I’d hate to give up any of my saws!If home renos are the main focus, I’d start with the circ. Saw; the TS and sliding compound miter saw are both invaluable and i wouldn’t want to work without either one, but as has already been pointed out, you can take the miter saw pretty much anywhere close to where you’re working…the table saw, not so much. Some of the small jobsite portable table saws are pretty sweet, especially if you have them set up in/on a ‘work center’ with outfeed and side table support surfaces.
The most obvious difference between a jigsaw and a router is that the jigsaw uses a reciprocating blade to cut through the wood while a router uses a rotating bit. While the jigsaw presents the obvious danger from its reciprocating blade, the router is one of the more dangerous tools in woodworking. A jigsaw is designed to cut through the wood while a router is designed to cut shapes into the wood.
Cutting boards across the grain is best accomplished with a well-set-up mitersaw [ Photo D]. For boards wider than the mitersaw’s capacity, reach for a handsaw, circular saw [Photo E], or tracksaw. The tablesaw cuts clean, accurate tenons, half-laps, box joints, and more. Half-laps: A straight bit in the router table allows fine-tuning the joint as you work for a flush fit on both faces [Photo S]. Box joints: A box-joint jig works just as well on a router table as on a tablesaw [Photo T]. Fingers must match the width of a router bit.
Even if the jigsaw blade is long enough to cut through the stock, the jigsaw motor might not supply enough power for this operation. Jigsaw vs Router: Jigsaw Cuts Are Easier To Set Up. With a jigsaw, you just draw a line on the wood and follow it. Even though the jigsaw blade is long enough to cut through the wood, the motor power might not be sufficient for a clean cut.
For a standard dovetail, a table saw may be faster to cut one, but the router table will give a better finish and if a template is used, it is easy to make a whole batch of dovetails on a router table very quickly. A router table is generally better for delicate jobs while the table saw is clearly more efficient in all kinds of straight cutting and sawing jobs. If a router table is your tool of choice, you will be interested in reading more details about their characteristics and uses as well as our expert reviews of the best router tables for pros and hobby woodworkers.
circular saw vs router Related Question:
Can you use a router on a 2×4?
Cutting a 2×4 with a router and 1/2″ bit would require between 6 and twelve passes, depending on the shank size of the bit, with associated depth adjustments between each pass.
Which is better router or jigsaw?
Routers Are Better for Curves The next difference between jigsaws and routers is that while jigsaws are ideal for straight cuts, and while they can be used for curves, due to the rounded shape of router bits, it is much easier to cut curves with them. If you need to cut curves, a router is often the better way to go.
Can I put a drill bit in a router?
A great use for drill bits is to use them to set the depth of router bits! All you need is 2 drill bits that are the same size (I used 6mm bits) and a flat surface. First, place the 2 drill bits on the flat surface slightly spaced apart. Then loosen the base of the router so you can raise and lower the bit.
Can you freehand with a router?
To router letter freehand you will need to first trace the pattern onto the wood, then use different bits in different stages of the project starting from a low bit depth. If possible to adjust the speed, use half of the maximum speed as this will reduce the errors and still provide a clean result.
Can a router cut plywood?
Yes a router can be used to cut right through wood and sometimes it makes sense to do so. It leaves nice clean edges, can cut sharp curves and can follow a template.
Can you router plywood?
Yes, you can use a router on plywood, but ok depends entirely on your definition of “ok”. If there are no voids in the plywood, then it may not be terrible, but in my opinion as a woodworker, I’d rather see it edge banded with some type of hardwood. You can use a router on that and it will turn out quite nicely.
How deep can I cut with a router?
Adjust the bit so it’s cutting somewhere around 1/4-inch deep. Run the wood through the router to make the cut. Raise or lower the bit and repeat until you’ve cut a groove to the depth you want. A handheld router needs the bit lowered.
What router bit to use for cutting circles?
We recommend a solid-carbide up-cut spiral router bit. For the Model 300 Circle Guide, use a 1/2″-dia. router bit.
Can I use a jigsaw instead of a circular saw?
Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool’s qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.
Is a router tool useful?
It’s a great power tool to own because it is portable and can be used for a range of cutting, trimming, and shaping tasks on wood, plastic, metal, and laminates. Indeed, many woodworkers consider the router to be the single most versatile woodworking power tool in their arsenal. At its most basic, a router …
What’s the difference between jigsaw and reciprocating saw?
With their long, slim blades, jig saws are ideal for jobs that require delicate wood cuts. Reciprocating saws, however, with their horizontal blade action, are designed primarily for rough cutting and demolition jobs, such as cutting wood and metal aggressively.
What can I use instead of a wood router?
Joinery planes, hand saws, and chisels are some of the best alternatives to a wood router. While you are saving up for that wood router you always wanted, check out the sections below, where you will dive deeper into what types of planes are available and how to use them.
What is the difference between a plunge router and a fixed base router?
In the fixed base router, the depth is set, and the cutting bit protrudes beyond the base; in the plunge base router, the depth of the cut is set, and the cutting bit is plunged into the wood only to the depth set. The cutting depth is adjustable and can be set to your chosen depth, just as with a fixed base router.
Can you use a plunge router as a drill press?
Use your plunge router for “drilling” holes. I recently needed to drill 3⁄ 4 “-diameter holes into the end grain of some 82”-long bed rails: too long for my drill press, too big for my doweling jig, and I didn’t trust a hand drill to give me the perfectly perpendicular holes I needed.
Do you push or pull a router?
When looking straight down at the top of a router, the bit rotates in a clockwise direction. That means you should move the router from left to right, but—and this is important—that’s only true when the router is positioned in the middle between you and the workpiece.
