Hey everyone! After watching tons of videos and reading books about woodworking over the years, I'm finally ready to dive in and start my own projects. I'm currently searching for the essential tools like a miter saw and a table saw, but I've noticed that new tools can be quite pricey. I've found some great deals on used tools in my local Facebook Marketplace, and I'm curious if that's a sensible route to take. What should I keep an eye out for when buying used equipment, particularly regarding safety? Thanks in advance for your insights!
1 Answer
I’d suggest skipping the miter saw. Put your money towards a quality table saw instead, which can handle almost all the cuts a miter saw can do but with greater accuracy when you use jigs or sleds. You can use a cheap circular saw for rough cutting longer pieces before tackling them on the table saw. As for safety, check if the table saw has a splitter—ideally, a riving knife is even better. Always test the tools in person: listen for any weird sounds like knocking or vibrations, and check their adjustments and fences. And definitely haggle a bit if you're buying multiple tools from one seller to save some cash!
Absolutely agree! My miter saw does the job, but it takes up way too much space and isn’t worth the investment for my projects. If you need to trim boards quickly and don’t require precision, then a miter saw might be fine for quick cuts. Otherwise, investing in a nice circular saw or a table saw is a smarter choice. There are plenty of jigs that can help replace a miter saw too!