Tabletop Table Saw
By Dan Kitchen
Proxxon’s FKS/E table saw may look like a toy, but it’s a fully functioning miniature table saw. When you’re making a scale model, a tiny error can be like flubbing a cut by a whole inch at full scale. To help model makers make exact cuts, Proxxon has been building precision power tools like this one for 30 years .
The FKS/E’s blade has a diameter of only 3”, but you can adjust the blade height anywhere between 1/32″ and 1″. With a variable speed adjustment, its ultra-quiet high-torque motor can muscle through a variety of materials. You can angle the blade for cuts up to 45 degrees. With the built-in extension wing, it can handle pieces up to 19-5/8” long. And it all fits into a package about the size of three reams of copy paper.
Despite the FKS/E’s scaled-down size, it doesn’t come with a scaled-down price. Street pricing is around $340.
Proxxon [Corporate Site]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
January 15th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I have to ask,
If you’re a modeler would it be better to work on one of these, a high quality table saw that is full sized? (Bigger saw on bigger budget)
Basically, is a smaller saw better at making smaller parts, or do most people just go to cheap on the full size saw?
January 16th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Personally, I think you’ve got two different concerns when considering a tool like this one.
First, sometimes the right scale tool is the best for the job. If all you need to do is drill a few holes once and while a good 12 volt cordless is going to be better for you then a good 24 volt cordless. Personally, I have a variety of tools for different sizes of projects, and I’m comfortable with certain ones for certain projects.
Secondly, modelmaking can be considered a “small” hobby for some. They might be making model ships because they can’t afford or take on full size boatbuilding. So this tool fills a niche for quality power tools on a very manageable scale. This thing isn’t much bigger than a CPU tower on its side.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Scale is everything. The width of the guard on this saw isn’t much different from the blade kerf on my full size table saw. And I do not think I would be comfortable at all working with pieces that are a couple square inches on my real saw. Kinda like saying an eight inch angle grinder can do the same thing as a dremel. A band saw may be a passable alternative but this feels like it was designed for the German market (and possibly the Japanese as well) and as a rule they don’t have the extra space we North American’s are used to (A cottage walking distance from their home but no shop).
January 16th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Hey isn’t that like the Micro Mark Microlux, only cheaper? I wonder who cloned who?
http://toolmonger.com/2007/11/26/dealmonger-micro-mark-microlux-tilt-arbor-table-saw-350/
January 16th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Proxxon is a German-based company:
http://www.proxxon.com/us/
They seem to cater to the hobby market - with scaled-down tools.
The Microlux brand - seems like the MiniTool brand - which I read were manufactured by or for Bohler - another German company.