[geeks] Table Saw Suggestions

[Michael Dombrowski]

On 13 May 2002 at 10:20, geeks-request at sunhelp.org wrote:

> Maybe a tablesaw isn't right for you. The primary purpose of a
> tablesaw is for long distance ripping. Also, small work often results
> in a flesh sacrifice to the blade. Look into table scroll saws (blade
> reciprocates but they are cheap) and bandsaws (blade travels in a big
> loop and cuts clean and fast).

Well, let me outline what I need to do a bit more and explain why I 
thought a table saw would be best. For the current project, I am 
making a small box with all simple cuts - 45 and 90 degrees. The size 
is roughly 7"x9" using 1/4" and 1/2" hardwood. So for something like 
this, accuracy is my main goal. I also do larger scale stuff with 
1/4"-3/4" plywood and particleboard and 2x4s where long cuts and 
quick 2x4 cuts would be nice. A table saw was my first thought 
because it can do the large cuts as well as the smaller cuts I need. 
A scroll saw lacks the guide I'd need to do proper long cuts, I can't 
make a straight cut by hand if my life depended on it. A band saw  
might work but from what I've read they're much more suited to 
curving cuts, not the straight cuts I need right now. I'm most 
certain not dead-set on a table saw but it seems like the best tools 
for my uses.  The problem with table saws in my price range seems to 
be that they simply lack the proper fences and guides for truly 
accurate work and with the small scale I'm working with, I think that 
blade wobble could be a problem. It seems that I'll just have to make 
sure the local Home Depot has a good return policy and buy one and 
test it out. That cheap Delta looks nices and If anyone has any 
better suggestions I'm open to them, thanks to those who have already 
offered advice.

Thanks
Mike