Flip Over Saw Accessories

About Flip Over Saw Accessories

Flip over saws, also known as combination mitre saws or crosscut saws, are versatile power tools that transform from a mitre saw to a table saw with a simple flip-over action. To maximise the functionality, precision and safety of these multi-purpose machines, a range of specialist accessories is available. These accessories enhance cutting capacity, improve accuracy, and make handling longer workpieces significantly easier on site or in the workshop.

The accessories in this category are designed to complement and extend the capabilities of your flip over saw, whether you're working in bench mode for rip cuts or mitre mode for crosscuts and angled work. From extension tables that provide additional support for longer materials, to adjustable material supports, parallel fences for accurate ripping, and guide rods for enhanced stability, these components help you achieve professional results consistently. Each accessory serves a specific purpose in making your flip over saw more versatile and user-friendly.

DeWalt dominates this specialist category, offering a comprehensive range of purpose-built accessories that integrate seamlessly with their flip over saw systems. These accessories are engineered to the same exacting standards as the main tools, ensuring compatibility, durability and precision that professional tradespeople demand on every job.

Jargon Buster

• Flip Over Saw: A combination power tool that pivots between mitre saw mode (for crosscuts and angled cuts) and table saw mode (for rip cuts), offering two tools in one compact unit.
• Ripping Fence / Parallel Fence: A guide fence that runs parallel to the blade in table saw mode, ensuring straight, accurate rip cuts along the length of timber or sheet materials.
• Extension Table: An additional surface that attaches to the main saw table to provide extended support for longer workpieces, preventing tipping and improving cut accuracy.
• Material Support: Adjustable stands or plates that support the workpiece at the correct height during cutting, particularly useful for longer boards or sheet materials.
• Guide Rods: Precision rails that help maintain alignment and stability of accessories, ensuring they remain square and true during operation.
• Bench Mode: The table saw configuration of a flip over saw, where the blade protrudes through the table surface from below for making rip cuts.

Who Uses Flip Over Saw Accessories?

These specialist accessories are essential for a wide range of professionals and serious DIY enthusiasts:

• Carpenters and joiners working on site installations, door hanging, and architectural joinery who need accurate crosscuts and rip cuts from a single portable machine
• Kitchen and bedroom fitters cutting worktops, plinths, and trim materials with precision in confined installation environments
• Shopfitters requiring versatile cutting capability for retail installations and commercial fit-outs
• General builders needing multi-purpose cutting solutions on varied construction projects
• Decking and fencing contractors processing large quantities of timber with consistent accuracy
• Workshop-based tradespeople such as furniture makers and bespoke woodworkers who value space-saving combination tools
• Serious DIY enthusiasts undertaking home renovation projects, loft conversions, or garden construction who want professional-quality results
• Site managers and maintenance teams requiring portable cutting solutions across multiple locations

How to Choose the Right Flip Over Saw Accessories

Selecting the appropriate accessories depends on your specific cutting requirements and the nature of your work:

Compatibility: First and foremost, ensure any accessory is compatible with your specific flip over saw model. DeWalt accessories are designed for DeWalt flip over saws, with precise fitting mechanisms and mounting points. Check model compatibility before purchasing to avoid disappointment.

Work Requirements: Consider the types of cuts you make most frequently. If you regularly work with sheet materials or longer lengths of timber, extension tables and material supports become essential for safe, accurate cutting. For precision ripping work, a quality parallel fence is indispensable. Assess your typical workpiece dimensions and choose accessories accordingly.

Portability Needs: If you work across multiple sites, consider how easily accessories can be transported, fitted and removed. Some accessories are designed for quick attachment and detachment, whilst others provide more permanent workshop installations. Balance the need for portability against the requirement for stability and precision.

Build Quality: Professional-grade accessories feature robust construction with accurate machining and durable finishes. Cast aluminium components, precision-ground surfaces, and quality locking mechanisms ensure longevity and maintain accuracy over thousands of cuts. Whilst initial investment may be higher, quality accessories pay dividends in reliability and performance.

Workspace Configuration: Consider your available working space when selecting extension tables and support systems. Some accessories extend the footprint of your saw considerably, which may be problematic in confined workshops or on busy sites. Measure your workspace and plan your setup accordingly.

