Need help choosing a new tool!

[chance]

Hey everyone,

I have only been turning pens since last may and am finding myself in need of a good cutting tool for both larger stock and small cuts that will be truly square. I have an old table saw that really scares me. It is a hand me down with no guards on it and the fence is not accurate in any way. I also have a small Ryobi band saw from HD that only cuts in a straight line on 1/2 inch or less and thats if I am lucky.

I want a good cutting tool to do stock up to about 4 inches thick and that would also give me nice square edge. Since I am currently only doing small pen type projects (pens, stoppers, eggoscopes) I need to cut these things square without getting my hands too close. What are your suggestions??? A good band saw? A good table saw? A good radial arm?

Please help! I know you all have the knowledge. I love this forum and respect your input! Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[mredburn]

There are several posts on jigs to build and use to keep your hands clear of which ever saw you end up with. Part of the answer lies in the following questions. Will you be resawing or sawing natural tree sections into dimensional lumber. For example logs, firewood, burls? Are you going to want to rip 4in thick lumber constantly or just occasionally? A 10 in table saw can rip 4inches if you flip it over end for end and run it back through but the band saw will be better for resawing. You will probably end up with both as time, money and space permit. My first thought is to invest in a better table saw. Investing in better saw blades for your table saw and band saw might help some as well. Check the table saw to see if the blade is parallel with the miter gage slot. If it is you can square the fence off of the edge of that. You may have to clamp the far end of the fence with vice grips or a c clamp etc. to keep it in place.

 

[oops99]

Hey Chance,

A table saw would be my first suggestion, you can rip (cut lengthwise) or cross cut (cutting a square end) with greater accuracy than any other tool. I would say buy the best you can afford. If you buy cheap, you get cheap.
Have you looked into making a sled for your current table saw? That might be a good idea until you get something new.

Tom/oops99

 

[mrcook4570]

From a turning perspective, if I could have only one saw, it would be a band saw. Unless you are doing segmented work, you do not need square edges. Just get it in the ballpark and turn away the rest :wink:

 

[chance]

Great answers! Keep em coming! My answers to the post from mredburn would be: resawing as far as the normal cutting goes and I believe I have given up on the current table saw no matter a good sled or not. I would welcome suggestions for a table saw as this seems to be an early favorite in the suggestion box!

 

[Lenny]

What is your current table saw? Can it be tuned up perhaps?
If budget is a concern than look for a used saw (craigslist maybe). Even an old Craftsman saw can be better than many of the portable table saws IMHO
Whatever you get you should learn it's adjustments (i.e. squaring the fence and the blade to the table)
I agree with Stan that for pen turning a bandsaw might be all you would need. Lots of choices there. Bigger is more versatile! and more $$

p.s. when cutting small pieces on a band saw try using a small wooden adjustable clamp to hold the piece and keep your fingers away from the blade.