Des Moines, Iowa - Craig Sommerfeld has seen firsthand how the craftsmen in Central America cobble together their own saw. "It's not safe or very precise to use some of these homemade saws," says Sommerfeld. "We need to provide them with reliable mechanical components and easy-to-build plans for a complete table saw." Sommerfeld also serves on the Board of Directors for Tools for Opportunity.

"It's cost-prohibitive for us to supply woodworkers with full-size table saws, so we're providing plans, motor, arbor, pulleys, and blades for the woodworker to build his own table saw," said Sommerfeld. "This way, they can use readily available lumber to build the remainder of the table saw, including a rip fence," he said. In the end, the woodworker will have a completely functional table saw that's reliable, safe, and accurate.

Tools for Opportunity will post plans for the saw online. A 3-D SketchUp model will also be available for download.

Tools for Opportunity is a tax-exempt 501(3)(c) non-profit organization founded by Gene Pedersen.

Source: Tools for Opportunity