Wood Magazine recently retested table saw blades after realizing that their testing methods skewed the results. Basically, they used a sled to pull wood through the table saw and the sled pushed far harder than a woodworker would.

ANYWAYS… I thought you’d be interested in some quick snippets from their comparisons. Note I just pulled the top blade from each category, scroll down for a link to ALL the blades they reviewed and be sure to check out the forum thread where I found this because they discuss some of the potential downfalls of believing studies done by the woodworking magazines…

Full Kerf
#1 Blade for $97 or More: Forrest WW10407125

#1 Blade for $62 or Less: Jesada 110-440
Couldn’t find pic… here’s more about the blade.

Thin Kerf
#1 Blade for $90 or More: Forrest WW10407100

#1 Blade for $40-$65: Amana TB10400

#1 Blade for $35 or Less: DEWALT DW7140PT

Resources:
Here’s the article: Blade retesting results are in! (PDF)
Here’s the WoodNet forum post that brought this to my attention:
WOOD Magazine Table Saw Blade Test
And here is a semi-related post from us to add some counter balance to the Forrest love: Problems Cross Cutting with Forrest WoodWorker II 40T?

Do you own any tools that are MUST-HAVES? These are the tools that you can’t stop yourself from telling your friends and family about. These are the tools that you end up buying for your work crews because they make work that much easier.

A WoodNetter asked this question recently. In his words: “State your nomination and the reason why you consider the tool a no-contest, hands-down winner. To nominate a potential winner, you must have at least 2 years experience using the tool.”

The WoodNetters responded with some great suggestions, all of which I counted and present here to you. Note - I wrote about a similar thread in SawmillCreek recently: The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better

What are YOUR must-have tools? Post them in the comments to help other woodworkers and carpenters discover must-have tools!

1) Bosch PS20-2 Litheon 10.8-Volt Lithium-Ion Pocket Driver: 3 Votes

2) Starrett C33H-12-4R 12-Inch Combination Square: 3 Votes

3) 10″ Craftsman Radial Arm Saw: 2 Votes
(note - both guys who mentioned this saw as their #1 tool referred to older models no longer made… check your local craigslist)
C-Man RAS review
The Radial Arm Saw: Is This Tool Right for You?

4) Elu router 625: 2 Votes

5) low angle block plane: 2 Votes

6) DW621 router: 2 Votes

Safety Goggles

DeWalt DW715 12″ Compound Miter Saw

Veritas Saddle Square

(Veritas Saddle Square Review)

Bosch 1584AVSK Barrel Grip Jig Saw

Bosch 32614-2G 14v cordless drill

Irwin 6″ Bar Clamp

Makita 18 volt lithium ion drill

Incra Gauge

High quality infill smoother

Husquevarna 650 special

Source: Taking Nominations for Slam-Dunk, Power or Hand Tool Must-Haves

For many woodworkers the router table is their second big project - second to the work bench. You can learn a great deal by making your own, plus it’s customized to your needs. 99.9% of woodworkers in forums will suggest you build your own.

This approach is great for more seasoned woodworkers who know what they need. Newbies or folks looking for a quick-fix will benefit from a pre-built table… if only to experience the limitations first hand that will inspire them to build their own.

I started out on this post because of a poster at SawmillCreek who wondered about the best router table under $250. I found a bunch of great resources for those shopping for router tables though, so those will follow the results of the SMC thread.

NOTE! The top two recommended router tables are actually over $250. Check out this search at Amazon for a wider selection of router tables, many under $250.

Bench Dog 40-031 ProMax: 3 Votes

RT-1000: 2 Votes

CMT 999.501.03 Industrio Router Table Cabinet: 1 Vote

Bosch Benchtop Router Table Model RA1181: 1 Vote

(Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table Review)

Router Table Buying Resources:
Choosing and Using a Router Table (from Rockler…)
What Kind of Router Table Do You Need?
Router Table Quest
Rockler Benchtop Router Table Review
Bosch RA1171 Benchtop Router Table
Bench Top Router Table Reviews
Trend Starter Router Table Review
This Router Table is One Tough Bulldog
Router Table Reviews and Comparisons
Handy Router Accessories: Router Table Comparison

Build Your Own Router Table Resources:
ToolCrib.com’s Ultimate Guide to Free Router Table Plans
The Router Table (Pat Warner’s Discourse on Router Tables)

The mighty and versatile band saw… will it replace the table saw as the heart of the modern woodworker’s shop? Not likely, but it remains the goto tool of choice for curves, tenons, ripping and resawing.

