The table saw is usually the most important tool in a small shop. You could use a bandsaw or a track saw instead of the table saw. In fact, for rip cuts less than 2 inches wide I usually use my bandsaw and then smooth the cut edge with my planer.
I also use my Festool track saw to cut sheet goods like plywood to rough size first. Then I cut them to final dimensions on my table saw. It is much easier than trying to make accurate cuts on large sheets of plywood.
But which table saw to buy? Big and heavy is usually good, if you can afford it. But a good rip fence is also a must have. Without a good fence you cannot get accurate and repeatable cuts. As an aid to anyone contemplating buying a table saw, I'll go through my last four table saw purchases.
But which table saw to buy? Big and heavy is usually good, if you can afford it. But a good rip fence is also a must have. Without a good fence you cannot get accurate and repeatable cuts. As an aid to anyone contemplating buying a table saw, I'll go through my last four table saw purchases.
Many people head to Sears for their first woodworking tool purchase. I was one of them and purchased a middle-grade contractor saw. I really had no idea what to look for in a saw, but this saw satisfied my shelf-making career. The power was adequate, but the fence was realy terrible.
Fine adjustments to the rip fence was made with a light tapping with a small hammer. Do NOT buy a saw with a bad fence.
If you look close at the image to the left, you will see my Craftsman table saw being used as a table. At the time I was in the process of finishing the basement in my new house. When it came time that I needed to use a table saw, I went out and bought a replacement.
If you look close at the image to the left, you will see my Craftsman table saw being used as a table. At the time I was in the process of finishing the basement in my new house. When it came time that I needed to use a table saw, I went out and bought a replacement.
Click the images below to see the other saws I have owned.
