and a steel frame create the body of the 1,500-pound Beam Saw.

Industrial manufacturing companies use this hefty machine for shift work, operating two to three shifts daily in an industrial setting. Beam Saws are frequently found in the following industries:

Curtain wall
Logging
Trusses
Aluminum windows and doors
Aluminum extrusions
Metal decking
Awning
Metal roofing

In addition to the many hours this saw can “work,” it can make long 64″ cross cuts. Its powerful motor lets the Beam Saw cut several pieces of material simultaneously. Add an Electronic Powered Cross Feed on the Beam Saw, and it becomes a semi-automatic machine. Include a Pneumatic Clamping System to customize the cutting process further.

The Beam Saw comes standard with a manual chain crank carriage feed and a T-slot extruded metal table with manual clamps. Simply push the button to cut.

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Five Things to Know Before Buying a Beam Saw

Jennifer Eden — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 23:12:09 +0000

Assess Your Cutting Needs

Manufacturers need solutions when cutting large items like wood, metals, and plastics. Beam Saws come to the rescue when long, deep cross cuts are needed.

Have you ever considered how a Beam Saw can benefit your business?

Important Factors to Consider:

Type of Beam Saw Required

There are two main types of Beam Saws: portable and stationary. Portable saws are smaller and lighter, making them easier to move around. Stationary saws are larger and more powerful, making them better suited for heavy-duty cutting.

Original Saw Company specializes in manufacturing stationary Beam Saws. This type of saw is highly effective when cutting logs, trusses, curtain wall, aluminum windows and doors, aluminum extrusions, metal decking, awnings, and metal roofing.

Size of the Beam Saw

Beam saws come in various sizes, from small tabletop models to large industrial machines. The size of machine needed will depend on the size of the material being cut. Industrial Beam Saws manufactured by Original Saw Company make crosscuts from 60″-64″ and feature a depth of cut of 4 3/8″ – 8″.

Beam Saw Power Requirements

The power of a Beam Saw is measured in horsepower.

The more horsepower a saw has, the more powerful it will be. If you will be cutting thick beams, you will need more horsepower. Always check the power requirements of your building before purchasing industrial machinery.

Original Saw Company’s Beam Saws have two horsepower options. Choose from a 5 horsepower/single phase model or a 7.5 horsepower/3 phase model.

Optional Accessories and Features for Beam Saws

Beam Saws have additional optional features, such as dust collection, electronic powered cross feed, a pneumatic clamping system, saw measuring systems, and saw extension tables. These features can make the Beam Saw more versatile, easier to use, and customized for your cutting application.

Your Budget

Any type of machinery can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Determining the return on investment is important when choosing a Beam Saw.

Here are some additional tips for buying a Beam Saw:

Read reviews. Reading reviews from other users can be a great way to learn about the pros and cons of different saws.
Do the research. A customer service representative at Original Saw Company can help you choose the right Beam Saw. Do an online search to compare various models. Look at videos that show Beam Saws in action.

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Measure Once, Cut Once

Jennifer Eden — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 17:00:28 +0000

WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER WITH A WOOD CUTTING STATION

We put our Wood Cutting Station to the test. Can the Wood Cutting Station stand up to the challenges of everyday use?

Raechal, from the Makers Challenge, was up for the task.

Measure Once, Cut Once

Raechal says, “The Original Saw Measuring System and Cutting Station is one of my most used “tools” in the shop. The best thing about the cutting station is the fact that it eliminates the need for the age-old saying “measure twice, cut once.” It’s impossible to make a mistake in length with the precision measuring system. My woodshop is more efficient, saving time and getting me the precise cuts I need to finish my projects faster.”

Be Challenged with the Makers Challenge

The first Makers Challenge (formerly called Builders Challenge) started in May 2016 as an idea for a friendly challenge amongst friends. They wanted to see how creative they could be with one plan and an unlimited number of ways to modify it. That “Challenge” has grown into multiple challenges. These challenges occur throughout the year, with the primary goal continuing to be community… with a bit of competition.

Check out the challenges designed by the Makers Challenge.

