Table saw needed?

fifthofwhisky

 I have some DIY woodworking which includes reducing the depth of around 20 full height and half height 600mm wall cabinets / bookcases / cupboards (cutting along the back edge), cutting some floor boards and ceiling panel boards to length (about 15 m2 - sub-structure and decorative), cutting several panels to replace a damaged shed,   building a woodstore, cutting timbers for a lean to at the side of a house (about 1.5x8m), making a frame and a gate for the side of the house, and other works such as new door linings, skirting, architraves, etc.

I realise that this could be done with a chop saw (which I don't have) and a circular saw (which I do have) but cutting the longer lengths with a circular saw is quite tricky to set up and not very accurate . So I'm thinking to purchase a table saw, which would also speed up set up times. I'm not expecting much for the £100+ or so I am able to pay and there are very mixed reviews for saws in this category.

Any suggestions of recommendations for a table saw (most at this price range seem to be made in China so I'm wondering if there is much between them)?

neilmcl

Thought about hiring one? You won't get anything decent in the £100 bracket.

akira181

A table saw would be the fastest and easiest to get straight cuts.  Potentially also the most dangerous if you've never used one before.  But for £100, even second hand you'll be hard pushed to find anything decent.  A chop would be fine for the timbers but won't have the reach for the panels and cabinets.

You could clamp a straight edge to the panel you're cutting and run the baseplate of the circular saw against the straight edge to have it function as a track saw.  It will take a bit longer but it works for straight cuts assuming you measured it right and have decent clamps that won't shift when cutting.

maisie_cat

A couple of alternatives are to buy a straight edge clamp, there are lots of makes, or make a T shape jig using 2 pieces of plywood. Use either with your circular saw. I have both and use them with the saw, jigsaw, router etc. Remember if the carcasses are plastic covered chipboard that you'll need a melamine blade on the circular saw to avoid chipping

Jackmydad

Cutting panel materials on a saw bench requires a lot of support for the material to do it safely, and a very large area to do it in.
If you do opt for a saw bench, make sure you understand the possible dangers, and how to use the machine properly before starting. This is worth reading https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/wis16.pdf

EssexExile

As others have said a good table saw is expensive & takes up a lot of space, a cheap table saw is useless. Just use a circular saw & a straight edge for sheet material. A mitre saw is handy for repetitive cutting of smaller timbers.

fifthofwhisky

neilmcl said:

Thought about hiring one? You won't get anything decent in the £100 bracket.

I had thought about that. However, I cannot do the jobs consecutively so would need several hires. Easier to have the saw at hand and get on with the various jobs when I can. Thanks.

fifthofwhisky

akira181 said:

A table saw would be the fastest and easiest to get straight cuts.  Potentially also the most dangerous if you've never used one before.  But for £100, even second hand you'll be hard pushed to find anything decent.  A chop would be fine for the timbers but won't have the reach for the panels and cabinets.

You could clamp a straight edge to the panel you're cutting and run the baseplate of the circular saw against the straight edge to have it function as a track saw.  It will take a bit longer but it works for straight cuts assuming you measured it right and have decent clamps that won't shift when cutting.

I have used one before and know that safety first is the way to go.

I've used the straight edge/clamp method before. Sometimes it seems easier to move the workpiece than the saw. It could be an option though.

john.h

Buy a cheap plunge saw and track

fifthofwhisky

john.h said:

Buy a cheap plunge saw and track

Thanks. Any examples of the type you refer to please?

flashg67

I'm a keen hobby pallet furniture maker and have a Titan table saw which is great for me (Screwfix cat no 958HF). They do take up space but I don't think I'd do without mine  - I tend to use it for smaller cuts too as it's quick and always get a straight line(!)