Best wood cutting tool to buy first

[bcradio]

Hands down my track saw sees the most use for building stuff and my recip saw sees the most for demo and general cutting.

Recip saw was my first purchased and definitely would do it that way if I had to again.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Just moved into a new house. I don't own alot of tools but I'm slowly buying as needed. I plan on doing some wood cutting for things like siding repair (fiber cement) and landscaping timber that needs to be redone. What kind of saw would be best for those uses? Table, Mitre, Circular, etc....

I don't plan on making woodworking a hobby, just for repair purposes.

My favorite woodworking tool is my M12 rotary tool, honestly, for repairs. A cordless dremel.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Circular>Reciprocating OR Miter>Jig>Table Somewhere in that mix a handsaw or two.

that'd be my take... but it would highly be dependent on what you plan on doing? Any demo? Construction/Framing? Trim work? etc....

Maybe all you really need is a small multi-tool.

 

[ecotec]

I would agree that a circular saw is versatile, but I have used my chop saw way more than my circular saw.

Also... If one of the larger chop saws will cut landscaping timbers in one cut, and you can afford it, it may well be worth the extra expense. It will make that job infinitely easier. I do not know if the larger ones will cut a whole landscape timber, though. Maybe someone else can chime in on that detail. Something to consider.

I would watch the secondary market (estate sales, garage sales, flea markets...). I got my circular saw about a decade ago at a Sears Outlet store for around $75. I have no idea what I paid for my chop saw.

 

[pendragon1998]

How about a radio alarm saw? Lots on craigslist, I hear.

 

[outdoorspace]

Yes, but not as a first/only saw !

Corded circular saws are dirt cheap on CL !

Definitely, a circular saw is more versatile and I managed most of my early adulthood with just a Skilsaw and square but the miter saw has me spoiled for squaring and doing quick cuts though. In an ideal world where space wasn't such a premium I would just have my circular and a table saw on an island bench.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

How about a radio alarm saw? Lots on craigslist, I hear.

oooh, I want one of those

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I use my CMSS more often than my circular... but there are times when it isn't worth dragging boards to make a cut. At times boards are cut in place or up on a roof, etc... circular saw certainly has is place.

 

[brianmc02]

I agree with the Circ Saw first, then a Sawzall for the landscape timbers, but a table saw is also an excellent investment, if you have the room. I want to share a story from my life.

Was getting married (almost 22 years ago now), and I went to Sears and bought a $500 table saw to work on projects in our new house. On the same day, my future wife went to the bridal shop and spent $500 on a dress.

I made great use of the table saw, making cabinets and shelving all over the house. She made great use of the dress on one particular day (looked really fabulous).

Guess which purchase still gets regular use?


Brian McCarthy

 

[borgdog]

Agree with most for first saw circular is the way to go, and if you are going to do much fiber cement siding work get some shears, much better, little to no dust and that dust will eat a circular saw up pretty quick. I bought these when I built my cabin and they have been awesome. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001MUSY6E