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Post by Teachndad on Nov 15, 2014 8:03:59 GMT -8
Okay guys and gals,
What's your our opinion on what's better for trailer restoration?
Pros and cons of a compound miter saw or a 10" table saw.
I need to to get one or the other and I am searching for a used one.
Thanks,
Rod
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Nov 15, 2014 20:58:53 GMT -8
Table saws are nice if you have the available space. IMO, you would need at least eight feet "clear" working room all around the saw. I do not have the room for this tool in my small shop.
I have a very old 10" Sears radial saw that works "good enough". Yard, Estate, and Garage sales are your friends for this kind of equipment.
A good 1/2" router, and a router bench with a fence are "must have" tools and you need both a fixed mount and a plunge mount when making cabinets and doors. The HF router bits are "good enough" for non commercial work.
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Post by bigbill on Nov 16, 2014 8:30:21 GMT -8
I have a Shop Smith that I can pull out and use then shove it back out of the way. I picked mine up from Craigs list for $400.00 a few years back. use the saw a lot, use the horizontal drill press a little, hardly ever use the lathe, but it is all there when I need it. The one I have sold for about four grand new. Then I have a power miter saw and a band saw plus several different types of power hand saws. After you do about fifty years of building and rebuilding trailers you will own a lot more tools. Like others I would love to have the space for a good cabinet grade table saw with eight foot tables to support the lumber being cut the only thing stopping me is money. My wife claims that I would need a 100 acre garage to contain all the tools that I would like to have, and she is probably right.
I built my first camper with a skill saw, saber saw, hand drill, screwdriver, and a hammer.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Nov 16, 2014 9:00:41 GMT -8
Bill, my dad had the shop you described, almost. Every saw imaginable in a HUGE shop, almost as big as his house. I inherited the shop but not the saws and lathe, unfortunately. I do have the radial arm saw, but I've never used it, and really don't know how.
My best friends have been my jigsaw, big Skil saw, and I couldn't live without my cordless Craftsman circular saw. It is awesome with a thin blade and great adjustments. It's light enough that I can handle it with no problem. I keep two batteries charged for it. I've gotten pretty good at making cuts. In the beginning, I tried to recruit my husband for sawing but I had to learn to do it myself.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Nov 16, 2014 14:03:52 GMT -8
Oh wow I used to have a Shop Smith about 35 years ago LOL. Fun tool...
I don't have either a table saw or a miter saw. I'd like to have both but just never really needed either one more than once. The miter saw will probably be your least used of the two. Nothing is mitered in an old trailer. Everything is butted. However you will have many occasions to rip wood and a table saw is best and safest for that.
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nanat
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Post by nanat on Nov 16, 2014 17:47:50 GMT -8
Before reading everyone comments, here's mine.
A table saw and a compound miter saw are both needed for woodworking on anything.
They perform different functions.
I never cross cut a board on a table saw (just rip),and of course you cannot cut a 4x8 sheet of anything on a compound miter saw.
A hand held skill saw I avoid (always)
Now I'll read what the men say LOL
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nanat
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Post by nanat on Nov 16, 2014 17:55:41 GMT -8
So it seems "whatever works" for different people.
Johns advice to go to yard sales and auctions etc is good.
Many of my tools came from auction sales.
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Post by vikx on Nov 16, 2014 21:18:17 GMT -8
I can't live without my miter saw. I use it for straight end cuts and more everyday. The skillsaw does the same job as a table saw with a steady hand. I did all my ripping for years with it. Now, I'll wander up to the barn to rip a board just so on the table saw...
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Post by bigbill on Nov 17, 2014 6:10:01 GMT -8
I can't live without my miter saw. I use it for straight end cuts and more everyday. The skillsaw does the same job as a table saw with a steady hand. I did all my ripping for years with it. Now, I'll wander up to the barn to rip a board just so on the table saw... I probably use the miter saw the most also. I use it to get quick straight end cuts. I have it on a rack with wheels so that I can use it right where I am at. |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Nov 17, 2014 6:54:02 GMT -8
LOL just my opinion guys... I lost my miter saw to a thief while in the hospital for a heart attack 10 years ago and have always said that when I need one more than twice in a row I would buy a new one. So far I still haven't needed one but then again you've all seen what I use LOL...
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Post by danrhodes on Dec 4, 2014 15:58:49 GMT -8
I have a ryobi plastic table saw, probably a $200 model that my stepfather gave me...I make better cuts with my skilsaw and a straight edge most of the time. A table saw might be useful for ripping framing lumber, but you'll never make the price back for the tool in what you save just buying the lumber properly sized (or paying your lumberyard and small fee to rip it for you).
I haven't done anything to my trailer, but from what I've read, a small $70 black friday miter saw makes sense for all the framing cuts, and you can use a low priced ($40?) circular saw for your panel cuts.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Dec 4, 2014 21:29:41 GMT -8
Table saw has been my go to for almost 50 years, but not the plastic portables like expressed earlier. You want to cut big box boards to length, get a miter (chop) saw.
Want to do some cabinet work inside your trailer, like rounded corners, panel doors, drawers, in-house trim, get a table saw.
No room in the garage? Put it on wheels and when mom's car is outside you're good to go.
An older heavy (only meaning garage sale non-plastic) table saw might set you back $50 or so but with some set up and some DIY jigs can do all you want and maybe inspire you to do more.
My 2 cents
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Post by bigbill on Dec 5, 2014 19:32:21 GMT -8
What kirkadie said!!! A good solid table with the right DIY jigs is hard to beat.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Dec 6, 2014 11:31:44 GMT -8
I have a choice between a solid steel, probably 1960-1970's table saw sitting in my mother in laws garage. Free but I am guessing needs a new Blade and adjusting? Or buy a new cheap table saw for $150.00. From what I am hearing here, the old one might be better. I will be using it for wood working and also to cut down my tiles for my floor. Can anyone recommend a couple of sizes or one blades that I should buy.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Dec 6, 2014 12:13:35 GMT -8
My saw is a 1940s Delta; only accepts a 8 1/4" blade. I put a 1 1/2 hp baldor motor on it and a multi-link belt and have cut thousands of feet of all kinds of lumber with it. It has a crappy fence that needs babied into position, but with some patience does a great job.
You'll have to see what size blades Mom's saw is meant to take. Most modern saws use a 10" blade. I guess you could measure from the arbor (shaft the blade goes on) to the closest protuberance to get in the range, but remember that the higher the blade is raised, the closer the arbor gets to said obstacles, at least on my saw.
Make sure you have a rip fence and miter gauge as they can be hard to find on older saws.
Long story short, make sure there is nothing loose on Mom's, plug it in, and see if it works.
Free is always good. There'll be plenty of things to spend money on after you get it.
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