Should I Get A Table Saw Or A Miter Saw?

[Hoopz]

I guess the point I'm trying to make is everyone needs to drop the sarcastic safety issue.

I don't think anyone was being sarcastic about safety.   

[ChadTower]

I was, mostly out of frustration that the guy isn't listening.  My message was still strongly in the "please don't get yourself killed" direction but there was sarcasm in there.  It was either that or just give up.

[ScottS]

Now if you were going to get a large power tool that might help you in some way, I would go with a radial arm saw. It can rip, cut, compound miter, rabbet, etc.

You realize that the only woodshop tool more dangerous than a table saw is a radial arm saw, right? There's a reason they've largely been replaced by sliding compound miter saws: safety! I, personally, wouldn't consider buying one...

[shardian]

Now if you were going to get a large power tool that might help you in some way, I would go with a radial arm saw. It can rip, cut, compound miter, rabbet, etc.

You realize that the only woodshop tool more dangerous than a table saw is a radial arm saw, right? There's a reason they've largely been replaced by sliding compound miter saws: safety! I, personally, wouldn't consider buying one...

I grew up using a radial arm saw. My dad had me doing simple woodworking projects which I sold at craft fairs. I found that saw to be almost dummy proof...even as a kid. You almost never get closer than a foot or two to the blade. Compare that to a circular saw in which you are right next to at all times. It is WAY easier to be injured by a circular saw than a radial arm saw.

[fjl]

I am planning to do woodworking as a hobby which is why I will get the table saw. I'm planning to buy it this weekend.

As for a radial saw, those things are huge and bulky. I don't think they make one that is portable. The table saw I plan to get wil be portable. I don't have a big garage to work in so I work outside. This is why I need a table saw that I can easily store on rainy days. The Dewalt Dw745 looks good for this. But the Bosch 4100 is really catching my eye.

[shardian]

I don't think they make one that is portable.

They aren't portable in a sense of "take it with you", but I have seen a kit that allows you to add a base that raises it up on wheels with the press of a foot lever. My dad was gonna put all of his large tools on those things so he could transport them from his secure garage to his closed in carport easily.

[ark_ader]

I build all my projects with hand saws.  I used to be really impatient and wantingthe best cut in the shortest of time.  Now I relish the time it takes to cut the wood.  Its really soothing and I have my attention 100% on the wood and how the cut is going.

I would just love to splash out on a circular saw or a router, but my small cabs (and my big ones too) were crafted with hand saws.  I just started to get working with more hand tools like drills.

I admit I do not make as many mistakes now with my technique, but I echo the tips to get the proper training on the tools and the teaching on how to work wood.

My family has a long tradition with working with wood, including my great uncle who was a wooden ship builder.  I think of nothing to spend hours working away on my small submini cabs. 

But I find one thing is essential in all practices of wood working.  You need a great deal of patience. 

[ratzz]

I build all my projects with hand saws. 

I'd love to see some of your cabs / projects.

Any project links?

Ratzz

[ark_ader]

Yeah let me find one.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=66037.0

That one was fun and the other two are getting better.

I have a sub Mini Dragon's Lair machine I'm still goofing with and an Funai Esh's Aurunmilla in progress, which will be going next to it.

Simple cuts to begin with but I'm still learning to measure once, twice and once again, as I hate sanding.

Getting back to basics is real fun. 

I just need a week off.....

[xar256]

I haven't seen anybody mention this yet, but why not consider making yourself a Sawboard(As listed in the stickies at the top of the forum)?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=43568.0

It truly adds a new level of versatility to your circular saw and is the next best thing to a table saw.  Until my garage is built, and I have a place to store a table saw, I have been and will continue to use mine.  It sure makes a world of difference when making straight cuts, and helps out with that little blade kerf issue.

[ratzz]

Yeah let me find one.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=66037.0

That one was fun and the other two are getting better.

I have a sub Mini Dragon's Lair machine I'm still goofing with and an Funai Esh's Aurunmilla in progress, which will be going next to it.

Simple cuts to begin with but I'm still learning to measure once, twice and once again, as I hate sanding.

Getting back to basics is real fun. 

I just need a week off.....

That is a great little cab, and if anything efjayel should start with a small project like on of your sub-mini cabs to build confidence and skills. They may not turn out as nice as yours, but when he finally builds a larger cab, he will be able to transfer the skills.

Nice cab, ark_ader   

[ChadTower]

It truly adds a new level of versatility to your circular saw and is the next best thing to a table saw.  Until my garage is built, and I have a place to store a table saw, I have been and will continue to use mine.  It sure makes a world of difference when making straight cuts, and helps out with that little blade kerf issue.

