Table saws are at the top of the wish lists for both DIY enthusiasts and experienced woodworkers due to their superior cutting accuracy compared to circular saws. Additionally, they have the capability to cut larger material pieces such as wood, plastic, and aluminum sheeting more effectively than miter saws. It should be noted that different types of material may require specific table saws, hence we conducted thorough hands-on testing to evaluate some of the finest options available.
The primary purpose of a table saw is to perform rips, which are cuts made along the length of a board. Although users can also make crosscuts, angled cuts, create bevel cuts, and dadoes, the main focus of this power tool remains ripping.
Having a table saw in the workshop can help speed up projects such as building bookcases, framing a garage, or making trim for a feature wall.
If you enjoy working with wood, you probably dream of owning an expensive table saw in your wood shop. However, for many people, the cost of their ideal table saw is unattainable. Thankfully, there are more affordable alternatives available, which offer excellent features, power, and accuracy suitable for nearly any project. This guide aims to assist you in determining the best table saw option by answering the question.
1. DeWalt DWE7491RS
The table saw by DeWalt, called the DWE7491RS Jobsite Table Saw, is a reliable brand that fulfills its promise. This table saw is particularly useful when portability is important. Its rolling table design is specifically made for easy transportation. Despite being collapsible, it is stable and will not tip over, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners looking for a top quality table saw.
With a powerful motor, this saw is capable of cutting through various wood types, such as pressure-treated lumber and hardwood. The saw blade, measuring 10 inches, can achieve a depth of 3-1/8 inches at a 90-degree angle and 2-1/4 inches at a 45-degree angle. Additionally, it provides the option of using an optional dado throatplate to accommodate 8-inch stacked dado blades up to 13/16 inches thick. This comprehensive range of features makes it well-equipped for nearly any woodworking project.
2. SawStop CNS175-TGP236
With the patented technology that detects human skin, the SawStop safety system has already saved over 6,000 fingers, and the count keeps increasing. At this price, the T-Glide fence assembly is unbeatable, making this table saw one of the safest and most efficient in its class.
For contractors seeking a blend of accuracy and effectiveness, this table saw is the top choice. It encompasses all the necessary features for executing specialized cuts, while possessing the required strength to accomplish them.
The table saw is designed with precision, beginning with a solid cast iron top that has a maximum gap of 0.010″ in diagonal flatness, and two additional steel extension wings. If you desire enhanced functionality, SawStop offers cast iron router tables that can be attached to the tool, allowing you to expand its usage capabilities.
3. Bosch 4100XC-10
The Bosch 4100XC-10 Jobsite Table Saw is renowned for its excellent balance of portability and stability, thanks to its wheeled stand. The setup process is simplified with the convenient single-action design, and the robust 8” tires ensure smooth movement even on uneven terrain typically encountered at construction sites. Moreover, the onboard storage system allows for effortless organization, ensuring that all necessary tools are readily available alongside the saw.
Although it lacks the popular rack-and-pinion fence design, we still appreciate the well-made fence. The safety cut-off switch in the shape of a stop sign is an added bonus.
With a large aluminum table top, this saw is designed for cutting sheets that are 4-feet wide. It is equipped with a powerful motor and soft-start circuitry to ensure smooth operation. The Constant Response circuitry maintains speed during cutting, while restart protection prevents accidental startup, making it a dependable and powerful tool that prioritizes safety.
4. SKILSAW SPT99-11 Worm Drive Saw
The Skilsaw SPT99-11 table saw is ideal for DIYers who require additional power and advanced features.
With its brass-geared worm drive motor, it provides increased functionality, power, and precision. The wheeled stand ensures optimal portability. Weighing only 53 pounds, this saw, placed on a 16-inch wheeled stand, is considered lightweight. Furthermore, the inclusion of easy-load handles makes it effortless to transport over stairs or load into the back of a truck.
With its 3-?” cutting depth and strong cutting ability, this saw enables you to make cuts on stacked lumber, thus enhancing your efficiency. Designed for professionals, this tool features a high-torque motor and high RPMs that effortlessly cut through plywood. Its accuracy and precision rival any saw in its category, making it the ideal option when you prioritize both portability and power.
5. Ridgid R4550 Portable Jobsite Table Saw
The Ridgid R4550 is a sturdy saw that can handle any DIY project. It is recommended for the average homeowner because it can be folded and stored upright, saving space. Additionally, its powerful motor provides sufficient power for efficiently cutting through plywood and lumber.
This saw has the ability to cut through a 4×4 in one single cut. Additionally, it has a front and back clamping fence which allows for precision cuts. It can also be used with an 8″ dado stack and has a dado width of 11/16″. This table saw is backed by a 5-year warranty and is considered to be one of the best options in terms of its value for the money. You will not be disappointed with its quality, price, or portability.
6. Skil 15 Amp 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw
The stand’s foldout legs are lightweight, stable, and simple to deploy. The saw is both lightweight and sufficiently powerful to effortlessly cut through framing lumber. The blade that comes with it is not very satisfactory, but it can be easily replaced. The fence was parallel to the blade from the beginning, and transporting it to job sites or within the workshop is incredibly easy. We were particularly fond of how it can be stored in a compact cube when not in use.
