table saw or jigsaw?

[magnus]

Witch is more useful for cabinet making?

[versapak]

jigsaw



A table saw is really only handy for big straight cuts and for angles. It lacks the versatility that a jigsaw has.

[gobuchul74]

Both. Each one has a different use, and neither can do what the other can.

[versapak]

Both. Each one has a different use, and neither can do what the other can.

 


A jigsaw can make ANY cut that a table saw can make. It may just take a little more work. The same can not be said of a table saw making the same cuts as a jigsaw.


That being said... They are different, and the job is easier with BOTH, but if you can only get one, then  jigsaw would be the one I'd recommend going with.

[ericball]

A tablesaw is great for making straight cuts, but with the correct blade it can also do dados, or angle the blade for mitred cuts.

[FractalWalk]

A jigsaw can make ANY cut that a table saw can make.

It is certainly possible to make the same cuts, but it certainly isn't easy.  Try cutting a 3 foot 17 degree bevel with a jigsaw.

The table saw is an essential tool for a woodshop whereas the jigsaw is not as important. But for this hobby, jigsaw may be the better choice.

[versapak]

It is certainly possible to make the same cuts, but it certainly isn't easy.  Try cutting a 3 foot 17 degree bevel with a jigsaw.

The table saw is an essential tool for a woodshop whereas the jigsaw is not as important. But for this hobby, jigsaw may be the better choice.

As the question was asked here, that is what my recommendation reflected.


I agree with you on importance in a general woodshop. I also strongly recommend having em both, as they are really different beasts, and both very handy at what they are intended for. It is never really the best choice to use a tool for a job it isn't intended for, but sometimes $$$ dictate otherwise.

[Xiaou2]

 Jigsaws stink.  The blades bend and cause imperfect edges.

  Most cabs have perfect straight edges.   If you really needed to make a curved cut, you could do it in little sections and sand the rest down. 

  I actually prefer a router w/ rotozip 1/4" bit to cut curves and holes... as its faster and more accurate than a jigsaw.

  My tablesaw is my favorite tool tho.  Use it mare than any tool in the shop.

[fatbasta]

Both are important and useful.
Lets look at cost. 
Jigsaw - $15- $20 (Black&Decker)
Tablesaw - $200 (Sears Craftsman)
My suggestion is, if you're thinking about getting a table saw, spend an extra $20 and get the cheap jigsaw too.

[MoonDog]

A jigsaw can make ANY cut that a table saw can make. It may just take a little more work. The same can not be said of a table saw making the same cuts as a jigsaw.

I'd be interested in seeing how to cut a dado with a jigsaw.   

Jigsaw vs. table saw seems like a odd choice to make due to the price difference.  If you are talking about a cheap table top saw then I wouldn't even bother.  Get a circular saw, a nice long straight piece of angle iron and some c-clamps and you'll be much better off.  With the left over money buy a jigsaw for curved or interior cuts.  I'd also recommend getting a nice carbide tipped blade (like a Freud) for your circular or table saw.

Ideally I would say a good table saw and router would be the best tools, but they are considerably more expensive than a circular saw and jigsaw and are also a lot more dangerous if you don't know how to use them properly.

[NoOne=NBA=]

OK, Moondog tried to cross-post me.

I second his suggestion that if you can afford a table saw, I would suggest spending it on a circular saw and jigsaw instead.
You can make almost all the cuts you need with the circular saw and a saw guide, and can make the rest of them (inside radius cuts, etc...) with the jigsaw.

Unless you invest in alot of handling equipment (roller sawhorses, etc...) you are never going to cut a GOOD long cut on a table saw, and can't do shorter cuts accurately with one because you can't see the blade to guide yourself.

A circular saw CAN do everything a table saw does, and then some.
The reverse is not true.

[paigeoliver]

You can do a whole cab with just a circular saw, IF you design with that in mind. Cabs like Dragon's Lair, Gyruss, and midway cabs are quick and easy with a circular saw.

[versapak]

I'd be interested in seeing how to cut a dado with a jigsaw. 

Yeah I caught that error in my statement after the dado was first mentioned in this thread, but felt it was too late to go back and edit, since surely everyone already saw it.


Between the 2 tools mentioned, I personally would find the jigsaw more useful in this hobby.

