Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 15 of 32
-
13th February 2010, 09:29 PM #1Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Location
- Hervey Bay, QLD
- Posts
- 89
Newbie - Alternative to table saw
Hello everyone, first post here.
Im not completly new to woodwork being my father is a cabinet maker, but since moving to melbourne and him being in QLD my use of his workshop is gone and so is his wisdom to guide me.
I am in the middle of doing a DIY CNC MDF router based on some of my own modified JGRO plans. It has come time to cut up all my MDF and pine panels but i have no saw. I was thinking aboyt dropping some coin on a cheap table saw but ive heard mixed opinions about them.
I would rather save a bit more money and buy a quality one in a few more months, but for now im looking for other ways to cut up 2-3 full sheets of mdf.
I have two options. Both use a clamped level to the workpiece for the guide. One is a router and the other is circular saw. Has anyone done this and what were your results like?
Any other ideas?
Cheers
John
-
13th February 2010 09:29 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Posts
- Many
-
13th February 2010, 10:29 PM #2Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- pakenham
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 219
Welcome to the forums john,
Whilst I had the triton workcentre and before the TSC10-hb i used to go to allboards at hallam and gave them my cutlist and for $10-20 extra they would cut them all out on there cnc.
Maybe be an option for you to get you started.
David
-
13th February 2010, 10:40 PM #3
I started with a straight edge, a few clamps, hand held router & circular saw.
It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.
-
13th February 2010, 10:41 PM #4
depending on thickness.
i have cut with both router and circular saw.
router is better for thinner material.
i find cutting large sheets on teh table saw a pita.
www.carlweiss.com.au
Mobile Sawmilling & Logging Service
8" & 10" Lucas Mills, bobcat, 4wd tractor, 12 ton dozer, stihl saws.
-
14th February 2010, 12:06 AM #5Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2008
- Location
- Sunshine Coast, Qld
- Posts
- 82
John,
Yes, it's possible to get a reasonable finish using a saw or router with a straight edge. However, with 2-3 sheets to cut up, you need to be aware that you will be spending a lot of time measuring, checking, clamping the guide, adjusting, checking, adjusting, double checking, making sure it's all square and then cutting. . . . . and that's just the first piece of the first sheet!
Seeing it's your first time it will be good for you to do all the cutting for the experience and to get your skill levels up. Doing it that first time should also cure you of any desire to do bulk panel cutting yourself again and make it an easier decision to go along to a Cabinetmaker who will 'cut-to-size' for you?
Good luck with the project.
Cheers
-
14th February 2010, 03:16 AM #6Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 338
For long cuts, use a circular saw and one of the mdf panels as a straight edge. Just make sure the last sheet doesn't need any lengthwise cuts.
Graeme
-
14th February 2010, 07:59 AM #7Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Location
- Hervey Bay, QLD
- Posts
- 89
Thanks for all the replys and answers Im going to get myself some MDF sheets on Wednesday and then see how I go. First off i might need to make some more support stands, dont think my current 2 will be enough for a whole sheet
John
-
14th February 2010, 09:16 AM #8Skwair2rownd
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Dundowran Beach
- Age
- 76
- Posts
- 19,922
G'day John and welcome to the workshop!!
I have a tablesaw but for laege sheets I get mine cut to managable sizes on a for hire panel saw. Costs a couple of bucks but so what. Much easier.
-
14th February 2010, 10:11 AM #9Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2009
- Location
- Brisbane, Australia
- Age
- 46
- Posts
- 101
Depending on your budget, have you considered purchasing a track saw? One member here wrote a fairly positive review on the Trade Tools Direct version recently. I bought the Festool TS55 last year and now grab it first if I have to cut up large sheets. One of the best investments I made. Good luck
-
14th February 2010, 01:00 PM #10Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Location
- Hervey Bay, QLD
- Posts
- 89
Just looked around at rail saws, they seem pretty good
Will they cut angles? I will need a couple of 30 and 45• cuts in my design. We dont have a trade tools direct in vic, might search around for another type of model that i can get local
John
-
18th February 2010, 11:34 AM #11Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2004
- Location
- Brisbane
- Posts
- 464
Hi,
You can cut close to the line by power saw. Then using a factory straight edge, use a router with a bearing to run along the straight edge. Works for me every time.
cheers
conwood
-
18th February 2010, 12:26 PM #12
Maaaate
You dissapoint me. Why are you asking us for advice when your dear old Dad would be ready and willing to give you all you need!
