Table Saw: Borrow or Buy?
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If you build furniture or do woodworking more than a few times a year, buy one. For a one-time project like building shelves or a workbench, borrow.
The Numbers
Why Borrow
- One-time projects: building a bookshelf, cutting plywood for a single job
- Storage is tight: a table saw takes up real estate even when folded
- You can use a circular saw with a straight edge for most cuts a table saw makes
- Ripping hardwood generates a lot of dust; your shop may not have extraction
Why Buy
- You rip plywood or sheet goods more than a few times a year
- Repetitive cuts (dados, rabbets, tenons) are faster and safer on a table saw
- You want to set up jigs that stay in place between projects
- A table saw is the centerpiece of a woodworking shop
Check Before You Buy
Someone in your neighborhood probably owns a table saw and uses it a few times a year. Borrowing saves money, saves garage space, and keeps tools in use instead of collecting dust.
See How FriendsWithTools WorksCommon Questions
Can a circular saw replace a table saw?
For straight rip cuts and crosscuts, a circular saw with a clamped straight edge does 80% of what a table saw does. The table saw wins on repetitive cuts, dados, and any cut where you need the fence set to a precise width. For a single project, the circular saw is enough.
Jobsite saw vs contractor saw vs cabinet saw?
Jobsite saws ($300-600) are portable and fold for storage. Contractor saws ($600-1,200) are heavier with better fences. Cabinet saws ($1,500+) are stationary shop tools with the best dust collection and precision. Most home woodworkers are well-served by a good jobsite saw.