Hey everyone! I've recently become interested in woodworking. I've previously worked on furniture refinishing, mainly hammering, sanding, and painting. I did do some cutting with a miter saw but that's about it. I just inherited some great DeWalt tools from my uncle who passed away (he was a bit of a hoarder) and I have a few questions about using them properly. I'm still learning all the technical terms, so sorry if I mess anything up! I received a table saw, jigsaw, router (with plunge), and an impact driver, all from around 2020. To honor my uncle and grandfather, my first project will be a planter for my mom, which you can check out here: [Modern Raised Planter Box | Simple and Fast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGK2SlDZI0E). Here are my specific questions:
1. Table Saw: I inherited a DW7440RS with an 8 1/4 inch blade. I've noticed a lot of jigs and sleds in videos, but I'm wondering if this blade size is limiting. What would be a recommended blade size if I were to upgrade?
2. Miter Saw: My saw's neck doesn't move forward like in those woodworking videos. Should I be worried about this? What does it mean for lumber size?
3. Router with Plunge Base: I have a DW616 and DW618 (never used). I find routers a bit scary since one slipped out of my hands once. Any recommended guides for this specific setup? I've seen some short videos but I'm looking for something more comprehensive.
2 Answers
Welcome to woodworking! It's exciting to see you're starting with some good tools. Regarding your questions:
1. An 8" table saw is on the smaller side. A 10" blade is standard and will give you more depth of cut. If you use jigs, a larger blade will mean you can handle bigger pieces of wood.
2. Your miter saw sounds like a fixed model. It’s limited to the blade size for cuts, so you'll only be able to manage pieces that fit within that range. It’s not a dealbreaker unless you’re working with larger boards.
3. Routers can seem intimidating, but they're super useful! Just take your time and follow some good safety tips. You'll gain confidence as you practice.
Congrats on the new tools! About your tools and concerns:
1. I share your concern about the table saw blade size. An 8 1/4" blade is fine for standard cuts, but you might find it limiting for bigger projects. Think about upgrading to a 10" blade in the future for versatility.
2. Don't stress about the miter saw's neck. If it’s a fixed model, it should work fine for most projects unless you need really wide cuts.
3. For the router, I was also scared at first until I read a book called "Woodworking with the Router" by Bill Hylton. It’s a great resource, and you can find it online for cheap!
I had the same fears! That book really helped me out as well. Definitely recommend it!
Totally agree! It helps to start simple. Just make sure you watch some safety videos on using routers before diving in!