Track Saw vs Table Saw: Which One to Choose?

Track Saw vs Table Saw: Which One to Choose?

If you are creating a workshop, you want numerous instruments, and an vital instrument is the noticed. The most widespread saw is the desk saw, but the monitor noticed is also increasing in acceptance thanks to its scaled-down dimensions. Equally types of saws properly get a task done, but if you’d like to know which one is much better for your workshop and potential tasks, hold reading. In this write-up, we will consider a nearer look at each one particular to find out about its execs and downsides to assist you make an educated buy.

Overview of the Track Saw

Track Saw vs Table Saw: Which One to Choose?

How it Works

The monitor saw is a modest saw related to an ordinary hand noticed, but the design permits it to run down a observe so you can make exact straight cuts down the edge of a wooden board. The noticed normally has a modified design that makes it possible for it to sit on the observe nicely, so it is much more steady. With this layout, you transfer the observed rather of the board, which can aid you truly feel much more in manage of your cuts, as opposed to the desk saw where you go the wooden over the saw. There are several kits offered that supply different dimensions tracks for you to use, so you can select 1 suited for the perform you intend to do.

What’s the Track Saw Good for?

The observe observed is a fantastic choice for newbie woodworkers since it permits you to make straight cuts with a fairly little observed. You can also use the observed with no the keep track of to make freehand cuts, as you would with an regular handsaw. A con to the track observed is that it raises the setup and takedown time, necessitating you to timetable a for a longer time operate session. An additional draw back to the monitor observed is that it is only ideal for cutting in close proximity to the board’s edge. Attempting to cut nearer to the heart would lead to equally sides to pinch the blade, which could result in it to stall or bog down. The pinching will also improve the temperature of the blade, leading to burns on the wood.

Track Saw vs Table Saw: Which One to Choose?

Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Small size
  • Can cut in straight lines
Cons
  • Only good for edge cutting

Overview of the Table Saw

Track Saw vs Table Saw: Which One to Choose?

How it Works

As the identify suggests, a table observed is a large noticed developed into the table. Desk saws are much more specialist-grade so obtaining 1 can make any workshop more useful and successful. Not like hand saws that rest on leading of the wooden and lower-down, table saws lower up. The huge table noticed also has a lot of place to install guides so you can minimize a straight line for your project.

What’s the Table Saw Good For?

The major reward of this technique is that you can reduce by way of the centre of the board as nicely as the edges. When making use of this saw, the wooden does not pinch the blade since there is plenty of support from the desk below. The huge desk saws also permit you to reduce thick pieces of hardwood that some other saws would not be able to total as they normally have a considerably shallower chopping depth and considerably less torque to reduce into the challenging wood.

The draw back to the desk saw is they are typically expensive and fairly massive. Shifting the blades on some models can be tough because you need to do it from beneath the desk. A lot of brands are hard to set up as they call for assembly, rail and information adjustments, vacuum ports, and more, which can be fairly time-consuming, specifically for an inexperienced woodworker. Yet another draw back to the table observed is that you push the wood alternatively of the noticed, and a lot of individuals are afraid they’ll lower their fingers.

Track Saw vs Table Saw: Which One to Choose?
Image Credit: Federico Rostagno, Shutterstock

Pros
  • Cut into the center of the board
  • Cut into hardwoods
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Complicated setup
  • Blade changes

Relevant Read through: ten Ideal Desk Saws – Testimonials & Best Picks


Other Factors to Consider

Blade Size and Cutting Depth

Table saw blades arrive in a variety of dimensions, but most are 8 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches in diameter. Blades this dimensions permits you to lower wooden four to six inches thick, which should fit most initiatives.  In contrast, hand observed blades are usually 4 to 8 inches in diameter, permitting you to cut wood two to 4 inches thick. These more compact blades will substantially restrict the projects you can just take on. However, most home-primarily based Do-it-yourself assignments that make up the bulk of most woodworking tasks are nicely within this variety.

Track Saw vs Table Saw: Which One to Choose?
Image Credit: Pixabay

Safety

The large blades and high revolutions for every minute (RPM) of the desk noticed mean they present a considerable danger. The large blade can simply lower your fingers, and kicks up plenty of sawdust as you’re slicing wooden, which can get into your eyes and lungs, creating temporary eyesight reduction and more everlasting damage to your lungs. The keep track of noticed is a lot more compact and significantly less hazardous, but it can nevertheless kick up lots of sawdust, and you can be injured if you’re not mindful.

We very advocate using the suitable safety gear when working these machines. A weighty-obligation pair of work gloves will help protect your fingers from the two the blades and splinters as you perform. You must also dress in a resilient pair of protection goggles and a dust mask while you function to defend your eyes and lungs. A lot of woodworkers like to dress in earplugs as effectively.

Dust Removal

We talked about donning a dust mask and security goggles to aid shield you from sawdust, but several types also offer you the capacity to use a vacuum to eliminate sawdust as you operate, creating a cleaner and much healthier surroundings. You will uncover a vacuum dust removing method incorporated with many manufacturers of table saws, but you need to check the packaging just before producing the acquire.

When to Use a Track Saw
  • Cutting near the edge
  • Cutting thinner wood
  • Cutting straight lines
  • On a tight budget
  • Limited space
When to Use a Table Saw
  • Cutting near the edge or in the center
  • Cutting wood up to 6 inches thick
  • Cutting straight lines or angles
  • No budget
  • Large workshop

Related Study: eight Greatest Monitor Saws – Reviews & Top Picks

Conclusion

Both the monitor observed and the tables saw are great instruments you will use a great deal in any workshop. If you were a new woodworker, it’s extremely unlikely you will need the features of the table noticed for some time, so the track observed is the far better purchase. If you have a number of assignments underneath your belt and do not have funds restraints, you can not go mistaken with a desk observed. It is a time-examined device that will assist you full even the most complicated assignments.

We hope you have loved studying more than this manual and located the responses you want about whether a track observed or table observed will go well with your wants. If we have assisted you decide on amongst these two incredible instruments, please share your encounter with keep track of saws or table saws on Fb and Twitter.

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