Do I need a table saw?

"Charles Krug" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:V24Ke.81516$5N3.30014@bgtnsc05->
> I have access to both and use both.
>
> TS excells for ripping, RAS for crosscutting, especially for repeating
> complicated cuts.
>
> If you have both, you'll use both.

My first large saw was a RAS. I used it for about 6 years amd built most of
the furniture in my house with it. Then I added a TS and never used the RAS
again. About 8 years later I added a CMS and used it untill I up graded to
a cabinet saw. I use the cabinet saw for everything now and seldom use the
CMS. More than anything I think the quality of the saw determines how much
you are going to use it. I have absolutely no problem making repeated exact
length cross cuts, miters, and compound miters hundreds of times with the TS
and a proper jig set up or sled.

On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 03:09:57 GMT, Edwin Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> "Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>
>> I am afraid that I mis-named one of my tools. I do not have a radial
>> arm saw. What I have is a tilting saw like a cutoff saw, that can do
>> miters of various kinds. Good for cutting boards at angles.
>
> That's a miter saw. Most are 10" or 12" blades.

Okay, yes, that's the name. Thanks.

>> I already have storage in my backyard... And my wife has been patient,
>> but her patience will run out one day!
>
> Keep the saw trade the wife. Next year my wife will be 60 and I'll trade
> her for two 30's.

I do not need to trade my wife to get more people, she can make new
people by herself, with a bit of help from me.

i

Have you tryed putting the table saw on a good mobile base and sticking
it as far against the wall as possible? This arrangement works for me
in my garage.

RonT

"Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have an old heavy Sears tablesaw. Besides, I have a hand circular
> saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and a radial saw. The tablesaw takes
> space in my garage and I have not used it in a while. I do not make
> fancy things like furniture etc. Just crude stuff for my projects that
> is of secondary nature (like an enclosure for a phase converter or a
> doghouse for a generator).
>
> So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
> tablesaw given that I have other saws. I suspect that the answer is
> no. If so, perhaps I can sell the tablesaw and free up some space.
>
> Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?
If you need to ask, then you don't.
Jim
>
> i
>

"Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have an old heavy Sears tablesaw. Besides, I have a hand circular
> saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and a radial saw. The tablesaw takes
> space in my garage and I have not used it in a while. I do not make
> fancy things like furniture etc. Just crude stuff for my projects that
> is of secondary nature (like an enclosure for a phase converter or a
> doghouse for a generator).
>
> So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
> tablesaw given that I have other saws. I suspect that the answer is
> no. If so, perhaps I can sell the tablesaw and free up some space.
>
> Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?
>
> i
>

That's the exact reverse for me where I use the table saw almost everyday
but hardly touch my radial arm saw. All that is I know is the tool that I
get rid off today or misplaced is the tool that I will need to buy
tomorrow - so I'm keeping everything and let the wife bitch until I built
the storage/shop in the backyard.

I suspect if you have not used it for a year, then you really don't
need one. An old Craftsman tablesaw, the really old ones, are not bad
machines. Personally, I think a table saw is the most useful power
tool in my shop. No other tool rips better than a table saw.

On Mon, 08 Aug 2005 19:40:58 GMT, Ignoramus21895
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I have an old heavy Sears tablesaw. Besides, I have a hand circular
>saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and a radial saw. The tablesaw takes
>space in my garage and I have not used it in a while. I do not make
>fancy things like furniture etc. Just crude stuff for my projects that
>is of secondary nature (like an enclosure for a phase converter or a
>doghouse for a generator).
>
>So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
>tablesaw given that I have other saws. I suspect that the answer is
>no. If so, perhaps I can sell the tablesaw and free up some space.
>
>Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?
>
>i

On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 15:35:17 GMT, Charles Krug <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Mon, 8 Aug 2005 16:25:36 -0700, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> "Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> That's the exact reverse for me where I use the table saw almost everyday
>> but hardly touch my radial arm saw. All that is I know is the tool that I
>> get rid off today or misplaced is the tool that I will need to buy
>> tomorrow - so I'm keeping everything and let the wife bitch until I built
>> the storage/shop in the backyard.
>>
>
> I have access to both and use both.
>
> TS excells for ripping, RAS for crosscutting, especially for repeating
> complicated cuts.
>
> If you have both, you'll use both.
>
> If you have one or the other, you'll be prefectly happy, and doubtless
> become a partisan for your prefered machine.
>
> A RAS needs space along a wall, versus a TS needing space all around,
> which is probably more important a consideration than any other for most
> people.

