Beginning woodworker in need of tool advice...

Knowing your budget and shop situation would be helpful.
Table Saws

Welcome to Lumberjocks!

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

Shop is a small corner in a 2-car garage – basically tear down after I’m done using anything. I’d like to keep the purchase at 500- or less for the saw cause I also need a compressor and other smaller tools. Thanks for any advice you can provide.

DrewT . ..Knotscott provided some good info in the link in his post…check it out. I’m not advocating Ridgid, but their R4512 table saws fits your $500 budget and has a built in mobile base

-- Measure "at least" twice and cut once

Welcome to LumberJocks

Shops are a personal setup. It has to be comfortable to you and nobody else. Don’t expect to have top of the line stuff early and don’t expect to ever quit buying tools. :-)

-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability

And after buying a few clamps,do not think you have enough.

-- Ken from Ontario

I agree with Monte that shops are a personal set-up…I have the rigid 4512 and it still serves me well,but will be upgading in the future…I would try and buy quality first if you can do it…Oh and I realized if your in a confined/or closed space a dust collector and some sort of air filtration should be on top of your list…

-- Jeff,Tucson,Az.

Used Delta contractors are in your budget and they were excellent quality saws, you may never need to upgrade. There are other good brands too, I just mention Delta because I’ve had one for 15 years with never a problem and I’ve know a few others who still own one and never had a problem. Just make sure it comes with a Unifence or Biesemeyer and you’re set.

-- -- Rick M.

Don’t forget a block plane and a jack plane.

Don’t neglect the hand tools and portable power tools. You can do a whole lot with just these. Build you a workable work bench as soon as possible.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

@Helluvawreck – the work bench is built but needs some things like a vise. I’ll post the ugly thing soon haha!

My humble suggestion is to make a list of what you needed on the last few projects, then work slowly towards getting those items. It is not a race, you have the rest of your life to make things. That being said try finding used equipment on the first go around. With the economy as it is excellent tools for great prices are available all over the place, Craigslist, pawn shops, wood shows etc etc. I got a Delta contracting USED saw 15 years ago, still works good and I doubt I would buy another one, like ever. (laughing) If your space is limited (actually all of us have this problem) then factor that into your buying decisions. I have alot of tools and finding places to put them and be able to effectively use them is always a challenge. But then that is what makes this such a rewarding hobby, at least for me. Now go make some sawdust….... (laughing)

-- Live to tell the stories, they sound better that way.

You might also consider buying a good band saw instead of a TS. If you take the time to set up a band saw properly you can do any cut that the TS does and then more. I have been steadily moving from my TS to my BS with rough cuts, it is safer, easier and for oversize cuts that will be jointed or planed later a lot faster.

-- Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly stupid.

If you take the time to set up a band saw properly you can do any cut that the TS does and then more.

I’d like to see you cut a dado with your bandsaw. :) Sorry, just being a smart ass.

-- John, BC, Canada

Economically making the saw you have work well, is an option too. New and shiney is good, but those older saws can be rehabed and can make some very good saws.
Mike

1+ on the idea to buy tools you need for projects.
Obviously you can’t go wrong with TS, bandsaw, drill press, and router.
Then again, I had a hollow chisel mortiser before I bought a drill press. I guess it just depends on the scope of projects you want to tackle.
Eventually you will want a jointer and planer too. Even when I am working with S4S lumber, I always joint an edge before ripping parts to size. A planer becomes essential so you are not limited to 3/4” dimensions.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush