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ceme20 Regular user 161 Posts |
I'm looking to buy a power saw and am wanting opinions on which way to go. I don't have a lot to spend, about $300.00. I have heard a table saw is best from some reviews, and others say a rip saw is more versitile. If it makes any difference I am comfortable with power tools, but this will be my first saw. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Michael
The Magical stage parallels that of the Stage of Life. We can step off, re-direct, and Create new Miracles as easily, and as naturally as taking in a breath...
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chill Veteran user colorado, usa 385 Posts |
My vote is one of the contractors table saws. make sure the fence is tight and accurate, and replace the blade.
I thought about asking what you intend to build, but my table saw gets used in most everything I build - small or large. you'll find that your methods will adapt to fit the tools you have, so it just my vote. pick the one that you will feel most comfortable using. bob
I spent most of my money on magic and women, the rest i just wasted
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Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
Three hundred bucks will buy a lot of saw, if it's secondhand. Here in Cali, the classified ads (craigslist, recycler, etc.) are swamped with carpenters/contractors holding fire sales on used equipment.
Chill's recommendation about a contractor's saw is spot-on (I use a DeWalt contractor saw for ALL jobsite cabinetry and trim and MUCH shop work). You should be able to buy one and have money left for stock. And plans. And you'll need some hardware. And, oh boy, wouldn't a plate joiner be nice, and look what Rockler's got.... |
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Detlef Regular user Germany 156 Posts |
I would reccomend a table saw. Before you buy the saw, I would recommend you buy Jim Tolpin`s Table Saw Magic, helps you to get the most out of the saw.
Regards Detlef |
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-05-31 08:09, chill wrote: I was going to ask the same thing, since I use a band saw for a lot of stuff. However, you really can't go wrong with a table saw as long as you're not cutting a lot of curves. If I were doing this and had the $300, I'd probably plan on spending about $200 for a contractor's saw (new or used), maybe $50-$60 for a good combination carbide blade, and the rest on either Jim Tolpin's book or a reasonably nice jig saw for the curved cuts. And I'd probably go to amazon.com first; they often have good prices on tools and such.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
Most versitile is probably the table saw as has been mentioned and with 10" carbide many toothed blade and good accurate fence. Make a bunch of feather boards and jigs for cutting.
But mainly I wanted to say that you should probably figure out what you want to be making to choose your first $300 saw. And I say first because you will start adding tools as you have a need. So, what do you need to cut first? -=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-05-31 13:23, tabman wrote: I'd imagine he'll need to cut on the power first. My vote is for a table saw also, unless as mentioned, you need to cut a lot of curves. A table saw will allow you to cut straight lines at any angle you are likely to need. It can also handle large pieces of wood, whereas band saws and scroll saws are limited by the depth of the throat. You can also make cuts for rabbets and dados with a table saw. Neither of the others can do that. If you are cutting curves, stock thinkness will be very important when choosing a band saw or scroll saw.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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ceme20 Regular user 161 Posts |
WOW! Thanks SO much for the quick response guys! This helps alot! I will mainly be building small parlor type magic effects with it. Nothing too big. I love building stuff and can't wait to bring more tools into the mix. I will do some searching and definately grab that book!
Michael
The Magical stage parallels that of the Stage of Life. We can step off, re-direct, and Create new Miracles as easily, and as naturally as taking in a breath...
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ceme20 Regular user 161 Posts |
I almost forgot, the other thing I am going to need are building plans. I want to build things like a production box, Dagger head chest, flaming head chest and such. Any recomendations as to a book, or sets of plans? Thanks guys!
Michael
The Magical stage parallels that of the Stage of Life. We can step off, re-direct, and Create new Miracles as easily, and as naturally as taking in a breath...
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Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Table saw, but get a belt driven one, and not a direct motor drive. Less blade wobble that way. Most important for any table saw is a good fence. Even a great high dollar saw with a lousy fence is totally worthless.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
And get a good square (maybe something like a Johnson Speed Square) so you can make sure your blade is at a perfect 90 deg alignment relative to the table.
If you're specializing in smaller magic you might find a saw with a smaller than 10" blade to be better for your use. Head on over to Home Depot and check them out. Always buy the best tools you can afford. Paul Osborne used to provide great plans. Maybe someone else can advise you on that. I never used them. Any bets on how many different saws you will have in five years??? -=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Years ago, I bought a 7 1/4" Craftsman Table Saw and I still get a ton of use from it. I don't even know if you can find those anymore.
Also wanted mention that you'll want to get a book or do some online research on jigs. They will make life soooo much easier. Cutting sleds are very nice to have as an accessory. If you plan to cut small pieces, like I cut pieces for small boxes, like LIppincotts, a small sled will give you a lot more accuracy, and safety. Plus, you won't lose tiny pieces down the table's blade slot.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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magic-dabra Regular user Knoxville, TN 153 Posts |
I'm going against the grain here. My first saw was a Radial Arm saw. And after 30 years, I am just now adding a table saw. I needed to do a lot more "crosscuts" than "ripping" so my choice was for the arm saw.
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FunTimeAl Special user 987 Posts |
Ceme20,
What do you mean in your first post by a "rip saw"? Are you refering to a circular saw? If I were starting to build my shop from scratch I would look into Festool http://www.festoolusa.com/products/plunge-cut-circular-saws Rockler dealerships have them set up for demos. I've been mesmorized by them ever since they came out. However, my shop is full of saws, so I've never bought one. Something to consider though. Good luck & learn as much as you can about the "do's and don't's" before ever getting behind a table saw. I've watched professional cabinetmakers get hurt from them. Everything's fun and easy...till it ain't |
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remote guy Special user Maryland 534 Posts |
Festools are nice but very expensive.
Nick |
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Magic Researcher Elite user 406 Posts |
Radial arm saws are well known for eating fingers. I would never have one - too easy for a mistake.
MR
Repeating a falsehood often and loudly does not make it true.
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IDOTRIX Elite user Darien,il 467 Posts |
Thomas Wayne made some comments that makes me not want to go near a radial arm saw.
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ceme20 Regular user 161 Posts |
Actually when I said rip saw I ment Radial Arm Saw. A good fence, jigs and sleds will be prioritys. I checked out Jim Tolpin`s Table Saw Magic and will get it for sure! Table saw it will be. Thanks for everyones help on this. I hope to someday show you things I have built with it.
Michael
The Magical stage parallels that of the Stage of Life. We can step off, re-direct, and Create new Miracles as easily, and as naturally as taking in a breath...
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FunTimeAl Special user 987 Posts |
Just my opinion...but after the table saw, a good orbital sander and a router would be my next 2 purchases.
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
I think next would be a good ruler.
-=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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