What i should have done though is recommended other tools, which in all would be better choices. Such as a circular saw (that can indeed do EVERYTHING a table saw can do) or a router (which can literaly do every cut required in building a cab).

[chrisindfw]

So in your opinion, what would be best to cut out the side panels of the cabinet?

[danny_galaga]

i'm reading the question as meaning which ONE of the two is more useful. personally i think it was more useful to have a jigsaw when i made my cab. if you're not going to get really into cabinet making then the jigsaw is cheaper and more compact and easier to stow away for the NEXT year when you need it again (",)

[FractalWalk]

A circular saw CAN do everything a table saw does, and then some.

I see this statement often and I'd like to throw in a caveat. It's true that give the proper jigs, guides, skills and knowledge a circular saw can make the same cuts as a table saw (although not as neatly).

However, for a beginner, the table saw does a lot that the circular saw doesn't. Bevels and mitres are two difficult things to do with a circular saw, but any noob can do them on a table saw.

I spent $80 on the cheapest table saw I could find and I haven't used my circular saw since (okay maybe once).

[versapak]

So in your opinion, what would be best to cut out the side panels of the cabinet?

I found it easiest to use a circular saw for the side panels and in general the cutting of all the individual pieces out of the 4'x8' MDF (Having to keep rotating that massive piece of wood for cutting on a table saw would have been a nightmare).

I then used a table saw for all the angled cuts for the pieces between the side panels.

A jig saw for the speaker holes and various trimming.

A router for the control panel underside, and for t-molding.

I see this statement often and I'd like to throw in a caveat. It's true that give the proper jigs, guides, skills and knowledge a circular saw can make the same cuts as a table saw (although not as neatly).

However, for a beginner, the table saw does a lot that the circular saw doesn't. Bevels and mitres are two difficult things to do with a circular saw, but any noob can do them on a table saw.

I spent $80 on the cheapest table saw I could find and I haven't used my circular saw since (okay maybe once).

I never said it could do all the same cuts with the same amount of effort. Each tool has its own specialties, and it will perform those taskes better/easier than a tool who's specialties lie elsewhere.

The point of my statement was not to imply that one tool is useless, because another could do the same task, but rather just the simple fact that it CAN be done.

If you have the money to have the right tool for the job, then that is the tool you should be using. If you don't have the money for the right tool, then you can manage with other tools. Some tools are more versitile than others, and if your collection of tools is to be limited, than I suggest making sure it is the more versitile tools in it.

[magnus]

it seems that a router is undoubtly by most opinions the most useful cutting tool.

im trying to figure out what i should get to go with it. right now i only plan on using it for a showcase cab. my other problem is the fact that im in a wheelchair and im pretty much afriad to use circulars saws for fear i might mistakenly saw into my legs. actually im kinda beginning to reconsider this whole thing cuz most sawing seems to require being in a upright position..... its probably to difficult trying to cut from a chair. such a akward position.....

[clanggedin]

I built my last cab with just a Jigsaw. I would recommend getting a router to your collection. I just picked up mine last night. Can't wait to use it.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I spent $80 on the cheapest table saw I could find and I haven't used my circular saw since (okay maybe once).

Have you done any FULL cabinet work since you got it, or just CP work?

There is no way I could have cut the sides of my cab with only a table saw.

[FractalWalk]

Have you done any FULL cabinet work since you got it, or just CP work?  There is no way I could have cut the sides of my cab with only a table saw.

I agree. I just used it on my CP. I cut my side panels with a jig saw and router.  Around the house I use the table for just about every cut I make.  I literally have not used my circular saw since getting my table saw.

But as versapak said, it's about the right tool for the right job. I'm not promoting the table saw as the end-all be-all but many comments on this board make it seem like you can replace a table saw with a circular saw and that isn't true.  In fact in my experience the opposite has been true.

For this hobby, I agree that a circular saw is more useful, but for general woodworking the table saw is indispensable.

[NoOne=NBA=]

My biggest complaint about jigsaws in general is that it is almost impossible to keep the blade from deflecting, and giving you a bevel cut.

This almost FORCES you to have either a router, or spindle sander, to clean up the mess you make.

I use my table saw for all the middle pieces, and CP parts, and wouldn't trade it for the world.
(Actually, I WOULD, and hopefully WILL, be trading it soon for a bigger one, but...)

I've also got a worm-drive Craftsman circular saw, and WOULDN'T trade that one.