I want a mitre saw and a table saw/saw for 8ft straight cuts
Discussion
There's no easy answer, I think you should talk to D&M Tools http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/
They've got a show this weekend at Kempton Park, which would be even better because they'll demo the products. Axminster Power Tools Centre are great as well, there's one in High Wycombe if you want another opinion. Their own brand stuff is good value, and they have great aftersales support.
Personally I don't rate flip-saws, only worth the money if you're short on space or need it to be portable. I use a hand held circular saw with a straight edge to do 8' cuts, a 10" table saw for smaller cuts, I also have a radial arm saw and mitre saw and they all have their place. And a jigsaw, alligator saw, bandsaw... although I often just reach for a handsaw these days
They've got a show this weekend at Kempton Park, which would be even better because they'll demo the products. Axminster Power Tools Centre are great as well, there's one in High Wycombe if you want another opinion. Their own brand stuff is good value, and they have great aftersales support.
Personally I don't rate flip-saws, only worth the money if you're short on space or need it to be portable. I use a hand held circular saw with a straight edge to do 8' cuts, a 10" table saw for smaller cuts, I also have a radial arm saw and mitre saw and they all have their place. And a jigsaw, alligator saw, bandsaw... although I often just reach for a handsaw these days
Edited by -Pete- on Friday 7th October 19:13
What are you trying to cut/build? If you need to dimension plywood you can't beat a rail saw, for smaller rip cuts a table saw is the weapon of choice and a mitre saw for cross cuts. I've got all three, Dwalt/Festool/Metabo but I'm in the building game; Maybe get one of each but of the more DIY oriented stuff e.g Erbauer from Screwfix
If I am cutting 1220x2440 (4'x8') sheets, I use my track saw. It's much easier to have the sheet flat and move the saw. Smaller sheets I use the table saw. Most of the cutting I do with the mitre saw is cross cutting.
With all saws, the secret is the blade, I have all sorts to cut different things.
BOSCH GCM10S
BOSCH GTS 10 XC
Festool TS55 + rails.
With all saws, the secret is the blade, I have all sorts to cut different things.
BOSCH GCM10S
BOSCH GTS 10 XC
Festool TS55 + rails.
The track saw is the correct answer. Ripping an 8ft length with a table saw is not advisable unless you have a f
koff big (and expensive) table saw.
As a man of means you should be looking at the Festool range, you can get a 1400mm track with the saw (for crosscutting 8x4 sheets), and a 2700mm track to do the full length rips. You will need an vacuum extractor to go with it, get the type you plug the saw into, which will then switch on the vacuum when it senses that the saw has been started
koff big (and expensive) table saw.As a man of means you should be looking at the Festool range, you can get a 1400mm track with the saw (for crosscutting 8x4 sheets), and a 2700mm track to do the full length rips. You will need an vacuum extractor to go with it, get the type you plug the saw into, which will then switch on the vacuum when it senses that the saw has been started
My carpenter was cutting down my tall unit end panels with a straight edge clamped to them and a decent circular saw - as he has for 25 years.
There is no need for anything else unless you are doing a lot and a track/plunge saw will save a bit of time.
I use my cheap (£70ish) table saw for cutting down 8' sheets if need multiple pieces the same size, but the edge is not perfect by any means, I mostly use it to cut down larger timber to smaller sizes as I haven't got a thicknesser.
There is no need for anything else unless you are doing a lot and a track/plunge saw will save a bit of time.
I use my cheap (£70ish) table saw for cutting down 8' sheets if need multiple pieces the same size, but the edge is not perfect by any means, I mostly use it to cut down larger timber to smaller sizes as I haven't got a thicknesser.
I think if you have a half decent circular saw, you can fashion up a table saw and track saw DIY if you're that way inclined. Plenty of youtube videos of, mostly yanks it seems, doing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceFWwXIZk4k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceFWwXIZk4k
Before you splash the cash on a very expensive saw, watch this:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oezp-_DcUgg
Pulls no punches!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oezp-_DcUgg
Pulls no punches!
V8RX7 said:
My carpenter was cutting down my tall unit end panels with a straight edge clamped to them and a decent circular saw - as he has for 25 years.
There is no need for anything else unless you are doing a lot and a track/plunge saw will save a bit of time.
I use my cheap (£70ish) table saw for cutting down 8' sheets if need multiple pieces the same size, but the edge is not perfect by any means, I mostly use it to cut down larger timber to smaller sizes as I haven't got a thicknesser.
My carpenter put my fence up with a hammer and a box of nails, I would use a nail gun. There is no need for anything else unless you are doing a lot and a track/plunge saw will save a bit of time.
I use my cheap (£70ish) table saw for cutting down 8' sheets if need multiple pieces the same size, but the edge is not perfect by any means, I mostly use it to cut down larger timber to smaller sizes as I haven't got a thicknesser.
My carpenter was putting in my decking screws with a cordless drill, I would use a impact driver
My carpenter was drilling the brickwork with a hammer drill, I would use a sds drill.
I could still use a Yankee screwdriver to put screws in but I use the best tools for the job.
John..
CypSIdders said:
Before you splash the cash on a very expensive saw, watch this:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oezp-_DcUgg
Pulls no punches!
You can listen to the whttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oezp-_DcUgg
Pulls no punches!
ker on that video, or you can listen to the people who make their living cutting wood. I have two Festool TS55s, one that is 12 years old, the other 8. The oldest one has cut up well over a hundred 8 x 4 sheets of 18mm birch plywood and is still running strong. It's been back to Festool twice, once for brushes and once to replace a bent baseplate (dropped it once to often). anonymous said:
[redacted]
If I were a tradesman, I'd probably want a rail saw (and need a shower ) but if you're woodworking for fun then it doesn't matter if it takes a bit longer. Personally I think you're paying extra for the brand with Festool (like Nikon cameras or Sony laptops) but I'm sure they're brilliant.It amazes me how people take these threads so personally
Can you describe what you intend to do with the tools, it wasn't obvious to me from the OP? It depends if we're talking about 8x4' ply or rough sawn burr walnut. I have a planer thicknesser, a couple of routers (one in a table) and all sorts of other tools I use for real wood when I build furniture.
For 8' boards I use a couple of Irwin Quick Grip clamps to hold a 10' long aluminium H section (ex office partition wall) onto the board, and a B&D circular saw - that's £100. Everything else can usually be done with a 10" table saw, mine's a delta with legs - that's another £250. Build a cross-cutting jig for it - £30. Mitre saws are good for cutting to length, skirting, framing etc but you don't need one for panels.
I guess money's not too much of an issue, but how much space do you have? My biggest limitation is space, my workshop has to house a lot of other hobbies, kids stuff and wife's cr@p.
I do as much as I can outdoors where I don't have to worry about dust extraction, I drag everything outside (get a black & decker workmate). So I wouldn't want a massive table saw or combi... although one of these might be fun if I didn't mind changing the setup every few minutes http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-awc4-combinat...
And as I said, there's an awful lot you can do just as quickly by hand.
The thing is, there'a always a cheaper way of doing something, whatever it is. The cheaper way will be slower and not so accurate.
If the money is important then adopt the cheapest method and equipment.
If you find you like doing DIY you will upgrade eventually and then you will know where the extra money went.
If the money is important then adopt the cheapest method and equipment.
If you find you like doing DIY you will upgrade eventually and then you will know where the extra money went.
A decent crosscut saw like this Bosch http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-professional-gcm-1... plus the folding table to go with it. The stand has wheels and the saw can be left bolted to it, all connected it still wheels through a standard doorway. I like this saw as it's a compound mitre saw, cuts deep and has a reasonably fine blade for cutting, it also has high fences which is a plus, most don't ..... it should also last a lifetime .
A decent rail saw like the festool with 2x 1.4 metre rails (they just bolt together for long cuts) comes as a kit. (Make sure the bag is included for the rails) . I wouldn't bother with a table saw. Festool and Bosch crosscut max of £1400 inc table if you shop around, dust extractor extra.
