Finding the right machines for your workshop can have dramatic effects on manufacturing efficiency and the quality of the results you are producing. A common sight all across the woodworking industry, docking saws are a category of machinery dedicated to making docking cuts – also commonly referred to as crosscuts. Docking saws are available in a range of different configurations and designs that can handle everything from detail work through to high volume mass production. Investing in the right type of docking saw is important, so in this article, we will cover docking saw varieties and how they can be incorporated into your workflow.
Radial Saws
Radial arm saws are an early type of saw that remains common in timber workshops. Consisting of a circular saw that slides along a horizontal arm, radial saws are dedicated machines for making crosscuts or mitre cuts. Radial saws are ideal for use in timber workshops, sawmills and joineries where their versatility and adjustable cutting parameters are an advantage. With large cutting depths and the ability to travel along the length of the arm, radial saws can process much larger pieces of timber than similar types of fixed saws.
Compound Saws
Compound saws get their name from the ability to cut compound angles. That is, for their ability to make mitred crosscuts and bevelled timber edges in a single process. Compound saws can also be used to make either type of cut individually. The ability to mitre or bevel a piece of timber makes it simple to process stock and prepare pieces for the next stage of manufacturing.
Upcut Saws
A modern technology designed for medium and high volume production lines, upcut saws are circular saw that rises from the worktable to make cuts from the bottom to the top of the workpiece. In many cases, upcut saws feature robust safety systems and enclosures designed to hold the timber in place and protect the operator from the machine’s blade. Upcut saws are especially useful in volume production applications or sawmills where large quantities of timber are cut to the same lengths. While these saws offer plenty of adjustability and variation in blade types, upcut saws are dedicated docking machines that are optimised to make the same cuts over and over.
Push Feed Saws
Automation plays a significant role in the modern woodworking industry, allowing manufacturers to produce components with greater accuracy, speed and reliability. A major part of automation is the use of various docking saws with push feed systems. Push feed systems are often paired with upcut saws, and they use an automatic feeding arm to align and feed timber stock through the saw blade and to the outfeed table. These saws are the ideal solution for high volume workshops. Businesses such as pallet makers that produce large quantities of processed timber can use push feed saws to minimise labour, improve safety measures and take advantage of automated systems. Similarly, push feed saws are a popular choice for joiners needing high accuracy, high volume cutting machines.
Improve Your Manufacturing Capabilities with Docking Saws from Stirling Machinery
Whichever type of docking saw you need, Stirling Machinery can help match our equipment to your application and production requirements. The full range of docking saws we provide is capable of everything from bespoke, small scale production to high volume, high demand manufacturing. We can tailor a docking saw solution to suit your needs and provide a range of automation and feed options that make it simpler to get more from your stock and produce valuable components. Speak to our team today for more information or view our range of docking saws online.
