Thread: Best 1st saw option TS or SCM

Both of course.
It boils down to what you are planning to make and how much room you have. A table saw is not portable and has a much larger footprint in the shed.

If you plan to use a lot of sheet material (MDF, Melamine, Ply, etc) then it is the table saw. Cutting sticks of timber less than 300mm or so wide then a SCMS.

For my money I would go for the table saw as it will cut compound mitres with a home made sled (do a search) or a sliding table attachment. I rarely use my SCMS as it is too noisy and I can get a better cut on the table saw.

You can pick up a compund saw for a few hundred to compliment the table saw if you think you still need it.

Table saw. Nothing else rips to width efficiently.

I been at this professionally for some number of decades and still don't own a SCMS.

I'll get one when I get to framing my retirement home later in the year, but I've hardly felt deprived without one.

Here's how I do compound miters the TS won't do or where it won't go:

I agree with rodm, The tablesaw is the way to go. I have a table saw which I made and used it for several years before I purchased a SCMS which generates that much noise its almost unbelieveable. If you should buy a SCMS make sure you buy a good one as there is a lot of crap available which are copies of others at the moment and usually made in cheapland.

See here http://gallery.groov-e.com/

Regards Mike

I would definitly get a Table saw, assuming u have the space for one. I was going to buy a SCMS before, but i too decided to get a TS first. A SCMS may dock long lengths easier but it can still be done nicely on a TS.

For your top end budget you could get a contractors saw and a cheaper SCMS.
I bought a Ryobi a few years ago and for what I use it for it is fine, just basic framing, cutting off, I wish I had bought one years earlier.
I cut a lot of sheet material and use the TS for this but in all honesty they both get a fair work out.
5 years ago you would have got little for your money but the way prices have come down it is amazing what you can get now and decent quality.

It sounds like you are just starting out, not sure what you will be building, do not have a wide range of tools.

Have you had a look at the Triton. Before buying anything, would recommend you take a look at a Triton training DVD. Not only will this give you a pretty good idea of what you can do with a Triton, if you choose to buy another brand of table saw, most of the techniques and safety suggestions will still apply.

No matter what brand or type of tool someone is a fan of, chances are that they will at some point agree that the more you know about how to use it, the better the results you will get from it.

It is true that since the Triton first came out the gap in price between it and dedicated units has narrowed. It still serves as a farirly good all rounder until you choose to upgrade (if ever).

As for cost, you will need the workcenter and a circular saw (Assuming that you do not have one). When comparing the price, I note that many people compare the combined price of saw and bench with the price of a contractors saw. Probably more accurate to compare the combined cost of the Triton pack with that of a contractors saw and a circular saw, unless you think you can get by without a circular saw. This is doubtful though.

New to this area of the forum, I am the distributor for Triton in Japan. Have no gain if you buy a Triton or not. Am fairly familiar with the Triton, its pros and cons. If you want more information on this, see the Triton forum.

Hope this helps.

Steve

P.S. If budget is a problem you can usually find a fairly good Triton in the trading post.
P.P.S There are a number of Triton Clubs that would be more than happy for you to come along and ask questions and look at the equipment before you part with your hard earned $. These Clubs will also help you to get the most out of your equipment if you chse to purchase.

Thanks Guys. I must admit, I have been lusting after a good SCMS for ages, but given the advice you have all given, I think I will just opt for a reasonable TS, keep my cheapy GMC mitre saw and maybe purchase a decent SCMS a couple of years down the track.

I don't own a SCMS, have borrowed a good one to see what all the fuss was about and the benefits were, result still only have my larger large compound miter saw & T/saw, in accuracy CMS beats SCMS, less moving parts & flex would be my guess. Could see why a tradie would want one and if you didn't already own a CMS maybe it would be the go.