I keep my tablesaw, turned sideways, on top of my homemade rotary
phase converter. It does not take as much space as it used to, because
it is stored more effectively now.

i

On Mon, 08 Aug 2005 19:40:58 GMT, Ignoramus21895
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I have an old heavy Sears tablesaw. Besides, I have a hand circular
>saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and a radial saw. The tablesaw takes
>space in my garage and I have not used it in a while. I do not make
>fancy things like furniture etc. Just crude stuff for my projects that
>is of secondary nature (like an enclosure for a phase converter or a
>doghouse for a generator).
>
>So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
>tablesaw given that I have other saws. I suspect that the answer is
>no. If so, perhaps I can sell the tablesaw and free up some space.
>
>Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?

No, but it's usually a lot nicer than using the circular saw,
especially for ripping. If you've got one, it's worth hanging onto-
sure as anything, you'll need it the day after it leaves your garage.

NO, the RAS wil do all that more safely.
Wilson
"Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have an old heavy Sears tablesaw. Besides, I have a hand circular
> saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and a radial saw. The tablesaw takes
> space in my garage and I have not used it in a while. I do not make
> fancy things like furniture etc. Just crude stuff for my projects that
> is of secondary nature (like an enclosure for a phase converter or a
> doghouse for a generator).
>
> So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
> tablesaw given that I have other saws. I suspect that the answer is
> no. If so, perhaps I can sell the tablesaw and free up some space.
>
> Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?
>
> i
>

"Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> I am afraid that I mis-named one of my tools. I do not have a radial
> arm saw. What I have is a tilting saw like a cutoff saw, that can do
> miters of various kinds. Good for cutting boards at angles.

That's a miter saw. Most are 10" or 12" blades.

> I already have storage in my backyard... And my wife has been patient,
> but her patience will run out one day!

Keep the saw trade the wife. Next year my wife will be 60 and I'll trade
her for two 30's.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

On Tue, 9 Aug 2005 14:40:31 -0500, Ron Truitt <[email protected]> wrote:
> Have you tryed putting the table saw on a good mobile base and sticking
> it as far against the wall as possible? This arrangement works for me
> in my garage.

Yes, in fact I did just that a few days ago. I put it on top of my
phase converter, which is on wheels.

i

"Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 8 Aug 2005 16:25:36 -0700, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> "Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>I have an old heavy Sears tablesaw. Besides, I have a hand circular
>>> saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and a radial saw. The tablesaw takes
>>> space in my garage and I have not used it in a while. I do not make
>>> fancy things like furniture etc. Just crude stuff for my projects that
>>> is of secondary nature (like an enclosure for a phase converter or a
>>> doghouse for a generator).
>>>
>>> So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
>>> tablesaw given that I have other saws. I suspect that the answer is
>>> no. If so, perhaps I can sell the tablesaw and free up some space.
>>>
>>> Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?
>>>
>>> i
>>>
>>
>> That's the exact reverse for me where I use the table saw almost everyday
>> but hardly touch my radial arm saw.
>
> I am afraid that I mis-named one of my tools. I do not have a radial
> arm saw. What I have is a tilting saw like a cutoff saw, that can do
> miters of various kinds. Good for cutting boards at angles.
>
>> All that is I know is the tool that I get rid off today or misplaced
>> is the tool that I will need to buy tomorrow - so I'm keeping
>> everything and let the wife bitch until I built the storage/shop in
>> the backyard.
>
> I already have storage in my backyard... And my wife has been patient,
> but her patience will run out one day!
>
> i
>

Since you don't have a RAS you may just want to keep the TS.