There’s a multitude of woodworking forum threads and reviews about “best bandsaws…” wading through them all takes hours. How do I know? I read through them all to write this article.

To make your band saw shopping experience a bit easier I found the top three recommended band saws by the most common sizes: Benchtop, 14 inch, 17 inch and 18 inch band saws. We left out portable band saws because they’re mostly used in cutting metal - would love to hear from anyone who uses a portable regularly in woodworking… In the future, once I get an idea of which size is most popular to you guys, I’ll dig in deeper.

A quick note on the bigger band saws - almost everything I read puts Grizzly as the best value for the dollar when it comes to band saws. That said, almost everything I read said that Italian band saws are the best quality in the world. Take that for what it’s worth

>> Best Bench Top Band Saws (9-12 Inches)
Bench top band saws are typically the LEAST recommended of bench top tools. I’ve read in forums many times where woodworkers are glad to leave their bench top band saws behind and feel guilty about selling it used. THAT SAID… there are bench tops that are better than others, and there are certainly cases where a bench top band saw works perfectly well for some people.

2 quick observations: 2 wheels are typically recommended over 3 wheels for issues of blade breakage and tracking. Also… like on any saw a good blade will drastically improve your work.

Ryobi BS902: 4 votes

Delta SM400: 2 votes

Rikon 10” 10-300 BS Mini: 2 votes

Benchtop Band Saw Resources:
Bench-top Band Saw-Which Is Better??
Benchtop Bandsaw Effectiveness
Why Do I need a 14″ Band Saw? Cry For Help.
Rikon 10” 10-300 BS Mini Review

>> Best 14 Inch Band Saws
14 Inch Band Saws are the band saw size of choice for most serious hobbyists woodworkers. It all depends on the size of your projects and why you’re buying a band saw of course, but the 14 inch is pretty much the standard size and most folks recommend that the bench top shoppers put their $100-150 into a 14 inch floor standing model.

Within the 14 inch size range you can pay anywhere from ~$300 - $1,200 or so.

Delta 28-276 14-Inch Band Saw: 5 Votes

Craftsman 14 in. Band Saw: 4 Votes

RIKON Model # 10-325: 3 Votes

Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14″ Bandsaw: 2 Votes

14 Inch Band Saw Resources:
14′’ band saws (WoodNet forum thread)
14-Inch Band Saws (great for comparing high end 14 inch band saws for professional use)
Is the Craftsman 14 inch Bandsaw worth it?
Delta 28-203 14″ Band Saw
Ridgid BS1400 Band Saw Tool Review

>> The Best 17 Inch Band Saws
You could be just as hampered by a 14″ band saw as by a bench top if your projects call for higher capacity. If you’re building boats or other large wooden structures then you might just be in the market for a larger band saw.

Some 18 inchers got mixed up below. That’s ok because some 19″ machines got mixed up in the 18 inch section too.

A quick note: look for cast iron wheels.

17″ Grizzly G0513: 6 Votes

RIKON Model # 10-345 18″ Bandsaw: 3 Votes

Bridgewood BW-17WBS: 3 Votes

17 Inch Band Saw Resources:
Bridgewood BW-17WBS vs. Grizzly 513
Which 17″ bandsaw?
Various bandsaw questions…long (focuses on larger model band saws)

>> Best 18 Inch Band Saws
If you’re getting an 18 inch, why not go for a 20? Well, price is probably your biggest factor once you get up to this size of a machine… Once you know you need at least an 18 inch machine think long and hard about whether it’s something that can grow with you or if it’s something you will grow out of.

Grizzly G0514X 19″ 3 HP Extreme Series Bandsaw: 5 votes

RIKON Model # 10-345 18″ Bandsaw: 4 Votes

JET 710750 JWBS-18X 18-Inch Bandsaw: 3 Votes

Steel City 18″ Industrial Bandsaw model 50250: 2 votes

Agazzani 18 inch: 2 votes

18 Inch Band Saw Resources:
Agazzani 18″ Bandsaw
Help me buy a bandsaw and blades!!!!!!! (18 inches… in WoodNet)
Over all what is the best 18″ bandsaw for the money?
Why buy a 15 inch bandsaw? (when you could get a 20 inch…)

General Band Saw Buying Resources:
Compilation of “Best Band Saw” threads. Which Band Saw? (this post helped me kick start this article…)
A Band Saw Buying Guide: 6 Considerations That Save Woodworkers Money
Woodworking Without A Table Saw
Choosing a “Starter” Bandsaw Mill

If you’ve been on the market for a biscuit (aka plate) joiner you know that the prices range pretty widely… From the $700 Festool Domino joining system (a joiner, but not a biscuit joiner) and $400 Lamellos right on down to $15 clamps and a $2 bottle of glue there are joinery tools and methods to suit every budget.

A post at WoodNet caught my eye recently when a woodworker asked: “I need reccomendations for a joiner, I know Lameno’s are good but they also cost too much. Does anyone have any reccomendations uner $200.”

The good folks at Woodnet certainly DID have some recommendations. Here they are, in order of the number of votes they got. I found it interesting that some woodworkers suggested he not get a biscuit joiner at all.

The runaway favorite is the Porter Cable 557… Check out the results of the best $200 biscuit joiner below.

Porter-Cable 557: 7 votes

Porter-Cable 557 7.5 Amp Plate Joiner >>

DeWalt DW682K: 4 votes

DeWalt DW682K Heavy-Duty 6.5 Amp Plate Joiner >>

Freud JS102: 4 votes

Freud JS102 6.5 Amp Plate Joiner with Tilting Fence >>

Other joining methods:
“One low cost way join boards for glue up is to use a 1/4 inch slot cutter bit in your router, works as well as biscuts for a lot less money. bb plywood makes good splines.”

slot cutter router bits…

I think your money is better spent on quality clamps for panels.

Other Resources:
Which biscuit joiner?? (WoodNet Thread)
The Seven Basics of Biscuit Joinery

The table saw - in all its shapes and sizes - retains its position as a woodshop mainstay, despite the growing number of woodworkers, professional and hobbyists alike, who’ve discovered one of several table saw alternatives. This guide offers table saw shoppers insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the various types of table saws on the market. Further, it links out to various resources that will help make your decision an informed decision.

Why is the Table Saw Such a Woodshop Mainstay?
I believe it’s because of the table saw’s precision, versatility, overall utility and tradition. Chris Baylor of About.com puts it like this: “A good table saw becomes the centerpiece of the workshop, as the woodworker uses it to rip, square, miter, groove, shape and join pieces.” David Wright of Badger Pond says, “No other tool does so many things with such clean results in so little time.”

Is the Table Saw a Woodworking Necessity?
No. It’s not. I can hear some of my readers spitting coffee on their monitors, but the table saw is NOT a necessity. I’m going to list out some articles that support this position and then move on to develop criteria and questions that will help you pick which type of table saw is right for your needs, if that’s what you decide will best suit your shop.

Table Saw Alternative Resources:
Woodworking Without A Table Saw (focus on band saw)
DIY Table Saw Alternative: EZ Guide + Circular Saw

3 Questions: Woodworker Know Your Needs Before Spending Big Money!
So now that I’ve gotten that anti-table saw stuff out of my system, here’s how you should approach your next table saw purchase. First off, you should start making a list of how you currently work with wood, and then add to it how you PLAN to work with wood in the near term. Having this list with you will help steer you towards the right tool purchase.

1) How Often Do You Work With Wood?
Once a month or all day long? This will make a huge difference in your decision. Though I would typically not recommend a bench top table saw to anyone, there are a few cases where it might actually make sense for a new woodworker (especially in space or money restrictions).