It's better than a tablesaw for cutting panels... far better.  Doesn't help with much of the other stuff a tablesaw can do.

[sstorkel]

It's better than a tablesaw for cutting panels... far better.  Doesn't help with much of the other stuff a tablesaw can do.

Just about anything you can do with a table saw can also be done with a sawboard... it just takes longer to setup. Beveled cuts and angled cuts are certainly possible. Of course grooves, dadoes, rabbets, etc. would be handled by a router. Cuts that require jigs (e.g. tenon cheek cuts) are about the only thing you couldn't do, but again most of those could be handled by a router.

[ChadTower]

Could be, yes, but I wouldn't want to try doing things like ripping a bunch of small boards with a circular saw.  It's a safety matter more than anything else.  The tablesaw is safer when used properly for small pieces. 

[sstorkel]

Could be, yes, but I wouldn't want to try doing things like ripping a bunch of small boards with a circular saw.  It's a safety matter more than anything else.  The tablesaw is safer when used properly for small pieces.

Ripping small pieces can be done safely with a circular saw, you just need to build the appropriate jig/fixture. Ripping small pieces on a table saw is actually difficult to do safely. The MicroJig GRR-Ripper system is really the only thing I've seen that makes narrow rips safe... and given the cost my guess is that most people on this board don't own one.

[ChadTower]

Ripping small pieces can be done safely with a circular saw, you just need to build the appropriate jig/fixture.

Do you really think this guy is going to have the appropriate fixture?  The best he's going to get will be the safety guard of a tablesaw and I'd lay odds that he's the guy who pulls that off first use and never uses it again.

[fjl]

I haven't seen anybody mention this yet, but why not consider making yourself a Sawboard?
It truly adds a new level of versatility to your circular saw and is the next best thing to a table saw.  Until my garage is built, and I have a place to store a table saw, I have been and will continue to use mine.  It sure makes a world of difference when making straight cuts, and helps out with that little blade kerf issue.

I have a saw table. Both for my circular saw and my jigsaw. While my saw tables have done their share of cuts, a lot leaves to be desired when it comes to accuracy. I can do mostly straight cuts with the table saw but once you go off just a hair, it can ruin a whole part cause the blade will continue to cut in that direction making it worse as you cut. And once you have like 1/16th of extra wood, it's hard to cut that off. And when you move in the opposite direction, the cut comes out wrong and you end up with a scrap piece of wood.

My saw table is nice for making anything that could have a low tolerance of accuracy. But for high accuracy nothing beats a good table saw. Oh and I'm going to buy one. And I'm sure this will make most you bang your head on the wall,
 
but I'm getting me the Bosch 4100 model. It's a $500 portable table saw. So yeah, not only am I getting one, but a really expensive one without so much as being thought how to use it.
 

I just got a new credit card with no APR for the next 6 months. I'll have it payed off before I get any interest on it. Actually I have enough money to pay for it now but nah.

Do you really think this guy is going to have the appropriate fixture?  The best he's going to get will be the safety guard of a tablesaw and I'd lay odds that he's the guy who pulls that off first use and never uses it again.

You sure like to give me a lot of credit don't you? 
Don't worry, I'll post pics of my chopped off finger when it happens.

[sstorkel]

But for high accuracy nothing beats a good table saw.

If you can't make accurate cuts with a circular saw and a saw board, my guess is you'll have trouble being any more accurate with a table saw. Especially a bench-top saw. Granted, the Bosch is one of the better ones, but it's really not designed for the type of accuracy/capacity needed for cabinet construction. For that, you need a contractor's saw at a minimum. The Ridgid TS3650 is very nice and it's actually less expensive than the Bosch bench-top saw you're considering...

[fjl]

So I suck with my circular saw, why is that funny? Does a brain surgeon also laugh at me cause I don't have hands as steady as his? Besides, the fence guide does most of the accuracy work. That's easier for anybody.

I read the reviews for that Ridgid table saw. They seem to be less than stellar.

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000BHNAJK/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt/002-7880405-7867263?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

The Bosch 4000 seems to have more popularity. I'm getting the later version 4100 which is basically an upgrade of the 4000.

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000BHNAJK/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt/002-7880405-7867263?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[sstorkel]

So I suck with my circular saw, why is that funny? Does a brain surgeon also laugh at me cause I don't have hands as steady as his? Besides, the fence guide does most of the accuracy work. That's easier for anybody.

The fence is only accurate if you adjust it to be accurate, along with the rest of the saw, and if you know how to use it properly... Sounds like you don't know how to do either. The fences on bench-top saws tend to be flimsy when compared to a "real" table saw. Just pushing the wood against the fence can cause it to deflect 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch on some bench-top saws.

