Table saw: This one good enough for wood/MDF control panel work?

[GaryMcT]

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100058430

Any suggestions in a similar price range ($100-$200)?

[ChadTower]

Should be fine, just don't try to cut whole sheets with it. 

[GaryMcT]

Cool.  Can use 4x4 sheets or at least use a jigsaw to get down to roughly the size I need.

[smalltownguy]

I wouldn't bother with a table saw. I've got a smaller one, and I don't use it much. Use your jig saw (if you've already got one) for cutting, and if you need straight lines, clamp a straight 2x4 down for an edge guide. Spend your money on a router & use a flush cutting bit to clean up your edges.

For that matter, a cutter bit on the router will do just as good a job as the jig saw will.

Here's a router that will work nicely.

You'll get much more use out of the router for CP work, trust me.

[GaryMcT]

I wouldn't bother with a table saw. I've got a smaller one, and I don't use it much. Use your jig saw (if you've already got one) for cutting, and if you need straight lines, clamp a straight 2x4 down for an edge guide. Spend your money on a router & use a flush cutting bit to clean up your edges.

For that matter, a cutter bit on the router will do just as good a job as the jig saw will.

Here's a router that will work nicely.

You'll get much more use out of the router for CP work, trust me.

I tried clamping an MDF board down as a straight edge with the jigsaw that I have and it slipped.  It was clamped pretty strongly too.  Any tips?  I already have a router and a jigsaw.

[javeryh]

I wouldn't bother with a table saw. I've got a smaller one, and I don't use it much. Use your jig saw (if you've already got one) for cutting, and if you need straight lines, clamp a straight 2x4 down for an edge guide. Spend your money on a router & use a flush cutting bit to clean up your edges.

I agree with this 100%.  I rarely use my table saw for arcade related work.  Straight edge and pattern bit is the way to go - definitely.

I tried clamping an MDF board down as a straight edge with the jigsaw that I have and it slipped.  It was clamped pretty strongly too.  Any tips?  I already have a router and a jigsaw.

Jigsaws aren't meant for that.  You will never get a straight line that way.  A circular saw and sawboard will work but since you already have a router just spend the $20 and get a pattern/flush bit and you will be all set.  Once you get the hang of making cuts like this you won't even have to draw lines on your workpiece - just mark the two endpoints, clamp the straight edge and cut.  You can make lots of perfectly straight cuts in a short period of time.  I can't recommend this method enough.

[smalltownguy]

Insert some anti slip matting in between your pieces, and they won't move.





Or you can use double sided tape.

[GaryMcT]

Thanks guys!

I already have a 1/2" flush trim and a 3/4" pattern bit (bought them after reading this: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=90467.0

I think I have some antislip matting already. . is that the same stuff that that is made for standing on in a shop?  If so, I have some of that already.

[javeryh]

Check it out - this is from the last control panel I built (I used an original to make an exact copy but you can use a straight edge or whatever to achieve the same results).

Rough cut after layout (just leave 1/8" or so to remove with the router):



Double sided tape to secure the old control panel to the MDF and then cut the exact shape out using my router and a pattern cutting bit (no clamps required!):



Router in action (sort of - I'm not taking this picture with the router bit spinning!):



I'm using a flush bit (ball bearing on the bottom) because my pattern bit (ball bearing on top) broke but the principle is the same.  You can see the old control panel sitting underneath the MDF I was cutting.   

[smalltownguy]

Yes, that's the same stuff.

Word to the wise, though: keep your anti slip matting sealed in a plastic bag. Sawdust doesn't really do nice things to it. Imagine the look on my face when I have to stop my project to WASH my matting *grrr*

[GaryMcT]

Yes, that's the same stuff.

Word to the wise, though: keep your anti slip matting sealed in a plastic bag. Sawdust doesn't really do nice things to it. Imagine the look on my face when I have to stop my project to WASH my matting *grrr*

Sealed in a plastic bag while using it?  I'm confused.

Oh man, can't wait to get back to this stuff.   Good to know that I already have all the tools that I need.

[smalltownguy]

Yes, that's the same stuff.

Word to the wise, though: keep your anti slip matting sealed in a plastic bag. Sawdust doesn't really do nice things to it. Imagine the look on my face when I have to stop my project to WASH my matting *grrr*

Sealed in a plastic bag while using it?  I'm confused.

