Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
Without a tablesaw?
Realistically, how crucial would a table saw be with a new build? Trying to decide whether I NEED to buy one. I sold mine last year as I was emptying the garage in preparation of removing and replacing the cracked and heaved floor. Had no place to store so I sold it. Of course, in the long run, I will replace the saw. However, trying to decide whether it's worth it right now. The cost of the saw could buy a lot of wood.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Views: 240
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by larry Hambley on
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You can never have too many tools. However, you certainly can build a framed drift boat with only portable saws. The places where you will miss the table saw most (in my opinion) are tapering the frames and shaping the stem post. The stem in particular needs the angle to be pretty precise and that is harder, and some what hazardous when using a portable circular saw. Otherwise, just a little trouble. One thing that helps a great deal is having a saw guide that attaches to the saw. This makes ripping frame material a snap and is far more accurate than "eye-balling" a drawn line. Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by twoblacklabs on
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Thanks. Better not let the wife read this thread. Have access to the old saw (coworker bought it). Just trying to justify. Saw close by on craigslist. If it turns out to be decent, may pick it up. The kicker is she wants me to get out of the house and fish a few days in Michigan. (need my fix or I'm a jerk to be around). That money would be pay for wood or saw or fishing. LOL.
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Permalink Reply by Steven Miller on
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I am finishing up a 16' McKen without a table saw. I used a skill saw for the long plywood and support cuts, a trim saw for the smaller stuff and a hand saw on everything else. It would have been a LOT easier with a table saw but i wanted to see if I could do it.
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As I go through the build in my head, it seems that the taper on the ribs would be easiest to do with a clamp down taper jig on the TS. Ironically, while I have "Cleaned Out" the Garage/Shop while salvaging the old detached mess, my taper jig is still hanging on the wall.
I think once I hear back from the CraigsList poster, if it's the saw I think it is (no pics or model # provided), I will go get it. Have to work 24 of the next 48 hours though so hopefully he will hold it for me.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on
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I built my first boat with a skill saw. It actually worked pretty well. The key like Larry said is use a batten for the saw to ride against. My first boat had a stem angle that was less than 45 deg. so I was able to do it with the skill saw, it would be hard to do if the angle was greater than 45 deg. No question a table saw is better, faster and more acurate but it can be done without one. Sandystitch&glue has a post on his website on making a table saw with a circular saw.
Late,
Mike
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Thanks guys. It's simple questions like this that make all the difference to a newbie. As I gain more experience, maybe I can try keep those basic questions in mind and make a sticky for frequently asked questions.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Podesta on
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The thing that a table saw will be missed in my view would be cutting down stock into things like outwals, trim, that sort of thing. Or trueing up gaffed cuts done with lessor saws. That sort of cutting cant be dont well with a hand saw. Long runs of small stock specificially can only really be managed with a table saw. Its by far the scarest tool in your shop, i personally know several people less fingers from using them. All to often people are quick to remove the safety features on this saws, fail to use proper judgement when working with small stock etc. Personally I love my saw and couldnt we without it..In time you will want another one, and get the best one you can afford. Cheap means dangerous in my book.
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