Popular Accessories

To get the most from your flip over saw, consider these commonly used accessories:

• Extension Tables: Available for left or right side mounting, these increase the support surface for longer workpieces, essential when cutting boards over 1.5 metres or working with sheet materials.
• Parallel / Ripping Fences: Precision guides for accurate rip cuts in table saw mode, featuring easy adjustment mechanisms and clear measurement scales for repeatable cuts.
• Adjustable Material Supports: Height-adjustable stands that support the workpiece at the optimal level, reducing strain and improving cut accuracy, particularly valuable when working solo.
• Guide Rods: Pairs of precision rods that maintain alignment of extension tables and fences, ensuring everything remains square and true throughout the cutting process.
• Material Support Plates: Additional bearing surfaces that help stabilise workpieces during cutting, reducing vibration and improving finish quality.
• TCT Saw Blades: Tungsten carbide tipped blades in various tooth configurations for different materials and cutting applications, from rough ripping to fine crosscutting.
• Dust Extraction Adaptors: Connectors for workshop vacuum systems to maintain a cleaner, healthier working environment and improve visibility of cut lines.

Safety Information

Working with flip over saws and their accessories requires strict adherence to safety protocols:

Personal Protective Equipment: Always wear appropriate PPE including safety glasses or goggles to protect against flying debris, hearing protection due to high noise levels, and avoid loose clothing or jewellery that could become caught in moving parts. Dust masks are essential when cutting materials that produce fine particles, in accordance with COSHH regulations.

Setup and Installation: Ensure all accessories are correctly fitted and securely locked before operating the saw. Check that extension tables are level with the main table surface and that fences are properly aligned and square. Loose or incorrectly fitted accessories can cause workpiece kickback or binding, creating serious hazards.

Material Support: Never cut unsupported material. Use appropriate extension tables and supports for longer workpieces to prevent tipping, which can cause loss of control and dangerous kickback. The workpiece should be fully supported throughout the entire cutting process.

Electrical Safety: Ensure your flip over saw is properly connected to a suitable 230V supply with appropriate circuit protection. All equipment should be PAT tested regularly in professional environments, and RCD protection is strongly recommended, particularly on construction sites.

Maintenance: Keep all accessories clean and free from sawdust buildup, which can affect accuracy and cause binding. Regularly check locking mechanisms and adjustment points for wear, and ensure all moving parts operate smoothly. Consult the HSE guidance on woodworking machinery for comprehensive safety requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flip over saw accessories universal or brand-specific?

Flip over saw accessories are generally brand and model-specific. The mounting points, dimensions and fitting mechanisms vary between manufacturers and even between different models from the same brand. DeWalt accessories are designed specifically for DeWalt flip over saws and may not fit other brands. Always check compatibility with your specific model before purchasing.

Do I need extension tables if I'm only cutting short pieces?

Whilst you can manage without extension tables for shorter workpieces, they significantly improve safety and accuracy even on moderate-length cuts. They provide additional support that reduces vibration, prevents tipping, and allows better control of the workpiece. For professional use or frequent operation, extension tables are highly recommended regardless of typical workpiece length.

Can I use my flip over saw without a ripping fence?

Using a flip over saw in table saw mode without a proper ripping fence is dangerous and will produce inaccurate cuts. The parallel fence is essential for guiding the workpiece safely past the blade and maintaining consistent cut width. Never attempt to rip materials freehand or with improvised guides, as this significantly increases the risk of kickback and injury.

How do material supports improve cutting accuracy?

Material supports maintain the workpiece at the correct height relative to the saw table, preventing sagging or tipping during the cut. When material droops or tips, it changes the cutting angle and can cause binding against the blade. Properly positioned supports ensure the material remains level throughout the cutting process, resulting in square, accurate cuts and reduced blade stress.

What maintenance do flip over saw accessories require?

Regular maintenance includes cleaning all surfaces to remove sawdust and resin buildup, checking and tightening all fasteners, lubricating sliding or adjustable components with appropriate dry lubricants, and inspecting for wear or damage. Extension table surfaces should be kept flat and smooth, whilst fences must remain straight and square. Store accessories in a dry environment to prevent corrosion, and check alignment periodically to maintain cutting accuracy.