Oh man, can't wait to get back to this stuff.   Good to know that I already have all the tools that I need.

Ummmm....yeah. Keep it sealed when you're NOT using it.   

[GaryMcT]

Yes, that's the same stuff.

Word to the wise, though: keep your anti slip matting sealed in a plastic bag. Sawdust doesn't really do nice things to it. Imagine the look on my face when I have to stop my project to WASH my matting *grrr*

Sealed in a plastic bag while using it?  I'm confused.

Oh man, can't wait to get back to this stuff.   Good to know that I already have all the tools that I need.

Ummmm....yeah. Keep it sealed when you're NOT using it.   

HAHAHA!  I thought that sounded a bit silly.  Thanks again for the help guys.  Really, I'm much better at software.

[mvsfan]

Yes, that's the same stuff.

Word to the wise, though: keep your anti slip matting sealed in a plastic bag. Sawdust doesn't really do nice things to it. Imagine the look on my face when I have to stop my project to WASH my matting *grrr*

Sealed in a plastic bag while using it?  I'm confused.

Oh man, can't wait to get back to this stuff.   Good to know that I already have all the tools that I need.

Ummmm....yeah. Keep it sealed when you're NOT using it.   

HAHAHA!  I thought that sounded a bit silly.  Thanks again for the help guys.  Really, I'm much better at software.

yeah i stopped Sawing or routing anything in the workshop. too much of a mess to clean up. it gets in everything.

I take all my woodworking tools and set them outside in the grass on those plastic fold up picnic tables.

[mvsfan]

if i have a project that requires a weekend to make all the cuts, ill cover the two tables with tarps and leave them there till im done.

[mvsfan]

oh, and i do realize some of you depending where you are leave anything outside its gone the next day so yeah you do need to take that into consideration.

[Paul Olson]

I agree with the consensus here; save your money. I use my table saw a lot, but it is a luxury item, not a necessity. Using the one you linked to would not be a luxury at all. Down the road, if you can invest $600 - $1000 or more, you can get a TS that will be very accurate, productive, and pleasant to use. I originally spent $400 on mine, and put another $450 in upgrades before I actually liked using it. I wish I would have just bought a good one to begin with. Of course, I have had it for a number of years. With my current budget, I wouldn't even think about it. The router is definitely the best bang for your buck for arcade stuff though.

[Fitznab]

Total noob here.  So a using a flush trim bit to cut 8' would be ok?

[Paul Olson]

It would probably do it if you took your time, but I would rough cut it pretty close to what you want first. Home Depot and Lowes will both make 2 free cuts per sheet on their panel saw. Great for a rough cut to size.

[Bender]

I have a slightly different opinion
I love my router and the flush trim bit, but for just cutting straight lines, setting up the router is a bit much and very slow

I love my table saw...  but those little contractor saws are useless

But even with a 54" table saw I don't like cross cutting a full sheet on there so I use a small old circular saw that mounts to a 50" straight edge clamp, runs in a track, so it works perfect every time and takes up almost no space
used it exclusively for years before I had space for the table saw


http://www.amazon.com/50-PRO-GRIP-STRAIGHT-EDGE-CLAMP/dp/B0013GJ4Y8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1248749887&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Peachtree-Woodworking-PRO-GRIP-SAW-PLATE/dp/B0013GH094/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1248750075&sr=1-12
I like this brand cause it has a zero clearance base

so for $60  your way better off (if you already have a circular saw)
still under $100 if you don't

[miles2912]

A cheap circular saw and this thread are your friend.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=43568.0

A table saw is overkill and not needed.  I used a cheap folding table and some clamps to do most of my cutting.

[GaryMcT]

Awesome. . thanks.  Bookmarked!

[ChadTower]

I agree fully that the tablesaw is an unnecessary luxury here but don't go too cheap on that circular saw.  Anything less than a Black and Decker is probably more dangerous than it's worth.

[GaryMcT]

Thanks for the info.  I'm going to try to stick with a jigsaw for rough cuts and the router for final stuff along with a clamped straight edge and some antislip material.  I don't have a circular saw yet, so I'm going to try to avoid it for now.

[orion]

I own that particular table saw. As mentioned before you can't really cut large pieces on it with out cutting them down first. I would have to say that for the money, it's pretty decent.