Thread: Upgrade DeWalt 7491XE table saw or purchase first bandsaw?

Never mind, misread original linked post.

Ozcroz, you can link directly to your post in that thread if you wish (I got confused, sorry about that, and read the wrong chaps post in there).

If you click on the post number (in your case, the #15 on the top right of your post), it'll give you the anchor link to your post in that thread, like this: Table saw recommendations...again...Harvey HW110LGE-30??

To give you a few thoughts on this bandsaw (which I do like, I will say!)

I'm no expert, and a lot of this will come down to what you want to do on your equipment (e.g. if you want to make cabinets from melamine and sheet goods, as opposed to furniture from solid timber, then get a table saw first and band saw later, if the opposite is true, then a bandsaw is likely to be more use to you than a table saw if you had to choose).

I would tend to look for a bandsaw that can support whatever your planer and thicknesser can support (assuming you don't want to continue buying DAR timber). If you don't yet have a planer and thicknesser, consider which you would buy even if you won't do so immediately, and plan accordingly. It's ideal if you could, for example, resaw 300mm on the bandsaw, then take that to a 300mm planer, and finally pop it through a 300mm thicknesser.

Looking at the Powermatic, I would think you've ticked the quality box - these are very high quality units. I see it has a riser that can take resaw from 150mm to 300mm... I would imagine if you're going to get into resawing, 150mm might be a bit limiting, so investigate that riser option and what limitations it comes with if any.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Never mind, misread original linked post.

Ozcroz, you can link directly to your post in that thread if you wish (I got confused, sorry about that, and read the wrong chaps post in there).

If you click on the post number (in your case, the #15 on the top right of your post), it'll give you the anchor link to your post in that thread, like this: Table saw recommendations...again...Harvey HW110LGE-30??

To give you a few thoughts on this bandsaw (which I do like, I will say!)

I'm no expert, and a lot of this will come down to what you want to do on your equipment (e.g. if you want to make cabinets from melamine and sheet goods, as opposed to furniture from solid timber, then get a table saw first and band saw later, if the opposite is true, then a bandsaw is likely to be more use to you than a table saw if you had to choose).

I would tend to look for a bandsaw that can support whatever your planer and thicknesser can support (assuming you don't want to continue buying DAR timber). If you don't yet have a planer and thicknesser, consider which you would buy even if you won't do so immediately, and plan accordingly. It's ideal if you could, for example, resaw 300mm on the bandsaw, then take that to a 300mm planer, and finally pop it through a 300mm thicknesser.

Looking at the Powermatic, I would think you've ticked the quality box - these are very high quality units. I see it has a riser that can take resaw from 150mm to 300mm... I would imagine if you're going to get into resawing, 150mm might be a bit limiting, so investigate that riser option and what limitations it comes with if any.

Hi Midnight Man,

Sorry for the late reply to your post. I am still finding my way around the forums and I missed it until now.

I mostly use solid timber. I haven’t used melamine since I made my second kitchen eighteen years ago. Then I managed with a Triton work table, a circular saw and a router, so any new tablesaw or bandsaw will be a terrific upgrade for me. Since then I have purchased a 12” Bosch mitre saw, which has been so useful, and the DeWalt portable table saw I mentioned previously.

I decided to get a Jet 12” Planer/Thicknesser and a Powermatic 3HP dust collector as the basis of my upgraded workshop. I bought both in a Carbatec sale which made them a little more affordable. However they did drain what savings I had so I’ve given up being able to afford a SawStop for the time being.

I thought I could afford the Powermatic 15” Bandsaw hence my question. On visiting Carbatec again and checking out their range of bandsaws I came away thinking that the Carbatec 15” 2HP bandsaw, although $300 more expensive than the Powermatic, might be a better buy. The standard head is as wide as the Powermatic with the extension and it has a slightly bigger table. However my expectations of it as far as cutting logs is concerned have been grounded somewhat.

It seems that I could manage with a 15” 2HP band saw by restricting my wood to pine (rather than hard wood) logs and using a chainsaw mill to reduce the size and weight of logs to more handle-able values. There is a 3HP version of the 15” Carbatec model for another $300 or so but that puts the price at about the same as the Harvey 110-LGE 30 tablesaw. So there is a direct price comparison there for the two. Carbatec have put their prices back up so for the time being I can’t afford either one ☹️.

However I take your point that a bandsaw may be the one I should aim for, considering the wood work I do, and especially considering that I do have the DeWalt tablesaw. I will take more time to consider which way to go. The 21” 3HP Carbatec bandsaw is attractive because of its capacity and table size, if not for its price of $3299! If I save more 🤔 and choose my purchase time to coincide with when there is a sale, that may a very good choice. I expect that with such a bandsaw I could reduce my dependency on a tablesaw and use the DeWalt where necessary.

I have plenty to do now setting up my planer/thicknesser and dust collection system. I need to make a tablesaw crosscut sled for the DeWalt TS to make life easier and safer using it. I have purchased a “Gripper” too, to reduce the chance of an accident on the tablesaw, and I need to get used to that.

I appreciate your input Midnight Man. Thank you, ozcroz.

In my mind, since the dewalt is a good saw already. I know a big table saw is going to be better, more powerful etc.

But the dewalt offers good power and usability.

So i would put my money into a band saw as it opens up a whole new world of things you can do.

But as previously mention it comes down to personal needs.

Have you considered a 2nd hand bandsaw?
I bought a 14inch bandsaw second hand as my first bandsaw. Put new blade on it and it has been great so far. It meant I didn't blow my budget on one machine while I'm still a beginner.
Eventually I'd like a bigger saw for resawing larger logs but that could be some years in the future.

Originally Posted by Aussie Bloke

In my mind, since the dewalt is a good saw already. I know a big table saw is going to be better, more powerful etc.

But the dewalt offers good power and usability.

So i would put my money into a band saw as it opens up a whole new world of things you can do.

But as previously mention it comes down to personal needs.

You are right Aussie Bloke. I have come to the same conclusion. A band saw will allow me to do things that so far I have not been able to do. A jigsaw is quite limiting for similar applications!

In addition I have invested in a Kreg Accucut and Kreg Ripcut, which will allow me to cut larger pieces of ply and mdf accurately, taking over some functions of a TS. Also I am considering purchase of a Kreg or Incra mitre jig which, both of which have bar adjusters to fit the DeWalt TS mitre slots accurately. This will make accurate cuts on the DeWalt much easier.

If I can stop spending on accessories I may be able to save for a bandsaw!

Thanks for your input.

Regards ozcroz.

Originally Posted by DaveVman

Have you considered a 2nd hand bandsaw?
I bought a 14inch bandsaw second hand as my first bandsaw. Put new blade on it and it has been great so far. It meant I didn't blow my budget on one machine while I'm still a beginner.
Eventually I'd like a bigger saw for resawing larger logs but that could be some years in the future.

A good second hand bandsaw is a good suggestion. However they are a rare species in my area. I will keep a watch on Gumtree to see what’s available though.

Thans for your input,

Regards ozcroz.