He would know how you work and be able to tailor his advice to suitJust do it!
Kind regards Rod
-
18th February 2010, 03:25 PM #13Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2008
- Location
- Tasmania
- Posts
- 430
Alternatives to a table saw
Hi Guerd 87,
My advice would be to not even think about any of the alternatives suggested. Even a good table saw is not a good panel saw and you can't do anything on a table saw with panels without a good off sider to help.
Go to a joinery works and get them to cut your stock to your dimension requirements on their quality sliding table panel saw. This is a work of minutes for re-sizing two or three sheets into a couple of dozen bits.
Now to the good bit!! You should be getting plus or minus 0.2mm sizing accuracy in finished dimensions off the sliding table saw and if you are building boxes or carcasses that's just what you want. There's no way you are going to get anything approaching that sort of accuracy with any form of lash up approach.
I've got an SCM 300 mm table saw with scriber but when I want to cut serious panels, which is not a common occurrence, I go to one or other of my trade colleuges who's got a sliding table saw
Make life easy for yourself that's my motto.
Old Pete
-
18th February 2010, 03:53 PM #14
Understand I am not suggesting this is the only or best solution, but it is one solution that works and is very nice for panel work. I have a table saw but over a certain size I use the progrip rail system.
They are sold through carbatec. I have the 8' unit which is unweildy for shorter work but for 4' or 8' panel cuts it's magic. There is optional pads you clip onto the rail and modify to fit your tools. I don't use them. The clamps are available in various lengths form about 24" to 8'. For clamp lengths under 36" consider buying from the US although you have to watch shipping cost carefully. Over 36" you can't use regular post and courier becomes prohibitive.
If you have 4 progrip clamps and a back to back kit you clamp 2 to any bench and the other pair face upwards to clamp your work. This configuration can be a handy work holding solution. Look on youtube for the video demo, or search on progrip to see pics.
The clamp force isn't particularly high, but is enough for many jobs and the advantage over a batten and a couple of G clamps is it's quicker and light weight, and it's always straight of course.
Cut quality is limited by your saw/router. You can use the angle adjustment on your saw to bevel, or use a router bit.I'm just a startled bunny in the headlights of life. L.J. Young.
We live in a free country. We have freedom of choice. You can choose to agree with me, or you can choose to be wrong.
Wait! No one told you your government was a sitcom?
-
18th February 2010, 04:44 PM #15Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Location
- Hervey Bay, QLD
- Posts
- 89
Thanks again guys
I just went down to the local cabinet makers like suggested as it sounded easier and prob cheaper then buying a new saw
Ripped them into the base sizes and end panels for me. All my torsion box pieces needed to be 120mm high so i got a few lengths of them ripped up at 2400 and then just slicing them up on my sliding compound saw.
Maaaate
You dissapoint me. Why are you asking us for advice when your dear old Dad would be ready and willing to give you all you need!
He would know how you work and be able to tailor his advice to suit
Similar Threads
-
router table newbie
By spongebrain in forum ROUTING FORUMReplies: 3Last Post: 11th December 2009, 10:49 PM -
Yet another newbie table saw question....
By sysiphus in forum TABLE SAWS & COMBINATIONSReplies: 13Last Post: 7th March 2009, 09:11 PM -
Table top finish - Newbie question
By silverman in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 2Last Post: 14th January 2009, 09:42 PM -
Newbie - needs plans for bedside table
By skygazer in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 10Last Post: 13th September 2007, 03:45 PM -
Newbie with new TSC 10 table saw-Help
By clogger in forum TABLE SAWS & COMBINATIONSReplies: 8Last Post: 27th August 2006, 10:59 AM