Hey everyone! I'm planning to build a french cleat wall in my garage using some leftover 1x4s from a past project. At the moment, my arsenal only includes hand tools, a miter saw, and a compact circular saw. I'm trying to decide on the best tool to cut the 45-degree edges for the cleats before I mount them. Should I invest in a table saw, or would a router with a chamfer bit be the better option? My budget is pretty tight but I can stretch it a bit for the right tool. I must admit, I'm a bit hesitant about the table saw since a friend of mine had a nasty accident with one last year. Still, maybe it's the best option for getting into woodworking? I appreciate any advice you can offer to this newbie!
3 Answers
Have you considered that your miter saw might actually be perfect for cutting those miters? Since the cleat doesn’t need to be perfect, you could also just use your circular saw with a guide. I’ve never used a router for that kind of work, but it sounds a bit tricky. Stick to what you’re comfortable with!
Totally agree, a table saw is your best bet. If you’re worried about safety, check out the Saw Stop models; they’ve got great safety features, though they can be pricey. There are also tons of safety guides online to help you get started. But if you want to avoid a new purchase, you could totally make the cuts with your circular saw by tilting the base to a 45-degree angle and using a straight piece of wood as a guide.
Honestly, you can use either tool, but I'd recommend going for the table saw. It’s quicker and will be super useful for a bunch of other projects down the line. Just remember to treat it with respect—like any power tool. A router is great, but you need to be just as careful with it as you would be with a table saw. Safety first, right?