I'm renovating a room for my new baby, and I'm currently in the planning stage. I've got a circular saw, but I'm a bit worried about making precise cuts. I need to trim my paneling to a specific height and then rip it down along the ends of each wall. I'm also intending to add trim at the top. Should I go for a table saw instead? I'm considering buying one, but I want to make sure I'm choosing the best tool for this job. My panels measure 48 inches, and I'm looking to cut them down to 34 inches.
4 Answers
A table saw will definitely make your life easier with this project. Some saws might not accommodate a 34-inch rip capacity, but you could rip off the extra 14 inches to get things down to size, considering the kerf as well.
I'd highly recommend getting a Milwaukee track saw. There's currently a promotion at the big orange store where you can save more if you buy more Milwaukee tools! I picked one up last month, and it's been the best addition to my workshop, hands down.
What type of paneling are you using? If they're vertical strips, a miter saw could work well for quick 90-degree cuts. A table saw with a cross-cut sled could also do the job but might be overkill. For ripping the edges, a table saw can help, but walls aren't always perfectly vertical, so you might need to consider cutting at an angle. Using a straight edge with a circular saw or track saw could make that easier too.
Using a track saw with parallel guides on a foam insulation board is a super easy way to get accurate cuts. If you prefer, you can rough-cut with your circular saw and then precision-cut using a table saw. Just remember to use at least a 60-tooth blade to minimize tear-out when cutting through the paneling.