Too many saws

[Getmaverick]

Each time I got rid of a tool that I didn't think I needed anymore, a project would come along making me wish I still had that tool.
I keep everything now. I may not need it for awhile, but when I do I'm prepared.

 

[Kev]

Obviously some sort of mental disorder happening here .. too many saws is an imaginary number!

If you have financial or physical storage constraints .. ok, that's understandable. But!!! having the opportunity to have the ideal tool at hand for any job you're presented with seems to be a no brainer to me.

 

[Holmz]

[member=13058]Kev[/member]  Euler and Gauss would have said it was complex, rather than a mental disorder.

 

[Stone Message]

I'd love to see a picture of your station Peter.  Since I got rid of my Shopsmith I now have room to use my Walko table which could be used as a station.  I'd have to leave it setup on the table but that wouldn't be a problem.

The cutting station is shown clearly in this video:


Peter

 

[suds]

Thanks for the video Peter.  I remember seeing it before but the light bulb didn't go off.  I'm challenged room wise but between two MFT 1080 tables and a upright Walko bench I should be able to work something out.  I'd like to figure out how to make the Walko more useful as a cutting station now that my Shopsmith is gone. 

 

[Stone Message]

Hi [member=4826]suds[/member]

I am pushed for room as well and so my cutting station is actually sitting on top of the CNC cabinet. I can take the cutting station anywhere as it is just a part sheet of MDF. I can make them in any size with as many or as few holes as I wish.

My mobile bench is also a track saw cutting station although its current top has not had its initiation ceremony yet !

Peter

 

[JimD]

I guess it's the size of our projects but the last saw I would get rid of is my track saw (a DeWalt).  I got a little time in today on a new cabinet for a bathroom.  It goes into a 16 inch wide space with a sloped ceiling next to a shower stall.  It will be about 40 inches tall with 7 drawers.  I cut the basic pieces for the carcase in less than 30 minutes.  I had one heavy lift to put the sheet of 3/4 onto the cutting bench but everything after that was easy.  This would have been much more difficult to do on a table saw. 

I haul sheet goods in a cheap HF trailer.  I've had it over 10 years and it works fine.  It will fold up to reduce storage space but I just leave it set up.  I slide the sheets flat into the trailer.  At 61 I am still managing fine.  Maybe in 10 years I will slow down some too.  I don't want my sheet goods cut to rough size at the home center.  I am concerned with the wood that would be wasted.  My SUV is also small and won't hold a full sheet even if it is cut into two pieces.  Trailer is much easier - and keeps the inside of the SUV from getting torn up.

Anyway, if I have to, I can use the track saw on relatively small pieces too.  I prefer to use my table saw, CMS, and RAS when their capabilities are suited to the task at hand but the track saw will do much of the work of these other tools.  Best is to have and use the saw best suited to the task at hand. 

My track saw sets on it's case under my workbench where gets used.  On the other side of the aisle is the shop vac where the saw gets plugged in.  So it's always essentially ready to go.

 

[suds]

I'm experimenting with the different cutting this weekend and for a couple of weeks to try and use the TS55.  So far every time I have something to cut I find that the Kapex will handle just about all I did this weekend and much faster than the TS55 even though I've set it up so I don't have to fish it out of the sustainer.  With cutting smaller wood I find that the Kapex or Sawstop is much faster and much less set up time.  Having to get supporting wood under the rail is somewhat of a pain and just adds to the set up time. 
I'll experiment with more cutting.  I do agree that big plywood sheets are much easier cut with a track saw.  I just seldom if ever do any of that now. 

 

[scoffelt]

I have a small basement shop, but I focused on efficient storage of tools.  I couldn't imagine my life without a track saw. I do tend to make furniture mostly.  My comment is more about tools sitting than which tool is best for what job.  I have a number of tools in my shop from hand tools to power tools that don't get used that often. However, when I do need it I have it to go to. The way I figure is I spent the money for it and won't get what I think the value is based on tool use. I would rather sit on it and not need it then get to a point where I did need it and not have it. A track saw really takes up little space and sure does make life easier when needed.  A large tool may be a different story. I guess if I got into a financial crunch some things might go but for now, I figured it would cost way more to replace if I needed it than the value I would get for it. Besides, its tool man, we all need them right?

 

[suds]

Good point. When you need the right tool it is really nice to have it available.  I guess I'm a little dissapointed I'm not getting the use or enjoyment out of this tool as much as with my other tools. I find all the set up and fiddling to get things lined up bothersome.

 

[Holmz]

Good point. When you need the right tool it is really nice to have it available.  I guess I'm a little disappointed I'm not getting the use or enjoyment out of this tool as much as with my other tools. I find all the set up and fiddling to get things lined up bothersome.

Sell it then, life is short and someone else can love it.
Some of your other saws sound nice.

I recall Spokane from '74... There was a world's fair there, and we were in a camper on the outskirts, but the busses ran non-stop.
Not a bd spot to be at.

 

[Bob D.]

I always thought saws were second only to clamps, in that you can never have enough.  ;D

 

[suds]

I experimented with cutting on my Walko table and it actually went fairly well.  Timed myself getting the saw set up and the track set as well as taking the shelves off the Walko.  I'm sure I could do it faster if it was something I did often but in the past I have just flopped the Walko on the ground and put the panel on top and made my cut.  This would be marginally faster. 
Spokane in the 70's was just starting to grow. Other than the cold winters it's a wonderful place to live.

 

[antss]

I'm with you about setup getting old.

But I think you're not really giving the TS a fair comparison.

Your other saws are left set up for the tasks you use them for most often. If you left the TS "setup" like Peter does with his , you'd just make your witness marks on the board and get sawing. Little fiddling would be involved.

Do you ever have to swap out the blade on the scroll saw ?  I hate that.  Same with swapping bandsaw blades.  That's why I have three of them in a small basement shop, because I hate fiddling on those too. I have chosen to give up the space/$ required for 3 because of that peeve, but realize others will think that ridiculous.

So what I'm saying is , it really boils down to what tools you use most often and how much space you have to devote to them. It's always a compromise as to what you leave setup ready to go for a particular operation.  When you have a dedicated tool ready to go you don't have to setup.

 

[suds]

Yes, that's a fair assessment and I've been thinking about it especiAlly since I did some cutting down of plywood and particle boards this weekend. I'd like to figure out a way to be able to hang the rail with the TS attached and the be able to use it quickly. The quality of cut was great but I honestly have to say it was no better than my SawStop.  Mounting the plywood on my Walko was a little easier than the SawStop but taking down the shelves to do it was another step.  I'm trying to convince myself that it is a better solution but everything else is right there with it or a little better.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Have you looked at things like the TSO Products GRS-16?

Even if you do not keep it on the rail, it is ready in a couple of minutes to provide perfect square cuts with the TS.
Since I got mine, I basically retired the rail attachments from the MFT/3.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[suds]

I have Qwas version of this and it does work well.  Also have the Qwas dogs and Parf dogs.  I think I have every gizmo to make setting up the rail faster.  :-\