Measure Accurately with a Wood Cutting Station

A Wood Cutting Station combines a Miter Saw Stand, two 4′ Flat Saw Extension Tables, and two 4′ Saw Measuring Systems. This combination creates a complete Wood Cutting Station.

Many carpentry shops, cabinet shops, school industrial arts programs, home hobby shops, lumber yards, and manufacturing plants take advantage of a Wood Cutting Station.

Do you need flexibilty? Original Saw Company’s Miter Saw Stand is compatible with Saw Extension Tables of various lengths. Measure the space available in your workshop. Order Saw Extension Tables in 4′, 6′, 8′ or 10′ lengths. Attach tables to the infeed or outfeed side of the Miter Saw Stand.

Once you have decided on the table length, add Saw Measuring Systems on top. Saw Measuring Systems are available in 4′, 6′, and 8′ lengths. Connect sections to create 12′, 16′, 24′, and 32′ lengths.

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Safety Tips for Radial Arm Saws

Jennifer Eden — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 22:26:47 +0000

SAFETY TIPS ARE ALWAYS A PRIORITY WHEN WORKING WITH CUTTING EQUIPMENT.

When crosscutting with a Radial Arm Saw, follow the safety tips:

Hold wood against the fence with left hand – pull saw with the right hand.
Do not use the “anti-kick-back” as a handle to pull the saw through the wood. Use the handle on the saw yoke casting assembly.
Do not add any pieces of wood in front of the fence except temporarily to cut through 4×4’s or larger stock.
Do not pull the saw blade further out than required to completely sever the wood. Use the adjustable arm stop to limit the length of travel.
Do not let motor/saw assembly return rapidly to the back after making a cut.
Do not force saw-through material when cross-cutting.
Always properly adjust and tighten adjustable safety crosscut stop before cutting.

If you are ripping, use these suggested safety tips:

Become familiar with both settings for ripping – “in rip” and “out rip.”
Set anti-kickback device to make contact with wood when rip cutting.
Always rip with the material firmly against and following the saw fence.
Use a “push stick” to guide wood past blade – avoid passing hand close to rotating blade.
Always feed material against the direction of blade rotation. This is easily remembered by entering the material into the backside of the saw motor and guard assembly and exiting the front side of the assembly.
Do not utilize next board to be ripped as a push stick to clear the blade. Moreover, always clear blade with a push stick before attempting to saw another board.
Do not force-feed material through saw when ripping. Allow saw to maintain maximum RPM at all times.

Refer to the Product Manual of your saw for more instruction.

Furthermore, this safety tip information can be displayed near your radial arm saw. Use it to identify potential hazards.

Safety is always important when working with any type of tool. Would you like a copy of these tips? These radial arm saw safety tips from Jones Machinery are available to download.

Post this Safety Checklist near the saw station in your facility.

Jones Machinery is a woodworking/metalworking sales and onsite service company that covers Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.

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Test Cutting Metals, IWF Connect & Dave

Jennifer Eden — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 23:45:56 +0000

Test Cuts with Metal Cutters

Did you know that we make test cuts at our location? Customers send material samples to Original Saw Company. Next, we use our in-house Radial Arm Saw to make cuts on the sample material. Our technician records a video during the cutting process. After that, we send the video to the customer. The customer can evaluate the material and the cut quality before purchasing.

The video below shows our factory’s Metal Cutting Radial Arm Saw, making test cuts through aluminum.

This customer has a business in the sign industry. He wanted a bevel cut made on a specific extrusion. By swiveling the motor, we were able to make a clean cut that was 3″-4″ deep.

The test cut saw at our factory features an electronic powered cross feed that enables push button operation of the saw. In additions, pneumatic clamps hold the material in place.

The Metal Cutting Radial Arm Saw series is perfect for sign manufacturers, the billboard and sign industry, awning manufacturers, the curtain wall industry, and many more.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: DAVE BROWN, CUSTOMER SERVICE

Dave is a “weekend warrior” when it comes to renovating. He has a vast knowledge of tools and saws. Need help? Ask for Dave.

When you call Original Saw these days, there is a good chance that Dave is the one that will answer your phone call. Dave started at Original Saw Company in 2018 and has been a fantastic team member. He is knowledgeable about all aspects of our products, other tools, and renovations.

