help me pick a saw

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InvisibleMan

InvisibleMan

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I'm going to buy either a small table saw or a band saw at Home Depot. I'm leaning towards the table saw at the moment, because it seems to have the most utility outside of cutting pen blanks. However, the bandsaw seems more convenient for general pen making.

Things I need the saw for:
1) cutting pen blanks and, eventually, other turning blanks - both straight cuts and also angled cuts for segmenting work.

2) I could see getting into small box making and the occasional book shelf. I won't be making furniture or anything big and fancy. I'll never have a planer or anything like that in my garage.

So, with that, am I correct that the table saw is the better choice?

Thanks,
 
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The table saw will allow you to cut wood as long as you can handle whereas the band saw will limit the length of cut due to the depth from the blade to the post. But then the band saw will make thicker cuts than the table saw. The ideal thing is to have both, but that does not answer your question. The only part of your description that truly indicates the table saw over the band saw is the book shelf. Most likely, you will not be able to cut a shelf on the band saw, however, you could use a decent skill saw to cut shelf wood with a good straight edge and a couple of clamps. Hopefully I have completely confused the subject.
Charles
 
ctubbs said:
The table saw will allow you to cut wood as long as you can handle whereas the band saw will limit the length of cut due to the depth from the blade to the post. But then the band saw will make thicker cuts than the table saw. The ideal thing is to have both, but that does not answer your question. The only part of your description that truly indicates the table saw over the band saw is the book shelf. Most likely, you will not be able to cut a shelf on the band saw, however, you could use a decent skill saw to cut shelf wood with a good straight edge and a couple of clamps. Hopefully I have completely confused the subject.
Charles
Click to expand...

Thanks! Actually, I think you just made up my mind. I forgot to include my circular saw into my thought process. That virtually eliminates my ~need~ for a table saw. Band saw it is! (I think).
 
There is really NO WAY to answer this for you.
IF you want to buy a saw mostly for pen turning applications, then the bandsaw would be a good choice.... although for segmenting I would want a tablesaw.
The tablesaw, in my opinion, is more versatile (for what I do). And it HAS TO BE a left tilt! :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
Honestly, there have been threads on woodworking forums that have debated both of these issues that have gone on for years! :rolleyes:
Whatever you decide buy the best one you can afford and you will be happy. (and eventually you will want to get thet other one) :smile:
 
I don't own a band saw, I have a table saw. In pen making I use mine to cut thin strips for segmenting. If you are only going to cut straight lines the table saw is better. If you are planning to cut curves of any kind, the band saw.
 
THere are plans out on the web if not pictures here on IAP for bolting your hand saw upside down in a specially built table to make it a small table saw.
 
If you plan on doing things that require precision, like boxes, a table top table saw will only frustrate you. It is ironic that smaller work is actually more easily done on larger and heavier saws. I used to work out of my dad's shop with a craftsman contractor saw. I made a lot of boxes. I have a craftsman bench top and I get frustrated everytime I try to do any precise work and if I have to work with large pieces I generally scare myself and say that I will never do that again, until the next time I need to do that. I can make a good box. But I have to work harder than I want. Get the band saw and wait until you can get the best and heaviest table saw your budget and space can justify. I am hoping to eventually get an old Unisaw. But the craftsman "ZIP Code" saw would do just fine.
 
I'm not sure I'd buy a bandsaw at Home Depot. Don't get me wrong, I own quite a few Ridgid tools, including a Ridgid 6" Jointer I got a killer deal on a couple years ago (same model sold by Sears, just different colors).

But I was not that impressed with the Ridgid bandsaw. And the other bandsaw our HD carries is the Ryobi. I'd avoid that one as well -- it is more of a table top hobby saw. Now I went all out and bought a Powermatic, but there are very good, lower cost saws from Jet, Delta, Grizzly, Shop Fox, Rikon, etc. Check out Woodcraft, they always have sales - -that is where I bought my Powermatic. Or even take a look on Amazon, lots of free shipping offers on power tools.

I also own a Delta 9" table top bandsaw. Good for hobby work, but was never a real power house for general woodworking. I use this one for cutting balsa, aircraft plywood, dowels -- small items that would be a lot more dangerous to cut freehand on a large bandsaw.
 
I looked at the bandsaw at Home Depot and Lowe's, can't remember the brands for sure. I read the reviews on both. The saw offered by Lowe's got pretty good reviews. Most claimed the HD saw worked pretty good after they pretty much rebuilt it. I finally backed up and bought the Powermatic from Woodcraft this past weekend on their sale. It went together very easily, using a 1/2" 3TPI blade. Works great.
 
I agree really hard to answer your question.

I love my grizzly bandsaw, when bought it was the biggest bang for the bucks. I still need my chain saws, and Porter Cable circular saw.

Would love a table saw just no room for one.
 
Rigid -- made by Emerson is the bottom of quality end. Home depot sells a bunch. The warrenty is fairly good but Emerson will hold to the letter -- keep all the paperwork if you go that way. I had a low hour - long months sander die and read the warrenty requirements and reviews -- I did not keep the paper so trashed the sander.

Step up a bit in quality but limited size -- the Jet and Rikon 9 inch band saws are small but work well -

Remember that construction saws are made for construction with tolerance of 1/8 to 1/4 inch. You may be able to do higher precision work with them -- but not especially easy.

High precision leads to higher price -- Byrnes Saw is high precision and about $500.
 
I have the Delta 14" bandsaw. It is the metal/wood version with a gearbox. I've had this saw since back in the 70's and nary a problem. Well, almost no problem, I did run a finger into it one time.

Ben
 
I'm starting to see a theme I was afraid of - the quality of saws offered by Home Depot. I sort of knew that was likely an issue with the very limited research I've done so far. I have gift cards saved up, that's why Home Depot was the pick.

I may end up using the gift cards for other things and buy the saw after I sell some pens:cool:
 
Get the biggest saw you can afford. I would suggest 14" minimum for a bandsae and a contractor's style for a table saw. If you get the Rigid brand on each of these they are good but not great. Take your time and get this purchase right - or you will regret it everytime you use the tool.
 
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