Just Starting out. Table saw?

[Orangepeel]

Morning All

I've just joined the forum. I'm a design graduate who's career has unfortunately taken me miles away from the furniture I always intended to make.

I've wanted to return and teach myself the making part for some time. I'm now in a position to start doing this, albeit on a small scale, making basic furniture in my spare time.

I lot of what I want to make will be of simple straight lines and box construction- I appreciate engineering, form following function and simple non-fussy design. With this in mind i foresee a lot of consistent straight lines needing to be cut!

Firstly if you were in my position, what would be the first tool(s) you would purchase? I'm looking at table saw and router at the moment. (I have the basics: drivers, circular etc.)

I've a budget of around £350-£400 for the saw and happy to buy 2nd hand. I know it's not a lot, but this is all I can afford right now. I heard positive things of the Dewalt DW745/744 and some of the Axminster saws. I would like to be able to move the saw about so I'm not sure if a cast iron would suit but open minded.

Thanks in advance. I hope to become a regular on here and looking forward to soaking up all I can.

O.

 

[petermillard]

Welcome. If you're just starting out then I'd take a decent track saw over any table saw, all day long, and especially if you expect to be work with sheet goods.

HTH Pete

 

[JSW]

I'm not convinced by the track saw route TBH, personally I think a table saw with decent fence and table sled or sliding table has a lot more scope and possibilities. Repeat cuts, small cuts, creeping up to a line ... these are all aspects of cutting that are far more do-able on a table saw surely? That doesn't mean I don't HAVE a track saw, just that from personal experience I find a bench saw far more worthwhile. Bottom line from my POV is I could live without a track saw, but would be lost without the table saw.

And in my experience it doesn't particularly have to be a all singing all dancing table saw either, as much as I would dearly love to have a decent cast iron Wadkin/Startrite/whatever, I've found I can quite easily achieve everything I need to with my old and trusty DeWalt SawKing, which if anyone recalls is primarily a site saw, but I've modified it with a new top, fence and table sled, and it cuts as accurately as certainly I need it to.

Just my opinion of course, and plenty of folks on UKW seem more than happy with a track saw as primary means of cutting.

 

[John15]

Welcome Orangepeel,

A number of members on here, if given the option, would prefer a bandsaw to a table saw - something to consider.

John

 

[RobinBHM]

It does depend on the type of work you are wanting to do.

A small but quality table saw is ideal for cutting solid timber, either ripping, trimming cuts and all manner of tapers, end joints etc with the use of simple jigs.

A track saw really comes into its own for cutting sheet material and some ripping cuts on solid material. Again with jigs a track saw can be quite versatile but not to the extent of a table saw.

As usual in woodworking, there is some overlap but ideally you would have both tools -welcome to a hobby with a never ending capacity for tool buying.

There are plenty of good table saws around 2nd hand, kity, scheppach, multico, startrite, record, luna, elecktra beckum to name a few good brands all capable off precision work and available within your budget. The problem is you may have to be patient until one comes up within worthwhile distance.

 

[Lons]

Hi
I wouldn't be without my tablesaw (SIP 01332) and it's on a mobile base so it can be easily moved. I'd go s/h if possible as your budget is lowI don't have a dedicated track saw but it isn't difficult to make up a track guide to serve a similar purpose as I note you already have a circular saw. (couldn't do without the bandsaw either tho).

Bob

 

[Woodmonkey]

I would say that a tracksaw can't do everything a table saw can do, but a tracksaw, half decent mitre saw and a band saw together will give you better results than all but a top end very expensive table saw.

 

[Orangepeel]

Thanks, guys.

I think I am set on a table saw now. I've made a guide for my circular which I'll use to reduce sheet goods to a more mageable size. Repeat and mitre cuts are a real draw. I'd much rather be moving the material than the machinery for each cut.

I think a reliable fence is key, and with all the mods you can apply to a table saw this is my preferred option.

I'll have a look out for those brands and see what comes up. The Dewalt was a draw because of the rack and pinion fence.

O.

 

[Alexfn]

i bought the dewalt for the rack and pinion fence, i really cant fault it as a site saw, and if i didnt have to cart it around i think with in feed and out feed tables made for it then it could be a quite good stationary table saw. ive used it to make doors and windows on site, the blade it comes with it not up to much though so budget for a decent blade too

however the dewalt really is built for portability if you are going to be using yours in a workshop then maybe take a look at the axminster ts 200 and 250, ive no experience with either but they have good reviews and it looks like they can be upgraded

 

[Rhossydd]

I've a budget of around £350-£400 for the saw and happy to buy 2nd hand. I know it's not a lot, but this is all I can afford right now. I heard positive things of the Dewalt DW745/744 and some of the Axminster saws. I would like to be able to move the saw about so I'm not sure if a cast iron would suit but open minded.

