Let’s be honest: woodworking is a total rabbit hole. Since I decided to get serious about building solid wood furniture, I’ve sunk nearly $3,000 (approx. £2,300) into tools alone. When I started, I had this grand plan to save space and money by using a track saw instead of a table saw, and using a thickness planer with sleds instead of a dedicated jointer.
I’m here to tell you: those workarounds do work, but they are absolutely exhausting. Between the lack of repeatable precision and the fact that I only get about two hours a day in the shop, I realized I was spending all my time on "the setup" rather than "the build." To save my sanity and boost my efficiency, I finally pulled the trigger on a 10-inch stationary table saw.
The Setup & First Impressions
Because of budget constraints, I didn't go for a high-end cabinet saw, but I opted for a solid contractor-style hybrid model during a recent promotion.
The Downsides:
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The Manual: It showed up with an English-only manual. The manufacturer claims they are working on localized versions, but for now, you better be comfortable with the diagrams.
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The Scale: The fence scale is strictly in inches. Since I prefer working in metric for furniture joinery, I’m planning to peel that off and slap on a metric adhesive scale.
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The Testing: My hardwood shipment is still in transit, so I haven't been able to run any "torture tests" on thick oak or maple yet to see how the motor handles a heavy load.
The Upsides:
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That Induction Motor: This is the biggest win. If you have neighbors close by, an induction motor is a non-negotiable upgrade over a universal motor. It’s whisper-quiet—perfect for those late-night shop sessions.
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Cast Iron Wings: I was worried about stability since it isn't a full cabinet design, but with the cast iron extension wings, this rig weighs in at about 150kg (approx. 330 lbs). It’s rock-solid and stays exactly where you put it.
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Value: For the price I paid during the sale, the amount of "iron" you get for the money is hard to beat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re limited on time like I am, stop trying to make jobsite tools do the work of stationary machinery. The repeatable accuracy of a dedicated fence and the dampening of a cast iron table make the furniture-making process so much more enjoyable. I'll post a follow-up once I get some 8/4 walnut on the table to see how it rips.
