Setting Up Shop

[Crazy Cooter]

Regarding Table Saws:

IMO don't bother until you can get one that allows you to cut kitchen cabinets.  Home Depot has a portable contractors saw:

Ridgid
Heavy Duty 10 In. Portable Table Saw with Stand
Model TS2400LS
Internet/Catalog # 165533
Store SKU # 428833
$499.99

It's the only one they carry that i know of that will cut a 24" panel with the fence.  That way you can handle 4'x8' sheets.  Any other table saw will be limited to what you can cut.

[[derek]]

wow everyone disses the table saw I love mine. I use it all the time.  I have a cheapie ~250-300 craftsman model. Acts as a great portable work table, it's light enough for me to haul around the house  (I purchased it to install some laminating flooring). It's fantastic for clamping stuff too (control panels for instance).

Perfect height for putting a compound mitre saw (another essential tool in my book, especially if you are making frames).

another suggestion I would have, in addition to a powerful cordless drill - a nice corded drill. Having a second drill handy is helpful beyond belief; doesn't run out of juice, and saves time from swapping lots of bits.

my 2 cents,

-derek

[javeryh]

I'm a little wary about buying a table saw - I'm a beginning woodworker so I don't want to spend a lot if I might not enjoy the hobby but if I don't spend enough the crappy tool might be the very reason I don't like it.  $500 is a lot of money...

[FractalWalk]

IMO don't bother until you can get one that allows you to cut kitchen cabinets.

I've also seen comments like don't spend less than $500 for a table saw, but it really depends on what you are going to use it for.

I bought the lowest end possible table saw (about $80) and I use it all the time. I just used it this week to custom cut my own window sills to replace rotted wood around 4 windows. I couldn't have done the job without it and I didn't need anything more expensive to do it.

Of course I can't use it for big projects or cabinet making but then again, I'm not planning on making any cabinets.

[DF]

Wow - this forum rules.  Thanks for all the responses!  OK so the essential tools to get are a router, circular saw and a jigsaw.  How does a circular saw make those long straight cuts?  I don't think I can make it perfect free hand...

Snap a chalkline and follow the resulting line. It isn't as difficult as you think it is!

[pointdablame]

Wow - this forum rules.  Thanks for all the responses!  OK so the essential tools to get are a router, circular saw and a jigsaw.  How does a circular saw make those long straight cuts?  I don't think I can make it perfect free hand...

Snap a chalkline and follow the resulting line. It isn't as difficult as you think it is!

You'd be much better off with a straightedge than a chalk line.  Use a piece of metal, or scrap wood, and clamp it down near the line.

[DF]

You'd be much better off with a straightedge than a chalk line.  Use a piece of metal, or scrap wood, and clamp it down near the line.

Meh. I don't have any problems with the chalkline. Different strokes for different folks.