Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

iKnife Collector

The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel

Band saw vs table saw

This is a general question as I expand my experience and tools, which I know may be very subjective and depend on many factors.

I have very little space, and few tools, so looking at smaller tools - considering a band saw, or table saw. If I only get one, it seems to me that a band saw is likely the more useful of the two - I can split wood pieces, for example to make a 1/2 or 3/4 inch piece more suitable for scales, I can cut straight with a fence or miter, and I can cut curves for the scales which a table saw can't do.

Does my logic make sense that a band saw would be the better choice for me to start with?

Second, for a smaller 9" band saw - I have been looking at Skil and Craftsman, considering others as well. I see negative and positive reviews on both sides of Skil and Craftsman, but I'm looking for advice from others who actually use them. If you have a small band saw, or experience with one, and advice and recommendations is welcome before I go spend some money.

2 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by allanm on December 17, 2016 at 17:35

Thanks for the input David, and I agree (and input from Jan's Donnie too) on the higher amps. I also have a router in mind :-) for other things of course, and Dremel plunge router and bits in my amazon wish list just to play. The joys of toys ...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Mullins on December 17, 2016 at 17:42

I understand the 'never enough tools' thing. I built houses all my life before a bad fall stopped me. Even after 'retiring' I still wanted all the tools I could get. It's good to know if, in an emergency I have to actually build something I have the tools. haha...Most likely they will be obsolete if that happens!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ms Data on December 18, 2016 at 17:57

From my personal experience I can't recommend the new Craftsman power tools. The hand tools yes, because of the lifetime warranty, but not the newer power tools. Open one up, they are all plastic inside. Find a gently loved old one or look at a Jet 10", in my humble opinion.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Mullins on December 18, 2016 at 18:15

Nothing is built like the old ones, but a Delta is good for the money. Porter cable is still pretty good . Bosch makes a great jig saw but I've never owned a Bosch band saw so I don't know. Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee are all decent tools. Good luck!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on December 18, 2016 at 20:56

LOL, David Mullins! I had to pry the painters box away from Donnie when we moved and downsized. I could not get any of the tools away from him but he never did like to paint anyway

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Mullins on December 20, 2016 at 10:52

Well let me tell you something about that...I have a two car garage and three big out buildings and everyone is full to the max. I hardly ever use them but it's comforting to know they are out there. Gotta have those tools in case of emergency I reckon. lol

Jan Carter said:

LOL, David Mullins! I had to pry the painters box away from Donnie when we moved and downsized. I could not get any of the tools away from him but he never did like to paint anyway