bandsaw or a lathe?

I use my bandsaw on a regular basis, from cutting arches to resawing veneer. It’s as valuable to me as my tablesaw. The lathe is just a cool tool to have, but for the most part it sits.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

I use my bandsaw more than anything else.

-- Jarrod, Taos, NM http://jzmurphree.wordpress.com/

I view the bandsaw as a very essential tool. In fact, if i were to do it all again, it would be my FIRST tool, yes, even before the table saw. I didn’t get my bandsaw until I bought my lathe. Then I discovered that if you have a lathe and want to turn bowls, you better have a bandsaw.

It all boils down to what kind of work you want to do, and how you want to do it. Some people will never buy a powertool, others gotta have it all. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle.

A lathe is not an essential tool, but it can do things that are nearly impossible without a lathe… it’s a specialty tool in my book, unless all you want to do is turn, then you’re gonna need a lathe! ;-)

-- - If my wife asks, I got ALL of my tools on sale.

I think you’ve answered your question yourself: “I am thinking I can (get?) by without these two tools, I have the basic tools you need to do woodworking.” Did someone suggest you need those two tools?

You don’t need any of the two tools you mentioned unless you:

a) need to turn things (pens, bowls, rails, legs, etc.) and
b) need to saw curves, resaw (which can also done on a tablesaw in many, but not all, cases safely, if you know how to), cut dovetails with a jig, make sculpted boxes, etc.

If you do need to cut curves in small stocks, scrollsaw is an alternative. Again, if you do it to often, a jigsaw will do.

-- The time I enjoy wasting is not time wasted

Bandsaw – yes! There are more times that I wished for a bandsaw and didn’t have one. Now that I have one myself, I use it just as much as any of my other power tools.

Lathe – depends on what you want to do (as in what you want to make). Shaker or Mission style funiture, you wont use it much, but if you want to make elaborate pieces, the lathe is the tool you will need.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

Right now I use a B&D jigsaw for curve cutting I would like to get a Bosch as soon as I get the funds. Lathes is one of those tools that maybe will help if I even start building furniture with turn pieces.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

I went a long time without a bandsaw and did just fine. But now that I have one, I wouldn’t want to go without again. I love having a lathe, and I use mine several times a week, but I wouldn’t consider it essential.

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

I mostly do Shaker and simple funiture of my own design.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

BANDSAW!!!!!

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

I use my bandsaw all the time. Turning is a somewhat specialized skill. I had a lathe for years and gave it away because all it was doing was taking up space.

-- Don, Pittsburgh

Bandsaw! i use it all the time. its is something that you need. i used to think that i didn’t need one. now i have 2, one with a 1/4 blade and a light for detail work and one with a 3/4” blade and a nice fence for resawing. a lathe is also a wonderful thing to have. i love mine and it expands the projects that i can do a lot because i can turn pieces instead of just staying flat.

You can certainly live without either one, but I would go with a bandsaw first, A bandsaw will come in handy for the everyday type of projects you are already doing. Woodturning is sort of a whole different ball game.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

some people love the lathe (I find it meditative) but don’t know if i’d feel up to turning legs for a bed or dining room table – plus I’d need to talk my wife into letting me upgrade to a LATHE. my (small l) lathe will do for now. Fortunately these things can be purchased ready to go. There is a lot you can do with a Tablesaw – but nothing you can’t do without a circular saw or hand saws and some jigs. Some people swear by the band saw vs. table saw, it all boils down to personal preference and what you find yourself needing to do the projects you want (or have) to do.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Give me a nice lathe and a bandsaw and I will give you all my other tools, but that’s just me.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

I hate my bandsaw. I never use it. It just sits there. It would be nice to resaw once in a while, but most things can be cut with a jig saw.

A lathe has alot of hidden costs. Chucks, chisles, guards, rests, and more. It is kind of a “needs its own shop” tool.

I am on the fence, man. Good luck.

