Table saw or miter saw?

I'm slowly acquiring tools as I need them, and I'm trying to decide on whether to get a miter saw or a table saw for Christmas for general DIY household stuff. I'd like to build an arbor with a swing in the next few months, and I'm going to rebuild a wooden bench that has some iron pieces that will require cutting some boards. I currently have a circular saw, and I'm going to buy a jigsaw pretty soon for curved cuts. I don't know whether to get a table saw or a miter saw because my circular saw can cut large pieces of plywood a table saw would cut, but it's also pretty similar in design to a miter saw. What do you guys think? For the arbor I'll probably cut some 4x4" fence posts. Can that be done on both saws? I may also do some angled cuts.

 

For 4x4s the miter saw is the way to go, and it makes a lot of cuts real easy.


As you know you can do a lot with a circular saw and a straight edge just as nicely as a table saw. You don't want to cut 4x4s with a table saw.

 

I would go for the miter saw. and if I can give a bit of advice, get a sliding compound with double bevel...nothing worse than trying to cut crown angles and have to sit there and think about it forever deciding which way to cut the wood because your saw only bevels to one side. and having a sliding arm makes it so you can cut wider planks than you could without.

 

Hello,
If the goal is long term, a good table saw is the foundation of any wood shop. I think you can get away with the miter and circular saw building arbors and wood bench but for bigger projects and precise cuts, nothing beats a table saw.

Although I have both, a table saw is a much bigger commitment than the miter saw. Personally, I use a Delta cabinet saw, a Makita miter saw, and Festool circular saw. Godspeed.

 

Tough call on which to get first, but I would go with the Miter Saw.

 

get BOTH!! treat yourself.
Do not get a CHEAP one--you will be dissappointed.
Sliding miter saw rather than just a chop-cut.
Heavy base table saw are much BETTER.
Most of the time you can find a good used one(table saw).
Check craigslist or local newspaper.
Miter saws are easier to store-if space is a factor.

 

For the project you mentioned, miter saw rather than table, but as another poster mentioned the table saw is a good starting point for anyone assembly tools for future use.

Baseboards, mouldings and angle cuts can be cut on both. I find my table saw to be easier to use for precise cuts. If you are just starting out, and from your post it sounds like you are, I tend to agree with the table saw purchase.

 

Both

 

I'd probably go with a miter saw. They will do most of the cuts you need unless you are going to be ripping wood or have long sheets/boards to cut.

 

Get both if you can afford it, if not start with the compound slide mitre saw. There is always a way to rip a long straight board without the table saw until you can afford one.

 

Concur.

Good luck with the decision.

 

I do alot of wood working, cabinets, shelving and things like that..i do not own a table saw just a miter saw and a circular saw with a good straight edge (8 ft aluminum stock) and good irwin clamps....

IMO....i wld go with the miter saw.

most all table saws can only rip about 2 ft unless it is stationary with a large table attached to the side... whereas 2 sawhorses , a straight edge and a circular saw u can rip any size u want.... thats just my opinion and me thinking outloud...

 

Update: I went with the Kobalt 10" sliding compound miter saw. It looks like the only consistent complaint online is that the laser isn't very accurate. I think it will do everything I need it to, and it was under $200 with a coupon.

 

Nice, that think should be able to do a lot.


A better blade might be a future purchase, the stock blades usually aren't top quality.

 

X2...I have a Forrest blade on my mitre saw and it is amazing....

Keep that table saw on your list...and get one like previously mentioned. I have used my Delta cabinet saw for 15 years and it is still like new.

 

Are the Forrest blades better than Freud's Premier line ?

 

from my experience, unless you're spending top dollar on a miter saw, none of the lasers are accurate. nothing is more precise than an experienced eye.

 

Don't know... I haven't tied that line...

 

What do you consider to be " top dollar " ?

 

OK. , thanks