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Last week, we posted a blog poll to see what you thought about adding a benchtop table saw to the “I Can Do That” arsenal of tools (a basic but good set that allows the beginning woodworker to make solid and handsome pieces). As of the time I wrote this, we had 616 votes; more than 86 percent responded “yes” , we should add a benchtop table saw. So we decided to ignore your democratic vote (for now) and add a router (we’re still deciding on the make and model).
I realize this reeks of election tampering, but allow me to explain. Many of the comments against adding the table saw were convincing. And, our initial thoughts were that a table saw would allow rip cuts, so stock could easily be made into smaller sticks. But we do already have a circular saw and jigsaw in the kit, both of which can be used for ripping. And with a guide, an edge off a circ saw needs the same amount of cleanup for joinery and panel glue-ups as does one off a table saw. And for tenons, there’s the added cost of a dado stack , but how to cut the mortises?
Several readers suggested a band saw , and we agree it’s a useful machine (not to mention the powered saw of choice for many British woodworkers). And others suggested the router. When we met to discuss the poll results, we agreed with the router camp.
A router allows us to add decorative moulding to projects (beyond what the big box store has in stock , and at a lower price), cut dados, rabbets and grooves, and cut both mortises and tenons. Plus, it’s a hand-held tool (unless we add a simple router table, of course), which is more in line with the “I Can Do That” philosophy.
We’ll start out with a few basic bits , a 3/4″ pattern bit with a top-mount bearing (Senior Editor Glen D. Huey’s go-to bit). A rabbeting set (editor Christopher Schwarz’s selection…¦though he almost went with a 1/4″ spiral upcut) and a 1/2″ pattern bit (Senior Editor Robert W. Lang’s choice , he doesn’t like to be locked in to a 3/4″ groove). I chose a 1/4″ roundover bit…¦a holdover from my home renovation (I ran the shoe moulding about a year ago , it’s still stacked neatly in the dining room).
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
Until I reveiwed the ICDT manual (again), I had completely forgotten that the router was not part of your toolkit. Then I remembered when I first got my tools that the little 40-some year old Craftsman 1-hp router was the first machine I fired up … and almost lost to the garage floor because it did have quite a twist when I pulled the trigger. Fortunately, my hands almost by reflex tightened their grip and no damage ensued. The circ saw was the second, and then the jigsaw.
The bandsaw came to life not too soon after. I have been at this for four years off and on and I still haven’t gotten a table saw. It’s good that you brought up the fact that the bandsaw is the powered saw of choice for British woodworkers. My particular circ saw is so powerful that I use it only to break down sheet goods so they are more manageable.
Power tools are by nature noisy as hell. Somewhere, Chris had bought up the idea of woodworking in confined and noise-restricted areas such as apartments, condos, and other multiple-unit residences. So rather than any of the powered saws and the router, which does sound like a piece of wood screaming murder, I might have included making a bow saw for an ICDT project, using a coping saw to cut the necessary forms of the frame. That is, provided that the coping saw is a valid replacement for the jig saw, which I found in my case to be the quietest among the powered saws I have. As for furniture styles, you can do a lot with Arts & Crafts, and then switch over to contemporary, neither of which requires fancy edges. Mortise and tenon joinery can be done with the chisels you have listed. Or drill a hole, thread your coping saw blade through, and cut just inside the lines to get your through mortise.
I guess I’m musng about "quiet" ICDT alternatives because down here in Florida, we’re going month to month as to whether we get to keep our house. Tried for a loan mod, no go. Refi, same, no go. Appraisal said our house lost so much value that our loan balance is more. So, I’m looking at that as a silver-lining opportunity to get our property tax and insurance premium lowered so that our mortgage payments are more comfortable for us to handle.
Wish us luck, but remember, this is freaking Florida, the land where everything is different and nothing that you used to do works worth a damn.
I have to say I’m disappointed. I’m new to woodworking and your "I Can Do That" manual was 100% responsible for giving me the courage to try my first project. When I saw how many people were voting to add the table saw I certainly got my hopes up. Ripping larger pieces can be done with the circular or jig saws but I find it much more difficult. I really wanted to see what table saw you’d recommend because I’m thinking of buying a Bosch 4100-09. But I won’t complain too loudly. I’d really like to have a router too. I think you should add the table saw AND the router!
Excellent decision.
How do you mortise with any of those bits? You need a 1/4" bit of some kind preferably a spiral.
I once had a friend say, "If I could have only one power tool, it would be a router. That’s because a router will accomplish anything that any other power tool will. With the right attachment, you can even mix concrete!"
Of course, I had to argue with him. He agreed without reservation that there are tools that will do things faster and/or "better". (The only exception I could come up with was a scroll saw.) Now, I see things his way,– if I could have only one power tool, it would definitely be a router!
Routers are very versatile, but the ease of use of a table saw over a circular saw seems to be a major point as well. Having begining woodworkers make cuts with a circular saw will dampen the spirits of many. The skill required to get good accurate cuts with a circular saw is also higher, making the potential project the are building inferior in the hands of a novice. This is another potential turn-off.
A small benchtop table saw is not much more expensive than a good quality circular saw.
After the crushing response to the democratically determined choice, I’m not sure how best to refer to the Popular Woodworking folks in the future: as a benevolent dictatorship, or as our new invincible overlords. :@)
Mike,
You’re right — I should have written "edge treatments on boards." Nice catch.
Megan
Hmm. Routers. I don’t know if I buy the "decorative moldings," but I do for mortising, tenoning, grooving and dadoing. Perhaps decorative edge treatments on boards as well.
Decorative moldings are best run on a router table or (even better) on a shaper. Using a hand-held router to run moldings? Done that. But a table saw or band saw is sure nice for ripping them off a board.
Take care,
I don’t think you ever told us our vote counted. The apology isn’t necessary.
A-freaking-men!