Band saw vs. table saw: Which one should I get first for my workshop?

Let’s break down the strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases for each.

The Quick Summary: Head-to-Head

Deep Dive: Table Saw

The table saw is often called the “workhorse” of the workshop for a reason.

Why you should get a table saw first:

• Unmatched Versatility for Furniture & Cabinets: If you plan to build things like bookshelves, tables, cabinets, or frames, the table saw is indispensable. It’s the best tool for breaking down large sheets of plywood.

• Precision and Repeatability: With a fence and a miter gauge, you can make dozens of identical, perfectly straight cuts. This is crucial for professional-looking results.

• Joinery Capabilities: You can cut dadoes, rabbets, and tenons with a table saw (often with simple jigs), which are the foundation of strong woodworking joints.

• Power and Speed: It can handle large, thick stock with relative ease and makes quick work of long rip cuts.

Downsides of a Table Saw:

• Danger: It demands immense respect. Kickback can be violent and dangerous. Proper technique, a riving knife, and a splitter are essential.

• Dust Collection: It creates a huge amount of dust that needs to be managed.

• Limited to (mostly) Straight Lines: You cannot cut curves.

• Space: A good cabinet-style table saw requires a significant footprint.

Deep Dive: Band Saw

The band saw is the sculptor’s tool—incredibly useful for specific tasks that other saws can’t handle.

Why you might consider a band saw first:

• The King of Curves: If your projects involve organic shapes, scrollwork, or any kind of curved design (e.g., chair legs, toy cars, decorative pieces), the band saw is your best friend.

• Resawing: This is a massive advantage. You can take a thick piece of expensive lumber and slice it into several thinner boards for bookmatched panels or veneers. No other common shop tool does this as well.

• Safety: It is inherently safer than a table saw. The downward-cutting motion minimizes kickback, and it’s much less intimidating for beginners.

• Versatility with Materials: With the right blade, a band saw can cut wood, metal, and plastics.

• Rough Stock Breakdown: It’s great for cutting rough, live-edge slabs or thick stock to a more manageable size.

Downsides of a Band Saw:

• Not for Sheet Goods: Trying to rip a 4×8 sheet of plywood on a band saw is impractical and inaccurate.

• Less Precision on Long Cuts: The flexible, continuous blade can drift, making it difficult to get a perfectly straight edge over a long distance.

• Slower for Straight Cuts: While it can cut straight lines, it’s significantly slower than a table saw for ripping a stack of boards.

The Decision Matrix: Which One Should YOU Get First?

Get a TABLE SAW first if you:

• Plan to build cabinets, bookshelves, or furniture with straight lines.

• Need to break down large sheets of plywood.

• Value precision, repeatability, and speed for straight cuts.

• Want to perform advanced joinery like dadoes and rabbets.

• Are building a general-purpose woodshop for “making things square.”

Get a BAND SAW first if you:

• Are primarily interested in making curved projects, toys, or artistic pieces.

• Work with rough-sawn lumber and want to resaw your own wood.

• Prioritize safety and are nervous about starting with a more dangerous tool.

• Work with a variety of materials beyond just wood (e.g., metal).

• Have a specialized focus like lutherie (building guitars) or bow making.

The Practical Compromise & Final Recommendation

For the vast majority of people starting a workshop, the table saw is the correct first choice. It establishes the foundation for accurate, square work that nearly every project requires. It’s very difficult to build a cabinet or a table without one, but you can certainly build one without a band saw.

However, a band saw is very often the best second major tool purchase. Once you have a table saw to handle your straight-line and sheet-good work, adding a band saw opens up a whole new world of design possibilities and resawing capabilities.

Final Verdict:

Start with a quality table saw. Learn to use it safely and respect its power. Then, as your skills and project ambitions grow, add a band saw to complement it. This 1-2 punch will give you about 90% of the cutting capability needed for a huge range of projects.