Tag Archives: table saw

3 Must Have Woodworking Machines for Every Workshop

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If you are an aspiring woodworker, who wants to take up woodworking professionally you should give ample thoughts to buying essential woodworking machines that you will need to carry out woodworking projects efficiently. Just like any other craft, woodworking begins with mastering the basic skills and knowledge to use the fundamental tools efficiently. Of course, a lot depends on the kind of projects you want to take up. But make sure that you invest in the essential woodworking machinery gradually. This way you will be able to assess if you really need a particular machine or not. As you gain more experience in the field, you will be able to find more specialized tools that allows you to do more things efficiently.

 

In this article we will not discuss about the basic hand tools that you will need to get started in woodworking, rather we will concentrate on choosing the power woodworking tools, which will take your woodworking experience to a whole new level. The first three woodworking machinery, that we would recommend any aspiring woodworker are: a table saw, a portable planer and a plunge router. With these, you will be able to carry out a number of tasks, right from milling, joinery and shaping.

 

These Three Different Pieces Of Woodworking Machinery Are Very Important:

 

  1. The Table Saw:

 

A table saw is at the heart of every woodworking workshop. There are several reasons why it has that coveted place among the woodworking machinery you have in the workshop– it not only allows great precision in ripping a stock in straight lines but is also useful in cutting it at various angles. It does the basic milling of a stock with ease and is well suited for joinery works.

 

When choosing a table saw, there are a number of factors that you need to consider. The first thing you need to understand is that – it is going to be one of the most used machinery in your workshop, so you must always buy a quality one. The work surface of the table saw should be rigid and strong, and should be able to sail through all types of projects. Ideally, you should buy one that has a handle to raise and lower the blade easily, and another handle that will enable you to adjust the angle of the blade. Another essential feature that it must have is the connection for dust collector. It should have powerful motor that will let you cut through hard wood and make deep cuts. The blades of the table saw are incredibly sharp, so they should come with a blade guard and a power switch that is within easy reach while working on it. Many table saw today come with a paddle switch that can be pressed with your knee or foot if you need to shut it down in an emergency.

 

  1. The Surface Planer:

 

A surface planer is another indispensable woodworking machinery to have in a woodworking workshop. It can help you to be incredibly creative in the work you do by smoothing any rough saw stock to your desired thickness. Gone are the days when a stock was hand planed tirelessly to get the designed thickness and smoothness, a surface planer can help you get the same result in a short time. Typically, a planer has a table of the dimension between 10” to 14” on which you can feed your stock. There are a set of blades that rotates, thereby cutting the wood as it is fed through it. You can adjust the depth of the cut b using the crank at one end of the planer.

 

Another important feature that you should consider having in your surface planer is a dust vacuum. This machine generates a lot of dust, so having a dust collection system in place with lengthen its life. This machine is quite noisy when it is at work, so always wear hearing protection when you are using it. If not used with care, it can be dangerous too. So, adhering to the safety precautions is of prime importance.

 

  1. The Router:

 

Every professional woodworking will have a router in his workshop. It is one of those wondrous pieces of woodworking machinery that can carry out a number of tasks for you – not only trimming and decorative edge treatments but also various joints like mortises, rabbets, and dadoes. By having a router in your workshop, you are adding versatility in your woodwork. By making use of patterns, you can create identical parts from wood.

 

A router makes use of various bits to produce a number of shapes. For beginners, a stationary base router is good enough. It will help you make cuts at a depth you make before making a cut. For advanced woodworkers, a plunge router can add a creative touch to the work. The plunge router bites into the wood, makes the cut and then allows you to lift it back. When choosing a router, choose one that is at least 2 HP or it won’t be powerful enough to carry out various tasks for you. You should also choose one that comes with variable speed. Collet size is another feature to consider. It is important if you want to use various bit sizes. It is important to remember that smaller bit can be put into larger collet size but not vice versa. The power should be within the reach of your fingers, and you should not need to take your hands off the router to switch it on or off.

 

Other than these 3 woodworking machinery, there are a few other power tools that you can consider buying. One is a good jigsaw. It is a very useful tool that can help you in varied tasks like cutting curves. When buying one look out for one that comes with blade guides as it will help in keeping the deflection of the blades to a minimum. Apart from that a handheld drill and a quality random orbit sander with a provision for dust collection are great power tools to have in your arsenal. Quality of these tools should always be of prime importance when choosing these tools and one should always remember to adhere to the safety norms while using them.

 

Learn more information about woodworking machines, try to visit TRUPRO-TEC: www.trupro-machine.com. The professional manufacturer of metalworking machines, woodworking machines, and metal forming machines etc.

 

 

Article Source: https://www.mikeswoodworkingprojects.com/3-must-woodworking-machinery-every-workshop/

Table Saw vs. Circular Saw – Which One Do You Buy First?

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So you’ve got a looming project ahead that you’ve decided to tackle, and you’re even willing to drop a little cash on some brand new tools to help you get the job done right.

 

But where to begin? The marketing world will have you believe that you need this, that, the other, and everything in between to even think about getting a job done. Naturally, you start questioning yourself and your tools: ‘Well, I’ve got a decent circular saw … do I need a table saw for that front deck project?’

 

This is totally understandable.

