My new favorite method for tabs or lack there of is to cut almost all the way through the material then take it to my router table and run it across a flush trim bit to cut the thin leftover layer or tabs if I used tabs. I stopped using tabs and started leaving about 1/4 to 1/8 to save my waste board from unwanted oops moments. This wont work for smaller more detailed pieces but I use tabs a small saw and a dremel to clean those up. A router table is great for that use as well as shaping the outline with a round over or other edge finishes. I use a chop saw frequently for chopping pine boards for my smaller signs. A table saw is always handy as well. At the very minimum a dremel tool and jig saw but every year I buy myself a new toy and pretty much now have a wood shop. Only tools I bought and have not yet had a use for are my drill press and scroll saw.