Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 08, 2009 01:21am | #1

   A decent table saw with a good fence is far more versatile than a miter saw. But, if your initial work is largely doing cutoffs of pre-dimensioned stock from the local big box outlet, a miter saw might be a better initial choice. You'll eventually buy all of the tools that will fit within your workspace, anyway. It's a disease, ya know. ;-)

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Dec 09, 2009 05:22am | #7

   Ralph,

   You'll eventually buy all of the tools that will fit within your workspace, anyway.

   Hah!  You have that big of a woodshop!?  I didn't think that was possible.  You rascal, how'd ye do it?    What I'm trying to figgur out is with all this you never have enough clamps, chisels, planes, etc. how come the woodshop doesn't get bigger too.

   Oh, I get it.  Another of those diseases?

   :-)

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 09, 2009 08:05am | #9

   Bob, the key phrase is "that will fit within the workspace". With some creativity, one can "engineer" more tools into a given space, up to a point. After that, it's time to expand - a newer, bigger shop, or a cluster of task-specific sheds. ;-)After my dad died, I added his tools to mine, with a fair bit of "engineering". Now, I almost don't have room to build anything. When I win the lottery, though, there will be a nice, big new shop building in the back yard. Then, I'll die, too. There's no way to really win at this. ;-)

2. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 10, 2009 07:08pm | #14

   AND a table saw is also. Both do their things..

   A decent table saw with a good fence is far more versatile than a miter saw..

   I think both have  place n the shop.

    

2. 
   bones | Dec 08, 2009 02:57am | #2

   To me the table saw is the center of my workshop.  I also have a CMS that is great, but the TS is the most versatile.  You will not be able to rip with a MS.  If I had only one a good tool to start my shop, the TS would be it.  Some will say the same about a good Bandsaw but I prefer the TS.  

   ...Advice is a form of nostalgia.  Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off , painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it’s worth –  lyrics from the song wear sunscreen

3. 
   mikeddd | Dec 08, 2009 06:17am | #3

   mcarp5:

    For furniture building you will get a lot more use out of a table saw than a miter saw, hands down. Then a band saw would be my next choice.

   Mike

4. 
   FingerJoint | Dec 08, 2009 11:37pm | #4

   Buy the best table saw you can afford/have room for.  If you are just starting out, I would look on Craigs List or other local classifieds for a good used contractor type saw with a cast iron table.  You can get a lot more bang for your buck than a portable saw.  Then get a good combination blade.  You can crosscut on the table saw with a miter gauge or cross-cut sled.  You can't rip with a miter saw. 

1. 
   spotcheck | Dec 09, 2009 03:47am | #5

   "Buy the best table saw you can afford/have room for"

   Bingo, FingerJoint.  

    

5. 
   tobiasshadow | Dec 09, 2009 04:52am | #6

   Like they all say, go for the table saw. It's the anchor of any shop. AND if there is a class around, TAKE the class. Learn how to use it so you don't lose any fingers. If no class get a book, or find everything you can on the Web.

6. 
   Tinkerer3 | Dec 09, 2009 05:43am | #8

   If your choice is only between the table saw or the miter saw, I think most woodworkers would recommend the table saw as there are so many things the miter saw will not do.  Some, however would recommend the band saw as a first stand alone tool which you also might consider.  Prices and space is another consideration which only you can decide on.  The price of the best table saw would be several times the price of the best miter saw.  For starting out, you might consider the hand circular saw.  How are you fixed on hand tools?  You will need screw drivers, measuring devices, chisels, hammers and on and on. 

   The radial arm saw, once one of the basic eight, has been all but replaced by the miter saw or the table saw; still I use mine and use it a fair amount.  It was my first purchase of a floor machine and I have built furniture almost solely with it, yet if I were starting  a shop over again, I don't know if I would get one. Lots of decisions coming up.

7. 
   roc | Dec 09, 2009 09:46am | #10

   It is fun to dream , and shop, power tools. Big, shiny things with electric motors and "precise" looking bits with numbers molded or otherwise attached. Hefty looking belts and pulleys. Mas grande !

   If you want to learn FINE woodworking then . . .

   I would recommend buying some of these:

   http://www.badaxetoolworks.com/index.html

   back saws rip and cross cut

   and panel saws rip and cross cut

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=s-ps

   You could buy nice old saws but no garantee they will be filed sharp and cut straight but the Bad Axe and Lie-Nielsen saws will be.

   And since you want to make a few tools make some of these

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2313

   And it would help to have a plane to use on them:

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=9

   Once you master these then you won't need to ask you will know what power saw to buy first depending on your projects and I bet it will be a bandsaw for your first but sounds like you want to cut some miters and stuff so the handsaws first then you will want to resaw for drawer sides etc. and so the band saw. I am not saying don't get a table saw but the others first.

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

   
   

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   Edited 12/9/2009 1:55 am by roc

1. 
   Knotscott | Dec 10, 2009 02:34am | #11

   The only time I find the miter saw worth pulling out is for crosscutting pieces longer than 6 feet. 

2. 
   Tinkerer3 | Dec 10, 2009 08:01am | #12

   Aha, my thoughts but you express yourself so efficiently.

   Tink

8. 
   Lataxe | Dec 10, 2009 05:46pm | #13

   M,

   If you are in Europe or some other location where they sell a large range of good quality TS with a sliding table, get one of these.  I've made near 160 pieces in the last 10 years and never needed a mitre/chop saw.  The sliding table also handles sheet goods so you won't need a portable circular saw either.

   If you live in the US, the only sliding tablesaws available are also European, it seems.  However only the larger industrial style variety seem to be imported, so they are expensive.  I would still save up and get one.

   Lataxe