Hello,
Recently on another forum someone asked about a similar subject and it kind of got me to thinking about it, so I figured I might run it past you folks.
I’ve got a relatively small and light (aluminum) table saw that gets the job done but I’m not terribly happy with. Over the past year I’ve accumulated or upgraded several other tools in my basement shop… 14″ steel framed bandsaw, 6″ jointer, Dewalt 735 planer, Makita 10″ SCMS, router table, etc. I’ve also got a handful (or more) of old Stanley handplanes, in need of varying amounts of TLC to get them fully functional. One of those projects that got put off until after a household move, and hasn’t gotten re-started until winter set in and other hobbies are now kind of on hold.
At this point, I have been pre-cutting sheet goods to get them into the basement shop. Not strictly necessary given the layout of the external access doors, but certainly easier since I rarely have help to horse 4’x8′ sheets around w/o bunging them up. As a result, I’m pretty sold on getting some sort of GCSS in the next few months.
Once I have that GCSS in hand (regardless of brand, let’s not even open that can of worms)… given the other tools I have available it seems like the table saw becomes somewhat superfluous. I think I recall seeing a recommendation in a FWW book from some wood working pros that they’d recommend a BS over a TS for the first major power tool. For the time being, the things I want to make seem to be a fairly even mix of sheet goods (shop cabinets, shelves, other storage) and solid wood (furniture, work benches, etc.). There are only a couple cuts that I’ve seen that couldn’t be done (cove molding, if I even want/need any) with the other machines & hand tools in some fashion. Some might be slower, but I am not a production shop by any stretch of the imagination so I’m thinking this might not be a bad way to go.
What do you folks think? Have any of you kicked your TS to the curb and rely only on GCSS and/or a band saw, or even just hand tools?
Replies
Hopefully, some of the English WWs will reply. I am told that many English shops have a BS and no TS.
Now in my case, without the TS, I could justify a shop with 200 sq ft less (10 w x 20 l) for doing sheet goods. And NOBODY should EVER admit to needing a SMALLER shop. Especially to the SWMBO. LOL
For me personally, I could do most of my woodworking on a bandsaw. The problem is that I do almost all of my joinery with a table saw, much of it with sleds.
I do have 2 bandsaws, and I use them often. Used both of them today. But I also used both of my table saws today too.
So even though I could do it if I had to, there is no way I could match the speed and ease with which I can do what I do without a good table saw. Actually I really like having two of them.
Really they are different tools that do different things. If you are going to use a bandsaw to replace a tablesaw, why not just use a handsaw or a skilsaw?
Hal
http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com
Just maybe...
Briefly I disbanded a shop last year in hopes of rising it again elsewhere. Didn't happen and now I'm restocking. I was all set to get a TS then it ocurred to me that for the price of a cheap TS I could get a good GCSS (guided circular saw system ?).
Now I've yet to get up and running but one of my dilemas is lack of space and dust may be a problem so the GCSS will fit the bill.
Your shop sounds like a nice compromise. But note NOTHING will compete with a table saw for multiple rips. Mortise and tenons are easy on a TS. Box joints...All that kind of stuff I find jigs on TS's better than routers with jigs.
But with all that said a used contractors saw with a Biesmeyer fence will suffice for that if tuned up. Anytime I had to mill 8/4 type lumber it was for personal or finer projects where time wasn'tthe deciding factor and my 8 1/2" GCSS does the job even better!
So yes it can be done but in the long run a good TS will be a huge asset to any shop. But I've dropped it down the list from #1 to gosh.....6 or 7!
10saw
Because of the recent unpleasantness in these threads, none of the advocates of the two leading GCSS's (I never saw that acronym before) have come around here to argue their case.
However, if you have done any reading at all on these two systems, you'll know that their respective adherents argue a pretty strong case that you can survive without a TS.
I have one of the systems, and I like it a lot; but I am not about to get rid of my TS. Like many others, my TS is used heavily for joinery, and I find that to be quick and accurate. If you go with one of the GCSS's, both can accomodate a router for joinery.
********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
What do you folks think? Have any of you kicked your TS to the curb and rely only on GCSS and/or a band saw, or even just hand tools?
Yes.
First tool to the curb was the tablesaw. Followed by the joiner, ras, router table and soon the scms.
Few notes:
a. There are only a couple cuts that I've seen that couldn't be done (cove molding, if I even want/need any)
aa.
david.
PS.
If you post a specific question about the "systems" I can give you an answer without starting a war.
I do use a guided circular saw for cutting sheet goods (using a system the pre-dates the two well known ones). And I would not think of using a TS for sheet goods. BUT, when I'm making a dozen cabinet doors and need rails and styles (sp?), nothing beats the TS. So, put me in the one of each please camp.
Bob
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled