Thread: Tablesaw or bandsaw?

I have spent years building a proper wood shop. With the addition of that big cabinet saw and a jointer recently I am in heaven. I will give you an example. That big humi. I rip and cut the ply to size on the table saw. I cut the box angles on the table. Make the rabbit cuts for the base on the router table I built into the table saw. Now for the liner, I have a ¾”x8”x3’ Spanish seeder board that needs to line that big box. So I rip it to two 4” planks, plane them to make sure they are square then resaw them into 4 3/16 inch boards from each section, then plain out the mill marks and make sure each is the exact thickness. Now that one board has become 8 4”tall, 3’ long boards. You cannot do that in a table saw and ripping a 4’x4’ board in a band saw, while possible, would be a major pain and your results would probably suck. But we are getting way OT.

To cut the rolling angles used in scales, you need a thin blade, be it band saw, scroll saw or coping saw. You can put a ½ inch blade on a band saw and resaw ebony, maple, bone, horn, antler, composite, etc… I have cut them all in my saw, and for just scale making a good band saw, 6 or 8 inch table belt sander and a spindle sander will do wonders. I have made a dozen sets of scales in one afternoon but I have it down to a science at this point. A word of wisdom, don’t go cheep. Yes you can get a band saw for $200 at the big box hardware store, but you will be disappointed. You cant do a big job with a small tool, but you can do a small job with a big tool.

I have both and use the band saw much more . The band saw is much more versatile and much safer working with small pieces (no kick back). I will work much closer to the blade with a band saw than with a table saw. Using a resaw blade you can easily slab a 4"x4" down to 1/8" scale stock and as other members have mentioned there is much less wasted wood due to the thickness or the blade.
The one thing that I would look for is roller bearing blade guides for the top and bottom.
I use my table saw for cross cutting wide stock and ripping very long stock.
"Hope this helps

Thanks for all the input guys, I was leaning towards the bandsaw anyways, but think everyone has validated my opinion.

Anyone have or used this: Ryobi 9" Bandsaw

Originally Posted by dnjrboy

Thanks for all the input guys, I was leaning towards the bandsaw anyways, but think everyone has validated my opinion.

Anyone have or used this: Ryobi 9" Bandsaw

Forget the Ryobi. If you're looking to just buy a band saw and mostly use it for smaller work get the Skill band saw. I got mine at Lowe's and paid like $110.00.
It comes with a rip fence, miter, laser guide and 2 speeds. The laser guide is extremely accurate and helpfull.
I cut 1/8 slabs with no problems whatsoever. I just cut a 1/4 inch slab of Red Morrell burl blank in 2 x 1/8 slabs today. Perfect.
Couldn't be happier. The max. cutting height is 3 1/2 inches. which for smaller blanks is no problem.
If your serious about woodworking and bigger projects then a 14 inch band saw is what I would get but be prepared to pay a higher price tag.

I've been to Lowe's and looked at that bandsaw repeatedly. I don't have a bandsaw and would love to get a nice quality big one, but for now I wouldn't mind getting one just for scales. Max, from what you wrote, I assume you consider the Skil to be adequate? I was worried that it would not accurate enough.

As a person of little experience I bought a scroll saw that happened to be on sale at home depot. Now, for just cutting pieced that have been taped and getting shapes it is great. The problem I have is that a lot of scale stock I buy off ebay is 3/8 in the types of wood I want. Now, ripping 3/8 with the scroll saw is impossible, but I have seen it done with a small band saw. My father has a table saw for ripping, but my fingers are too valuable to risk ripping 3/8 with a table saw. I also have had pieces kick back on e and almost got a finger cut off because I was dealing with this stock and an improper push stick. So, I am planning to buy the craftsman 10" with rip fence and right now its $200. So, all I can say is listen to these guys, but dont buy a scroll saw unless you are planning to only cut shapes. THis is my two cents, but I have screwed up a lot of things since joining this site. But I have used a band saw for cutting scales and ripping 3/8 stock without much problems.
Best Wishes and Protect the Fingers.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I've been to Lowe's and looked at that bandsaw repeatedly. I don't have a bandsaw and would love to get a nice quality big one, but for now I wouldn't mind getting one just for scales. Max, from what you wrote, I assume you consider the Skil to be adequate? I was worried that it would not accurate enough.

I think it's a bargain for what you get. Skill is Bosch. It's made in China, but what isn't.

It's real easy to put together. The only thing you need to do when ripping is to use your fingers (always be carefull not to get to close to the blade) and hold the piece of wood against the ripping fence. Kind a like when you hone and are holding the tang side of the razor while using your other hand/fingers to counter weight/balance the razor.

Go slowly, follow the laser guide which once calibrated is spot on! and rip it through. You might end up with a lesser width at the end because you really can't use your fingers that close to the wood when trying to push it through the last inch or two.

I'm totally happy. I have a few other Skill tools and they are very good. Again, we're not talking for big project either like cannonfodder. For those you need the big guns.

Small bandsaws are fine, It is all you need for small to medium size work. Buy high quality blades and set the saw and guides up correctly and it will do what you ask of it. Buy a used copy of Mark Duginske’s band saw book. It is a very good book on the how’s and why’s of bandsaws.

Charlie

And here's a few nice tips and small video on the bottom of the page.

I've read up a lot on table saws and bandsaws but still can't decide! I almost decided on a bandsaw (I like the spec of the proxxon micro bandsaw) but then I read that unless I use at least 1/2 inch wide blades that the blade tends to wander and leaves a wavy cut. I get scale material resawn for me at the moment but would like to saw my own, mainly out of 2 inch square blanks, but the possibility of a wandering or wavy cut is putting me off the idea of a bandsaw. Has anyone had a problem like this with their bandsaw? I'm wondering if I am going to have to spend a lot more for a really precise machine.

Regards,
Neil.