REVIEW
Jim Byrnes Model Machine
4" Miniature Table Saw
By Jay Steele
Lafayette, IN

I ordered the Jim Byrnes Miniature 4" Table Saw and all the attachments on April 12, 2006 and received it on May 4, 2006.  As I use and become familiar with the saw, I will add comments to my reviews on this page.

I have used and owned a dozen+ table saws during my lifetime, and none of them have compared to the Jim Byrnes Miniature Table Saw.  As soon as I opened the box of the JB 4" mini table saw, I could see that this was an extremely well built machine, truly "Designed and Built by Modelers, for Modelers".

My first step was to read the instructions included with the saw, I discovered that the blade came locked in position with a set screw that needs to be loosened before adjusting the blade height.  I also learned to tighten the front set screw on the fence before tightening the back set screw, as it is the front set screw that squares the fence to the blade.

Unlike most tools I've bought, this one didn't need any adjustment before I started using it.  The rip fence was square to the blade, and ready to use.  The only thing I did was wax the surface to make the wood slide easier (also information found in the instructions).

Within minutes of using this saw, I realized the design is extremely well thought out.  Everything is expertly machined to perfection, I found no corner cutting with the construction of this precision machine.

Most of the mini table saws I am aware of come with very small tops, which make it hard to cut wood comfortably.  The JB 4" Table Saw's has a large 12" wide x 10" deep x 3/8" thick table which is ideal for most cutting needs and is standard equipment -- perfectly sized for the miniaturists.

The 1/3 hp motor gives you power to spare even when cutting hard woods.  The motor runs smoothly and very quietly, which is a real plus.  Wish I could say the same for my shop vac, which is always hooked up to the saw via the provided 1 ½" vacuum connection when the saw is running.
 

The standard package also includes a precision fit steel miter tool that is machined with such close tolerances there is no slop.  It has graduations on both sides of the 90° that include 75°, 67.5°, 60°,45°, 30°, 22.5°, 15°.  Each angle is held by a pin and locked by a thumb screw,  making the adjustment to any of these angles, so simple and precise,  there's no need to double check.
	The rip fence comes in two configurations:  The standard 1/8” thick fence for cutting thin stock, or for use with the optional Rip Taper Jig.  The Rip Taper allows you to cut repeatable angles along the length of the wood.
The second configuration is the optional Extended Rip Fence, which increases the height of the fence to ¾” which provides better control for thicker or stacked stock.  This fence is attached to polished steel rods (front & back) by machined blocks that ride smoothly nearly the full width of the table.
	An optional Miter Extension is also available, providing support for wider material.