Woodworking_Hobby Posted November 3, 2024 Report Posted November 3, 2024 I know it depends a lot on the setup, tools, situation, etc, but in general is it better to use the table saw for ripping and use the miter saw for cross cutting? I know we all cross cut on the table saw, but my guess in this logic comes from all the errors in getting square at the table saw that can add up from adjusting the miter gauge bar to the slop in the miter gauge track in the table top. 1 Quote
Popular Post wtnhighlander Posted November 3, 2024 Popular Post Report Posted November 3, 2024 I think that one being "better" than the other is strictly a matter of situation. In my case, limited workspace drove me to eliminate the miter saw, and use the tablesaw for both operations. Other conditions might dictate a bandsaw for ripping and a mitersaw for cross cutting. I will say that in my opinion, the design of the tablesaw makes precision setup a bit easier to achieve, and less likely to be driven out of adjustment with normal use. That opinion is influenced by the comparative quality of the machines I have dealt with, of course. 3 1 Quote
BillyJack Posted November 3, 2024 Report Posted November 3, 2024 On 11/3/2024 at 7:50 AM, Woodworking_Hobby said: I know it depends a lot on the setup, tools, situation, etc, but in general is it better to use the table saw for ripping and use the miter saw for cross cutting? I know we all cross cut on the table saw, but my guess in this logic comes from all the errors in getting square at the table saw that can add up from adjusting the miter gauge bar to the slop in the miter gauge track in the table top. “is it better to use the table saw for ripping and use the miter saw for cross cutting?” yes… 1 1 Quote
BillyJack Posted November 3, 2024 Report Posted November 3, 2024 To be far this would be for solids, but I rip and cross cut all sheet goods on the table saw. Some are getting rid of the miter saw and only using the table saw. If you are small, there’s no reason you can’t. 1 1 Quote
Popular Post Ronn W Posted November 3, 2024 Popular Post Report Posted November 3, 2024 Table saw and good cross cut sled(s) is all I use. Then again I have limited space. 3 1 Quote
BillyJack Posted November 3, 2024 Report Posted November 3, 2024 I guess it would help if the OP told us his shop size.. Quote
pkinneb Posted November 3, 2024 Report Posted November 3, 2024 If I could only have one it would be the TS. I only use my miter saw for rough cuts. 2 Quote
Chet Posted November 3, 2024 Report Posted November 3, 2024 On 11/3/2024 at 12:07 PM, pkinneb said: If I could only have one it would be the TS. I only use my miter saw for rough cuts. +1 2 Quote
Popular Post JohnG Posted November 3, 2024 Popular Post Report Posted November 3, 2024 On 11/3/2024 at 3:07 PM, pkinneb said: If I could only have one it would be the TS. I only use my miter saw for rough cuts. +2 Or for internal parts where precision is not necessary. Any crosscuts for joinery or where a tight tolerance is needed, I’ll use the TS. Of course there may be cases where size/shape make TS impractical, but the above applies for the other 95% of things. Home DIY and construction grade projects are another story. I use the miter saw heavily in those. 4 Quote
Popular Post BillyJack Posted November 3, 2024 Popular Post Report Posted November 3, 2024 I use my miter saw for finish cuts. Cabinet making 101… Using a correctly set sliding miter saw…I do well with the little I have.. 3 Quote
BillyJack Posted November 3, 2024 Report Posted November 3, 2024 Seems like it’s the same argument that’s gone on for 25 years on the forums.. Seems to be those that can and those that can’t or won’t… Quote
Von Posted November 4, 2024 Report Posted November 4, 2024 I think if you want to seriously cross-cut on a table saw, it's worth investing in building a decent sled and getting it tuned to 90. And as others have said, it's a lot easier to cross cut on a table saw than rip on a miter saw, so if I had to choose one it would be the table saw. 1 Quote
Coop Posted November 4, 2024 Report Posted November 4, 2024 I trust my ts on non construction projects above my ms. However, I don’t have a dedicated a ms bench. 2 Quote
BillyJack Posted November 4, 2024 Report Posted November 4, 2024 Ripping and cross-cutting sheet goods on a table saw isn’t for everyone., I had to do it , but for many you should do it the safest way you are comfortable doing.. I have so called experienced guys telling me to use a track saw to square up parts. Your sheets would have to be way out of square to need to do this.. 2 Quote
Popular Post legenddc Posted November 4, 2024 Popular Post Report Posted November 4, 2024 My shop isn't big enough (11x12) for both set up so table saw wins every time. My miter saw also isn't very accurate. I do wish I had a better one that wouldn't deflect as it's sometimes easier to set it up to crosscut a longer piece than try to support it on the table saw sled. I need to cross cut some 6' long boards for the side of a bookshelf and keeping that flat on the table saw sled might require some thinking. For rough cuts I've adopted @gee-dub's approach and use a cordless jigsaw with a speed square. 2 1 Quote
curlyoak Posted November 5, 2024 Report Posted November 5, 2024 I have a 12" delta radial. For critical cuts that are long, 8 or more feet I will use the radial. The radial is used a lot for crosscutting rough boards. I have an incra 5000 sled for my table saw. This is how I cut larger and wider pieces. very accurate and reliable. The tool that makes the most sawdust for me is my 10" delta. PS I forgot to mention my delta 8" jointer. makes a lot of shavings. It would be a big challange for me to process rough sawn material without a jointer. 2 Quote
