Should I be getting another saw?

[M-Tech]

Hi,

I already have a circular saw and a jig saw and various hand saws.

I started looking at SCMSs, but it seems I need to spend a lot to get something decent and still would not have ability to easily rip long narrow pieces, so thought a table saw is what I need, but then I read a number of people saying a band saw is more use than a table saw. Now I am just confused.

Will be used for general household DIY jobs and making some simple furniture for my home.

Can anyone offer me some advice on what I should be looking for or even talk me out of spending money if what I already have is sufficient for what I want to do.

Many Thanks,

 

[custard]

Table saws are dangerous, band saws less so.

You need to be trained to use a table saw correctly, a band saw is more intuitive so you can get away with learning from You Tube or DVD's.

Good table saws are expensive, yet by some miracle of economics you can get a decent bandsaw for an affordable amount.

Table saws need room, lots of it. Band saws not so much.

BUT...bandsaws aren't great at cross cutting, nor do they shine with man made materials like plywood or MDF.

Personally I think most amateur woodworkers would be better off with a plunge/circular saw that can be operated with a guide rail/track, plus a bandsaw. But that's just one person's view.

 

[Tierney]

Good advice from custard.

It depends on what work you plan to do.

The SCMS is really more of a carpentry tool, so if you have the space for a table saw go for that, obviously you get the benefit of ripping also.

If you don't plan to rip boards (as you would for veneers) and you've got a jigsaw, then I would advise going for a tablesaw.

DT

 

[M-Tech]

Thanks Gents,

I only ever used the jig saw a couple of times, I have done everything so far with a circular saw and hand saws, but I have only been doing basic carpentry really so far.

What will a band saw be able to do that I cannot do with the tools I currently have.

I must admit, apart from long cuts in narrow pieces of wood, I have not yet come across anything that I cannot do, although I suspect other tools would make some of the jobs easier.

Regarding track saws - do they offer anything over circular saw and a cutting guide?

And where do radial arm saws fit into it all?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Thanks Gents,

I only ever used the jig saw a couple of times, I have done everything so far with a circular saw and hand saws, but I have only been doing basic carpentry really so far.

What will a band saw be able to do that I cannot do with the tools I currently have. In theory a bandsaw is the big Daddy to the jigsaw as the primary machine tool for radius cutting but its capacities are much greater, its more accurate. It can process green timber and re-saw wide boards to convert thicker to thinner and generally allow you to do more awkward cuts than any other machine tool. It's my favourite machine tool because of its versatility.
I must admit, apart from long cuts in narrow pieces of wood, I have not yet come across anything that I cannot do, although I suspect other tools would make some of the jobs easier. A Bandsaw will easily accomplish long rip cuts in thin stock. To the degree of veneer level thickness if required
Regarding track saws - do they offer anything over circular saw and a cutting guide? Less setup fuss though not a huge amount unless you have a dedicated clamping table like the Festool MFT/3 or similar. Their plunge depth setting is more accurate and easy to set.
And where do radial arm saws fit into it all? Basically they're a more versatile equivalent of a chopsaw but again with greater capacity. I wouldn't be without my Dewalt sliding mitre saw but I can definitely live without a RAS. For a non professional I can't personally see any need for a RAS.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Tierney]

I think RAS are out of fashion. They were invented before the chop saw and had the ability to do other tasks like spindle moulding; however, even our friends across the pond think RAS are dangerous.

 

[fluffflinger]

You can get alot from your circular saw with a simple edge guide (great for sheet goods).

I would vote for a bandsaw. Not only can you rip with it you can do a ton of other things from cut up logs for the fire, to tenons and dovetails (just not with the same blade).

Bandsaw is nowhere near as scary to use and it's footprint is pretty small.

A simple chop saw is good for dimensioning things and really unless you are going to spend alot of money you probably won't end up with a decent SCMS.

 

[devonwoody]

Honestly, to have both is best.

Jigs for T.Saw.

Depth of wood needs B.saws.

 

[busy builder]

I'll throw another into the mix, just to be devil ;-)

http://www.fein-uk.co.uk/en_uk/?gclid=C ... tAodIwcAaA

 

[Yetty]

Some table saws use quite a bit of space, what is the size of your workshop?

I've only a smallish workshop (single garage), and tried a table saw but found it a little large. Now use Bandsaw for ripping, Rail saw for all sheet work.

