Replies

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Aug 27, 2008 06:58am | #1

   I would say that a bandsaw is more versitile than a table saw, but has a limited width capacity, so it's not the choice for ripping plywood.  It's not as versatile when it comes to joinery as well.  For "furniture making" where there are lots of curved parts and veneer to resaw, I'd take a bandsaw first.  For "cabinets" made from large pieces of plywood, the tablesaw is the logical choice.  I wouldn't want to be without either, though.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

2. 
   KungFuJesus | Sep 07, 2008 08:52am | #2

   if i could only have 1 it would be a tablesaw. if i could compromise i would pick a tablesaw and a jigsaw over a bandsaw and a skill saw.

1. 
   heartwould | Sep 08, 2008 04:26am | #4

   Amen to that! While trying to cut drawer parts to size in my very small shop with a circular saw yesterday, I repeatedly complained to My Young Bride how much I need a table saw! There is no way that I could get the same cuts from a band saw.

2. 
   WheelinArcher | Sep 11, 2008 07:38am | #9

   Ditto

3. 
   Knotscott | Sep 07, 2008 02:11pm | #3

   The TS is the prime cutting tool in my shop for joint quality rips, crosscuts, dados,  grooves, slots, and rabbets.   A full size TS also provides a large flat cast iron reference surface that's handy quite often.

   The BS is capable of making the rips and crosscuts, in addition to curves, but does not give a glue ready edge, and is more difficult to get straight cuts from too.  The cut surfaces tend to be much rougher with the BS and need to be planed or jointed prior to glue up.  I tend to use my BS for curves, resawing, and really thick rips. 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/7/2008 7:19 am ET by Knotscott

4. 
   HoustonHeights | Sep 09, 2008 05:02pm | #5

   If I had to pick one, I'd pick the bandsaw, without any hesitation.  I have a small contractor tablesaw, but it has not been used in a long time.  Instead, I rely almost exclusively on my bandsaw -- not because I think it is superior to the tablesaw, but because it fits my work better.  It is very rare for me to work with plywood and I do all "joinery" type cuts (dados, rabbets, etc.) with handplanes.  I also do a signicant amount of curved cuts and resawing -- all bandsaw operations.  Plus, working in a smallish garage, I like the fact that the bandsaw takes up far less space than a massive tablesaw. 

5. 
   dkellernc | Sep 09, 2008 05:09pm | #6

   If you must choose because of space or funds, stick with the bandsaw and add a 9' and a 5' edge guide to your arsenal.  These guides are available realtively cheaply, and will allow you to cut perfectly square rips and crosscuts in plywood with your circular saw.

   That's an acceptable substitute for what a lot of people use their table saw for, which is reducing plywood and lumber to size.  Others use their table saw for joinery cuts, such as mortise and tenons, dados, rabbets, etc..., but there are substitutes for these joints, primarily a router and a jig.  They're a bit slower than a table saw, but if you're not doing production work, that won't matter much.

   You can also use your bandsaw to do some joinery operations in conjunction with a router - you make the mortise with the router, and the tenon with the bandsaw.  With an inexpensive jig, you can even use your bandsaw to saw dovetails.  It's a pretty versatile tool.

6. 
   LB | Sep 10, 2008 12:39am | #7

   I recall reading an article in FWW about 5 must have tools and the author did not even mention a tablesaw! His first tool of choice was a bandsaw! I shook my head in disbelief until I acquired and setup a Laguna LT16 last year.

   Based on personal experience a WELL TUNED, QUALITY Bandsaw with QUALITY blade is a much more versatile tool than the table saw. I find myself heading over to the bandsaw much more often than my table saw. My recommendation would be to save up and buy a good quality bandsaw.

   Despite having both the bandsaw and tablesaw, I still rip plywood using circular saw and shopmade guide fence. It is much safer than either of the other two options.

1. 
   pzaxtl | Sep 10, 2008 07:18am | #8

   That was an article by Gary Rowgowski and I think his advice is spot on.  Given the choice of only one of the two, I'd take the bandsaw.