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For those with limited space portable power tool is pretty much the way to go. I was wondering though say if one has the budget for either a good portable power tool or a cheap bench top tool which one would you prefer? Say a good hand drill vs a cheap drill press, or a good jig saw vs a cheap band saw, good circular saw vs a cheap table saw, you get the idea.

Of course a guy like me I have a drill press but I can't spare anymore space for another stationary tool... they may become a white elephant should I ever need to move...

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Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

That's a tough question really. It depends on what you want to do. You can't cut anything thicker than 2" with a jig saw. I'd honestly never choose a circular saw over a table saw, unless all you were doing was ripping 2x4's to length. Hand drill vs drill press. Well it's very hard to make perfectly perpendicular holes with a hand drill.

Most would say get the best tools you can for the job and those that fit your space. BUT, you have to know what you want to do with the tools. That's just as important in deciding which way to go.

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And there are also 'alternates' that a lot of people don't consider. My 'table saw' is a Hammond Glider, which has a much smaller footprint than a normal table saw as well as some neat features. They also make some really small table saws for model builders and such which would be find depending on what you're using the saw for.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Many years ago on a job I watched a old timer do a whole set of kitchen cabinets on a job, old school. They were built ins. He took a piece of plywood and fastened his circular saw to it. He then plunged the blade through, turned it over on some saw horses used a straight piece of pine with a couple of clamps for a fence. He did fast first class work.
Tai, your question is interesting and has mutiple layers. Are you asking, what is better a good portable tool or a cheap stationary one ? Or are you asking which is more versatile ?
As has been stated about the second question it is a matter of what you are doing. As my story about the old craftsman points out there are always work arounds.
I would rather have a Festool plunge circular saw and guide rail than a cheap POS table saw. That is a example where the answer to both questions is a portable is better but each tool and situation is different so a portable is not always more versatile especially if it can't handle the work.
I always ask myself is it easier to bring the tool to the work or the work to the tool. I am lucky to have the luxury
of a pretty full compilment of both stationary and portable tools to make these decsions.
Link

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Although Link's example is cool, don't try that at home unless you have good experience with power tools. The table-saw, with the overhead pin router maybe, is probably the most underrated dangerous tool, especially rigged up with a circular saw.
You won't replace a band-saw with a jig saw, nor a drill-press with a simple drill. Although the way to go with a hand drill is to make steel or hardwood guides with bushings (i.e. tuner and bridge holes).
A small tiny band saw can be had (like the 9" Delta, there are others) for little money and little footprint.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Portability is what i like, having a small shop.Every tool in my shop can be picked up and placed on my bench when i need them although it does get old shuffeling them back and forth as i have many. I like my power tools for speeding up the build,but i also have yet to replace my chisels with any.I do have two power tools that i keep out in the garage because they are too big and dusty for the shop,even with the dust collection i have for them.And they are my drum sander and now bandsaw,which i would never live without.

There's no way I would trade my 9" Ryobi bandsaw for a jig saw. It's small enough that I can store it under my bench when it's not needed, and I can do way more with it. The only thing is to throw out the junk blade it comes with and put a good blade on it. I've got a timberwolf on mine, and it works great. I can clamp a fence on it and rip braces, etc. Just take the time to set it up properly. My workshop is 5' x 10', so space is a problem for me, so it's a great option for now. I'd really like to add a tablesaw to the shop, but I don't have room, so I make due with what I have.

Now drills on the other hand... A drill press is pretty much a must have...

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Rob

I've lived without a tablesaw for way too long. I've used guide clamps and a handheld carbide blade equiped circular saw now for several years. I just bought a "cheap" tablesaw and OH what a difference. It's a little contractors saw, but I can't imagine why I didn't do this years ago. After I "sold" my shop to my ex, my commercial table saw went with it. I didn't want to compromise so I did without. Silly goose! I recently sold my big Delta drill press and replaced it with a 12" Craftsman benchtop. The benchtop can do everything the big Delta could at 1/3 the space. Not floor space mind you, but physical space. I've got great storage under these tools and it feels great to have. At the same time I bought my very first bandsaw. Yippie! Man is it nice to be able to cut a piece of wood lickity split without struggle. The bandsaw is just such a wonderful tool. Again, what took me so long? It's a 10" Craftsman and has enough power to do most of the tasks. Can't really resaw, but it does all the rest.

You really can't do the same work with a jigsaw and a bandsaw. If you are making little intricate cuts, that's a jigsaw, but to do most of the work we are talking about here, the bandsaw is the instrument. They don't cost much for the small benchtops, so why not. Actually a small bandsaw is cheaper than a reasonable jigsaw. And less bench space to boot.

Joe

I seen many people in Taiwan bolt a circular saw upside down to a table and using that as table saw. I have even seen commercial products in Taiwan for this purpose (complete with a rip fence and slots for miter gauge and stuff). Is this advisable or is this just asking for trouble?

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com