The SCMS is one of the most used power tools in my shed
But though I don't use it as much there are jobs I can't do without the TS
so I'd go with the TS first then when you get a SCMS get a good one my Makita LS 1013 has done a mass of work without a promlem , so go with quality with your power tools , cause you only get what you pay for

Just spent the day helping the BIL with some renovating. He's got an Elu drop saw/table saw - pull the pin out and the table saw flips upside down to become a mitre saw. It's 18 years old now and the motor is so quiet! He says they've been taken over by DeWalt but they still make them - cost ~NZ$1800 - What's that is Aussie gold?

I have been lusting after a good SCMS for ages

LB, I think you have been watching too many DIY shows on telly! They do make the SCMS look wonderful. However, they are not tools for fine woodworking, more like a carpenters tool. If you plan on doing a fair amount of remodelling or building around the home, then the SCMS is very handy. If you plan to build furniture, especially out of sheetgoods (MDF or ply), then a tablesaw is what you will appreciate more.

It really comes down to what you plan to do. And you have a year in which to make up your mind. So read as much as you can, watch a few DVDs, use your hand tools, and ask questions.

I have a large 12" tablesaw with sliding table and built-in router table. As the years go by I use it less and less. I can't recall when I last used a power router (and I have 3), and I don't work with sheet goods. I use my bandsaw much of the time to rip narrow solid wood boards, or resaw, handsaws for the most part, and I recently upgraded to this:

<div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/saws/StanleyMitreBox5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br />

an Elu drop saw/table saw

Channa, I lusted after one of those about 18 years ago. I was offered one about 10 years ago, around the time I bought my tablesaw. No more lusting - it is a trade tool - not really a good drop saw (there are better on the market these days) and not a real tablesaw (tiny aluminium tabletop and no fence).

I also think the idea of a Triton is a good one if the budget is tight. A good introduction to many usable tools and it will stand in while you learn just which way you want to go.

By all means feel free to visit me at my workshop in Perth.

Regards

Derek

G'day Derek,

If I may ask, where did you land that beauty of a mitre saw jig?

I've got a modern plastic/metal (somewhat) equivalent, and a matching bow saw - but can also use a backless Dozuki or similar. It's ok, but a real fiddle to set up as the moulded-in scale is about as accurate as a weather forecast :eek:

I have a CMS (and the T/S of course), but haven't used the CMS for ages as: 1) it's an incredibly noisy mongrel, 2) I still find myself having to plane the mitres to get a good result, 3) I can hand saw approximately to a line, then plane to fit in half the time it takes just to get the CMS out and bolted down, then - see point 2.

However, for a lot of hidden cabinet/carcass joints that require a mitre, a decent jig like yours would be very handy.

Of course, I could always 'borrow' yours, and do a 'road test' for you...

Cheers!

From shop viewpoint, I find I spend equal (and significant) time at both of them. Basically, I think an SCMS is better suited for cutting lengths whereas a TS (or Triton) handles panels.

Which first? An SCMS won't handle panels... not on my budget anyway. But a TS will cut anything an SCMS will, although you might need to build a jig or two.

If you're mainly dealing with lengths and only occasionally handle panels, or don't mind a the "circ. saw & straight edge" approach, then the SCMS will be better for productivity.

So... it really boils down to what are you wanting to do? Where's your primary interest? Cabinetry? House framing? Book shelves? Home handyman?

If I may ask, where did you land that beauty of a mitre saw jig?

Hi Steve, and a happy new year to you!

Not everything looks then as is now. That cryptic remark means I got this Stanley #386 mitre box section off eBay (Oz) for about $12 several months ago. Yes, that was REALLY cheap. But no one else wanted it because it looked like this before I cleaned it up (hours and hours soaking in citric acid):

<div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/saws/Mitresaw4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br />

The saw is not the original. Mine is a Stanley, but a later model, and I am still looking out for the correct one. Nevertheless, the combination works very well and I am pleased with it.

You are most welcome to borrow it. However you will have to come a pick it up in person!

Regards from Perth

Derek