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Last week, we posted a blog poll to see what you thought about adding a benchtop table saw to the “I Can Do That” arsenal of tools (a basic but good set that allows the beginning woodworker to make solid and handsome pieces). As of the time I wrote this, we had 616 votes; more than 86 percent responded “yes” , we should add a benchtop table saw. So we decided to ignore your democratic vote (for now) and add a router (we’re still deciding on the make and model).
I realize this reeks of election tampering, but allow me to explain. Many of the comments against adding the table saw were convincing. And, our initial thoughts were that a table saw would allow rip cuts, so stock could easily be made into smaller sticks. But we do already have a circular saw and jigsaw in the kit, both of which can be used for ripping. And with a guide, an edge off a circ saw needs the same amount of cleanup for joinery and panel glue-ups as does one off a table saw. And for tenons, there’s the added cost of a dado stack , but how to cut the mortises?
Several readers suggested a band saw , and we agree it’s a useful machine (not to mention the powered saw of choice for many British woodworkers). And others suggested the router. When we met to discuss the poll results, we agreed with the router camp.
A router allows us to add decorative moulding to projects (beyond what the big box store has in stock , and at a lower price), cut dados, rabbets and grooves, and cut both mortises and tenons. Plus, it’s a hand-held tool (unless we add a simple router table, of course), which is more in line with the “I Can Do That” philosophy.
We’ll start out with a few basic bits , a 3/4″ pattern bit with a top-mount bearing (Senior Editor Glen D. Huey’s go-to bit). A rabbeting set (editor Christopher Schwarz’s selection…¦though he almost went with a 1/4″ spiral upcut) and a 1/2″ pattern bit (Senior Editor Robert W. Lang’s choice , he doesn’t like to be locked in to a 3/4″ groove). I chose a 1/4″ roundover bit…¦a holdover from my home renovation (I ran the shoe moulding about a year ago , it’s still stacked neatly in the dining room).