His primary jobs are customer service, serializing new orders, and scheduling production. Above all, as a former Marine, Dave jumps in and helps out whenever he is needed.

What is your favorite thing to sell? Why?

Metal Cutters for special applications. It is fun to hear and see what our customers are doing in their respective fields and how our machines help simplify and streamline that process.

What do customers ask you most frequently? Customers want to know about the assembly requirements for our saws. They are often relieved to hear that our saws ship fully assembled except for the legs. They also want to know what kind of electrical service is needed. Since our saws come in various voltages, it’s always good to know your building’s power requirements before the machine ships. Understanding the power requirements allows for proper setup.

What’s the best part of your job?
I enjoy interacting with all kinds of people from all over the place! It is crazy how SMALL the world is!!

IWF Connect is Almost Here!

The pandemic has affected everything this year, even IWF Atlanta. Due to the cancellation, the IWF group put together an online option.

IWF Connect is a new way for the woodworking industry to do business. Happening October 26-30, 2020, this online trade show event will bring our industry together for 5 streamlined days of buying, selling, and experiencing new products and trends. Find exactly what you need to advance your business, and interact with exhibitors at your convenience.

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Radial Arm Saws: Using The Tool That Won’t Die

Jennifer Eden — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 05:29:12 +0000

Radial Arm Saw… Dead? Seriously?

Occasionally I run across a blog comment or an article that declares the death of the Radial Arm Saw. “They’re outdated. They’re too dangerous. They take up too much space.”

How can you pronounce the Radial Arm Saw dead when it is considered a trusted tool in the shop throughout history? Legendary DeWalt Radial Arm Saws from the 1950s are still in use today. Now, these aren’t your average, every day, lower price-point radial arm saws. DeWalt manufactured Radial Arm Saws like armored tanks. Original Saw Company followed suit. To clarify, you can’t kill these saws.

Old, still functioning, radial arm saw

Model 3512 Radial Arm Saw

What Gives An Industrial Radial Arm Saw A Long Life?

1. Structure and Durability

First of all, Original Saw Company’s industrial Radial Arm Saws are nearly indestructible. The saws are manufactured from cast iron, cast aluminum, and formed steel for vibration-free operation. They also have powder-coated, heavy-gauge steel frames and legs.

Customer Service rep Mike Stevens was quoted in Fine Homebuilding Magazine and reports, “It (the radial arm saw) sells itself,” he says. “It’s fun to sell something that’s so well made. I tell customers to keep it clean and wire it correctly, and I’m not even going to hear from you. I’m going to be like the lonely Maytag repairman. I hate to see anybody get ’em dirty.” He adds, “They’re so doggone nice when they leave here.”

2. Function

Secondly, there’s function. Are the Radial Arm Saw’s purpose and functionality a thing of the past? What can it REALLY do?

“If, for some unknown reason, you had to pick only one stationary power tool for your workshop, a Radial Arm Saw would be a wise choice. No other stationary power tool can perform as many chores. Woodworking consists of six basic cuts; crosscutting, bevel crosscutting, ripping, bevel ripping, mitering and bevel mitering. The Radial Arm Saw will make all of these cuts efficiently and precisely,” says the website Extreme How-To.

Some models of Radial Arm Saws can efficiently perform dado cuts. Watch below to see Original Saw Company’s Radial Arm Saw effortlessly make a dado cut.

3. Versatility

And lastly, the versatility of the radial arm saw is legendary.

A customer recently mentioned an example of versatility on our Facebook page. “I owned one (radial arm saw) a long time ago, and I regret very much the day I sold it. It was set up along the wall of a 20-foot shop and had plenty of room to rip plywood, cut long stock, make perfect miters, and have great lap joints. I had two settings for the backstop that enabled me to make a 24″ rip.”

Another post said, “I love my radial arm saw. 10′ bed on both sides. 2.75 hp, 25 years old, and works perfectly.“

In conclusion, is the radial arm saw dead?

From home hobbyists to industrial factories, many dedicated users are still out there.

I think this saw will live to see plenty more days.

What do you think?

