Table saw purchase or not..?

[stevebuk]

hi
after building a cigar box quite sucessfully, i have been asked if i could make a chess set and board.

Now i have a chess set template for the scroll saw i use but to make the board i really need to cut the wood as square and straight as possible, but i am not sure if my Record BS250 bandsaw is up to the job, and was thinking DO I NEED a table saw.

Now without wishing to break the bank, if you think i need a table saw which one do i need, would for example this be ok, or would i need better.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... hop-saws-2

thanks for any input..

 

[Paul Chapman]

I would have thought a far cheaper (and probably more accurate) option would be to cut the pieces roughly to size on your bandsaw and finish them with a hand plane on a shooting board.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

I'd say your bandsaw could do a better job than that clarke table saw. For a chess set I honestly wouldn't look any further than the bandsaw. I can cut perfectly straight lines on mine (just been doing some joints for window frames with mine). I actually find that for smaller pieces of wood the bandsaw is better. Maybe it's because I haven't made the jigs for the table saw but I just don't like small bits of wood on the ts.

The main problem with the cheaper table saws is that they use brushed motors. These are extremely noisy and the cheaper ones won't have soft start (really scary when it starts).

Just my view,

Dave

 

[OLD]

A power mitre saw with a good fine blade and hold down jigs for the small parts should give minimal final fitting.

 

[DaveL]

I will second Dusty Daves comments about these cheap table saws, I had one from B&Q, many years ago, gave it away when I got the Wadkin.

I think you would do better to get a nice high quality blade for the bandsaw and make a shooting board if you don't have one.

 

[wizer]

Don't bother Steve. The small Axminster TS200 is the best entry level TS and even that has issues. I can't see it ever fitting in comfortably in your cabin either.

 

[stevebuk]

thanks guys, i think a good blade on my bandsaw and try and find a template for a shooting board (whatever that is), or maybe use my Planer thicknesser.

 

[Steve Maskery]

There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get your little bandsaw set up well enough to do a job like that. My friend-next-door has a little Inca which is about the same size and he cuts very precisely with that.

For such small wheels, though, I recommend a thin-kerf flexi-back blade like the Woodpecker. It's thin, so you should be able to tension it properly even on a small saw, and being very flexible means that it will go round the small wheels without any problems.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Paul Chapman]

try and find a template for a shooting board (whatever that is)

They are very easy to make, Steve. Here are two options. The first involves routing a slot to take a wedge-shaped fence. The advantage of this style is that if the end of the fence gets planed away you can just knock it out, take a shaving off the sloping side, knock it back in and plane up the end again

Another (probably simpler) type uses a fence fitted with countersunk machine screws, washers and nuts. If you make one or both holes slightly oversize, that allows adjustment to get the fence dead square. These two were for 45 degree shooting but you could use the same method for 90 degree shooting

Also, have a look at Alf's excellent piece on shooting boards http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/rocketscience.html

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Chems]

I have that exact table saw in Titan brand. It is rubbish but is also very good for what I paid. I can't wait for the day it gets replaced by a huge lump of Cast iron thou.

 

[stevebuk]

oh god NO! dont tell me i have got to start buying hand planes as well :wink:
I dont want to join in the mass debates about LN or whoever the other one is, i just want to make stuff. :lol:

 

[wizer]

you don't have to go crazy Steve. But a couple of hand planes are essential. I'd recommend one of these:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=724789

Very versatile, great smoothing plane for taming unruly wood and you can use it on a shooting board. If I could keep one plane, it'd be this.

 

[Haldane]

A different Approach?

Got a very nice book on pyrography for christmas by Daniel Wright
On of the projects is a chessboard. The design has been burnt onto a piece of waney edge timber very affective

Cheers
Dave

 

[stevebuk]

A different Approach?

Got a very nice book on pyrography for christmas by Daniel Wright
On of the projects is a chessboard. The design has been burnt onto a piece of waney edge timber very affective

Cheers
Dave

hmm, i actually do pyrography but not sure if this would look quite right though.

 

[stevebuk]

you don't have to go crazy Steve. But a couple of hand planes are essential. I'd recommend one of these:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=724789

Very versatile, great smoothing plane for taming unruly wood and you can use it on a shooting board. If I could keep one plane, it'd be this.

HOW MUCH, for a hand plane, i want a real plane for that, think i will use my P/T instead. :lol:

 

[stevebuk]

many thanks for the pictures of how to make to a shooting board, i think i will give it a try, and maybe get a cheaper plane, eh Tom.. :wink:

 

[jimi43]

From experience I would say that cheap table saws are rubbish also and potentially dangerous as the fence may not be up to the job. I was actually frightened using mine. I too would stick with the bandsaw with a nice blade unless you are prepared to fork out for a decent tablesaw...there are plenty of threads here to discuss which one then!

My friend-next-door has a little Inca which is about the same size and he cuts very precisely with that.

I would LOVE one of those INCAs and will constantly be on the lookout for one. My little INCA table saw is a darling!

Now THERE's a thought Steve...for small precise jobs...superb machine.

Jim