Table Saw Vs Joiner

[Jeff Smi]

Hello everyone. I'm wondering what your guys and gals option would be on something.

I have some Money to spend, and i'm trying to decided on what I should get next, I'm thinking of upgrading my table saw, or buying a joiner. I'm not sure if its a better investment to upgrade my table saw or buy a joiner.


Which would you do if you already had a table saw, but wasn't the best, would you upgrade that ? or Buy a joiner to componsate for the Table saw ?

I have about 1k to work with. and unfortually 220 will not be a good option, to get 220 to the workshop (which is a detached garage) it would require removing a cement slab to run new conduit to the garage, which is a little more money then i'm willing to spend.

[Art Mulder]

Which would you do if you already had a table saw, but wasn't the best, would you upgrade that ? or Buy a joiner to componsate for the Table saw ?


It depends on what you build, and what you have.

If you mostly use sheet-goods, get a TS. If you use a lot of hardwood, then a jointer is nice. Have you got a planer? Personally I bought a planer before I bought a jointer.

And "wasn't the best" is a bit vague. What problems are you having with your TS? Have you built a cross-cut sled? For me, that went a long way to improving the usefulness of my first Table Saw. So maybe you can just tune up the saw you have.

hope this is some help.
...art

[Rob Bodenschatz]

Welcome to the creek, Jeff.

I'm assuming you mean "jointer", not "joiner". A jointer will not compensate for a bad table saw. They mostly perform two separate functions. You didn't say what type of table saw you have but a new blade and a good fence may make a great improvement. Then, you could look at buying some new equipment. You could get a decent 6" jointer and lunchbox planer for around $1K. If you're patient or look for used, less than that. I got a Delta X5 6" jointer new for ~$325 and a DeWalt 13" refurbished planer for $335. Granted, those were great deals but they can be done.

Describe your tablesaw & maybe provide a picture & we may be able to provide better help

[Matt Moore]

A little more info about the current set of tools you have and the type of work you do would be helpful to correctly answer your question.

Most of the time we would say a table saw but if you already have a contractors saw, maybe a few $ in upgrades might be fine and they you will have enough to buy a jointer and planer if you done have either one.

By the way, for most of us, planing and jointing go together so getting one without the other may not be as desirable.

[Don Baer]

I use my table saw for edge joining. That said my next major tool will be an 8" joiner. I have a jet contractor saw and with all of the fixtures and jigs I have mad eit does what I need.

[Seth Poorman]

Jeff
What kind of TS do you have now ?

[Barry Beech]

My initial thought would be to upgrade your table saw since for most it is the cornerstone of the shop. However, since 220v isn't an option I would probably strongly consider the jointer.

What type of saw do you have now?

[scott spencer]

Assuming your TS will tackle most of the tasks at hand, the jointer will give you capabilities that you don't currently have. A jointer used in conjuction with a planer and TS will give you flat square stock at the beginning of every project.

Now, if you don't have a planer, I'd get a jointer and a planer with the $1k. :D

[Erik C. Hammarlund]

me, too! i've a horrible TS but would find it more useful to have a jointer and planer than a nicer ts. and fwiw: be patient and buy used. I recently saw a robland 12" combo jointer/planer for only $1000 locally.

[Jeff Smi]

Thanks for the quick reponse. I have a 10' Skil contractor table saw. The primary concerns of the saw are

A. the rip fence is only 12' to the right of the blade. There doens't appear to be any upgrade for the Rip fence.

B. the Milter gauge slot is 5/8" I believe this is a none-standard size for a milter gauge slot ? Arn't most of them 3/4 ?

I've primary dealt with sheet goods, making what rough cuts i can with a straight edge and a circular saw. and then finishing the cuts on the table saw.

I've dabbeled in wood working for awhile, but I havn't really came to what I Enjoy making the most.

[Tom Henry]

I would invest in the Table Saw, by the sounds of it you need to upgrade there and then think about a jointer later.

[Ben Roman]

Go to Grizzy.com and get both !!! I love them.

Ben

[Kermit Hodges]

I was leaning toward the jointer because there isn't much difference in how one table saw cuts wood from another. I have a cabient saw and sold my contractors saw. I love it but when you get down to the practial side, it doesn't cut the wood any better than my contractors saw did. It's just nicer to use. However after reading your post I think I would say you need a good tablesaw to start with.

Remember you don't have to buy a new one. There are many used one's out there. Just be patient and the right one will come along. Table saws are rather simple tools and (most) are fairly easy to repair if they need some attention. With a $1000 to spend you should be able to find a nice TS and a Jointer or planner . If you really careful and patient you might squeeze out all three.

[Jeff Smi]

I was thinking of a Delta Hybrid saw. What are the disadvantages to Hybrid saw, vs a full blown cabient saw ? I'm by no means a professional woodworker, so I don't think a uni-saw is something I need. I'm unfortually limited to 110, there isn't any easy way to getting 220 to the shop without alot of $$$

. OR would it be a better option to get a Good quality contractor saw ?

the list Of needs/wants are

A. Atleast a 30' fence

B. Being able to make atleast a 1/2 dado (current saw is limited to 1/4)

C. 110, but upgradable to 220 if I do get 220.

[Liem Tran]

Get a Dewalt 746, it's an excellent saw and it can run on both 110 or 220.
As far as choosing between a better table saw or a jointer, I would go with a better table saw first.

Good luck with your decision.

[John Kain]

I'd find a used 6" jointer, buy a refurbished lunchbox planer, and get a Grizzly contractors saw. I bet you could do it all for around $1K if you looked for some deals.

TS $500
planer $300
Jointer used $250

Of course, these won't be the best tools money can buy......but you can make some darn nice furniture etc, with them.

I've been functioning with a Craftsman lightweight contractors saw with a redone motor for awhile now with decent results. Surely, that Griz TS is a much better and more accurate unit for $500. Hell, I don't even have a power planer. Unless you count my arms and a jack plane a "power planer".

[Jim Becker]

Jeff, on the saw side, one of the hybrids would actually be an excellent choice for you to upgrade given your power situation. No disadvantages over what you are used to and the current crop of them is pretty nice in the way of features.

[Don Baer]

Jeff,
Just today I saw the powermatic contractor saw on sale for $399. If I were in the market I'd buy it. That'll still leave you enough room for a good used planer and joiner.

[Jerry Olexa]

I'd go TS first, then jointer later. A TS IMHO is used throughout almost ALL projects, A jointer only in the prepping stage. I did w/out a jointer for many years but it helps much on accurate milling...

[John Kain]

As a follow up.......

It's really darn hard to do fine woodworking without the benefit of squared boards. You name the project and squared lumber is the key to making everything fit and look fantastic. For this reason, I really recommend trying to get all three tools for $1000 as it is very possible. As others have stated, even the Powermatic contractor's saw is $400. Lord knows, that is three times the TS I have now. With $600 to spare, you EASILY can get your hands on a used 6" jointer and a quality lunchbox planer (higher Delta, Dewalt, Hitachi, Makita, etc.)

With these three tools, you'd be hard pressed not do some darn good woodworking.

If you have the desire, by the way, there are some nice jigs you can make to convert your planer into a jointer. I personally don't like the idea, but others rave about it. You can probably Google it and find the jig....or get an internet subscription to finewoodworking.com and see firsthand via video on how to make it.

Either way, $1000 will get you well on your way to creating great work.