Choosing Woodworking saws

You will eventually need more than one saw in your woodworking shop. Table saws and miter saws are often the first purchases made by beginning woodworkers.

Knowing what to look for in a quality saw is the best way to be sure you are getting tools that will serve your needs as you grow in experience. Woodworking shows and stores that sell discount woodworking tools are a great source of information and inspiration.

Choosing Woodworking Saws

Table saws are an important piece of equipment and often the first power tool purchased for a workshop. Saws come in either 120 or 240 voltage. If the saw is 120, it will run on normal household current. If it is 240, you will need a dedicated circuit. An electrician can run a dedicated line for the tool. For most home workshops, 120 is plenty of power. Professionals generally use 240, which stands up better to regular use.

Things to Consider:

o Power of the motor
o Direction of the tilt, left or right
o Dust collection, these saws tend to create a lot of dust, which is messy to clean and can be a health hazard
o Accuracy of the fence; look for a fence that is adjustable and easy to use.

Miter Saws for Woodworking

Miter saws are an important piece of equipment when working with wood. They cut angles quickly and precisely. The choices can be daunting, as there are literally hundreds on the market. Reading reviews is a good source of information when narrowing down your options.

Miter saws are great for big jobs, like replacing the trim in your entire house or furniture making projects. A tight miter makes a big difference in the overall appearance. Miter saws can either be used on a stand or the ground. A stand is best when you have a lot of wood to cut.

Woodworking Jigs

Woodworking jigs are an essential part of a variety of different projects. They save time and increase accuracy. Using jigs is much faster when you need to create several pieces. All pieces will come out identical with a jig. The results are more consistent and professional. The jigs you need depend on the projects you are creating and the results you hope to achieve.

You can purchase jigs in any store that sells wood working supplies. They can also be found inexpensively on the internet. To save even more money, you may consider making your own jigs. Using scrap pieces of plywood is a cheap way to make jigs. Since they are typically used only once, you don’t want to use expensive wood to make them.