Bandsaw vs. Table Saw

I own a Jet 14" bandsaw and do not own a table saw.

bandsaw

When buying machines, I decided to buy a bandsaw before a table saw. Now I may never purchase a table saw. What I like about a bandsaw:

  • Quiet. A bandsaw is quiet compared to a table saw.
  • Small. A bandsaw takes up much less floor space than a table saw.
  • Versatile. Here are some of things you can do on a bandsaw: rip, resaw, cut small pieces without jigs, taper a table leg without a jig, saw a log into boards, cut tenons with only a fence, cut curves, and perform free hand cuts.
  • Small kerf. Bandsaw blades are thinner than table saw blades, so you waste much less wood, particularly when ripping and resawing.
  • Safer. Of course a bandsaw can injure the operator, but I feel it is much safer because you are less likely to have a catastrophic injury. For a comparison, read the WWA Accident Survey. In particular, a bandsaw will not kick back work at the operator like a table saw can. However, cutting a dowel on a bandsaw is very dangerous.

In general, a bandsaw is not good at dealing with sheet goods (plywood, MDF, etc.) simply because the sheets are usually much bigger than the capacity of the saw, but I really don’t like using plywood, so that has worked out well.

Daddy,  Can We Play in the Workshop?

If hand tool woodworking is your passion, you may enjoy my children's book, Daddy, Can We Play in the Workshop?