Thread: Newbie - Alternative to table saw

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

I started with a straight edge, a few clamps, hand held router & circular saw.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

^^ heh, I called my Old man up the other night and asked him about the situation, he said just goto the cabinet makers to and save myself some time.