 

[DiscoStu]

I've recently bought both and used both.

Bandsaw is great for curved work and ripping / resawing boards. Doesn't take up much space.


Table saw is great for sheets and is much quicker to use than a rail and saw, especially if you need to do repeat cuts. I also have the sliding table which is great for cross cuts of any length.

A bandsaw is restrictive for cross cuts.


The table saw does take up a lot of room. I bought a mobile base for it because I needed to move it but I replaced that within 48 hours as two of the wheels were fixed and it wouldn't allow me to push it left to right and forwards and backwards and I really need to do that to get it in and out. I'm currently making a work top for some bench mounted tools and I'm making it tall enough for the table saw to go under, be aware that they do take up space and the larger they are the more useful they are for boards etc.

 

[M-Tech]

I'll throw another into the mix, just to be devil ;-)

I don't have permission to quote you...

Phew - I thought "Oh No, More confusion...", but I do have a Bosch Multi-tool (Although a lot cheaper than the Fein one you linked!).

I use a cutting guide for the circular saw - I have a couple of different sized cross-cut guides, a mitre guide, a long ripping guide and a shorter general purpose straight guide. I have used a Festool Tracksaw and it was great to used, but in effect I used it in the same way as the circular saw, just a bit less faff. I would prefer one, but at the price.. :shock: it will have to wait until my saw dies.

Obviously I would like to have a top of the range SCMS. a big floorstanding band saw and a large cast iron table saw, but, like you Yetty, I am in a single garage and there is other stuff stored in there too, so space is at a premium.

For a table saw, I would be looking at something I can put on wheels and build folding tables around it, so it can be kept against a wall and just pulled out if need to deal with larger items.

What is the quality of cut like on a band saw? I have not used one for a lot of years, but I seem to remember them always cutting a bit rough - is this down to the wrong blade being used? Will more finishing be involved?

Sorry for all the questions, but the more I read the harder I am finding it to make up my mind.

 

[Yetty]

I'll throw another into the mix, just to be devil ;-)

I don't have permission to quote you...

Phew - I thought "Oh No, More confusion...", but I do have a Bosch Multi-tool (Although a lot cheaper than the Fein one you linked!).

I use a cutting guide for the circular saw - I have a couple of different sized cross-cut guides, a mitre guide, a long ripping guide and a shorter general purpose straight guide. I have used a Festool Tracksaw and it was great to used, but in effect I used it in the same way as the circular saw, just a bit less faff. I would prefer one, but at the price.. :shock: it will have to wait until my saw dies.
Someone once said to me, "...I know I'll have one someday, so I might as well have it now..."

Obviously I would like to have a top of the range SCMS. a big floorstanding band saw and a large cast iron table saw, but, like you Yetty, I am in a single garage and there is other stuff stored in there too, so space is at a premium.
Keeping the tool foot-print compact [in a garage] leaves floor area free for working on those bulky non bench projects e.g. kitchen units / bookcase / cupboard projects.

For a table saw, I would be looking at something I can put on wheels and build folding tables around it, so it can be kept against a wall and just pulled out if need to deal with larger items.
Will you be wanting to cut 8x4 sheets on the table saw? In a garage space and working single-handed, this was tricky, both man handling sheet size & weight, also freeing up enough space as quite a bit of area needed.

What is the quality of cut like on a band saw? I have not used one for a lot of years, but I seem to remember them always cutting a bit rough - is this down to the wrong blade being used? Will more finishing be involved?
So far I've only use cheap bandsaw blades using a modest 1HP bandsaw, but even these cuts seem fairly clean to me, requiring just a quickly pass on the P/T. There are definitely better blades, one brand is frequently recommended on this forum.

Sorry for all the questions, but the more I read the harder I am finding it to make up my mind.

 

[Silas Gull]

I'm a big fan of track saws. In our small workshop we have both Festool and DeWalt, using them for ripping and cutting of sheet materials. The 8x4 bench with sacrificial osb surface doubles up as an assembly and general work station. We have overhead dust extraction and 240v supply to make things easier, plus 360 ° walk-around space.
We don't use clamps for the tracks (never had a problem with creep) and just align to pencil marks. Repeat cuts are made by butting track up to a combination square, making allowances for the 2mm kerf as appropriate.
We find this to be a fast and versatile system of working. A table saw WAS on our shopping list, but we don't have the space to accommodate one, and to be honest, couldn't even justify it now.