On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 17:07:40 GMT, Charles Krug <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 15:52:28 GMT, Leon <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>>
>> "Charles Krug" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:V24Ke.81516$5N3.30014@bgtnsc05->
>>> I have access to both and use both.
>>>
>>> TS excells for ripping, RAS for crosscutting, especially for repeating
>>> complicated cuts.
>>>
>>> If you have both, you'll use both.
>>
>> My first large saw was a RAS. I used it for about 6 years amd built most of
>> the furniture in my house with it. Then I added a TS and never used the RAS
>> again. About 8 years later I added a CMS and used it untill I up graded to
>> a cabinet saw. I use the cabinet saw for everything now and seldom use the
>> CMS. More than anything I think the quality of the saw determines how much
>> you are going to use it. I have absolutely no problem making repeated exact
>> length cross cuts, miters, and compound miters hundreds of times with the TS
>> and a proper jig set up or sled.
>>
>
> silly me assuming equal quality. The RASes I've used are old, solid
> Craftman units from the '60s. The TS is similar vintage.
>
> I've not seen any current production RAS that I'd buy apart from the
> Delta 12" model the Borgs have for cutting millwork to size.
>
> That model looks comparable to current Unisaw/Powermatic offerings, for
> a price point in the same ballpark.

My table saw is an old Craftsman model with cast iron body and two big
wings.

i

Thank you. I think that I will keep this table saw. It's a nice cast
iron TS.

i

On Thu, 11 Aug 2005 09:37:21 -0400, Guess who <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Mon, 08 Aug 2005 19:40:58 GMT, Ignoramus21895
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
>>tablesaw given that I have other saws.
>
> I watched my neighbour ripping some wood using his RAS. I gave him a
> table saw + a 3/4HP motor from a recent yard sale + a carbide that
> wouldn't suit my new saw. He still uses it, as well as his other
> equipment.
>
> I had sold my RAS for a song some time ago. Being a lefty, I found it
> even more unsuitable for me, and with a daughter and granddaughter
> have built a ton of stuff without it.
>


--

On Mon, 8 Aug 2005 16:25:36 -0700, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> "Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> That's the exact reverse for me where I use the table saw almost everyday
> but hardly touch my radial arm saw. All that is I know is the tool that I
> get rid off today or misplaced is the tool that I will need to buy
> tomorrow - so I'm keeping everything and let the wife bitch until I built
> the storage/shop in the backyard.
>

I have access to both and use both.

TS excells for ripping, RAS for crosscutting, especially for repeating
complicated cuts.

If you have both, you'll use both.

If you have one or the other, you'll be prefectly happy, and doubtless
become a partisan for your prefered machine.

A RAS needs space along a wall, versus a TS needing space all around,
which is probably more important a consideration than any other for most
people.

>>
>>So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
>>tablesaw given that I have other saws. I suspect that the answer is
>>no. If so, perhaps I can sell the tablesaw and free up some space.
>>
>>Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?
>>
>>i

=======================
From your comments I would say you really have no need for the
Tablesaw if you have not used it in a year your answered your own
question...

That Radial Arm saw takes up MORE room then the Table saw
I'd put the Tablesaw on a mobile base and sell or give away the Radial
Arm saw...

Every one of us have different needs..because we all make different
things... BUT I could NOT live without my Tablesaw(s)...

Just my 3 cents worth

Bopb G.

Ignoramus21895 (in [email protected]) said:

| Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?

If you don't use it, then it doesn't do you any good to keep it. In my
case, I'd give up almost any other saw in my shop before I gave up my
table saw.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/solar.html

On Mon, 8 Aug 2005 16:25:36 -0700, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> "Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I have an old heavy Sears tablesaw. Besides, I have a hand circular
>> saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and a radial saw. The tablesaw takes
>> space in my garage and I have not used it in a while. I do not make
>> fancy things like furniture etc. Just crude stuff for my projects that
>> is of secondary nature (like an enclosure for a phase converter or a
>> doghouse for a generator).
>>
>> So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
>> tablesaw given that I have other saws. I suspect that the answer is
>> no. If so, perhaps I can sell the tablesaw and free up some space.
>>
>> Any thoughts? Do I need a tablesaw?
>>
>> i
>>
>
> That's the exact reverse for me where I use the table saw almost everyday
> but hardly touch my radial arm saw.

