I'm working on a craft project that requires me to cut hundreds of 12mm slices from 30mm blackwood square rods. Using a mitre box and fine saw by hand takes too long—about 10-15 minutes per slice. I'm considering whether a power saw would speed up the process. I initially thought about a mitre or chop saw, but I'm concerned they're not suitable for cutting short pieces like mine. There's a small chop saw that clamps close to the end, but I'm wary of buying tools from AliExpress. Would a reciprocating saw or jigsaw with a jig work? What about a small table saw? Can those handle short block slices? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
A chop saw can definitely handle that, though keep in mind they can be a bit imprecise with short cuts. A table saw would be great for this—just build yourself a crosscut sled to stabilize the pieces. Check out this link for a guide on making one!
Also, if you're making a lot of cuts, a small tabletop bandsaw could be the way to go. It's excellent for thinner cuts and is a lot safer compared to table saws, which can lead to more severe injuries.
Thanks for the input! I did consider bandsaws earlier but had forgotten about them this time. I'll keep safety in mind too!