The Perfect Next Woodworking Machine After a Table Saw: A Router or a Band Saw?

After purchasing a table saw, a solid next choice for setting up your first-time home woodworking shop would be either a router or a band saw. Both options offer unique advantages and serve different purposes in your woodworking arsenal. Let's dive into the details and help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

Router

Versatility: Routers are incredibly versatile tools that can be used for a wide range of tasks. They excel at edge shaping, creating joinery, and even hollowing out areas of wood. Whether you're working on trim work, furniture, or cabinets, a router can handle it with ease.

Ease of Use: Routers are generally easy to learn and use. They are suitable for beginners and experienced woodworkers alike, making them a great addition to any woodworking shop. With a wide variety of bits and attachments, you can perform numerous tasks from making grooves to creating decorative edges. This versatility makes routers an excellent choice for those looking to add a multi-functional tool to their collection.

Accessories: The range of accessories available for routers is impressive. You can find bits for everything from chamfering edges to creating complex patterns. This flexibility means that a router can be a valuable tool for a variety of projects, making it a worthy investment for your home shop.

Band Saw

Curved Cuts: One of the most notable advantages of a band saw is its ability to make intricate cuts, including curves and resawing lumber. This machine is perfect for projects that require precise curved cuts or when you need to split thicker pieces of wood into smaller, even sections.

Thicknessing: Band saws are also great for thicknessing wood. While this might not be a primary use for a router, a band saw excels at cutting thicker pieces of wood down to size. This capability makes it a valuable tool for creating uniform thickness across boards, which is crucial for many woodworking projects.

Safety: Band saws are generally safer for certain cuts, especially when working with small or irregularly shaped pieces. The blade moves slowly and continuously, which reduces the risk of kickbacks and other safety hazards. This makes them a safer choice for inexperienced woodworkers, further solidifying their place in your collection.

Conclusion

Choosing between a router and a band saw depends on the type of projects you plan to undertake. If you need versatility and edge work, a router is the better choice. For cutting curves, resawing lumber, and thicknessing wood, a band saw is the superior option. Both tools offer unique benefits, and the best choice ultimately depends on your specific woodworking needs.

Additional Recommendations

After acquiring a table saw, the next essential woodworking machine for a home shop is a thickness planer. A thickness planer ensures uniform thickness across boards, which is crucial for many woodworking projects. For more recommendations on setting up a home workshop, explore my Quora Profile specializing in Woodworking Tools.

Other important tools to consider in addition to the table saw and router/band saw include:

Miter Saw: Ideal for making precise crosscuts and working with angles. This tool is particularly useful if you frequently work on projects that require precise angled cuts. Drill Press: Excellent for drilling straight, perpendicular holes, which is crucial for tasks like mortise and tenon joints and dowelling. A drill press provides the precision needed for these tasks, ensuring your joints are strong and accurate.

Final Thoughts

Whether you opt for a router, a band saw, or both, the key is to choose tools that align with your specific woodworking goals. A well-equipped workshop ensures that you can handle a wide range of projects with ease and precision. Happy woodworking!