So you are wondering what to buy first a circular saw (sometimes known as a Skill saw) or a table saw? As with any decision concerning power tools, a lot depends on what you plan to be making and what your budget is. While you can certainly accomplish a lot with a good circular saw, if you are going to be making cabinetry, drawers, or anything that requires a lot of repetitive cuts I would suggest buying at least a good portable table saw. However, if your project doesn’t require a high level of precision and you just need to break down some big sheets of plywood go with the circular saw first.
Cost
The cost of a typical circular saw can vary depending on factors such as brand, features, and quality. Generally, you can find basic models for as low as $50 to $100 USD, while more advanced or professional-grade circular saws with additional features can range from $100 to $500 USD or more. Higher-end models may have features like a worm drive and higher horsepower, advanced safety features, and robust construction. It’s important to consider your specific needs and budget when choosing a circular saw. In my experience, you can get away with buying a cheap circular saw and it will do the job for you, It may have clunky adjustments or the base plate may not be as thick and sturdy as a more expensive model but you can always still clamp down a straight edge and get a straight cut even with the cheapest circular saw.
As far as table saws are concerned I would stay away from any table saw that does not have an easily adjustable sturdy and square fence. I have made the mistake of buying a cheap table saw from Harbor Freight when I first started woodworking and it was unusable as a tool simply because the rip fence would not lock on square anytime you moved it and you would have to manually check and adjust it. Not only did this make the tool not function efficiently but it also presented a safety hazard that is irredeemable. The quickest way to sustain an injury on the table saw is feeding material that will pinch, kick back, and generally not cut square.
If you are on a budget the Table saw I would recommend is the Skill job site table saw that starts at $299 or the Dewalt job site tablsaw that can be found for $350 at Store like Home Depot or Lowe’s. Both feature a rack and pinion adjustable fence that locks well and tracks on both sides.
Circular saws come in a variety of sizes but the most common circular saw blades are 7 1/4in, and the depth of cut at 90 degrees is about 2.5 inches. If you know that you are going to be working on job sites with limited access to a power supply a cordless circular saw would be a good option.
Here are some of the best uses for circular saws,
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Straight cuts: Circular saws are excellent for making straight cuts in lumber, plywood, and other sheet materials. They are commonly used for cutting boards to length or ripping plywood sheets. Sometimes a circular saw is preferable to a table saw if you don’t have a very large infeed and outfeed table or if you are trying to break down a full sheet of plywood and. the width of the cut exceeds the rip capacity of your table saw.
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Cross cuts: Circular saws can also make crosscuts across the grain of wood, which is useful for cutting pieces to width or trimming boards to size. Keep in mind that cross cuts with a circular saw are not going to be as accurate as those make with a table saw and a cross cut sled or a miter saw.
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Bevel cuts: Many circular saws can be adjusted to make bevel cuts, which are angled cuts along the edge of a workpiece. This feature is handy for tasks such as cutting angles for framing or creating beveled edges on boards.
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Rough cuts: If you are feeling with very large pieces of wood sometimes it makes a lot more sense to move your saw over your workpiece than try to move your workpiece onto a saw. If you need to make a rough cut and just break down material to a more manageable size the circular saw is an excellent tool for that.
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Plywood cutting: Circular saws are commonly used for cutting plywood sheets, whether it’s for building cabinets, shelves, or other furniture projects. They provide a portable and efficient way to break down large sheets into manageable sizes.
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Framing and construction: Circular saws are indispensable for framing and construction work, such as cutting studs, joists, rafters, and other structural components. Coupled with a speed square used as a right angle guide you can work very quickly with a circular saw.
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Flooring installation: Circular saws can be used to cut flooring materials such as hardwood, laminate, or engineered wood planks during installation. However, I would pick a miter saw, table saw combination if I were given the choice.
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Demolition: Circular saws with appropriate blades can be used for demolition tasks, such as cutting through nails, screws, or other fasteners embedded in wood or other materials.
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Outdoor projects: Circular saws can also be used for outdoor projects such as building decks, fences, pergolas, or sheds, where cutting lumber and other materials is required.
While the circular saw is a versatile and powerful tool suitable for a wide range of cutting tasks, they do have some limitations:
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Limited cutting depth: Circular saws typically have a maximum cutting depth, which may restrict their ability to cut through materials thicker than 2.5in. This limitation can be a challenge when cutting large beams, thick lumber, or dense materials.
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Straightness of cuts: Achieving perfectly straight cuts with a circular saw can be more challenging compared to using other tools like table saws or track saws. In order to make a straight cut with a circular saw you need to clamp a straight edge to your workpiece to give you a straight line to follow. This can be a time-consuming operation and when compared to the speed you can cut identical parts on a table saw makes it a far inferior tool if you are going to be making things like cabinets.
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Precision Cuts: While circular saws are capable of making precise cuts, achieving high levels of accuracy requires skill and experience. Setting up a circular saw for precision angle cuts is a time-consuming process, you need to account for the distance of your straight edge guide to the blade and that can be a cumbersome task.
