Panel Saw

[jmoriearty]

I honestly guess it would depend on what kinds of wood work you are doing. For me, a table saw is one of the most important, fundamental pieces of equipment in my shop. Dados cut on a table saw are so much cleaner than with a router, and if you are making several pieces at once, it's easier to set it up one time than to reset router guides over and over, at least for me. But I also use my table saw to rip, cut box joints, cut rabbits, make tapered table legs, and even cross cuts when I want them very clean or precisely mitered. It does take up a lot of space, but for the things I do, it's priceless.

I, personally, want a sliding miter saw that does 16" cuts to replace my radial arm saw. I'm sooooo tired of that piece of junk taking up room!

[wlkjr]

I love my homemade panel cutter. Ripped a piece of 1/4" plywood about 12" wide and stapled a 1x2x1/2 thick down the middle. Then run your circular saw against the guide and rip off the edge. That edge will now be your marking guide. You can turn the saw around to the narrow side of the saw plate and rip the opposite side against the middle piece. I use big spring clamps to hold it to the plywood I'm ripping. I have one for 8' and one about 52" for 4' or shorter. They're lightweight, cheap, and accurate. If you goof up the edge, it's easier to clean up narrow pieces on the table saw. I also use it to straighten rough boards that have no straightedge and then run it on the jointer.

[badbert]

I love my homemade panel cutter. Ripped a piece of 1/4" plywood about 12" wide and stapled a 1x2x1/2 thick down the middle. Then run your circular saw against the guide and rip off the edge. That edge will now be your marking guide. You can turn the saw around to the narrow side of the saw plate and rip the opposite side against the middle piece. I use big spring clamps to hold it to the plywood I'm ripping. I have one for 8' and one about 52" for 4' or shorter. They're lightweight, cheap, and accurate. If you goof up the edge, it's easier to clean up narrow pieces on the table saw. I also use it to straighten rough boards that have no straightedge and then run it on the jointer.

I use hardboard and make the exact same set. I put little squares of no-slip on the back side. This also gives a Zero Clearance effect for you circular saw.

[lawrence]

Strait up who use's there dado kit?? I used mine once and only once! It takes way to long to set up the saw. Now I lock down a strait edge and break out the router! I have never thought about the tracksaw, but again it would still need alot of room or at least a table to hold the work piece.

I do need a larger work space! Sadly I am set up in my basement, along with my collection of lawn mowers!! But the war department has vetoed my last barn building plan (I was told we needed another tractor!? we own 3??)

I rarely use my tracksaw anywhere but on the bed of my truck or ground within about 2 feet of my truck (sometimes on a fold out table I put right by my truck bed-- I put a piece of styrofoam down on the truck bed (or ground) and just cut the piece there with my tracksaw- the blade cuts into the styrofoam insulation... easy peasy... no back pain from lifting sheets around and the cuts are finish quality.

Lawrence

[Capt Bruce]

A second vote for Laerence's described technique. With the circular saw set to just cut through the thickness of your 4 by 8 panel it leaves just a slight cut into the blue foam insulation board and very seldom any tear-out along that cut. Saves my back every time.

[pkunk]

I honestly guess it would depend on what kinds of wood work you are doing. For me, a table saw is one of the most important, fundamental pieces of equipment in my shop. Dados cut on a table saw are so much cleaner than with a router, and if you are making several pieces at once, it's easier to set it up one time than to reset router guides over and over, at least for me. But I also use my table saw to rip, cut box joints, cut rabbits, make tapered table legs, and even cross cuts when I want them very clean or precisely mitered. It does take up a lot of space, but for the things I do, it's priceless.

I, personally, want a sliding miter saw that does 16" cuts to replace my radial arm saw. I'm sooooo tired of that piece of junk taking up room!

X2 on a good tablesaw!
If you can find one, the old Delta Sawbuck is a slider with a 19" cut at 90° & about 12" at a 45°. It is very accurate, but not really portable. Pic in my shop pics http://handcraftedwooddesign.com/shop.html

[lostparts]

Alright I guess I will keep the work space killer. I ordered a track saw, we will see how she do! Thanks for the input, ohhh I ended up with the shop smith. I don't know why he, wanted 300$ for a mark 4 ( I believe that is a good deal IDK) It looks new and appears to have all its stuff with it. My thinking it is so heavy it has got to be worth 300.

[badbert]

X2 on a good tablesaw!
If you can find one, the old Delta Sawbuck is a slider with a 19" cut at 90° & about 12" at a 45°. It is very accurate, but not really portable. Pic in my shop pics http://handcraftedwooddesign.com/shop.html

Wow pkunk! I just surfed your site again. Every time I do, I am impressed with your craftsmanship! And nice shop.