BillyJack Posted November 5, 2024 Report Posted November 5, 2024 Reason I don't buy lumber in the rough.. 1 Quote
Popular Post Woodworking_Hobby Posted November 9, 2024 Author Popular Post Report Posted November 9, 2024 Well I feel stupid…. Finally figured out what was causing some of my issues. So I was milling boards and did the normal process. One face jointer, second face planer, plane both sides to thickness, one edge on jointer, second edge to table saw to final width. I know I get snipe on my boards and instead of fighting I usually mill them longer so I do not need to worry. When I was checking square on the cross cuts, I was cutting long, not to finished dimensions to check setup. I just happened to put the square on the edge I ran through the jointer and did not cut enough off and was referencing against the area that had a little snipe on the end of the edge Once I cut everything to final dimensions the square was much better. 4 Quote
JustAnotherGuy Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 Yes, in general, using the table saw for ripping and the miter saw for cross-cutting is a good practice. Each tool is optimized for these respective tasks: The table saw excels at making long, straight rip cuts because the fence provides consistent support and guidance. This is crucial for cutting boards to width accurately. A miter saw is typically more precise for crosscuts because the blade moves in a controlled arc, and the fence provides good support for keeping the workpiece square. This reduces the errors that can come from a table saw’s miter gauge slop or misalignment. However, as you mentioned, crosscutting on a table saw is still common, particularly when using a sled. A crosscut sled is a great way to improve accuracy because it eliminates miter gauge slop and provides better workpiece support, reducing tear-out and improving squareness. In short: Best for ripping: Table saw with a rip fence. Best for crosscutting: Miter saw or table saw with a well-built crosscut sled. 1 Quote
Popular Post gee-dub Posted January 29 Popular Post Report Posted January 29 This is often a topic that generates a lot of discussion. It is sort of like asking "do I need a radial arm saw?". There is a camp that think a CMS, SCMS. or a RAS is a real necessity and time saver and then there is everyone else . Seriously though; if you do well with a chop saw, SCMS or a RAS and it is part of your natural work flow I would never change. I cannot spare the foot print for that tool format but that certainly does not make me right. I have a drum sander that takes up a fair amount of space. I would not like to be without it. That does not mean you need one; if ya git mah drift. My miter saw lives in an outbuilding and comes into play when I am doing long, thin cuts at 90, angles, and compound angles. I don't do that sort of thing much in my designs. Again, that doesn't mean you won't. I relate a lot of these things to 'router bit sets'. They seem like a good idea but you often end up with half of the bits never being used. If you have a project coming up where a miter saw would be of great benefit I would get the best one you could afford. If you are tool-buying before you have an actual need . . . I would re-think my approach. JMHO. 5 1 Quote
Popular Post Von Posted January 29 Popular Post Report Posted January 29 On 1/28/2025 at 7:31 PM, gee-dub said: If you have a project coming up where a miter saw would be of great benefit I would get the best one you could afford. If you are tool-buying before you have an actual need . . . I would re-think my approach. JMHO. I want to second this as it took me a while to learn it. Waiting until you actually need a tool is a good cure for "tool acquisition disorder." And a lot of X vs Y tool debates come down to what you are doing? (And then: how do you like doing it?) 5 Quote
Popular Post Ron Swanson Jr. Posted January 29 Popular Post Report Posted January 29 On 1/29/2025 at 10:29 AM, Von said: Waiting until you actually need a tool is a good cure for "tool acquisition disorder." K Took me a long time and a lot of money to learn this principle. Now I've gone 180 other direction and stubbornly refuse to buy a tool if there's any possible way to get by without it, even painfully. Pop would be so proud. 4 Quote
Popular Post pkinneb Posted January 29 Popular Post Report Posted January 29 On 1/29/2025 at 10:29 AM, Von said: Waiting until you actually need a tool is a good cure for "tool acquisition disorder." Agreed I implemented this a few years back and have found I make better decisions becuase of it. I am currently going through my shop and pulling tools, small and large, that I will be posting for sale where had this ideology been implemented sooner I probably would not have bought 4 Quote
Popular Post Coop Posted January 30 Popular Post Report Posted January 30 On 1/29/2025 at 3:53 PM, pkinneb said: Agreed I implemented this a few years back and have found I make better decisions becuase of it. I am currently going through my shop and pulling tools, small and large, that I will be posting for sale where had this ideology been implemented sooner I probably would not have bought Amen! And please don’t post that list of items on here as I may think I need one. 3 Quote
pkinneb Posted January 30 Report Posted January 30 On 1/29/2025 at 8:51 PM, Coop said: Amen! And please don’t post that list of items on here as I may think I need one. Too late 1 Quote
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