Axminster often have ex-demo/refurbs of their small table saws (TS200&250) on their eBay outlet. They can easily fit on a wheeled base and be moved around. The additional sliding table is very useful and elevates it above the smaller site saws.
You'll find lots of threads here on fettling them up to a higher standard, but they can be pretty good straight out of the box.

 

[Westwood]

To help a newcomer, what's a "track saw" please :?

 

[Rhossydd]

what's a "track saw" please :?

A hand held circular saw that can fit onto an aluminium track for guidance.
eg https://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Page ... id=561583#]

Good ones don't need the track clamping as the track has a non-slip base. They also have a splinter guard that the user cuts with the saw on first use, so can be used as a pretty accurate guide ever after (or until the splinter guard gets damaged or the blade gets changed).

 

[Mr_P]

I mainly do small stuff so my table saw was a daft idea. Planning on making a load of boxes in the new year and if it doesn't pull its weight its good bye.

It's currently doing a good job as a stand for my wooden jointers.

+1 for Bandsaw

 

[woodpig]

Not sure what the current thinking is these days but in the US they always regarded the Bandsaw as the "King" of saws due to their usefulness. It largely depends on what you're making though as to which is more use. A friend of mine works in a school and whilst they have half a dozen bandsaws, a track saw and a radial saw they refuse to buy a table saw due to the dangers of using one. Not saying they're right just their risk assement precludes them buying one. Just a thought.

 

[Lons]

I mainly do small stuff so my table saw was a daft idea. Planning on making a load of boxes in the new year and if it doesn't pull its weight its good bye.

It's currently doing a good job as a stand for my wooden jointers.

+1 for Bandsaw

the OP isn't that far from you, why not sell it to him? :-D

 

[RogerP]

Not sure what the current thinking is these days but in the US they always regarded the Bandsaw as the "King" of saws due to their usefulness. It largely depends on what you're making though as to which is more use. A friend of mine works in a school and whilst they have half a dozen bandsaws, a track saw and a radial saw they refuse to buy a table saw due to the dangers of using one. Not saying they're right just their risk assement precludes them buying one. Just a thought.

For 20 years prior to my retirement I worked in schools. They all had table saws in their CDT areas. Naturally they were reserved for trained staff only.

 

[xraymtb]

I would think long and hard about what you want to make and also whether you are doing this for yourself as a hobby, or with the aim of doing it as a profession.

Your posts says basic furniture pieces but is this chairs or built in wardrobes? Plywood, pine or exotics? It all plays into your decision as making chairs from oak would benefit from a bandsaw and planer a lot more than a table saw for example.

Also, if this is a hobby then consider hand tools and what can be done efficiently by hand. With a little practice you can crosscut square and true by hand and plane an edge to a better finish than a y saw will give.

My recommendation would be a bandsaw and planer/thicknesser and develop your hand skills to begin with. A table saw could come later but you would be able to do a lot before you ever need one.

 

[Westwood]

Interesting thread, especially as I'm just starting out too. And new to the Forum.
Think my needs are strictly amateur and based around shelf and storage systems, door repairs, some new worktops and simple improvements around my home, and my children's - they're allergic to most DiY. (hammer) I've been amazed recently at the difference using a circular saw with straight cutting jigs makes for me and can finally cut proper straight lines after years of bodging with a panel saw! Don't think I can justify a bandsaw yet but if one comes up second hand I'd be interested . When I seriously consider the things I want to build, I don't think a table saw is for me as it would sit unused for long periods in an uninsulated garage and take up valuable floor space. I think at the moment I can do everything with a circular saw and jigs that I could with a table saw, and would rather invest in a really good quality small saw for joinery such as a Pax or Lee Neilsen - suggestions welcome !

 

[xraymtb]

Interesting thread, especially as I'm just starting out too. And new to the Forum.
Think my needs are strictly amateur and based around shelf and storage systems, door repairs, some new worktops and simple improvements around my home, and my children's - they're allergic to most DiY. (hammer) I've been amazed recently at the difference using a circular saw with straight cutting jigs makes for me and can finally cut proper straight lines after years of bodging with a panel saw! Don't think I can justify a bandsaw yet but if one comes up second hand I'd be interested . When I seriously consider the things I want to build, I don't think a table saw is for me as it would sit unused for long periods in an uninsulated garage and take up valuable floor space. I think at the moment I can do everything with a circular saw and jigs that I could with a table saw, and would rather invest in a really good quality small saw for joinery such as a Pax or Lee Neilsen - suggestions welcome !

Consider the Veritas saws. Not traditional but very good and a fair bit cheaper than some other brands. The carcass saws are good all round joinery saws.