Thread: I have $3,000 for a Table Saw. But I rent! 10Amp/15Amp??

Originally Posted by Trav

Why do you want a 12" saw?

I've got a jet 10" saw. I can't really see the benefit for a 12" saw. Perhaps because I don't have one. But I don't think I've ever really needed that extra two inches. (Cue bad jokes)

You need to spend a lot more on 12" blades, plus you need a bigger motor to drive it. Get a better quality 10" saw, rather than jumping straight to a 12".

Trav

Thanks Trav,

I guess my first reason is I come from a family business of saw-milling cypress pine in NSW and I had always used big saws, yes for breaking down logs and making timber not making furniture like I am now.. But after spending 10 years on bench & hydraulic saws ranging from 24 - 72 inches the 10" seems pretty small to be honest.

I have used a 10" saw before but I had to make multiple passes, I would prefer more power and the ability to cut 100mm in a single pass on softwood, or at least do it in 2 passes. I live in the desert and have access to really beautiful hard wood which I really hope to be able to cut with as many passes as possible.

Cheers Miko

I too wondered about the 12"saw Miko but I can see your point. Multiple passes can be a right PITA.

Where exactly do you live to have access to the timber you describe?

Miko, what Red Gum are you finding in Central Aust? Keep an eye out for any chance to pick up any Beefwood, Bloodwood or Desert Oak. From memory, the Beefwood was largely rot and white-ant resistant and I was fortunate enough to be given some quite a while ago from some trees that were still standing around Erldunda, but which had been dead since a major bushfire that swept through to Tennant Creek many years before. The timber had a beautiful red/brown colour and snakeskin/silky oak type grain to it and was a dream to work with for furniture, carving or turning.

Originally Posted by Miko Zaire

Thanks Trav,

I guess my first reason is I come from a family business of saw-milling cypress pine in NSW and I had always used big saws, yes for breaking down logs and making timber not making furniture like I am now.. But after spending 10 years on bench & hydraulic saws ranging from 24 - 72 inches the 10" seems pretty small to be honest.

I have used a 10" saw before but I had to make multiple passes, I would prefer more power and the ability to cut 100mm in a single pass on softwood, or at least do it in 2 passes. I live in the desert and have access to really beautiful hard wood which I really hope to be able to cut with as many passes as possible.

Cheers Miko

Miko

Good reasons. An alternative would be to get a bandsaw. If you're resawing, a bandsaw would be better than a tablesaw, plus you get a much bigger depth of cut. But if you've only got one tool, perhaps a bigger table saw would be a god compromise.

Trav

Originally Posted by artme

I too wondered about the 12"saw Miko but I can see your point. Multiple passes can be a right PITA.

Where exactly do you live to have access to the timber you describe?

Artme -

I live in Alice Springs, NT, but travel quite often to remote Aboriginal communities around WA, SA and to different parts of the NT. Not a great deal of trees but the ones that grow to a decent size are really tough.


I have a couple of decent bits of dried River-Red-Gum Burl, one big burl from a dry river bed about 30 km south of Alice - Ill post some pictures of a table I made with one of the slabs for my Mrs! It actually took me 6 passes with my chainsaw to cut 3 slabs!

Mulga - its what the local fellas make boomarangs and other tools with out here - Loads of this stuff about.

Iron wood - Like cutting Iron they rekon, I have not tried this stuff yet but I do know where a dead one is.

Beefwood - The colour of fresh beef - Most timber out here is red in colour, like the sand and most things actually!

Corkwood - I also know where there is a dead stand of these - look like they were poisoned or something, maybe salinity?

The main problem is everything out here drys so quick it splits and cracks!

Originally Posted by Larks

Miko, what Red Gum are you finding in Central Aust? Keep an eye out for any chance to pick up any Beefwood, Bloodwood or Desert Oak. From memory, the Beefwood was largely rot and white-ant resistant and I was fortunate enough to be given some quite a while ago from some trees that were still standing around Erldunda, but which had been dead since a major bushfire that swept through to Tennant Creek many years before. The timber had a beautiful red/brown colour and snakeskin/silky oak type grain to it and was a dream to work with for furniture, carving or turning.

Hey Larks!

Yeh I have seen a bloodwood that is close to dead and I am waiting for nature to finish it off for me. Remarkable amount of sap leaking from it.

A friend and I shot down to the rock last month and nearly took a couple of desert oaks we saw that had fallen near Yalara. Is it the timber you describe as 'snake skin' like? Silky Oak is my fav timber, I really admire it! - Maybe I should head down there and grab a few bits..

Originally Posted by Miko Zaire

Hey Larks!

Yeh I have seen a bloodwood that is close to dead and I am waiting for nature to finish it off for me. Remarkable amount of sap leaking from it.

A friend and I shot down to the rock last month and nearly took a couple of desert oaks we saw that had fallen near Yalara. Is it the timber you describe as 'snake skin' like? Silky Oak is my fav timber, I really admire it! - Maybe I should head down there and grab a few bits..

No, the beefwood, it'd be my favourite timber from around there.



Ignore the ironwood, good for fenceposts if you cut it on the day you drop it but once it's a little dry you'll just ruin your tools


The Desert oak is also quite hard but it turns well and comes up nicely.

Originally Posted by Trav

Miko

Good reasons. An alternative would be to get a bandsaw. If you're resawing, a bandsaw would be better than a tablesaw, plus you get a much bigger depth of cut. But if you've only got one tool, perhaps a bigger table saw would be a god compromise.

Trav

Agree with Trav. A band saw with a re-saw blade is a better choice for those deep cuts, if you have one or are getting one. They are especially good for milling small logs and trimming slabs or waney boards ... no kick back and no problems with the blade jamming.

Have fun!

John

Originally Posted by Larks

No, the beefwood, it'd be my favourite timber from around there.



Ignore the ironwood, good for fenceposts if you cut it on the day you drop it but once it's a little dry you'll just ruin your tools


The Desert oak is also quite hard but it turns well and comes up nicely.

Beefwood it is! - It is a long weekend in the NT this weekend, I might go have a look about! Thanx Larks!