table top saw

[Gary McCarthy]

I'm looking to start making my own cedar plant boxes. Looking for recommendations on small table top saws.

Thanks.

 

[Dav4]

A circular saw would work, as would a table saw built into a table, maybe even a chop saw. Cutting long planks can be a pain without the right tool or experience as they can be hard to cut straight (and safely) without the right set up. Have you ever used any of the above?

 

[sorce]

In Scottsville....

Don't buy the shit Chicago electric one!

Sorce

 

[choppychoppy]

A circular saw would work, as would a table saw built into a table, maybe even a chop saw. Cutting long planks can be a pain without the right tool or experience as they can be hard to cut straight (and safely) without the right set up. Have you ever used any of the above?

I'm looking to start making my own cedar plant boxes. Looking for recommendations on small table top saws.

Thanks.

I like a chop saw - I've got one that can do a six inch width board and can adjust to miter any angle. I would recommend this above anything else - totally idiot proof compared to almost anything else.

 

[Dav4]

I like a chop saw - I've got one that can do a six inch width board and can adjust to miter any angle. I would recommend this above anything else - totally idiot proof compared to almost anything else.

I've got a nice contractor's saw, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw, even a 14" band saw... but no chop saw! Maybe for my coming birthday... hoping for a 12"er.

 

[Anthony]

Ever thought about using these ?

https://www.packworld.com/sites/def...blic/field/image/styrotek_1.jpg?itok=skwkDCI9

 

[theone420]

I like a chop saw - I've got one that can do a six inch width board and can adjust to miter any angle. I would recommend this above anything else - totally idiot proof compared to almost anything else.

Of course you would recommend a chop saw. why not a choppy choppy saw.

but I would go with the same I have a craftsman saw like he describes that can do miters.

 

[Vin]

I use a chop saw for mine and recommend the same to you.

 

[choppychoppy]

I've got a nice contractor's saw, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw, even a 14" band saw... but no chop saw! Maybe for my coming birthday... hoping for a 12"er.

I've got a circular and reciprocating as well lol - I've got too much stuff

 

[Dav4]

My set up for cutting long planks and dimensional lumber. My jig is bulky, but it cuts a 90° angle every time

 

[BonsaiFurLife]

I like the chop saw too.

 

[choppychoppy]

Ever thought about using these ?

https://www.packworld.com/sites/def...blic/field/image/styrotek_1.jpg?itok=skwkDCI9

As a saw? Please stick to answering questions that people actually ask instead of your own random comments and ideas lol.

 

[watchndsky]

My set up for cutting long planks and dimensional lumber. My jig is bulky, but it cuts a 90° angle every time

thats the biggest cross cut sled ive ever seen. makes me wanna give you the extra miter saw out in my garage

 

[CWTurner]

A chop saw (mitre saw) is very easy to use for cross cutting lumber to length. Its also relatively portable, if that's important to you.

But, if you ever need to rip (slice a board lengthwise) a chop saw is useless. While a table saw is less portable, and cross cuts aren't as quick or easy with one, I find it the more useful tool in the long run as it can rip, and crosscut.

If you will never need to cut down a 1" x 8" into two 1" x 4"s, then go with the chopper, as @choppychoppy says.
CW

 

[Dav4]

thats the biggest cross cut sled ive ever seen. makes me wanna give you the extra miter saw out in my garage

I built that one right after I acquired the saw 15 years ago. I guess you could say it's overbuilt, but it's still as easy and effective to use as when it was built... I can cross cut a board 12" x 2" x 12' and it still slides like butter.

... and I can quickly rip planks 24" long in it, too. Like @CWTurner said, you can't do that with a chop saw.


...still want one, though.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

I use something like this.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hitachi-10-in-15-Amp-Single-Bevel-Compound-Miter-Saw/1000332211

Works like a charm for my grow box purposes.

 

[BonsaiFurLife]

I use something like this.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hitachi-10-in-15-Amp-Single-Bevel-Compound-Miter-Saw/1000332211

Works like a charm for my grow box purposes.

I think thats the one i use. very lightweight and handy. I did notice it wants to flip over backwards from being so top heavy.

 

[Gary McCarthy]

I use something like this.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hitachi-10-in-15-Amp-Single-Bevel-Compound-Miter-Saw/1000332211

Works like a charm for my grow box purposes.

I can see how that would work well for a cross cut. How well does it work for making rip cuts?

 

[Dav4]

I can see how that would work well for a cross cut. How well does it work for making rip cuts?

You don't rip with it. If you're planning to rip planks or sheets of lumbar, a table saw is the way to go, though a circular saw will do in a pinch.

 

[Gary McCarthy]

You don't rip with it. If you're planning to rip planks or sheets of lumbar, a table saw is the way to go, though a circular saw will do in a pinch.

Thanks Dave.

I've been thinking about a circular saw. But I thought with having to do rip cuts as well that a small table would be a little easier.