LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Which Saw to Buy?

3K views 25 replies 18 participants last post by  thedude50 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm on the fence about whether I should drop the coin on either a tablesaw or a bandsaw. Budget is usually an issue for me, so I have to buy and save for tools one at a time. But with this, I get a better appreciation for them when I finally get my hands on them :). Any thoughts on which should come first? I already have both, but my bandsaw is a 9" Harbor Freight one and the tablesaw is an off-brand, cheap contractor one.
 
#2 ·
Defiantly start with the table saw. Any size bandsaw is fine for basic curves. Go for a nice used contractor or hybrid saw like grizzly or ridgid off of craigslist. Then, do the same for a Larger bandsaw. I say table saw first because the table saw is one of the most used tools and needs to be 100% accurate which is hard on a cheap contractor saw.
 
#3 ·
You may get different opinions, when you figure out what you are going to focus on making, the choice should be obvious. Consider; if you are making furniture, the table saw would be best. If you were going to make Ink pens, turn them on a lathe, then I would definitely get the best band saw that I can afford at the time. I started with a 14 inch band saw, then gave that to my Son when I found a 17 inch General for 1,000.cash. A 14 inch Grizley may be a consideration. The band saw can rough out blanks for pens but for furniture the surface is too
rough for reasonable completion of most projects. Ok, it still boils down to your choice. Make it when you are ready-pull the trigger.
 
#4 ·
I've been leaning heavily towards the tablesaw anyway, but a bandsaw would be nice for resawing. I'm probably going with the tablesaw, unless I find an amazing deal on a bandsaw… but then again I could probably afford both in that case.
 
#6 ·
With a limited budget, or if space is a concern, give some consideration to the Ryobi with folding stand, sliding right side of table, you can slide the right side out and insert a personally built to fit router "insert". I built one and it is easy to drop in and take out if the larger table is not desired. The Ryobi new runs between 199 and 225 depending on the promotion and sale price at the time. I bought one, had it for 3 years, gave it to my daughter who claimed to "need" one. Then I bought a new one and the fence is good but it is not a beesmeyer. The fence is accurate but care should be taken to make sure you know if it is lined up really straight. With lack of attention the fence can be locked in crooked and that will ruin your cut and spoil a nice cut. Choose wisely it is a tool that will be very useful. Oh and consider using an 8 inch blade, 1/16 inch thick, It will not obviously cut as deeply as a 10 inch blade but the motor will give you more power and if you are only cutting 3/4 inch boards, you will have plenty of blade and more strength from your motor.
 
#7 ·
Hold everything I think i need to know more after a good read of the Anarchist tool chest recommended by Bill I saw Chris say that if your a hand tool guy the top three are a band saw as a hand saw and you already have a table saw so don't jump yet second was not a jointer but a lunch box planer. If you use hand planes I agree with this. As you can joint and flatten with a no 5 or larger. and third a mortising machine. this one i need to think about OK i am done i can buy it. However if you really want a saw I have to ask which one is your weakest link this also means what do you make for example if you make rocking chairs by all means forget the table saw and get the best band saw you can afford . but on the other hand if you primarily make cabinetry and box goods then go with the table saw. You see our advise we give you is secondary to what you know yourself . You know what you want you know what you build. If you are a power tool guy I would live with the lesser tools for a while and I would get a jointer but that is me I can make a cheep saw work I did it for a long time I had a 8 in direct drive saw and a melamine fence that attached to the table i made out of particle board. it got me by it was accurate enough to make the chair parts i needed to make enough money to buy a real table saw and I sold hundreds of Adirondack chairs that were cut out using a delta table top band saw. I worked hard sold lots of chairs and built a nice shop that can make anything along the way i started hoarding hand tools and i still do I like hand tool work less noise more fun but some times i need to get things done fast and machines make milling wood child's play compared to flattening boards with a hand plane so I ask you before you buy what do you make and what is the weakest link in your production.
 
#8 ·
Ok, definitely the tablesaw. I've had models in mind for each saw, so that isn't an issue. Probably going with the Ridgid R4512. That and the Craftsman 21833, and Masterforce 2400036 are all pretty much the same saw, but the Ridgid seems to get better reviews and is $100+ cheaper where I live.
 
