I'm thinking about investing in Steve Ramsey's beginner woodworking course, especially since it's on sale for $118 right now. I currently have a circular saw and a jigsaw, along with some other tools like an orbital sander, clamps, and a Kreg jig. However, I'm not sure if I absolutely need a miter saw or a table saw to successfully complete the course. Can I manage with just my circular saw and jigsaw? Any insights or tips would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
You're fine with just a circular saw and jigsaw for now! I did Steve's course without a table saw and it worked out great. A circular saw can handle most cuts with the right setup, and you can always build jigs to help with precision. It might take a bit more effort, but it's totally doable. If later down the line you find you're serious about woodworking, then maybe look into investing in a table saw. Enjoy the course — Steve's a fantastic teacher!
When I started, I had just a basic circular saw and it was a bit rough initially. A table saw is considered the workhorse of any workshop, but you definitely don't need one right off the bat. You can achieve a lot with your circular saw, especially if you set up a straight edge for accurate cuts. As for the miter saw, it's a nice-to-have, but not essential if you're using a circular saw for cross cuts. A decent trim router can also help a lot!
Absolutely, you can get by with just a circular saw and a jigsaw! I took the course a while back, and Steve does an awesome job guiding you through everything. You might want to keep an eye out for a used table saw on sites like Craigslist since they're super handy for more precise cuts, but for starting out, your tools will work just fine. Check out this video for extra tips on how to use your saws effectively! [Video Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t76ZhsE11Dg)