More carpentry questions!

[StageLeft]

My first carpentry project was a resounding success. I built a fine, sturdy bookshelf and mrsskoorb stained it like a mofo. Pics are available if requested (PM Mrsskoorb).

Now I'm moving onto bigger and better things. I need a power saw but I want to spend as little money as possible. The drill I bought cost $30 and the thing is fine, so it's not like I need a $300 dewalt circular saw that a professional contractor needs.

My need is:
1) Must cut planks of wood

My want is:
1) Can cut dado cuts

Now I know that ideally for the dado's you'd have a nice big contraption with a platform and all that, but with a couple sets of hands would a standard circular saw be all that I need? You can get a crappy skil one for $36 which I'm sure is fine for the amount of cutting I need. Or, alternatively would a jigsaw serve my purposes? That way with that I could not only cut planks but also cut through thicker wood like maybe a leg if I was building a table or something.

Is a basic circular saw all I'm likely to need?

 

[Scarpozzi]

If you're wanting to cut planks of wood or any specialty cuts, you may not want a circular saw. They're not as exact as a table saw since you don't have the guide to go by. It will also get the blade in a bind more frequently because you're trying to hold it and can't simply guide it through. I would recommend maybe a Delta table-saw (~$99) and maybe looking into a decent jigsaw or bandsaw. Craftsman always makes a competitive circular saw that gets the job done for cheap money... For jig-saws you really do get what you pay for because the motor moves a lot smoother on the higher-end tools. You can't tell much difference on a circular saw or table saw because they are already moving at a set speed. For the jigsaw, I would recommend spending around $200 on it and get a Bosch or Porter/Cable(I think that's the brand...I have a bosch). Be sure to hit a couple of places like Lowes and Home Depot and ask the specialists what they would recommend, but don't get suckered into buying what they want to sell...

 

[Electric Amish]

I'll agree. Dado's with a hand-held could be tricky, unless they are relatively short cuts.

Table-saws are nice if you have a little room to set them up.

I have either a B&D or a Craftsman (I can't remember, I use it so often. ). With the little I've used it it seems to be fine.

amish

 

[Ornery]

For a circular saw, buy a Milwaukee 7 1/4" from Sears for about $130.00. Forget about dado blades in that. Matter of fact, it isn't the right tool for building furniture at all. For that, the ideal tool would be a VERY high quality radial arm saw. Next down the rung would be a table saw and lastly a cheap radial arm. Even the cheap radial arm will be several hundred.

In the long run, it really doesn't pay to buy cheap tools. You'll own these things forever. Who wants to use a marginal quality tool forever? Not to mention if it's cheap quality causes it to die prematurely, you'll be replacing it with a good one anyway. Might as well get good stuff from the start. Don't forget your trusty Milwaukee 1/2" Magnum Hole-Shooter. Sold at Sears too!

Edit: I didn't want to mention it in MrsSkoob's topic, but you really must put a back on at least the lower section of the shelf to hold it square. Cut a piece of 1/4" plywood big enough to cover the back of the lowest shelves. Fasten it around all four edges to keep the unit from collapsing sideways. It looks great, just want to make sure it's mechanically sound.