 

Yes, there are certainly specific uses for each and every tool out there. And yes, it’s justifiable to want the tools that’ll help you get the job done as easily, efficiently, and professionally as possible.

 

Hopefully, this is where we can be of assistance; helping you determines what you need, and what you don’t.

 

In this article, we’ll rekindle the old, never-ending argument of circular saw vs. table saw: Which one is better? When do you use one or the other? Are there things one can do that the other can’t?

 

Tune in, and find out for yourself.

 

Overview: A Tale of Two Saws – Circular Saw vs. Table Saw

To be straightforward, there is nothing a table saw can do that a good circular saw cannot do.

 

Now, this probably makes the dilemma seem very simple, right? With the choice being to obviously go with a circular saw?

 

Mmm, not exactly. What that first statement should read is this: ‘There’s nothing a table saw can do, that a good circular saw cannot do at the hands of someone who knows how to use it.”

 

Contrary to what multiple ‘expert’ DIY’ers (and probably even some professionals) will say, a circular saw can in fact rip lumber, make cross-cuts, precision miters, tenon/dado/lap joints, inset boards, etc.

 

The key difference is that to the novice user, these precision cuts will be a fair bit easier to make with a table saw, than with a circular saw.

 

Note that we emphasized the term novice user. In order for a circular saw to be used to its full potential and make accurate rips, miters, etc., you’ll need to use a couple extra tools with it like a speed square, shooting board, or edge guide (we’ll talk a bit more about these shortly). This is where things may get a bit overwhelming for novices.

 

With a table saw, you can rely more on the tool to make these precision cuts, rather than on yourself. There’s a little less room for error, so to speak. Simply set the miter or rip fence (depending on whether you’re making rip cuts or cross-cuts), and there’s no doubt you’ll get a perfect cut.

 

The Circular Saw: Range of Use

Like we said, there’s really nothing a circular saw can’t do in the realm of general woodworking.

 

However, you’ve got to know your way around the tool in order to get the most out of it.

 

Even for standard 90-degree cross-cuts on narrow pieces of material like 2×4’s, we recommend using a speed square to ensure a perfect, precision cut. Measure the length that you want your cut at, mark it off with the square, then position your blade and use the square as a guide against the circular saw’s fence. If done correctly, this will produce a perfect, 90-degree square cut every time.

 

The speed square can also be used as a protractor to mark off angled cuts. Simply use the corner of the square as a pivot point, then use the angled side of the square to measure off the exact degree you need. Then you can use the square again as a fence guide to run a perfectly straight cut down the angled line.

 

For ripping boards, unless you’ve got some otherworldly ability that allows you to run a circular saw by eye on a laser-straight line, you’ll want to use a shooting board, or ‘rip-fence jig’.

 

The shooting board is a homemade jig that’s built to the exact dimensions of whatever circular saw you’re using. It acts as a fence guide that allows you to make perfectly straight rips, at whatever length you need. If you make the jig right (it’s super easy), you’ll be able to rip long pieces of lumber or plywood with all the ease and accuracy of a table saw. (Instead of going into a lengthy segment on what exactly a shooting board/rip-fence jig is, here’s a great video on how to make one for your circular saw).

 

Joinery, knotching, and insetting boards is done by simply adjusting the depth of cut on the circular saw blade.

 

For example, to create an inset on a section of 2×4, simply mark off the desired section to the appropriate length, adjust your blade to the appropriate depth (no more than ½ the thickness of the board you’re insetting), and use the speed square to make parallel cuts about 1/16” apart over the entire length of the section. Then, use a hammer and chisel to knock out the material and create the inset.

 

Lastly, most all decent circular saws have an adjustable plane, allowing for angled cuts up to 45-degrees – just like an expensive compound miter saw.

 

The Table Saw: Range of Use

The table saw is an extremely efficient tool because it makes cross-cutting and ripping boards a breeze.

 

Like we just mentioned, a circular saw can certainly be used to rip or cross-cut, but it takes a special jig and generally a keen hand to really make a great, precision cut.

 

On the other hand, you’d have to kind of go out of your way to screw up a cut with a table saw, as long as the fence is positioned and set correctly. (Here’s an excellent video on the ease and advantages of a good table saw, and how to properly use one).

 

Of course, one of the big downfalls of a table saw is its size and non-portability. Unlike a circular saw which you can use just about anywhere, you’ve got to have a bit of a workspace in order to operate a table saw.

 

Price is also a factor worth mentioning: for overall quality, a circular saw will always be less expensive than its table saw counterpart.

 

What we like about both, and top picks for each kind

 

It’s actually pretty tough for us go so far as to say the circular saw is ‘better’ than the table saw. Or vice-versa, for that matter.

 

Like we explained, both saws are fantastic tools that, under the right hands, will produce excellent results.

 

TRUPRO-TEC is a Taiwan-based specialized manufacturer in the design and production of wood table saw machines. And the company always devotes itself to update technology and procedures to keep all machines best quality, high efficiency and durable. With vast experience and knowledge, Trupro-tec is able to supply the most comprehensive range of table sawing machinery to meet and satisfy the ever-changing clients’ demands. If you are looking for a table saw, welcome to visit TRUPRO-TEC: www.trupro-machine.com or email your question.

 

 

Article Source: http://www.thesawguy.com/table-saw-vs-circular-saw/