Help with decision - sliding table saw, or sliding table saw / shaper?
I will be buying a sliding table saw - Minimax SC-4 Elite - in the very near future. Right now, though, I am agonizing over whether to get the saw/shaper combo (I already have a J/P combo). The price difference appears to be $4-5k. For the sake of argument, let's assume that's not an issue.
I have a great router table - cast iron BenchDog top, Woodpeckers lift & fence, large router underneath. So far, this has done what I need it to do and I will not be getting rid of it.
I am a hobbiest who plans to build a lot of furniture and built-ins for family and friends, as well as dip my toe into selling some work.
My concern is that I will be dropping a lot of money on the sliding table saw and have a one-time opportunity to add a 5HP shaper with a large sliding table and a huge outrigger, without taking up any additional space. This seems like too good an opportunity to pass up. However, I have never used a shaper. I have read many threads today and watched several videos, but am still not sure why I would want one.
Can anyone offer some guidance here?
The decision has been made.
Thanks to all for your input. The preponderance of advice said to get the shaper (doesn't it always around here? ;) ), but I just couldn't justify it to myself. Here's why:
- I can take the same money and get a dust collection system and a drum sander, which are more useful to me right now.
- I have a very nice router setup that does a great job.
- I am not a pro, so time spent processing parts and sanding them is not as important to me.
- I have no shaper tooling, which would push up my costs considerably.
- Setting up the shaper would prevent use of the table saw, which sounds like sort of a PITA.
- As Susumu pointed out, some work doesn't require shaper capabilities. I don't plan to make doors or large moldings - my tastes run toward clean lines. Besides, the mill work shop can make me thousands of board feet of moldings for the price of the upgrade.
- Shapers are frequently available on Craigslist or other sites, usually for MUCH less than the upgrade would cost me.
Some of this is debatable I suppose but, for me, not getting the upgrade is the right decision right now. Even if I apparently ignored your advice, please understand that you helped me clarify my thinking on this issue and I am grateful.
Cheers,
Brian