Thread: bandsaw or tablesaw?

A bandsaw is great for cutting non-straight forms, ripping down old boards and, with suitable care and appropriate methods, odd shaped pieces such as log rounds. As a turner I use my BS a lot!

A table saw is more suited for square (or set angle) cuts, such as panels and resizing boards. For basic woodwork and furniture making, this is the workhorse. I wouldn't dream of ever putting a log through one though. Also, with a well-tuned TS and thicknesser one can emulate a jointer. At least until one can justify buying a jointer, anyway.

So, which I'd buy given that I could afford either one or t'other would be determined by which type of woodwork I expected to do the most of.

Personally, right now? I'd buy a TS 'cos my BS is perfectly fine for what I do but my TS... well... let's just say I'd like to retire it with extreme prejudice.

depends on what you make...

I have lived without a bandsaw for quite a long time, I only use bandsaw for ripping, but this is me. I dont use my bandsaw for anything else.

Personally I think a table saw, or a sliding table saw, is more versatile than a bandsaw...

My 2 bobs worth...

About 18 months ago, I was struggling with the same question. I ended up going with a bandsaw and it worked well for me. The main reason is that it complemented my hand tools very well e.g. ripping stock, re-sawing, cutting tenons and even smaller cross cut. Any finish work after that I did via hand tools.

If you are not into hand tools and planning to stay mainly a machine woodworker then I would suggest a table saw will suit you better as you can do finish work directly from table saw. At the end, both have their places in the workshop.

Whatever, you end up with make sure you buy something decent.

Originally Posted by Clinton1

Hey all.
I want to buy either a tablesaw or bandsaw I have the money for one. Which would you buy, and why?

Tell us what you are, or want to make? This will be a big determining factor on which of the two is the best tool to buy.

Whilst there is some crossover, and if one is prepared to go outside the square, that crossover can be increased, the two are best suited to their own individual strengths (these have been mentioned above by previous posters).

Sorry, I have been in an internet blackhole, hence i have been offline. My main use would be to redimension timber, and my research shows that with a good quality bandsaw i should be able to do that well, but will the bandsaw be able to cut as accurately as a tablesaw? At the moment i redimension on the tablesaw at my mens shed, sometimes also putting timber thru a jointer. Flexibility to cut curves is also really attractive. One thing I'd really like to be able to do is to mitre board edges so i can laminate up hollow 'solid timber' table legs. That would really cut my costs down. E.g instead of gluing up 90x20mm boards to make a solid leg of 90x60mm, could i cut mitered edges to make a 'hollow leg'? I guess i am looking for the curve cutting ability of a bandsaw and trying to work out how close i can get to tablesaw accuracy as well on long, straight, cuts. I don't mind cutting on a slightly wonky bandsaw and then using a plane for final 'fitting' pre-gluing. Versitility via bandsaw vs straight cutting via tablesaw. ? I am over using handtools and am looking at the most 'bang for buck' with an investment into machinery.

Example: i laminate 3 x 90x20mm boards to make a 90x60mm desk leg, then cut on the tablesaw to 60x60mm. Instead I'd like to cut board edges to 45 degrees and glue up the boards to make a hollow leg. I know i could achieve that with a tablesaw, but how close could i get with a bandsaw?

Example. I didn't quote on a job thats out of my reach. It was a house extension where there was a pitched roof/ceiling over a 12 x 6m extention. They put up a beam down the roof line (6m), and they wanted same size timber at 90 degrees to the centreline to balance the look of the ceiling/roof beam. Non structural as the framework was steel. If I could laminate beams cheaper, I could have got the job.

I think you would get more benefit out of a table saw, but you are the one that needs to decide at the end of the day.

Table saw is designed for straight cuts. Band saw will cut curves, straight cuts only as well as the set up and operator allows.

Originally Posted by Clinton1

Sorry, I have been in an internet blackhole, hence i have been offline. My main use would be to redimension timber, and my research shows that with a good quality bandsaw i should be able to do that well, but will the bandsaw be able to cut as accurately as a tablesaw? At the moment i redimension on the tablesaw at my mens shed, sometimes also putting timber thru a jointer. Flexibility to cut curves is also really attractive. One thing I'd really like to be able to do is to mitre board edges so i can laminate up hollow 'solid timber' table legs. That would really cut my costs down. E.g instead of gluing up 90x20mm boards to make a solid leg of 90x60mm, could i cut mitered edges to make a 'hollow leg'? I guess i am looking for the curve cutting ability of a bandsaw and trying to work out how close i can get to tablesaw accuracy as well on long, straight, cuts. I don't mind cutting on a slightly wonky bandsaw and then using a plane for final 'fitting' pre-gluing. Versitility via bandsaw vs straight cutting via tablesaw. ? I am over using handtools and am looking at the most 'bang for buck' with an investment into machinery.

Sounds like you want both.

I would start with a tablesaw. It has wider applications, such as accurate mitres, glue-line ripping, and crosscuts. You cannot get accurate joinery cuts on a bandsaw.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Yes, however I don't want to make the investment in both machines.
What about a bandsaw and a router table or circular saw with straightedge for straight edge cuts?

Clinton, you can do all cuts on all machines. However some will not do them particularly well - I would not like to cut circles on a tablesaw (but it can be done). You can rip and crosscut with a circular saw. I would do so if I worked sheets (which I do not), but ithe usual rips and crosscuts would be easier on a tablesaw.

You need to decide your priorities. With the money available, put it towards what you need most. Resist the temptation to spread it around.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I hate to throw a third choice into the mix as I have a table saw and a bandsaw
BUT
I recently purchased a cheap Ozito Plunge/Track saw, I love it and it has change my thinking on how I want to cut up materials.
Track saws are primarily designed for cutting sheet panels accurately but with a few simple jigs cutting long lengths and cross cutting can also be done.
The things I like most about the track/plunge saw are the accuracy, the great dust reduction/collection, the control of cutting depth/angle and the smoothness of the cutting edge.
I am making a multi function table to best use the saw and at this stage I believe (maybe - only time will tell) the plunge saw and some purpose built jigs will replace my bench saw and my drop saw.
It will not replace my band saw.
I need to add I am only a hobby woodworker and on a limited budget.

Regards
moorebrm

Here you go, 2 in 1

ACM Summa 740. Sliding Table Bandsaw. not cheap though. 14750 GBP.
img_0505.jpg

It depends how big you're going - I have a scroll saw, I've owned a small bench mount band saw but for smaller work I think the scroll saw is way better.