Totally new to woodworking

[ozmike]

Hello and G'day to everyone,

I am completely new to woodworking. Started doing some small and minor home DIY repairs on furniture that have been damaged by rough use from my two young teenage boys and now wanting to get into learning how to build usable furniture or table around the house as a weekend hobby.

So glad to have found this forum. I am looking forward to learning from all of you and also to contribute where I can from my very limited experience in this area.

I know I am getting serious about this hobby as I have started to acquire tools. Talking about tools, I am looking to purchase my first table saw... am thinking of getting the Dewalt 2000W 254mm table saw (DWE7491-XE) from Total Tools (I am based in SE Melbourne). I have no idea whether it is the appropriate table saw to get for woodworking and would really appreciate your guidance, recommendations or suggestions before I make the final decision to purchase.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone here :U:hapy:

[lyricnz]

Welcome to the forums! I don't know about the table saw question, sorry. That's a contractor-style saw, intended to be portable, at some compromise to size/capacity/stability. Lots of people use them quite effectively - it depends what you want to do. Do you need a tablesaw yet? You can probably get by with a circular saw (and a saw guide) at least to start with, until you have more experience and know what you want to spend your $ on. I got lucky - picked up a whole "shop setup" package second hand, which included most of the big tools (table saw, mitre saws, thicknesser, jointer, drill press, etc). Maybe keep an eye out for something similar?

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Mike".
There are quite a stack members around Melbourne and cross Victoria plus the rest of the country.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork.....
Cheers crowie

PS - Watch out for local Melbourne get togethers, great way to meet like minded forum members & network; once the lockdown has finished of course...

ALSO - Watch out for grarage sales, estate sales, clearence sales & the like as you'll often pickup some good older tools which will help you get the shed going.

AND on the tablesaw question; start a new thread in the powertool section to gain a wider audience thus more answers...

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum Mike.

[cava]

Welcome.

[verawood]

Welcome

[KeithP]

Welcome to the forum.

Regards
Keith

[JJF]

Welcome to the forums

[ozmike]

Hi lyricnz,

Thank you for your comments :2tsup:. I have an Ozito mitre saw (from Bunnings) and find that is limited in terms of cutting wider pieces. Don't have a circular saw yet. I am thinking a table saw will make it easier to make repeatable cuts and if I do get a table saw, then I may not need to spend on a circular saw yet...?
I don't have a big space to work with just a corner in the home garage - that is why I am thinking to get the Dewalt (coz it is moveable and not very big).
I am new at woodworking - so am happy to listen and learn :).
That is awesome to hear you were able to pick up the whole shop setup second hand. Did you pick up it via gumtree? Any pointers?

[ozmike]

Thanks Crowie for the warm welcome :bgth: and tips.

Will check out the powertool section on table saw and looking forward to participating and contributing to this community.

[ozmike]

Thanks old1955 :bgth:

[lyricnz]

Don't have a circular saw yet. I am thinking a table saw will make it easier to make repeatable cuts and if I do get a table saw, then I may not need to spend on a circular saw yet...? I don't have a big space to work with just a corner in the home garage - that is why I am thinking to get the Dewalt (coz it is moveable and not very big).

A circular saw is way cheaper than a table saw, and very portable. I've got a Ryobi and it's fine for what I do.
Circular Saws available from Bunnings Warehouse (https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/tools/power-tools/power-saws/circular-saw)

Even if you had a table saw, you probably will need a circular saw to break down full-sized sheet goods (eg: ply or mdf). A full sheet of 3/4 ply is too heavy and cumbersome to rip on a table saw yourself imho (especially a contractor saw). Too much chance of twisting, knocking the saw over, etc. Much safer to do the first couple of cuts out in the driveway, on the ground with a few 2x4 under it. If you have a table saw, you can cut oversize, and do the final sizing on the table saw with a much more manageable piece.


That is awesome to hear you were able to pick up the whole shop setup second hand. Did you pick up it via gumtree? Any pointers?

I found it on gumtree, after the posted had put it here for a month without success. I hadn't even heard of this forum then!

Keep an eye on the forum here for someone selling. It's pretty common for people needing to downsize. Maybe post a "wanted" with a description of what you need and a price you're willing to pay?

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f221

Joining a mens club / woodworker group might be a good way to find people, and tools, in your area.

[lyricnz]

eg: There's a saw for sale there now
Scheppach 12 Table Saw (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f221/scheppach-12-table-236243)
but it's all the way over in Yarragon

[Treecycle]

Welcome ozmike. If you are starting to get the urge for more tools you are hooked, but that's a good thing.
In regard to the DeWalt saw, as Lyricnz says they are a compact portable saw but they do come with a good reputation. Being small would suit your situation but if you start making items that require you to cut big material you will need to house it in a larger frame to support the material better without trying to tip your saw over. Here (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f213/table-dewalt-workbench-feed-table-build-progress-234466) is one such table that one of the members here has recently made for his and there are a number of versions of it on Youtube. My tablesaw is one of the most used machines in my shop. The circular saw hardly sees the light of day except when I have a large sheet I can't handle on the tablesaw or a long length of timber that won't fit in the shed to cut on the Mitresaw.
Hopefully we will get to see some of your projects on here in the future.

Cheers,

[woodhutt]

Welcome Mike from across the ditch (there's a few of us :U).

It's probably a good idea to see which way you want to head with your woodworking before jumping in boots an' all with big ticket purchases. You might, for example, find a band saw suits your purposes better depending on what type of project you have in mind.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the forum.
Pete