Harvey Alpha Series Table Saws: Wormgear and Dovetail Trunnions Explained

Created by Gabriel Izzo, Modified on Wed, 9 Jul at 10:50 AM by Gabriel Izzo

The HW110LC (2HP) and HW110TC (3HP) table saws are equipped with a worm gear trunnion design, while the HW110S (4HP) models feature a more robust dovetail trunnion system


Key Difference:

The primary advantage of the dovetail trunnion design over the worm gear system is the elimination of radial blade movement during height adjustments. In worm gear systems, the arbor assembly pivots from a single hinge point, which can result in a slight arc or “swing” as the blade is raised or lowered. In contrast, the dovetail system allows the arbor to move strictly vertically within precision-machined dovetail tracks at both the front and rear of the trunnion.


 Benefits of the Dovetail Trunnion:

  • Increased accuracy in blade height adjustments

  • Improved lateral rigidity and less vibration of the arbor assembly

  • No hinging motion, leading to greater stability during cutting operation

This makes the dovetail trunnion system ideal for users prioritizing precision, repeatability, and long-term structural integrity.


For a detailed comparison of the the Harvey Alpha Series table saws, check out our live stream where we discuss everything in detail at the support article link here: Tablesaw Talk - Tool Talk with Harvey!



Wormgear style trunnion design on the Alpha HW110LC 2HP and HW110TC 3HP table saws:



Dovetail trunnion design on the Alpha HW110S 4HP models:


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