Graham376
Well-Known Member
I have all three. A jigsaw can replace the bandsaw for many jobs, circular saw or hand saw can replace the table saw but, not much can replace the pedestal drill for accuracy and drilling capacity.
Which is most useful
- Thread starter PabloPicasso
- Start date
I have all three. A jigsaw can replace the bandsaw for many jobs, circular saw or hand saw can replace the table saw but, not much can replace the pedestal drill for accuracy and drilling capacity.
PabloPicasso
Well-Known Member
I've solved the table saw by bolting my circular saw upside down into a large square of mdf with a slot for the blade. It'll cut down some old door timbers I have for use in my main hatch rebuild.
I'll make a large T Square and clamp It for a fence guide.
I have a router which might be more useful in a router table. I see a router table can be got relatively cheaply.
I have a hand held old corded jigsaw, this'll probably do with the correct blade type for whatever I'm cutting.
I'm not sure I can justify the cost of more expensive equipment and I've limited space. I'll let you know how I get on.
I'll make a large T Square and clamp It for a fence guide.
I have a router which might be more useful in a router table. I see a router table can be got relatively cheaply.
I have a hand held old corded jigsaw, this'll probably do with the correct blade type for whatever I'm cutting.
I'm not sure I can justify the cost of more expensive equipment and I've limited space. I'll let you know how I get on.
lustyd
Well-Known Member
For me the table saw just uses space in the garage and I curse it regularly. If I wasn’t so lazy it would be gone by now. It can be replaced easily with a circular saw and guide for most jobs. No idea what I’d use a bandsaw for on boat jobs but if doing a full refit would consider one.
Pillar drills really are the only way to use forstner bits properly to make holes and plugs that go together. These are extremely common on boats. As others have said the control when drilling metal is also hard to beat and makes the job both safer and easier.
Pillar drills really are the only way to use forstner bits properly to make holes and plugs that go together. These are extremely common on boats. As others have said the control when drilling metal is also hard to beat and makes the job both safer and easier.
pandos
Well-Known Member
You can mount your router upside down on a piece of mdf just like you have done your skill saw.... Use a piece of perspex as a guard and put a fence with an opening for an extractor (the vacuum cleaner)...it will work a treat.
doug748
Well-Known Member
You have hit on the big 3, difficult to choose but for general work I would put:
1) Pillar drill, so useful for all kinds of work. Wood, matel plastic. Inexpensive
The next two will be more, or you will have a tool that is not much superior to a handheld:
2) Bandsaw, As 1 above, excellent general purpose kit. Quite expensive, don't buy a tiny one.
The last really could be first if you are doing a lot of woodwork, as it can give you almost planed finish, cut joints, etc as well as doing extensive donkey work:
3) Table saw. Very expensive, if you want accuracy. Look for a good used one?
.
Fr J Hackett
Well-Known Member
Lots of U Tube videos on making a router table, a lot use purpose made insert plates. I managed for years with one I made using a kitchen worktop off cut but eventually progressed to a bought one.
A router is one of the most versatile and useful power tools you can have especially with a table.
lustyd
Well-Known Member
Why are you drilling Barbie? Second thoughts I don’t wanna know ?
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
I bought a router in a job lot of three,but for some reason I am scared to use it.Would have been perfect for cutting out slots for stairs in the runners
Fr J Hackett
Well-Known Member
People often buy power tools thinking they are a short cut to accuracy and finish, they are not especially at the cheap end although there seem to be some good and cheap track saws available. But a cheap table saw will be next to useless the only thing it will do is to help you make sawdust quickly, as long as you are prepared to finish the cut by hand and square it up then it will serve but there are better options, if the OP does opt for a table saw of kinds the a crosscut jig is essential.
Fr J Hackett
Well-Known Member
Used with a fence taking shallow cuts in the right direction there is nothing to be afraid of treat it with respect and it will pay dividends, a block of wood with a straight edge is often all you need for a fence. Try it on a piece of scrap wood. The one thing you should do is unplug it whilst setting up, putting the bit in and setting the depth of cut etc.
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Thanks…..cut the slots with the circular saw then chiseled out would have been so much neater
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
As a wood butcher I would say buy a decent compound mitre saw before any of the other 3 suggestions
The OP has already built a work around to the table saw .
Pillar drills are expensive for serious slow repeatable metal drilling accuracy
And a bandsaw is nice. but a good orbital action jigsaw goes a long way … and can be taken to the boat
The OP has already built a work around to the table saw .
Pillar drills are expensive for serious slow repeatable metal drilling accuracy
And a bandsaw is nice. but a good orbital action jigsaw goes a long way … and can be taken to the boat
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I don't need to use a table saw often but when I do I clamp my circular saw upside down in my Workmate.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I have ruined more pieces of wood with a hand held jigsaw than I care to admit.
Bouba
Well-Known Member
If you are working with wood, I would get a bandsaw first. The pillar drill press can be replaced by an electric drill and a steady hand, unless you make a lot of 45 degree cuts, a table saw is also redundant....but a jigsaw never quite does the job...so a bandsaw it is?
But a router and lathe would be on my list...
But a router and lathe would be on my list...
Last edited:
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Bought a crosscut to principally cut mitres for door framing and later maybe picture frames …….always check before buying that it cuts 45degrees,mine didnt
Fr J Hackett
Well-Known Member
For picture framing you are better off with a hand mitre saw, I have Nobel one that I bought 40 years ago it has several blades but I mostly use the 24 tooth one for picture frames.
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
I now go to IKEA?
Kelpie
Well-Known Member
The Lidl pillar drill is OK but don't tighten up the clamp too much or you'll crack the casting...
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I've found that the reciprocating multi saw does a much better job than a jigsaw. It produces a finer cut, doesn't chip either surface and because of the blade diameter, doesn't wander. Also, you don't need to drill a pilot hole to start a cut.