Although the push-button switch may require some adjustment, and we would prefer it if the throat plate was made of steel rather than plastic, the saw excels in all aspects, ranging from power and mobility to accuracy, making it ideal for tasks such as making a few rips at home or tackling treated lumber while constructing a deck.
This feature, which is a 22.5-degree bend dust port elbow, should be a part of every table saw. It allows the user to direct dust into a box or bucket, making it a valuable and practical addition.
7. Ryobi 18-Volt One+ HP Brushless 8.25-Inch Table Saw
The battery on this inexpensive table saw is suitable for light tasks. The fence came perfectly aligned right from the beginning. Although it’s not luxurious, it gets the job done. The saw is lightweight and easy to carry around, offering a satisfactory level of power. It’s not overly powerful, and that’s a positive feature.
In terms of power, it was able to handle 1x8s and composite decking without any issues. However, it faced difficulty in ejecting the shavings, which could be improved by having a blower. While there is no large stand, setting it up at table height is recommended for optimal and safe usage. Some professionals may find its basic design and affordable price suitable for their needs.
Types of Table Saws
Although table saws all operate in a similar way, with a flat tabletop surface to support the material and manual feeding into the blade, they vary in terms of design, power, ideal application, mobility, and storage.
Bench Saws
A benchtop table saw, which can be bolted to a workbench or attached to a stand, is compact and relatively lightweight, typically weighing in at 45 to 60 pounds (excluding certain stands). Although some benchtop table saws have the ability to cut sheet goods, they are not specifically designed for this purpose unless modifications such as infeed/outfeed support tables are added, typically constructed in a workshop.
Cutting sheet material alone from time to time, with or without a helper, is achievable. However, these saws are typically not recommended for ripping thicker materials like ¾-inch medium-density fiberboard (MDF), sheet materials such as plywood and oriented strand board (OSB), or plastic and aluminum paneling due to their compactness and lack of stability.
These tools are often essential for planks, deck boards, 2-by material, and similar items.
Contractor Saws
A wheel kit allows a contractor table saw to have a certain level of mobility in a shop environment. Although some contractors might use these saws on construction sites, they are typically installed in a workshop for extended periods of time.
These jobsite table saws are suitable for serious DIYers as well, provided they have a semi-permanent setup and need cast-iron stability and more power than a benchtop saw to perform a range of tasks.
Weighing between 90 to 150 pounds, they exceed the weight of bench saws. They possess the ability to cut sheet material that is at least 24 inches wide or even wider. The cost of these tools can range from $1,500 or higher, depending on their quality and power.
Cabinet Saws
Cabinet saws, which are large stationary table saws, often surpass other table saws in terms of power and may need a 220-volt (V) circuit. They are the most expensive choice, with prices ranging from $1,200 to $5,000 or higher, dependent on their power and quality. The motor is completely enclosed within a cabinet beneath the table.
Users of cabinet saws often construct additional tables to support the tools, referred to as infeed and outfeed support. This is done to facilitate the handling of sheet materials such as MDF, plywood, and heavier substances. Cabinet saws are typically found in professional or industrial workshops, as well as in trade schools, due to their heavy weight, which can exceed 600 pounds.
Hybrid Saws
The hybrid table saw is a combination of the cabinet type and the contractor type. It provides the same amount of power as a contractor saw, but does not need a separate 220V circuit. Hybrid table saws, also known as enhanced contractor saws, typically range in price from $750 to $1,500.
Hybrid saws, which weigh between 275 and 325 pounds on average, are equipped with enclosed cabinets to replicate the appearance of cabinet saws. Generally, these saws are transported using a hand truck, although wheel kits are commonly offered as an alternative.
Power
In a nutshell, if a table saw motor has more horsepower (hp), it will have more cutting power. Most tasks that can be done on a larger table saw can be accomplished with smaller benchtop saws that usually have horsepower ranging from ¾ hp to 1½ hp; however, they may not deliver as smooth of a cut as a contractor or cabinet saw.
The ratings, which are usually expressed in “amps” (for example, 15 amps), indicate the amount of current that the tool requires. Benchtop tools are commonly found in both construction sites and workshops, and are used to determine the dimensions of various materials such as shelves, hardwood for woodworking projects, and pressure-treated lumber for outdoor projects.
Larger bench saws and contractor saws are equipped with motors ranging from 2-hp to 4-hp, whereas cabinet table saws typically possess motors of 5-hp or higher. The increased power allows these motors to withstand intensive usage without overheating, making them suitable for continuous daily operations over long periods of time, such as in a cabinet shop. Additionally, the enhanced power enables effortless cutting through tough materials like ironwood or Brazilian walnut.
Cutting Depth and Blade Size
Table saws are categorized based on the size of the circular blade that fits them, with the majority being able to accommodate 10-inch blades, and only a few able to use 12-inch blades.
The ability to adjust the blade height and angles allows for making cuts of various depths, ranging from a shallow fraction of an inch to deeper cuts. The latest version of table saws, which are available in cordless or corded/cordless options, feature a 7½-inch blade that is comparable to the one found on a circular saw.
The saws commonly come in blade sizes of 10 inches and 12 inches. By using a 10-inch table saw, individuals can typically make cuts up to a maximum depth of 3½ inches (which allows for ripping a 4×4 in half).