-- christopheralan http://www.projectwoodworks.com http://www.ProjectWoodworks.etsy.com My Stuff for Sale! http://www.zazzle.com/christopheralan PWW Shirts and Gear!

You can make Windsor chairs with a lathe and some handtools – and
efficiently too. You can make furniture with a bandsaw and a planer
with decent efficiency too.

For furnituremaking a power saw for ripping is useful…because ripping
by hand is tedious. It could be a bandsaw or a table saw. Either will
serve.

I like to turn. It’s fun, even if you make nothing that matters too
much – croquet sets, mismatched bowls, candlesticks… at least
you learn and have some fun.

-- Would you like to recession-proof your present business using the internet? - my revealing 9-page free report gives you the straight facts: http://copymatch.com/rec/cap.html

I have 4 band saws and use them. They are a very essential tool for the woodworker. They are a joy to use once you find out how versatile they are. You might start with a 14” delta, older rockwell, or some of the Asian knock offs. You can rip, re-saw, cut curves, bevels, tenons, etc.

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

After reading Loren’s, I have to go with the lathe. I think it opens up more creative options for woodwork. There is also an art to it. Bandsaw boxes are cool, but I think a lathe can do so much more in the long run.

-- christopheralan http://www.projectwoodworks.com http://www.ProjectWoodworks.etsy.com My Stuff for Sale! http://www.zazzle.com/christopheralan PWW Shirts and Gear!

I have two lathes that are collecting dust mainly because my tools got dull and I had no easy way to resharpen them. I just purchased a WorkSharp WS3000 to aid me in this matter. (I hope) Anyway , I also have a JET 14” bandsaw with a riser block and a nice KREG fence which I can resaw my lumber with if I need to . I use the BS a lot and the more I use it , the more things I find to do with it . So , having both tools in question , for me I would say that the BS is certainly the more useful of the two . You will have to decide which path your woodworking skills will lead you down and what tools will suit your needs the most . Your shop space may also limit your tool choices . In the beginning I also thought that I needed every tool that was out there and I have several hundred dollars worth of stuff still in its unopened boxes ….Tools are great to have IF you are going to USE them !

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

I gotta say I don’t know what I would do without my 14” bandsaw. After I cut off my thumb on my table saw I have moved to doing some of the more risky jobs with the band because it is safer. A good bandsaw is a MUST HAVE. You can get away with a used lathe for a good long time but this really deversifies your work. Honistly if you are going to be any kind of a serious woodworker these tools should be in your future plans.

-- Rogue

Right now I couldn’t exist without either. I went a long time without a lathe, however.

These tools are not essential. Some woodworkers don’t use any power tools at all. I wouldn’t want to be without power. A bandsaw is not essential. However if you get a chance to get one, don’t turn it down. It is a wonderful addition. I used to have a real cheap benchtop model and used it until it ‘died’. I did replace it quickly. In your situation I wouldn’t worry about it, use a jig saw and get busy building! As stated above, a lathe has its own set of needs: turning tools, etc.

-- Berta in NC

Definitely a bandsaw.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

Do you like to turn?

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Between those two tools I definately would choose the bandsaw. But have you also considered a router table?

I would consider a router table to be a vital tool for a woodworking shop.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the different materials you can cut on a bandsaw. I have used mine for cutting styrofoam, aluminum, foam rubber, copper brass and plastics. I use my band saw almost daily when in the shop. Is it essential? Probably not, but it sure makes life a lot easier.

As for the lathe, I keep coming back to mine. I got on a pen-pencil-stopper-flashlight making binge. When the dust cleared and better heads prevailed, i had a bunch of money socked into the thing with the inspiration gone by the way side. Then the bowl bug bit followed by salt and pepper shakers, jewelery, lamps and the list goes on. Is it essential? Probably not, but the time spent on a lathe to me is therapy.
Happy Thanksgiving all.