#9 ·
I personaly would go table saw before bandsaw.
That is a VERY hard choice. I would saw I use them evenly. However the tablesaw takes the cake for me when doing fine work. I never do anything finished OFF the bandsaw. That being said if you are handtool savvy and dont feel you need the table saw for some of its features and want to try out curved work I MIGHT go the bandsaw route.
But overall I would say tablesaw.
 
#12 ·
This decision should be based on what you want to do and what other tools you have.

For example, if you already had a miter saw and a plunge saw (like Festool's) your need for a table saw is less.

If you already have a good jig saw or scroll saw, your need for a bandsaw is less.

A bandsaw is kind of a "special application" tool. Some people never do anything that requires a bandsaw. Other people use one all the time.

You may want a bandsaw for resawing. My advice- Don't bother with a lightweight, lower powered bandsaw for resawing. I use a 2 hp, 18" bandsaw for resawing and it still goes pretty slow.
 
#16 ·
An inexpensive off-brand contractor saw can be tuned and
jigged-up to do accurate work.

A cheaply made band saw will always frustrate you as you
explore its limits. A good band saw will help expand your
vision of what is possible for you in woodworking.
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
Bert - you are no fun. The point is, somebody's gonna buy a new too!!! The only thing better about getting a new tool yourself is vicariously experiencing someone else getting a new tool. Where's Bertha? where's Neil? They understand the joy of getting a new tool even if it's somebody else. And he's gonna help stimulate the economy!

Of course the topic of the thread is, on its own, silly. Should I get a tablesaw or should I get a bandsaw. Everyone knows that the right answer is to get both, and then get a planer, jointer, router table, drill press, and lathe to keep them company!
 
#18 ·
I am with Greg on this one i like to help people choose and every single thread like this is one of the best things about this site I like to educate people and so do most of you. the fact is nothing beats a new tool except using the new tool in the shop. What i don't dig is we do all this helping at least the author could post a pic of the new toy he got and that would be nirvana
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
Musical instrument Wood Office supplies Pipe Writing implement


So, by now you are the proud owner of your new tool!!!! What did you get? In reference to your first question, the purpose for which you wish to buy another tool should be the first consideration. Example: I make ink pens. Normally, If I did not have a tool, I would go for the band saw because I do not need a finished product when I rough out pen blanks. The band saw will cut bowl blanks, pen blanks and I am happy. But--If I were going to build a cabinet, or a stool to put my feet on, the band saw would help but I would first need a table saw, the band saw could be replaced with a scroll saw, hand held electric thing, or even a coping saw !!! So, the purpose for which you intend to use the tool is probably the first consideration. If you go on Craigslist, most any tool can be found at a reasonable price if that is an issue. I like the post earlier put, just buy all the tools… So, what did you buy? Have you bought it yet?
 

Attachments

#21 ·
I'd buy the plans for Matthias' bandsaw (see woodgears.ca), and build your own. I plan on doing that once I move to a house with more shop space (April). I already bought the plans and, like everything Matthias does, they are top-notch. Read some about his bandsaw versus a cast-iron BS on his site too.
 
#23 ·
It seems like the questioner is perhaps relatively new to woodworking. Even if he is not resawing on a bandsaw is not an easy task for the inexperienced and as said you want to try to get one saw fits all then resawing needs a big sturdy bandsaw.I must therefore encourage you to buy a table or benchsaw. I like the full cabinet models best for purposes of cleaning up wood chips and dust etc.NO to resaw bandsaw until you can get a good sturdy model which is going to be pricey. A cheaper bandsaw is fine for most other bandsaw cuts though , and if you have a tablesaw and then you can buy a cheaper bandsaw for curved cuts etc, or wait until you can buy a better one. Alistair
 
#24 ·
I would say table saw in your situation. Unless you find yourself unable to do a lot of tasks due to the limitations of your bandsaw.

I picked up a cast iron top Craftsman Table Saw from the 1940's-50's for $125 it had three wings and a steel base.
Belt drive 1 horse motor. I changed the blade and dialed it in. if you hunt around on craigslist you can find some deals.. If you were able to find something like this you might be able to afford both units.
 
#25 ·
Kinda forgot about this topic, it's been awhile. Might as well update it since it's resurfaced. I ended up buying a R4512, with no regrets. I evaluated my woodworking situation and it seemed like the best thing to do… the table saw is now the heart of my shop, with the little bandsaw doing any cuts it can't do. I appreciate all of the advice, it definitely helped me make my decision long ago.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top