CHOOSE: band, table, or compound miter saw?

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jtate

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Y'all have seen enough of my work to have an idea of the sort of stuff I do. I'm about to have about $300 to spend on some sort of power sawing thing. I am tring to decide on whether I want a compound miter saw, a band saw or a table saw.

Mostly I do pens. Sometimes bowls (the band saw would be helpful in cutting bowl blanks).

I have been doing some segmenting work and I'd like to be more precise in this (leaning toward compound miter saw).

There are probably reasons why the table saw would be useful but I don't know what they are.

Someone help me choose!

And what manufacturer/model should I look at and what factors (besides money) should I consider?

Thanks
 
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Well, I believe one can do as much on a table saw as can be done with a mitre saw, especially if there are long or wide board cuts to be made.

A very good bandsaw is also very useful in one's shop and can do a lot more than cut bowl blanks. I use mine when I can get out in the shop for pre-rounding a bowl blank, veneer cuttings, intricate curve cuts, etc. Be sure to use the proper blade and never rely on just one blade to do it all.

I vote for the band saw if you are going to do smaller stuff ... then get the table saw. Be sure to buy top of the line equipment as you will grow into their features more and more as you use them.

Heck get all three if you can wait long enough to save up the cash. I might also suggest that you visit a neighbor with many of the same interests as yours. Visit them and ask them which they find to be the most used in their shop.

I have all three and use my table saw and bandsaw about equal and can't remember the last time I used my mitre saw once I got the shop built out. [:D]
 
Bandsaw ... by far ... since you're not cutting dados or other non-through cuts, a tablesaw isn't helpful for you. Any and all ripping can be done on a bandsaw. You can make just about any crosscut on your bandsaw provided the right workpiece support. (No you are NOT limited to the throat depth. It just takes two cuts, is all :P).

As for your accurate segmenting stuff - might I propose you consider a disc sander instead? Bandsaw to get it close, sneak up on (and smooth out) the cut with the sander. Something with a solid adjustable table would be nice. Maybe next on your wish list? :)
 
I would say yes to a band saw too. I don't use my table saw for pens at all. I use my Miter saw and my band saw. Only advantage for a table saw would be doing Celtic knots and other intricate inlays. But I bet with a little ingenuity, you can do these on a band saw too.
 
I use the Table Saw more than any other tool in the shop except the lathe.
I made a couple of sleds (jigs) that do what a CMS does with more accuracy.
I'm convinced segmenting on the TS is easier to do more accurately than with a MS.
I also have a Laguna LT 16" bandsaw that I use for resawing, cutting limbs to shape, and so forth.

I think the type of raw material you cut most often should determine what you get first. The bandsaw and TS have different principal uses for different types of raw stock.
Further, you can probably get a very decent used TS for less than you've got to spend. I'd be patient and watch your local Craigslist, local yard sales and online classifieds and Woodnet's Sale forum.
One more person, one more opinion.
 
I think the type of raw material you cut most often should determine what you get first. The bandsaw and TS have different principal uses for different types of raw stock..
Click to expand...

Can you expand on this? What are the principle uses for each one? Which type stock would you cut on which tool?
 
Odd shaped stock, unwieldy stock, stock that is suspected of containing internal tension, such as often happens with oak slabs, limbs and bowl blanks are more suited to the bandsaw. Cutting curves is absolutely more suited to the bandsaw.

I find the table saw is more approriate for ripping and crosscutting boards into blanks, setting up repeatably accurate cuts for segmentation, making checkerboard blanks, preparing boards for jigs and making other tools that are useful to have for turning.

Perhaps a trip to the library to read Jim Tolpin's and Kelly Mehler's Table saw books and then read Mark Duginske's (sp) Band saw book. Those may help you make an educated assessment of what's best for you. [;)]
 
I have a table saw, a mitre saw and a bandsaw with out a doubt. The bandsaw for me wins hands down the rest scare me to much don't feel safe
Toni
 
I would have to agree with Gary. I use my table saw with jigs and sleds for soooo many things. I use my band saw for rough cutting blanks. I also do other wood working. I work with flat stock from time to time. (not as much since this addiction took over my life)
Thats going to be a tuff decision, I don't envy you on this one. Another thing to conceder is, how good of either can I get for the money. Remember, "you can cry once, or cry every time you use it".
 
My vote would be for the bandsaw first. With a few jigs, you can do pretty much the same cuts you can do with the TS or the MS. AND neither the TS or the MS can cut curves.

There are things that are easier to do on the TS or the MS and when you start thinking about one or the other of those two, the table saw is probably a better choice unless you are pressed for space.

Great thing about the TS is it has great utility around the house for other home projects.....building dog houses, storage shelves, work benches planters and the like!!
 
Get a bandsaw.

I use vintage/antique muscle-powered equipment for almost everything else. Except the lathe - 1947 Shopsmith.
 
I got a Grizzly G0555 bandsaw a few months ago and now can't imagine not having it. My compound miter saw is gathering dust (instead of creating it[;)]).

One fairly major consideratin for most of us is space...a GOOD tablesaw is going to use a lot more shop space than the bandsaw.

As far as the $300 goes, you might want to wait for a couple more $$ to get into the better machines (I think the G0555 runs about $400, plus shipping and an extra blade...about $500 total).
 