2) How Long Have You Been Working With Wood?
If you’re just getting started - even if you have grand aspirations to craft your entire living room suite - you should not be gunning for a cabinet saw like the fine Delta Unisaw. Maybe it’s because I’m notorious for my 3 month obsessions, but I would not advise even the most ardent brand newbie to go past a Jet contractor saw.

3) What Are Your Most Common Cuts?
Ripping lumber? Breaking down sheet goods? Crosscutting? Re-sawing? Knowing your most common types of cuts going into your decision will help you make the right decision. If you’re primarily going to be breaking down sheet goods then a bench top isn’t going to do the job…

The 4 Types of Table Saws

1) Benchtop Table Saws
A bench top table saw is something of a (mild) step up from a circular saw. As the name suggests they’re designed to sit on your bench top and are light and portable. You’ll get more accuracy than your circular saw alone, but you won’t be able to rip large pieces of wood, nor will you be able to break down sheet goods. In fact, if you’re seriously considering a bench top saw I’d seriously nudge you to consider a guide rail and circ saw. Then again, the Jet bench top below is only a notch or two below a contractor saw and the enterprising woodworker will always find a way to make due safely with what he’s got.

2 Good Choices for a Benchtop:
JET 708315BTC JBTS-10BT-3 15 Amp Benchtop Table Saw
Bosch 4000-09 Worksite 15 Amp 10-Inch Benchtop Table Saw with Gravity Rise Wheeled Stand

2) Contractor Table Saws
A contractor saw is likely to be the best choice for the serious DIYer or contractor who likes using table saws on his job site. If you’re ripping very dense woods on a regular basis you may not have enough engine from a contractor saw, and they’re more likely to go out of alignment than your average cabinet saw. That said, if less cutting power, more vibration and dust are acceptable to you then a contractor table saw is what you should consider. For the space-conscious too a contractor table saw is a great choice, and their electric draw doesn’t require that you re-wire a circuit. As a side note, the reduced power (1-2 hp) makes for less-severe kickback.

Good Contractor Table Saws:
JET 708301K JWTS-10JF 10-Inch Right Tilt 1-1/2 Horsepower Contractor Saw
Powermatic 1791228K Model 64 Artisan 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2 Horsepower Contractor Saw
Delta 36-981 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2 Horsepower Contractor Saw

3) Hybrid Table Saws
I found a great article on Tools Of The Trade that sums up a hybrid saw quite nicely: “The hybridization is usually assumed to be the smaller contractor motor paired with a cabinet stand and internal motor mount; but more accurately, the true distinction is based on the trunnion design. Hybrid saws use contractor saw trunnion assemblies, which are built lighter and typically hang mounted from the bottom of the table versus the beefier cabinet saw trunnion assemblies, which are supported by the top of the cabinet itself.” A hybrid table saw is your middle ground between a contractor saw and a cabinet saw - it should give you increased accuracy and power but without the price tag and overall weight of a contractor saw.

Good Hybrid Saw Choices:
Grizzly G0478
Jet JWSS-10CSPF
DeWalt DW746X
Delta 36-717

4) Cabinet Table Saws
“Cast iron and power.” If you have the room, the need and the money then a contractor saw is probably already at the top of your list. The closed cabinet base makes dust control easier and gives this saw its name. With the weight of all that cast iron and motors in the 3hp-5hp range you won’t find a piece of tree that won’t cut smooth as butter (so long as you have a good blade…). The added power reduces the number of burned cuts too. These saws typically require a 220V outlet, so call your electrician in advance.

Good Cabinet Saw Choices:
Delta Unisaw
Jet Xacta
Powermatic 66

Top Table Saw Resources:
Choosing A Tablesaw: Contractor Or Cabinet?
Contractor Table Saws
Hybrid Table Saws

Other Table Saw Resources You’ll Find Useful:
Cabinet Saw Versus a European Saw
Table saw (wikipedia definition)
The Right Table Saw for Your Shop
Table Saws - the Workhorses of the Wood Shop
Table Saw Techniques
#1 Shop tool: your table saw
Buying Guide for Table Saws (Lowes)
Table Saws Buying Guide (Home Depot)
PM Tests Nine Portable Table Saws
Benchtop Saws Originally in Workbench No. 251 (February 1999)
Choosing a Table Saw From: Woodcraft
Choosing and Using Table Saws (focus on benchtops)
Honesty from General about 50-220 Hybrid
Contractor Saw Dust Collection
Table Saws Originally in Workbench No. 262 (December 2000)
Jet Contractors Table Saw

Is it possible to be 100% satisfied with any of your power tools? Rich Engelhardt of SawmillCreek thinks so, and asked his fellow forum members to chime in on tools that “worked out exactly as planned or better than planned.” This thread is such a rich resource for woodworkers that we decided it deserved to be worked over a little for the betterment of the ToolCrib community.