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Sustainability for the Future

Jennifer Eden — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:31:11 +0000

Sustainability at Original Saw Company

Sustainability means meeting our needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs.

At Original Saw Company, we believe sustainability is important to manufacturing. For that reason, we make an effort to respect and take care of the environment. Specifically, we look for opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle at our manufacturing facility.

Iowa Waste Reduction Visit

Iowa Waste Reduction Center made a site visit to review our waste management plans and procedures. In addition, they offered recommendations to enhance our current efforts. During the visit, Original Saw Company was praised for its efforts to conserve resources and reduce waste.

Like most businesses in manufacturing, we create a large amount of trash. Whenever possible, employees sort and recycle items to reduce the amount of waste made by the facility. Employees separate trash from recyclable materials in marked bins throughout the building.

We keep Safety Data Sheets for hazardous materials in the employee information center outside the break room door. Additionally, employees receive ongoing training on sustainability efforts.

Ongoing Recycling Efforts

We send printer cartridges to Staples for recycling.
Waste Management pics up plastic waste, glass, and cardboard.
Original Saw uses wooden pallets to send and receive shipments. Skids or pallets are reused by Original Saw Company or sent to area businesses for reuse. However, at times skids are not reusable. In that case, the skids go to the North Iowa Landfill. The landfill uses its grinder and recycles the skids into mulch.
The North Iowa Landfill recycles used batteries.
Waste Management picks up fluorescent light bulbs. Presently all lights use LED bulbs.
Waste Management recycles extra paper. We store data digitally to reduce the amount of paper that we use.
Cedar Poly recycles extra high-density polyethylene plastic.
Reclaimed wood was used for paneling the walls during the recent renovation of our offices.

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Glossary and Terms

Jennifer Eden — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 04:48:57 +0000

Original Saw Glossary and Terms Part 1

There are many terms tossed around the office and plant at Original Saw. As a woman in manufacturing, I had the distinct “advantage” of knowing nothing about machinery in general. Lots of times I will say to my fellow male co-workers, “Yeah. I don’t know what that means.” or “I have no clue what you’re talking about.” At this point they kindly (or not so kindly ;)) educate me on the basics. No question is a dumb question, right?

Below is a glossary of words commonly used at our company and in the industry. Today I will do my best to decode and decipher all these phrases and explain them to you.

Radial Arm Saw – A cutting machine that consists of a carriage moving along an arm. As the blade spins, it moves through the wood or metal that you are cutting. People joke that the radial arm saw is dead, but that’s not so. It’s used in many industries to crosscut, rip, bevel or miter cut. The versatile Radial Arm Saw is used in wood shops, packaging companies, commercial storefront manufacturers, sign manufacturing, industrial arts programs in schools and colleges, aircraft manufacturers, home improvement centers and many other businesses.

Beam Saw – This is the biggest saw we make and can be used to cut through wood or metal. The carriage slides on tracks above the cutting area and the blade moves through the material you are cutting. Beam saws have more than a 5 1/2′ crosscut. They are commonly used in garage door manufacturing, commercial decking, crating companies and construction companies.

Cut Off Saw – Used for mainly wood and plastics, this saw makes straight cuts. It has a covered cutting area to provide extra safety. Cut Off Saws work best when paired with Roller or Flat Extension Tables to help support the material as it’s fed into and out of the saw. This saw is commonly seen in home improvement centers, lumber yards, packaging companies and cabinet shops.

Miter Cut – An angle cut. Think picture frame. This cut is achieved by swiveling the arm of a Radial Arm Saw to the desired degree.

Bevel Cut – An angle cut. Think mop boards. This cut is achieved by swiveling the motor of a Radial Arm Saw down to a bevel.

Voltage – Voltage is what makes electric charges move. It is the ‘push’ that causes charges to move in a wire or other electrical conductors. In the US common commercial voltages are 208, 230 and 460.

E-Stop – An emergency stop. It is a simple, highly visible button designed to shut down operations quickly. E-Stops are standard features on all Radial Arm Saws, Beam Saws and Cut Off Saws.

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Packing Up for IWF Atlanta

Jennifer Eden — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 23:30:45 +0000

Packing up for IWF, the premiere woodworking show in the wood industry.