-- If you need craft books - please visit our small business at http://www.wittywife.com

The first cabinet maker I met had a top of the line table saw and that was his only stationary tool. He used a corded drill, sanders and a router.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I willl most likely get a 14’’ Delta Bandsaw.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Barry to be honest, I have never turn before even thou we have a lathe at the school shop.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

If you keep your eyes open you can pickup a great heavy
lathe for a couple hundred bucks… there were 1000s of them
in school shops and even local woodshops. The reality is that
in general it makes sense to outsource turning when you are in
the business – unless you have a real expert working in the shop
with you or need to do it in-house to impress walk-in clients -
as with reproduction furniture builders.

I had one lathe with a 6 ft long bead and a 16” swing. I had
no place to put it so I sold it. I owned a few smaller lathes
after but that big one was the smoothest and easiest to
adjust. If you look on OWWM.org you might find a lathe for sale
local to you.

Bandsaws are common used. I have a 20” 2-wheel bandsaw in
storage and it’s a favorite tool. The experience of using a big
bandsaw is very different from using a 14” saw. They run wider
blades and cut straighter with less fuss. The 14” saws and under
have the primary appeal of not taking up too much space. Lots
of turners use a 14” saw with a riser because when you turn you
want to saw up firewood and make bowls. You can do it with a
chainsaw too.

-- Would you like to recession-proof your present business using the internet? - my revealing 9-page free report gives you the straight facts: http://copymatch.com/rec/cap.html

Hi Charles—-HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I have not read all the comments—-but it looks like it got covered here…BUT WHAT HE HECK…as a fellow BEGINNER I might as well add my 2 cents…

I just started using my lathe…i probably would have never gotten one on my own except that I have a Shopsmith and it has one as part of the system…so I recently started using it and I am REALLY enjoying it…its a great way to get out for an hour and walk away with something really nice…furniture takes many hours and days…so sometimes you may be between projects and do some turning or something…I am just beginning but enjoying immensely—-since you are mostly into furniture you can probably wait…

Bandsaw—-I use mine all the time—-but here is what I would say—-I would get one as big you can afford…if you want to re-saw——which is soooo much cheaper then a good sized bandsaw is really important…I also love cutting shapes on it…curves…edges…its usually a tool used to start a project and there is something about it that makes it fun..

Well…goood luck…

Matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

bandsaw = essential..

Lathe.= fun and useful

-- making sawdust....

Personally, I don’t think either one is essential. And I most respectfully disagree with the one comment that puts the bandsaw ahead of a table saw. There simply is no better tool than a table saw to get long, perfectfly straight, parallel cuts in wood than a table saw and damned near everything I build needs at least some of these.

I just finished up a lathe setup here and find I am catching the bug. Yeah, its not necessary, but there are things you can do on a lathe that just can’t be accomplished with any other tool. I’ve been spending a lot of time on the lathe lately (though it hasn’t resulted in any thing I feel worth sharing with LJ’s yet) and I find it is really growing on me.

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

And I most respectfully disagree with the one comment that puts the bandsaw ahead of a table saw. – AGREED.

If one opens any credible woodworking book, one will always find the tool on the top of the list of power tools one must have is the tablesaw. Bandsaw is way way down the list …. I have never come across any woodworker – hobbyist or professional – who owns a bandsaw but not a tablesaw.

-- The time I enjoy wasting is not time wasted

I would go for the band saw, I have a lathe and I wish I had a band saw!

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

James Krenov,
Gary Rogowski,
and Michael Fortune…

all top-notch furniture designers value the bandsaw over the
tablesaw by a wide margin. If you cut up a lot of plywood a
tablesaw or panelsaw is good to have… but for most solid
wood furnituremaking it’s over-rated.

I don’t have a table-saw in MA. I know I can do it all with
a bandsaw so I brought one when I moved – a little INCA.

In any case – doing it with a bandsaw requires skill and training -
it’s more akin to a hand-held tool under power than is a table
saw which is more like a robot.

