Bandsaw or Smaller Jobsite Table-Saw

[Lbob131]

I have  the Metabo  TS 254  table/site  saw.
Its  240v, 2000 watt. As  I  work  mostly on farms (Poultry  house  construction) I get away  with  240v.

What  I like  most  about this  saw  is the leg system. Fast to deploy, sturdy  and  makes  the saw  compact  when  folded  up.

 

[jeh]

I don’t see how anyone can I’ve without a table saw without wasting time with setups. I can set the TS up for a cut in a few seconds and be on to my next cut before a rail can be aligned. I hav3 a use track saws a lot as they are better for some cuts. If I had a good table saw I’d keep it. A bandsaw is no substitute.

 

[Svar]

It all comes down to what you build. James Krenov only had band saw in his shop and no table saw.

 

[John1102]

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[ChuckM]

Krenov did emphasize the importance of having a fine bandsaw in a shop, but to be correct, he also owned and used a 10" Swedish table saw. You could see the saw in one of his books.

 

[ChuckM]

I don’t see how anyone can I’ve without a table saw without wasting time with setups. I can set the TS up for a cut in a few seconds and be on to my next cut before a rail can be aligned. I hav3 a use track saws a lot as they are better for some cuts. If I had a good table saw I’d keep it. A bandsaw is no substitute.

In fact, some woodworkers have more than one table saw (with one common fence or separate ones), no different from some of us who have two MFTs, two drill presses, or two router tables. For example, if you do a lot of dado work, you'd appreciate dedicating one table saw for that task. Or, if you want to maintain one saw fence setting in the interim. Sometimes the decision about what to have or how many to have is based on efficiency. I have multiple marking gauges and squares (precision and combo kinds), and they make my marking and layout tasks easier to complete.

 

[ScotF]

I think for building furniture the bandsaw is the most important stationary tool - a well tuned saw can do most everything a table saw can do and more. In fact, Gary Rogowski has said you can make anything with a bandsaw, a router and a chisel - and I think that is a true statement. Now, tablesaws do make certain operations more efficient and there is a place for them in most shops. But, if I had to choose one, the bandsaw would win every time. The only think a bandsaw cannot do is cut grooves. Pretty much every other cut can be accomplished with one and if you have a tracksaw, this might be a good way to go.

 

[MaineShop]

Forget the band saw, get yourself a small job site saw and get a Rousseau table for it and when you need it you have almost the capacity of the cabinet saw minus the rip power. And it can be folded away when you don't need it. Most of the band saw stuff can be done with a jig saw unless you are making small boxes or turning wod.

 

[mkasdin]

I bought my first portable table saw in 1983? made by Makita. It wore out after a while. It might have been the first portable table saw made ( feel free to correct me). By today’s standards it was probably crap. And about ten years ago I bought a Sawstop Contractor saw, with cast iron wings.  I sold it because I wasn’t using it much if at all? I fix houses and the TS was too big and heavy to move. So I guess you need to ask yourself how much space do you have? The table saws take up a lot of space. My next table saw will be the Sawstop job site pro. I think it works better for my workflow and application. If I’m not happy with it after one year I’ll sell it? I own the Bosch 4100-10 it was very good when I bought it, not sure of the date? It still runs but I’ve abused it cutting material. I’m going to sell it for cheap and I intend to keep the stand. Their Bosch stand is actually very nice. I agree with the above poster about the jigsaw as a semi permanent replacement. There is a good one out there other than Festool carvex, made in Europe ($$$) but that’s the extent of what I’m saying.

I do like the Grizzly Bandsaws they look nice, but the track saw, table saw and band saw are different wild animals

I saw the video of Poalini flipping the wood. I find that a bad practice and you can get kickback. That’s part of the reason my Bosch table saw has seen better days

Is wasn’t until the last 100 years? Did (modern 110v) branded power tools come into woodworking. There are a number of woodworkers that are hybrid or traditional and there are little to none power tools. Power tools increase efficiency. It also comes down to enjoyment, pleasure or profession or livelihood.
If your banging out cabinets = table saw, Resawing= 100% bandsaw, Furniture (commission work) = bandsaw, remodel/residential construction = job site saw