I am afraid that I mis-named one of my tools. I do not have a radial
arm saw. What I have is a tilting saw like a cutoff saw, that can do
miters of various kinds. Good for cutting boards at angles.

> All that is I know is the tool that I get rid off today or misplaced
> is the tool that I will need to buy tomorrow - so I'm keeping
> everything and let the wife bitch until I built the storage/shop in
> the backyard.

I already have storage in my backyard... And my wife has been patient,
but her patience will run out one day!

i

A mind is a terrible thing to waste.


--

Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]

On Mon, 08 Aug 2005 19:40:58 GMT, Ignoramus21895
<[email protected]> wrote:

>So, what I am getting at is, are there any real life needs for a
>tablesaw given that I have other saws.

I watched my neighbour ripping some wood using his RAS. I gave him a
table saw + a 3/4HP motor from a recent yard sale + a carbide that
wouldn't suit my new saw. He still uses it, as well as his other
equipment.

I had sold my RAS for a song some time ago. Being a lefty, I found it
even more unsuitable for me, and with a daughter and granddaughter
have built a ton of stuff without it.

"Charles Krug" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:wp5Ke.81741$5N3.54024@bgtnsc05-


> I don't find ripping comfortable on an RAS, but my wife's uncle has only
> a RAS and a miniscule shop and thinks I'm foolish for wanting a CS
> rather than an RAS.


Yeah, I hated ripping on a RAS also. I was not fond of ripping 2' and
shorter pieces on a RAS.

On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 17:10:04 GMT, Ignoramus6689
<[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> I've not seen any current production RAS that I'd buy apart from the
>> Delta 12" model the Borgs have for cutting millwork to size.
>>
>> That model looks comparable to current Unisaw/Powermatic offerings, for
>> a price point in the same ballpark.
>
> My table saw is an old Craftsman model with cast iron body and two big
> wings.
>

The TS is an early '60's Craftsman with a cast iron top and a shop-made
roller stand. About the size/weight/motor of a modern contractor saw,
but only a 9" blade. The fence is fussy, but it stays in place once you
set it up. An outfeed table and you're in business.

Both RASes are late '60's vintage 10" models, and hold their adjustment
for literal YEARS, my usual victim in hobbyest use for my Dad and me,
SWMBO's uncle in moderate commercial use.

I'm still buying the 5HP Powermatic with my lottery winnings.

"Fred" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...


>>> I use the table saw almost everyday but hardly touch my radial arm saw.
>>> <<<

I worked for a company (29 years) that sold both. Table saws out sold radial
arm saws to a point it wasn't even a race. The radial arm saws did beat out
the table saws in one area though, they beat the table saws back to the
service department for repairs, probably by a 100 to 1 ratio. RM~

PS, In all fairness, I will say that this was in the days before very many
direct drive table saws were sold. They probably evened up the score a tad.

On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 15:52:28 GMT, Leon <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
> "Charles Krug" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:V24Ke.81516$5N3.30014@bgtnsc05->
>> I have access to both and use both.
>>
>> TS excells for ripping, RAS for crosscutting, especially for repeating
>> complicated cuts.
>>
>> If you have both, you'll use both.
>
> My first large saw was a RAS. I used it for about 6 years amd built most of
> the furniture in my house with it. Then I added a TS and never used the RAS
> again. About 8 years later I added a CMS and used it untill I up graded to
> a cabinet saw. I use the cabinet saw for everything now and seldom use the
> CMS. More than anything I think the quality of the saw determines how much
> you are going to use it. I have absolutely no problem making repeated exact
> length cross cuts, miters, and compound miters hundreds of times with the TS
> and a proper jig set up or sled.
>

silly me assuming equal quality. The RASes I've used are old, solid
Craftman units from the '60s. The TS is similar vintage.