The thread has over 91 comments so you can imagine there’s quite a list of perfect tools.

This quote, from Creeker Al Willits, sums up why this thread is important: “Actually [I] have a lot of tools I’m happy with, but its taken years to get there.” It can take a lifetime to find those perfect tools. We hope that this write up of the thread helps you find power tools that you love.

Scroll to the bottom for a link to the SawmillCreek thread and other resources.
(more…)

While researching for the Best Router for Router Table Under $300 I spent a little time in an Australian woodworking forum, where I came across who appears to be the Australian Wood Whisperer.

Click Here to visit Stu’s Shed for videos and other woodworking resources! >>

The Wood Whisperer, if you don’t know, is Marc Spagnuolo, a furniture maker and videographer from Phoenix, Arizona. His online woodworking video series and blog have a wide audience and he’s a regular topic in the ToolCrib blog.

His Australian counterpart, Stu, lives in Melbourne, Australia and has been into woodworking for about five years. He teaches for the Triton Woodworkers Club and takes his instructional approach into video for woodworkers around the world.

In -Episode 09 Router Bit Review Compression Bit-, Stu reviews a router bit that’s best suited for working with veneered woods as it reduces tear out with its dual spirals.

Watch Stu’s Router Bit Review and then check out his site for more woodworking videos!

Coping looks like it’s tear-your-hair-out persnickety. Thankfully I can point you to some awesome coping conversations and resources rather than actually have to do it myself ;P

My coping “journey” started with a simple question we got at ToolCrib.com. This one in fact: “is there a jig available to make cope cuts on crown moldings?”

I took that one straight to WoodNet in the thread titled: Crown Molding Cope Cut Jig?

Here are some of their suggestions:
Easy Coper
the Collins Coping Foot
Speed-Cope Jigsaw Coping Jig

Here’s a suggestion from me, an Amazon Associate;):
coping jig search at Amazon

The Collins Coping Foot
In the thread that started there were at least two people who mentioned that Collins Coping Foot… a foot for your hand-held jig saw. One person even linked out to some awesome reviews of the coping foot in use. Here are some resources:

The Collins Coping Foot (review of the Collins Coping Foot)
More Coping: 135° Corners (using the Collins Coping Foot)

More Crown Molding Coping Resources:
Not being well versed in coping I decided to do a little research and put together a little mini resource guide for readers of our newsletter and blog.

First I needed a good definition. I went to Wikipedia: Coping (joinery)

Then I went to town in Google and found some good-looking how-tos:

Multiple cut crown molding
A Woodworking Video: Coping Crown
Step 3: Make a Cutting Jig
Crown Molding Made Easy
crown molding installation links
Tips on installing crown molding in an older home

I hope this post is useful to anyone who’s starting a coping project or looking for new methods. Big thanks to the WoodNetters for their help! Be sure and check out the thread: Crown Molding Cope Cut Jig?

Thanks to Michael Pleasant for this review of the
Hitachi WH12DAF2 12-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Impact Driver.

1) When did you buy it?
About 6 months ago

2) What job or jobs did you buy it for?
I just bought it because I’d used a similar model, and I wanted an impact driver

3) You like it better than 18v models… why is this?
It does the job, for a lot less money, and with two batteries and 1 hour charge time, you don’t need a bigger tool

4) Why do you like it so much?
It fits my hand, the price was the best of all 12v Impact Drivers it was a well known brand and I’ve never had any trouble with Hitachi

5) What impressed you about it?
The torque, the power, the length of time that the batteries held a charge

Check out Michael Pleasant’s Atwater, California carpentry site.