I read the reviews for that Ridgid table saw. They seem to be less than stellar.

Are you sure you read the reviews for the Ridgid TS3650? Because you posted a link to some random Jet brand saw. The saw you linked to was not the saw I was suggesting. The Ridgid TS3650 is available only at The Home Depot. If you want reviews, you're going to have to read a magazine or visit an on-line woodworking forum, not Amazon.com. Given that Fine Woodworking, Wood, and Popular Woodworking all rated the Ridgid TS3650 as either the #1 or #2 contractor's saw in their tests, my guess is that it works pretty well... I'd buy it over the Bosch 4000 or 4100.

Realistically, you should probably stick with the Bosch. The lack of power and its riving knife will hopefully prevent you from killing yourself or someone else.

[ark_ader]

Table saws scare me.  I used one in woodshop in High School in the US, and I did get a kick back and it sure did hurt. I can still see the scar.

 I know of a hobbyist cabinet maker who lives locally and he volunteered to do my cuts for me, until told me how much he charged.....

That is why I use hand saws.  You are in control, your wood is clamped and if you take your time and have patience you will get a good result.  Yes I work on small projects, but if I wanted to increase my scale I would want some tutorledge from someone who is professional.  In the US you can go to home depot and they will show you, over in the UK we have B&Q and they will show you zilch.  So the only option is to hire someone, get a good book, or go to school.

Table saws with a novice is an accident waiting to happen.  You can go in the garage with good intentions and 10 digits and come out with an arm missing.  If it is so important to work a table saw, please get some help first, and learn the safety procedures and get a kill switch handy in case your cut goes airborne.

[fjl]

Just pushing the wood against the fence can cause it to deflect 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch on some bench-top saws.

That must be some real "flimsy" made table saws like the ones that Home Depot sells for like $99 bucks.

Are you sure you read the reviews for the Ridgid TS3650? Because you posted a link to some random Jet brand saw.

huh, wrong link then...

[Hoopz]

I know of a hobbyist cabinet maker who lives locally and he volunteered to do my cuts for me, until told me how much he charged.....

Seems like he needs to look up the definition of volunteer. 

When I volunteer, there is no cost.  When someone volunteers to help me, there is no fee. 

Well, excluding beer, of course.

[bigh4th]

efjayel,

Although there is a lot of joshing going on in this thread, I think I speak for everyone when I say that no one wants to see you get hurt by using a saw.  There are so many small things that if not done correctly, can cause loss of digits, limbs, or even your life, its not possible to "pick it up and go" in an afternoon, even with a teacher.

For instance:



Without looking at the comments, can you identify what this fellow is doing wrong?  Excluding starting the motor up (which is also an accident waiting to happen), I can count 8 issues.

And please don't take this as me or anyone else being cocky.  we're just trying to make sure you don't hurt yourself.

-Harry

[fjl]

I understand.

And that dude on the vid was definitely crazy. I would never do anything like that. I was just waiting for something bad to happen.

By the way, I already bought my table saw. Just have to wait till they ship it. Should get it sometime next week.

So what's the most danger about the table saw besides the blade? The kick back? Should I wear a football helmet when first trying it out?

Where's some vids on using this thing properly?

[ChadTower]

Oh my god... on top of all the risk to himself he had his daughter in direct line with the kickback...

[ratzz]

[Kaytrim]

Where's some vids on using this thing properly?

Try this site out. http://thewoodwhisperer.com/  Then if you are real serious about woodworking spend some time here, I do. http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

[fjl]

so fake. But don't worry, I'll provide a real video of me cutting my finger off once I get my table saw.

Thanks for those links Kaytrim.

[fjl]

Okay so I got my table saw and I must say that it kicks ass!
I spent the whole day today just fiddling with it and making cuts. It's so easy and convenient. Not to mention the accuracy. I've been making jigs and trying out online tips on using it. I don't know how I ever got along with out a table saw. It's heaven sent!
 

I see what people mean when they say it can be dangerous. That much is true but it seems its only a danger if used improperly. I took all precautions when using it. This is a really usefull tool. Everyone should get a table saw. 

[ChadTower]

A tablesaw is always dangerous.  Don't be foolish and think that the guard and knives (if there) make it otherwise.  They only give you the opportunity to use it in a safer manner.

[bfauska]

Glad to hear it's going well.  If you're using it properly it should give you great results safely.  I still wish, for your sake, that you would at least find somebody who's extensively used a table saw in the past to give you an in-person rundown of the safest ways to use it.

Congratulations on the unsatisfying purchase, and good luck with your projects.

[fjl]

I watched some videos on safety practices and the correct ways of using the table saw. Either way, thanks.