I would consider a table saw to be a necessity for cutting gunwale boards and rib stock, but I wouldn't want to build an SOF without a band saw, either. You can get band saws that are capable of log rip cuts (largish table, good fence system), but they'll cost around a grand or more. It would give you more versatility than a table saw, but you can get a good table saw for ~$600. Now that I have a good table saw with good fence and a good blade, I don't know how I made do with my junky old saw.
What I always suggest is to look into used tools, first. Check your local classified ads. I lucked into finding a guy who was upgrading his whole shop and ended up with a table saw, bandsaw, jointer, planer and shaper for a song. There are good deals to be had if you're patient.
I find the jointer especially useful for tapering paddle blades and when milling lumber from logs. The planer was a godsend when I was cutting ribs stock with a feeble table saw, but I now use it mostly for making lumber from logs. It IS nice to be able to make any size stock you want, though.
Messages In This Thread
- Tools: Which one tool?
Jamie Smith -- 11/17/2002, 8:17 pm- Re: Tools: Which one tool? *Pic*
Chip Sandresky -- 11/18/2002, 4:29 pm- Re: Tools: Which one tool?
Roger Nuffer -- 11/20/2002, 3:19 pm
- Tough call
Brian Nystrom -- 11/18/2002, 2:10 pm- Re: Tools: Which one tool?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 11/18/2002, 9:07 am- Re: Tools: Which one tool?
Richard Boyle -- 11/17/2002, 9:26 pm- Re: Tools: Which one tool?
Jamie Smith -- 11/18/2002, 6:38 am- Thickness Planer *Pic*
Rick Allnutt -- 11/18/2002, 11:02 am- *NM*
Jamie Smith -- 11/18/2002, 7:31 pm
- *NM*
- Re: Money no object... a big bandsaw $600+ *NM*
Roger Nuffer -- 11/17/2002, 10:30 pm- Re: Money no object... a big bandsaw $600+
Jamie Smith -- 11/18/2002, 6:39 am
- Thickness Planer *Pic*
- dittos: Table Saw *NM*
Rick Allnutt -- 11/17/2002, 9:14 pm- Table Saw *NM*
Bob Kelim -- 11/17/2002, 8:47 pm - Re: Tools: Which one tool?
- Re: Tools: Which one tool? *Pic*