-- Would you like to recession-proof your present business using the internet? - my revealing 9-page free report gives you the straight facts: http://copymatch.com/rec/cap.html

I’d go for the bandsaw, first. I bought the lathe first and if I had to do it over again, it’d be the other way ‘round – particularly if I had to replace the tools, as well. Having said that, I do get a lot of enjoyment out of the lathe. So now you have 36 responses from different people who have suggested one of the alternatives for different reasons. It’s all predicated on what sort of woodworking you want to do. I hope you enjoy whichever you opt to get.

-- Even if to be nothing more than a bad example, everything serves a purpose.

Just keep in mind that there’s no such thing as an “essential machine”. Some of the greatest pieces of furniture were created without the aid of machines. However, since the original post said “tools” rather than machines, it’s kind of a moot point so I should shut up about that.

The thing is, you can function without either of them. However, both open up new possibilities in your woodworking, so they shouldn’t be ruled out unless cost is the primary factor (and then only temporarily) or if you’re just wanting to go Neanderthal like some of us masochists are ;)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

I use my bandsaw while the lathe gathers dust. A lathe is best for symetrical items and I do not want that technique for my work. My cane shafts are not the same diameter or shape but they are balanced and I prefer to have them hand shaped as opposed to machine shaped. I do use power tools but also like non-power tools like the spoke shave, rasp and bench mule. If you’re making lots of symetrical spokes or rails then you may get a lot of use out of a lathe, but if you want to make asymetrical curves or angles in the rails, you’ll need to get off of the lathe.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

Lathe- absolutely the most important tool in the shop. A bandsaw is nice to have, but nowhere near as important as a chainsaw.

A tablesaw is also essential, since it give you somewhere to put your turning tools while you work in the shop. Other than that, I occasionally cut some plywood or a 2×4 with it.

Just one turner’s 2 cents…

-- Steven

I much prefer tablesaw to bandsaw but that may be because I have never owned a really nice bandsaw. I have 14in Delta and 12in Craftsman bandsaws but usually find it easier to use jigsaw or tablesaw. I have a lathe but would not consider it essential for most woodworking. I would like to have a large heavy duty bandsaw for resawing planks too wide for tablesaw.

-- Robert in middle TN

CJ – it is simply personal preference. Look at the number and variation of responses. Do what works best for you and your shop. It sounds like your focus is on Shaker style furniture with mostly straight edges. You can probably get by for awhile without a bandsaw and lathe. The hidden “woodworker rule” is that there is always another tool that we need. :) Personally, I would include a bandsaw on your wishlist at some point. Maybe sell a couple projects so that you can save a few bucks for one. I would place any additional resources into restoring that table saw and possibly upgrading your jointer before purchasing a lathe. For hobbyists, I see the lathe as more of a luxury. Some will disagree with me—especially the lathe artists on this site. That is my two cents—nothing more or less. Good luck.

-- Tim from Iowa City, IA

Yes I’ve agree Tim I am more focus on restoring my Unisaw right now.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

this may be a bit elementary, but as a beginning woodworker, just what are you able to do so much better on the table saw vs the band saw? I suppose ripcutting sheet goods would be one thing – but what else? the band saw just seems so much more flexible, not to mention safer.

(i have only the TS).

CJ…. This has been a good thread. Loved reading everyone’s thoughts. But what it comes down to is…. “which one do you need?”. If you’re like me, save up and get that, and then save up and get the other…. unless something else comes up first. Good luck.
-JJ

-- JJ...... I guess you could say I'm a 54 year old "juniorjock". — Make things with wood.

Thanks guys for the comments, I am going to save up for a use 28-270 Delta 14’’ bandsaw. Once I finish rebuilding my unisaw.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

after 50 years in a shop, if i could have one saw.. it would have to be a table saw. i would bet more people lost fingers from a bandsaw then a ts.. a bandsaw seems safe, it’s sneaky fast..

if i could have one power tool in a shop it would be a lathe..

i agree with juniorjock, buy both

-- it's not a sickness, i can stop buying tools anytime i want