I've not seen any current production RAS that I'd buy apart from the
Delta 12" model the Borgs have for cutting millwork to size.

That model looks comparable to current Unisaw/Powermatic offerings, for
a price point in the same ballpark.

It's always been evident to me that building a usuable TS is a much
simpler matter than building a usuable RAS. The lack of the RAS
equivalent to a Grizzley contractor saw would seem to indicate that
manufacturers agree--though I've never seen DeWalt's (irrc) offering up
close.

I don't find ripping comfortable on an RAS, but my wife's uncle has only
a RAS and a miniscule shop and thinks I'm foolish for wanting a CS
rather than an RAS.

At a similar price point, the machines are more or less interchangable
and it comes down to preference.

On Tue, 9 Aug 2005 12:26:29 -0400, Bob N <[email protected]> wrote:
> Excuse my ignorance, but what in tar nation is a "rotary phase converter" ?

It is a device that produces 3 phase power from single phase power. A
rotary phase converter can be made in several different ways, but they
always include a large 3 phase motor that is called an "idler". That
idler, as it spins in the magnetic field generated by the single phase
leg, produces phase shifted power in the third leg.

The challenge is to make the idler spin up. Once it starts spinning,
it can continue to run on single phase power.

My phase converter has a 10 HP idler motor, and start capacitors that
are used for starting (and are never switched off sincethey are
continuous duty).

Its pictures and the story can be seen at

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Phase-Converter/

My rotary phase converter cost me $45 to make. A similar new RPC would
cost approximately $600 plus shipping.

i
>
> "Ignoramus6689" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 15:35:17 GMT, Charles Krug <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>> > On Mon, 8 Aug 2005 16:25:36 -0700, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> "Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> >> news:[email protected]...
>> >>
>> >> That's the exact reverse for me where I use the table saw almost
> everyday
>> >> but hardly touch my radial arm saw. All that is I know is the tool that
> I
>> >> get rid off today or misplaced is the tool that I will need to buy
>> >> tomorrow - so I'm keeping everything and let the wife bitch until I
> built
>> >> the storage/shop in the backyard.
>> >>
>> >
>> > I have access to both and use both.
>> >
>> > TS excells for ripping, RAS for crosscutting, especially for repeating
>> > complicated cuts.
>> >
>> > If you have both, you'll use both.
>> >
>> > If you have one or the other, you'll be prefectly happy, and doubtless
>> > become a partisan for your prefered machine.
>> >
>> > A RAS needs space along a wall, versus a TS needing space all around,
>> > which is probably more important a consideration than any other for most
>> > people.
>>
>> I keep my tablesaw, turned sideways, on top of my homemade rotary
>> phase converter. It does not take as much space as it used to, because
>> it is stored more effectively now.
>>
>> i
>>
>
>


--

Excuse my ignorance, but what in tar nation is a "rotary phase converter" ?


"Ignoramus6689" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 15:35:17 GMT, Charles Krug <[email protected]>
wrote:
> > On Mon, 8 Aug 2005 16:25:36 -0700, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>
> >> "Ignoramus21895" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> news:[email protected]...
> >>
> >> That's the exact reverse for me where I use the table saw almost
everyday
> >> but hardly touch my radial arm saw. All that is I know is the tool that
I
> >> get rid off today or misplaced is the tool that I will need to buy
> >> tomorrow - so I'm keeping everything and let the wife bitch until I
built
> >> the storage/shop in the backyard.
> >>
> >
> > I have access to both and use both.
> >
> > TS excells for ripping, RAS for crosscutting, especially for repeating
> > complicated cuts.
> >
> > If you have both, you'll use both.
> >
> > If you have one or the other, you'll be prefectly happy, and doubtless
> > become a partisan for your prefered machine.
> >
> > A RAS needs space along a wall, versus a TS needing space all around,
> > which is probably more important a consideration than any other for most
> > people.
>
> I keep my tablesaw, turned sideways, on top of my homemade rotary
> phase converter. It does not take as much space as it used to, because
> it is stored more effectively now.
>
> i
>