Do you know when you go on a trip and make that critical list of things to take? Nobody wants to forget all the essential things you need to take to make your trip successful. Usually, your list looks something like this:

Toothbrush
Hat
Swimming suit
Snacks
Four shirts
Tennis shoes

At Original Saw this week, we are packing up. Our list is longer than it has ever been. We are packing up for the biggest trade show of the year in Atlanta on August 22 – 25. The International Woodworking Fair (IWF) is one of the top woodworking trade shows in the world for the furniture manufacturing, architectural woodwork, custom, and general woodworking industries. IWF is a biannual event that occurs every two years at the Georgia World Congress Center. IWF 2016 hosted a total of 27,260 people, which included 1,079 Exhibitors and housed 532,565 net square feet of exhibit space. Original Saw is bringing more machines, accessories, and products than ever!

So when we make our list and pack for our trip, it might look something like this:

Contractor Duty Radial Arm Saw
Heavy Duty Radial Arm Saw featuring our new HDPE table
Super Duty Radial Arm Saw with an electronic powered carriage and pneumatic clamps
Manual Crosscut Power Saw
Semi-Automatic Crosscut Power Saw
A variety of accessories, including Saw Extension Tables, Saw Measuring Systems, and a Miter Saw Stand

Make sure Original Saw is at the top of YOUR list before coming to IWF. See us at booth number 4852 for all your cutting needs!

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Meet the Original Saw Team

Jennifer Eden — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 21:40:04 +0000

Original Saw Company is a family-owned business that prides itself on the standards and principles important to our family- integrity, trustworthiness, and honesty.

Allen Eden

President of Original Saw Company

Allen's father, Robert, purchased the rights to Original Saw Company in 1990. This acquisition was also when Allen's career began with Original Saw Company.

Throughout the years, Allen has had experience in all company areas. While in college at the University of Northern Iowa, he began visiting and establishing new distributors. After graduation, he took on many roles as the company grew. From sales to purchasing to installing the first computer system, Allen has been with the company since its inception.

As president of the company, he oversees all operations and critical departments. He also serves as the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) Association president.

Kevin Wilson

Accounting

Kevin oversees all aspects of accounting and is Original Saw Company's safety coordinator.

When not working, Kevin has volunteered for the Britt Fire Department for over 30 years. He also has spent many years serving as the West Hancock high school assistant and varsity girl's basketball coach.

Dave Brown

Sales and Service

Dave came on board with Original Saw Company in 2018. With an extensive work history in sales and service, Dave is a perfect fit for Sales and Customer Service. He also has lots of experience with tools, remodeling, and DIY. This know-how makes him a knowledgeable resource for customers and distributors. Dave's favorite part of his job is his day-to-day interactions with customers and distributors. Dave proudly served his country for four years in the United States Marine Corps. He enjoys traveling and trying different foods and restaurants in his free time.

Jennifer Eden

Marketing

After eight years as a special education teacher, Jennifer shifted to marketing and communication at Original Saw Company. Her day-to-day responsibilities include social media, content creation, website development, and communication.
While not in the office, she enjoys following her kids' activities, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Tina Hanson

Logistics and Accounts Receivable

Tina handles domestic and international shipping and logistics, and accounts receivable. She has been with Original Saw Company for eight years and likes the relaxing, friendly atmosphere. Tina is an invaluable asset to the daily operations at Original Saw. When not working, Tina enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Chris Wagler

Engineering

As our engineer, Chris works in the office and shop while designing new projects and improving our current product lines. Chris collaborates with several divisions at Original Saw Company to refine and generate products that align with our company goals.
He enjoys spending time with his family and at the racetrack in his spare time.

Erin Brown

Williams & Hussey Customer Service & Knife Specialist

Erin joined Original Saw Company in the motor department in 2011. She hand-wound motors for many years until she transitioned into the office. Erin currently works for our sister company, Williams & Hussey Machine and Tool Co. She draws custom profile knives and assists with customer service.
Erin likes the flexibility her job offers and enjoys her co-workers. When not at work, she likes to golf, go for rides in her convertible, and spend time with her family.

London

Shop Dog

Stella

Shop Dog

Rocky

Shop Cat

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