Which First?

[dabeeler]

Which would you first purchase, sliding compound miter saw or table saw?

Since I don't plan on doing any crown molding in the near future I am thinking table saw first. My reasoning is that most things that are done on the scms can also be done on the table saw plus the table saw can do things the scms can't. Would you agree with my reasoning?

Opinions appreciated.
David

[big tim]

TS first

Tim

[leehljp]

TS also. BUT if you are doing molding or cross cutting a lot of 2/4s for a special project, then get the MS. By and large, 95% of the time, the TS will give you far more usage.

[Uncle Cracker]

Unless you are a trim carpenter, you will definitely benefit more from having a TS.

[dabeeler]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice.

[drumpriest]

I agree with all of the above. My miter saw is hardly used anymore. I used it quite a lot when I installed my flooring, and doing the trim work in the house. It is uncommon that it sees duty in the woodworking that I do.

[eezlock]

which first?

Definately a tablesaw first.....will get the most use, center of most shops
compound miter saw....third in line, behind a good bandsaw. eezlock

[SARGE..g-47]

I strickly use the TS to rip these days. I do all my cross-cuts on a 12" SCMS as it allows me to cut 20/4 thick stock up to 16' as I have built on extentions on my SCMS mobile base cabinet.

But... if I had to chose just one, definitely the TS as you can cross-cut and rip on it which are the two things you do most. You cannot rip on the SCMS and that takes away a large portion of what you do most often, especially if you buy from a hard-wood supplier.

[JimD]

TS first. I am not sure I ever want a sliding compound miter saw. A 12 inch CMS is a lot cheaper and will cross-cut about 8 inches. For now, I use my 10 inch CMS and a radial arm saw (a Ryobi).

Jim

[cabinetman]

I also vote for the TS. Set up and used properly can be the most versatile tool in the shop. Unless you're doing a lot of trim work, a TS with a sled provides a safe method of doing those cross cuts.

As for ranking, I too give the SCMS/CMS third behind the BS.
.

[LCHIEN]

table saw is the more versatile of the two. You can both crosscut and rip with the TS.
Miter saw is only a crosscut tool, but is more suited for long pieces which would be awkward on the TS.