table or band saw

[howdydoit]

If you lived in an apartment and only had room for one tool that was portable (table top), to make all wooden bows from, what would it be?

I know a band saw is more versital but the lighter models are finicky about tuning.

I dont know if a table saw would be a good choice but I can see where it would work for cutting backings and billets.

So what would you use?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I would buy one thats not on your list. The biggest combo sander you can afford will do all you ask of it. Both tapers, handle shaping, tip shaping. I dont have a table saw belive it or not. I rough it out with my Skilsaw and leave plenty to clean up on my sander. I converted it to an edge sander with $15 worth of 2 x 4's and screws.

[okie64]

I have never owned a bandsaw. I used to use my  tablesaw a lot when I was making laminated bows. It quit on me about 6 months ago. I've only been makin selfbows lately so I havent really missed it. Like Pearl said though no matter what kind of saw you get you're still gonna have to have some kind of sander to clean up your wood if you plan on making laminate bows.

[howdydoit]

yeah I know a sander is high priority but ill have one of those soon. buying it from a friend he just has to get it out of storage.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Ahhhhh! Get the table saw then. My opinion on small bandsaws is they are not much good for bow building. A planer would be a good consideration as well. A skilsaw will do most of what a table saw will do and planer will pay for itself after 15-18 backers are made with it.

[John Scifres]

No doubt, the band saw will be used more if you work staves.  For board or composite wooden bows, I'd go with the table saw.

[Shaun]

Lot of dust for an apartment, but we have to use what we have. I'd go band saw and sander.

[Savage]

I would have to go bandsaw too. I rarely use my table saw for more than just workspace these days.

[Ranger44]

If you are working with lumber a bandsaw will do what a table saw can for bow building but it might work harder.  Especially if you are using small table top models.  

I just started making board bows and the only thing I use my table saw for is making 1'X2" boards from wider boards.  A band saw can do that with a little work.  The band saw will waste a lot less wood when cutting backing strips and the like because the blade is so much thinner.

[scrub-buster]

If you are making selfbows, or board bows, I would go with the bandsaw.  I started out with a 9" Delta bandsaw.  I used it to rough out osage selfbows from staves.  I had it tuned in good, and a sharp blade on it.  I just took it really slow and was carefull with it.  I have a table saw, but I have never used it for making selfbows.  

Whatever you decide, check your local craigslist.com site.  You can get great deals on used tools.  I would prefer an older well built tool than some of the newer plastic ones in stores today.

[b.glass]

Band.

[howdydoit]

thanks for all the replies, guys still alot to think about.   Ive found a board supply comany in town where i can get cherry, maple,walnut, ash,hickory and a few others..

so now i just need a way to cut them all up for bow staves..

[macbow]

One thing to consider is if you have close neighbors a table saw is really noisy compared to a bandsaw.

I don't use the table saw much but use my bandsaw on every bow I make.
Ron

[tenbrook]

Bandsaw for sure!

[PEARL DRUMS]

The bandsaw size needs to be a consideration Paul. A little 10" can be a royal pain to do much on, I have one. If you can get a bigger bandsaw it would be great. But something tells me an apartment manager probably wont allow the crane to drop it through your window!

[hardwaymike]

From what I learned yesterday, you don't need either. Just get a good sander one that don't squeal,lol, and a planer. That is all ya need. For the board bows anyways.

[UnderControl16]

I would have to agree with the bandsaw though the comments about a skilsaw, i might have to try to use mine to do some stuff now...

[eflanders]

Bandsaw for in a apartment and for two very good reasons: 1). Noise - a band saw is a lot quieter.  2). Dust Control - DUst control is quite difficult with a table saw.  However many bandsaws have dust ports that can be hooked up to a vacuum.  Aside of these factors, I find that I now use my bandsaw almost exclusively for cutting anything for a bow build.

[howdydoit]

thank you guys for all the good comments and posts...


Howdy