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Safety concerns: It’s a good idea to review a few safety videos regarding the use of a circular saw and understand what some common hazards are when using one. Circular saws can be dangerous if not used properly. Kickback, blade binding, and accidental contact with the spinning blade are all potential safety hazards. Proper safety precautions, such as using protective gear and following safe operating procedures, are essential when using a circular saw.
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Dust and debris: Circular saws generate a significant amount of dust and debris and generally do not have the dust collection options that most table saws have.
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Thin long rip cuts: Long narrow rip cuts can be hard to set up on a circular saw impossible to accomplish in certain cases. The table saw is the tool of choice if you need to rip a lot of material into thin strips.
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Limited functionality for certain cuts: While circular saws excel at straight cuts, bevel cuts, and crosscuts, they may not be the best choice for miter cuts, joinery and precise angles.
Despite these limitations, circular saws remain essential tools in woodworking, construction, and DIY projects due to their versatility, portability, and ability to handle a wide range of cutting tasks.
Where the Table Saw Shines
A table saw is often preferred over a circular saw in certain situations due to its specific advantages and capabilities:
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Straight and precise cuts: Table saws are excellent for making long, straight cuts with precision and consistency. The large table surface provides stable support for workpieces, allowing for accurate cuts along the length of the material.
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Repetitive cuts: When multiple pieces need to be cut to the same dimensions, a table saw with a fence or stop block can streamline the process and ensure uniformity in the cuts. The fence simply stays in the same position and you can quickly cut multiple pieces to exactly the same size.
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Handling large or heavy materials: Table saws are better suited for cutting large or heavy materials, such as sheet goods or thick lumber, thanks to their sturdy construction and powerful motors.
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Bevel cuts and joinery: Table saws equipped with a tilting arbor and miter gauge can make bevel cuts and various types of joinery, such as rabbets, dadoes, and tenons, with precision and ease.
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Integration with jigs and accessories: Table saws can be easily customized and accessorized with jigs, sleds, and other attachments to enhance their functionality for specific tasks, such as crosscutting wide panels or cutting complex angles. A good jig is indispensable when you need repeatability and accuracy.
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Production-level work: For professional woodworkers or production shops, table saws offer the speed, accuracy, and versatility needed to handle high-volume cutting tasks efficiently.
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Reduced fatigue: Unlike handheld circular saws, which require manual control and support, table saws allow operators to feed the material through the blade with minimal physical exertion, reducing fatigue during prolonged cutting sessions.
While table saws offer many advantages over circular saws in certain situations, it’s essential to consider factors such as space, budget, and specific cutting requirements when choosing the right tool for a particular project. In many cases, a combination of both table saw and circular saw may be necessary to tackle a wide range of cutting tasks effectively.
A table saw plays a crucial role in cabinet building, offering the precision necessary for crafting cabinet components. It is utilized in several key ways throughout the construction process. Firstly, it is instrumental in dimensioning lumber, allowing craftsmen to rip boards to the desired width and crosscut them to the necessary length, ensuring uniformity across cabinet pieces. Additionally, table saws equipped with specialized blades can efficiently cut large panels, such as plywood or MDF, to size for cabinet sides, backs, shelves, and doors. Furthermore, table saws are indispensable for creating various types of joinery essential for sturdy cabinet construction, including dadoes, rabbets, and grooves. They also facilitate trimming and edging tasks, ensuring a polished finish on cabinet components by cutting excess material and applying solid wood edging or veneer strips. Bevel cuts for decorative or functional purposes are achievable with a table saw equipped with a tilting arbor. Moreover, it enables the creation of tongue and groove joints or other joinery methods for assembling cabinet doors. Lastly, table saws offer flexibility in customizing cabinet components to meet specific design requirements, such as cutting insets for glass panels or incorporating decorative details. Overall, the versatility and precision of a table saw make it an indispensable tool for cabinet building, enabling woodworkers to achieve high-quality results with consistency and accuracy.
Safety
It’s challenging to definitively state whether table saws or circular saws have more associated accidents, as this can vary depending on factors such as usage, safety precautions, operator skill, and the specific circumstances of each accident. However, both table saws and circular saws have the potential to cause serious injuries if not used properly.
Table saws, with their powerful motors and exposed blades, have been involved in many severe accidents, including amputations and lacerations. Kickback, where the workpiece is propelled back toward the operator at high speed, is a significant concern with table saws and can result in serious injuries.
On the other hand, circular saws are handheld tools, and accidents can occur due to loss of control, blade binding, or contact with the spinning blade. Hand injuries, including cuts and lacerations, are common with circular saw accidents.
In terms of statistics, data from organizations such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may provide insights into the frequency and severity of accidents associated with different types of saws. However, it’s important to note that these statistics may vary depending on the source and the specific criteria used for reporting accidents.
Regardless of the type of saw being used, it’s crucial for operators to follow safety guidelines, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and gloves), using guards and safety features provided with the equipment, maintaining a clean and organized work area, and receiving proper training on the safe operation of the saw. By prioritizing safety and taking necessary precautions, the risk of accidents associated with both table saws and circular saws can be minimized.