I have a fairly complete wood shop (new to lathe work though) and I think a band saw is an all around winner. With various blades you can cut anything that will fit on the table. I rarely use my table saw since it's far easier to rip a board on the B/S than clear all my stuff off the table saw, adjust it, etc. My sliding compound miter saw is used a lot too. I also have a jointer, 12" planer, drill press, large belt/disk sander, big vacuum system and my newest Grizzly cast iron bench to wood lathe. But the band saw is always ready.
 
Interesting thread. Don't waste your money on a mitre saw at this point, in IMHO its the most dangerous and you cant rip. I only use my mitre when I need to take it along with me to do outside work. Between the table saw and the band saw, its a toss up, but I would be willing to bet you'll get a better bandsaw than table saw for the buck, especially if you can go used. Table saw will usually give you better accuracy, but unless you get a good used one with a good fence, 300 bucks isn't going to buy you much. If it were me, I would go with the band saw, unless I could get a Jet or similar contractor table saw in that price range, and that would be a stroke of luck. Another thought, you can't do round on a table saw. What ever you get, make sure it has an induction motor.
Good luck!!
 
Here is all you ever wanted to know about induction motors and probably a little more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_motor

Not quite sure why Gary made that comment. Almost any commonly available band saw or table saw that you are likely to be looking at will be using an induction motor and most all miter saws will most likely be universal motors. I don't see it as a serious issue. Perhaps he will expand upon his comments to clarify his idea??
 
I think I will side with the majority here as the band saw makes the most sense. Personally I prefer my table saw as I have many jigs and sleds as well as a high quality mitre gage and rip fence, but with your budget you won't be able to do that. One thing that has really not been mentioned is what to get band saw wise. There has been mention of Grizzly, but nothing in depth.

I think Steve and Jon gave some good advise. You can cry once or cry everytime you use it. I love that line and it makes so much sense. Jon is right that $300 is the low end.

Used:
Unless you are familiar with the mechanics of a band saw personally I would avoid this option. I have seen too many that were rigged because something was broken or worn out.

Size:
Go with 14". I was stupid about 10 years ago and bought a 10" Delta. I still don't use it too often as it is a piece of crap. With 14" you will get a cast table that has been machined or milled. The aluminum tops are trash.
The Grizzly G0555 will run you around $395.
The Jet JWBS-14OS will run you around $399.
Both are open stand versions.
The JWBS-14CS is $100 more and is easier to keep cleaned up as it is closed stand. For me the $100 is worth it, to others it might not be. Just a personal taste.
Either one you can add the carter blade guides down the road.

Blades:
Olsen are ok for a stamped blade.
For one of the better blades try a Timber Wolf. It is not a stamped blade and runs a little smoother and gives a superior cut.

This is only a couple of saws of dozens available. In the end your budget has to guide you. But if you only have the room or budget for one saw and will use it mainly in our hobby then buy the best that you can afford. If that means waiting another month or two then do it. Sell some pens and put the money aside. Sell a lot of pens and buy a Powermatic. [:p]

Good luck with your decision.

Mike
 
My Grizzly G0555 is the #1 'Go To' tool in my shop. A decent bandsaw has versatility that can't be matched. The miter saw is important for those who do a lot of flat work. It is also dangerous. If you attempt really small work on it, be prepared to acquire the nickname "Knuckles". There are those who argue that only a table saw can cut accurately enough for intricate inlay work on pens. I've seen their work and can't argue the results. But, this old boy isn't going to attempt it. Table saws can be very dangerous also and, in my case, I'm not clever enough to build the complex sleds and jigs needed for close, tiny work on one. A bandsaw, with a good blade can do amazing things. That said, for $300.00, you are still a ways from a good anything, unless you buy used.
 
Originally posted by Randy_
<br />Here is all you ever wanted to know about induction motors and probably a little more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_motor

Not quite sure why Gary made that comment. Almost any commonly available band saw or table saw that you are likely to be looking at will be using an induction motor and most all miter saws will most likely be universal motors. I don't see it as a serious issue. Perhaps he will expand upon his comments to clarify his idea??
Click to expand...

I made this comment for two reasons. One, there are small table saws out there with universal motors that are basically not worth the money. Without the experience, it would be easy to get sucked in to buying one of these. Buying a saw with an induction motor, you are more likely to get a better tool. I think the small DeWalt may use a universal motor, but for 300 bucks, you aren't getting one.
I know all mitre saws use the universal motor, but that saw would be my last choice anyways. I would rather use a 100 dollar cheapie table saw with a decent blade.
The second reason I mentioned the induction motor is that its much quieter and longer lasting. Does anyone want to cut with a saw that whines like a router if they don't have to?
 
Julia: I don't recall that anyone has mentioned this option. Grizzly has another model 14" band saw that is somewhat less expensive than the 550 model that everyone is talking about. It is not quite as fancy as the 550; but would probably be OK for what you want to do. It is on sale right now for only $310. Sadly, if your budget is really tight, even that may not work for you as shipping will add another $75.

If you want to take a look at the specs of those band saws, you will find them here: http://www.grizzly.com/products/mach-specs.aspx?key=420

And another question for you. I looked at your photo gallery and saw some segmented pens. Did you buy those pre-made or do you already have some tools for cutting your wood and if so, what?
 
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