Circular Saw vs Jobsite Saw

if you’re going to try making cabinets, i think you’d need both. you’d need the circular saw for cutting plywood sheets (probably too unstable for a jobsite saw). then you’d also need a table saw for dado/rabbet cuts. if you’re on too tight of a budget for both, i’d say go for a circular saw, straight edge and a router. it will be a real test of skill with either setup that you mentioned. there will be alot of accuracy issues.

I’d say get less expensive versions of both if money is your limiting factor. If it were me I would do the PCB220 at lowes with a 20% HF coupon for a table saw and then use the other 60 for a circular saw (realistically you can probably get a decent one on CL for less than that)

-- It's made of wood. Real sturdy.--Chubbs Peterson

I started off working on a craftsman jobsite saw. It wasn’t long before I discovered that it wasn’t enough for doing what I wanted to do with larger projects. As I got into bigger projects (building a dresser, cabinets, etc), there were too many moments where there were safety concerns because of the size of the workpiece relative to the size and stability of the saw. Additionally, for cabinetry work, you may find that the cheap jobsite saws are not compatible with the various accessories you will want to use (stacked dado sets, precision miter guages, etc).

I would look for a deal on a more substantial used saw if you plan on doing that kind of work. Just my two cents.

-- Greg, Severn MD

I started woodworking in 2006. I started with a craftsman ts bought new for 149.00. I burned that out in 2009. Bought a delta contractor saw on CL. Then lucked into two new Ridgid TS on clearance. Recently I bought a 9 year old unisaw 3 hp off CL for 400. Now i own and manage a thriving cabinet shop. So based on my experience, something small and inexpensive can get u through many projects, but in the end CL will provide you the best deal for what u are looking for.

-- Jerry Nettrour, San Antonio, www.topqualitycabinets.net

I wouldn’t mind getting a true table saw but I am worried about fitting it in my storage shed. Are there any good models that I might be able to find on CL that can come off the stand or are “modular”?

Ridgid makes a decent full size portable unit. It folds up nicely.

-- Jerry Nettrour, San Antonio, www.topqualitycabinets.net

Don’t be afraid of the 21829. It’s a rebadged Ryobi BT3100 with a few upgrades.
I have an older BT3100 and it cuts straight and true and hasn’t had a problem with anything I’ve thrown at it.

There is a whole forum dedicated to these saws, and once you learn how to use it, you’ll likely as not be one of the converts.

http://www.bt3central.com/

-- Improvise.... Adapt...... Overcome!

I’d go for the best TS you can get.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....