A decent rail saw like the festool with 2x 1.4 metre rails (they just bolt together for long cuts) comes as a kit. (Make sure the bag is included for the rails) . I wouldn't bother with a table saw. Festool and Bosch crosscut max of £1400 inc table if you shop around, dust extractor extra.
Don't get a makita plunge saw, they are very poor quality compared to a dewalt version. The dewalt plunge saw also lets you run it flat on it's side, for trimming the bottom of doors and such like.
I have got both makita and dewalt mitre saws and it is down to personal preference with them, quality wise, nothing between them.
I have got both makita and dewalt mitre saws and it is down to personal preference with them, quality wise, nothing between them.
I am a keen ameater , so that's from where I come from !
My kids have just given me. DW plunge saw and 2 rails for my 60th birthday , wife heard me waffling on about track saws , so did research and although Fes is the best for sure , DW is a close 2 nd, tried a few test cuts , and wow how did I get on before and having just made units and stuff for wife's sewing room from Birch ply wish I had it before . So so far big thumbs up for track saws , wish I had one years ago?
I have a. DW 743 flip saw , which is also a great piece of kit , bought 2nd hand about 5 years ago , after the failure of a 2 nd cheap £200 table saw , the motors. Are crap as are the switches etc. The DW has a nice induction motor ( no brushes ) is rewind able , and failing that all the parts are available as spares , I bought a Irving knife and guard for mine as these parts were missing . I ah e made a steel table extension , but even with this the saw is not great for big sheets, you need a big feed off table and side tables even with a big good table saw , look at Frank Howarths videos.
Doing sons shower room recently bought him a cheap circular saw from screw fix , £100 job , it's crap terrible in fact , noisy , vibration , and flimsy , my DW saw is now 20 years old works fine been through several blades , been dropped out of loft , but is good
So don't skimp buy decent stuff , I have a bit of DW stuff Makita , and Bosch all work well and over the years slowly dumped the cheap , only thing left is a Sparky belt sander .
My kids have just given me. DW plunge saw and 2 rails for my 60th birthday , wife heard me waffling on about track saws , so did research and although Fes is the best for sure , DW is a close 2 nd, tried a few test cuts , and wow how did I get on before and having just made units and stuff for wife's sewing room from Birch ply wish I had it before . So so far big thumbs up for track saws , wish I had one years ago?
I have a. DW 743 flip saw , which is also a great piece of kit , bought 2nd hand about 5 years ago , after the failure of a 2 nd cheap £200 table saw , the motors. Are crap as are the switches etc. The DW has a nice induction motor ( no brushes ) is rewind able , and failing that all the parts are available as spares , I bought a Irving knife and guard for mine as these parts were missing . I ah e made a steel table extension , but even with this the saw is not great for big sheets, you need a big feed off table and side tables even with a big good table saw , look at Frank Howarths videos.
Doing sons shower room recently bought him a cheap circular saw from screw fix , £100 job , it's crap terrible in fact , noisy , vibration , and flimsy , my DW saw is now 20 years old works fine been through several blades , been dropped out of loft , but is good
So don't skimp buy decent stuff , I have a bit of DW stuff Makita , and Bosch all work well and over the years slowly dumped the cheap , only thing left is a Sparky belt sander .
neth27 said:
My carpenter put my fence up with a hammer and a box of nails, I would use a nail gun.
My carpenter was putting in my decking screws with a cordless drill, I would use a impact driver
My carpenter was drilling the brickwork with a hammer drill, I would use a sds drill.
I could still use a Yankee screwdriver to put screws in but I use the best tools for the job.
John..
All the gear... no ideaMy carpenter was putting in my decking screws with a cordless drill, I would use a impact driver
My carpenter was drilling the brickwork with a hammer drill, I would use a sds drill.
I could still use a Yankee screwdriver to put screws in but I use the best tools for the job.
John..
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