| Best Choice |
|
DeWalt Table Saw for Jobsite | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Best Value |
|
Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Tabletop Saw | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Premium Pick |
|
JET ProShop Table Saw | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
- 1. DeWalt Table Saw for Jobsite
- 2. Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw
- 3. JET ProShop Table Saw
- 4. SKILSAW Portable Worm Drive Table Saw
- 5. Chicago Electric Benchtop Table Saw
- 6. Skil Jobsite Table Saw
- 7. Milwaukee Electric Tools Table Saw
- 8. Goplus 10-Inch 15-Amp Portable Table Saw
- 9. Delta 10 Inch Table Saw
By Norah Tarichia
Table saws are arguably one of the most resourceful power tools in any workshop or job site; nothing rips wood quite as easily and accurately as a table saw. While they are larger and bulkier than hand saws, circular saws, jigsaws, or miter saws, they are also, for the most part, easier to use. They can even be used by a newbie who has just recently taken up woodworking as a new DIY project.
Ideally, a table saw consists of a circular blade or saw that’s mounted on a table or cabinet with an enclosed motor beneath it. The blade protrudes from an opening in the table, and once connected to a power source, it spins and cuts through wood like a knife through butter. Of course, this is just a basic design — there are a plethora of features added to the unit to make it easier and safer to use. The designs vary from brand to brand and we shall focus more on that as we help you make a decent purchase.
The Best Table Saw
The DeWalt Table Saw for Jobsite is compact, easy to use, and will be able to handle most cutting tasks with ease. Its size makes for easy transporting and storage, and the rip fence utilizes a rack and pinion design that allows for more precise micro-adjustments. The 15-amp motor produces 5800 rpm, which is more than enough power to cut through most material. The base is built sturdy, which nicely dampens vibrations from the motor for more consistent cuts, and the vacuum port makes dust-collecting and cleanup much easier. Additionally, this table saw, like most DeWalt table saws, has a bevy of security features to keep users safe.
This table saw is one of the best options available, but we didn’t like that it wasn’t designed to accept dado blades.
- Compact and portable design
- 15-amp powerful motor
- Many safety and security features
- Rack and pinion system
- Brand DeWalt
- Model DWE7485
- Weight 53.5 pounds
Easy and accurate controls
Cuts very well
Well constructed, durable design
Throat plate is made of plastic
Does not accept Dado blades
No rolling wheels included
If you want an affordable but feature-rich workshop that you can take anywhere, then you might want to check out the Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw because it has almost everything you need in a table saw for light to medium work. It has a powerful motor that can cut through ceramic, aluminum, and metal, as well as an adjustable gauge for more accurate and precise miter cuts. The large rip fence provides excellent support for wider cuts. The vacuum port makes cleanup easy, and the onboard storage can conveniently house the rip fence, the miter gauge, and all your extra blades when they are not in use.
This table saw can cut nearly any type of material but won’t perform well for contractor-grade or heavy-duty projects.
- Tiny footprint and can be taken anywhere
- Powerful motor that can cut metal
- Large rip fence for wide cuts
- Brand Rockwell
- Model RK7323
- Weight 17 pounds
Adjustable gauge for accurate miter cuts
Blade changing is easy and doesn’t require tools.
Includes five assorted T-shank blades
Not good for heavy-duty jobs
The motor is only single-speed
Slow alignment due to the fence’s screw-down design
Measuring 82 x 40 x 43 inches, the JET ProShop Table Saw lets the user enjoy smooth cuts while keeping them safe from injury. It accepts up to 10-inch blades, and is fitted with a quick-release button at a safe distance from the blade so you can quickly and easily change the blade. With the help of an Allen key, you can adjust the 90- and 45-degree blade positive stops without having to go underneath the table or inside the cabinet. At the side of the table is a fairly large handwheel for adjusting the bevel angle and blade height. An oversized bevel scale with a large red pointer is fitted next to the handwheel to ensure you set the correct bevel angle and get the readings right. At the edge of the table is an adjustable fence system that includes an easy-to-read scale integrated with a repositionable, magnifying cursor so you can easily get precise dimensions and make accurate cuts. The floor panels on this unit are quite similar to that of a cabinet saw in that they are conveniently shaped so they direct dust into the dust shroud for effective dust collection.
However, this unit is bulky and a bit on the heavy side, so it’s best used at professional job sites where it doesn’t need to be moved around.
- 10-inch blade diameter
- 14.8-amp motor
- Side-mounted handwheel and bevel scale
- Brand Jet
- Model JPS-10
- Weight 312 pounds
Heavy-duty construction that resists vibrations
Designed for smooth operation and accuracy
Can handle heavy-duty woodworking projects
Easy to change the blade
Packs some weight
Takes up space
On the expensive side
The Skilsaw Portable Worm Drive Table Saw is light, compact, and will undoubtedly increase productivity in any job site. This table saw can handle most ripping jobs with ease with its 3.5-inch depth of cut and 25-inch rip capacity. Its all-metal construction will stand up to all kinds of worksite abuse. It has a powerful 15-amp motor that can produce no-load RPM speeds of 5,300. It utilizes a rack and pinion system that makes fence alignments smooth, fast, and accurate. The Dual-Field motor feature makes start-ups cooler and more efficient. And, lastly, it comes with a 10-inch 30-tooth Diablo Carbide blade, which can rip through wood like butter.
One drawback is that misaligned blades aren’t easy, or take a lot of time, to realign because of the table saw’s design.
- Compact and portable design
- 15 amp powerful motor
- All-metal construction
- Brand SKILSAW
- Model SPT99T-01
- Weight 49 pounds
Rack and pinion system
Dual-field motor
Well constructed, durable design
No stand
Blade alignment difficult
It seems that Chicago Electric had both DIYers and professional contractors in mind when they designed this benchtop table saw. This power tool sports a powerful 15-amp motor that delivers 4800 RPM so users can quickly accomplish both small and heavy-duty woodworking projects. The motor includes an overload protection feature to ensure it operates efficiently for a long time. The unit measures 26 x 19 x 16 inches, and comes with a 10-inch, 36-tooth, carbide blade. It also features a heavy-duty, die-cast aluminum table. For improved cross-cutting precision, it is fitted with an adjustable miter gauge that allows up to 45-degree adjustments on either the left or right side. A three-inch, rear-mounted dust chute keeps dust away from the blade so it doesn’t go blunt easily and helps to direct it to a collecting chamber. You also get a push stick so you don’t have to have your hand on the wood when moving it on the blade.
However, you should note that the stand is sold separately, and it may also take you a while to assemble.
- Measures 26 x 19 x 16 inches
- 15-amp motor
- 10-inch circular blade
- Aft-mounted dust chute
- Brand Chicago Electric
- Model N/A
- Weight 44.3 pounds
Portable and space-saving design
Delivers sufficient power for heavy-duty cutting projects
Ensures consistent and precise crosscuts
Designed to resist premature wear and tear
Stand sold separately
Table saw doesn’t connect to stand
Skil is one of the apex designers of electric power tools and this is why we have featured more than one option. Unlike the Skil Portable Worm Drive Table Saw, the Skil Jobsite Table Saw doesn’t have a worm drive gearing mechanism, but instead uses plastic gears which makes it a more affordable model. It’s designed with a wear-resistant, die-cast, aluminum tabletop that’s integrated with a 10-inch, 24-tooth carbide blade. The unit is powered by a 15-amp motor that delivers up to 4600 RPM. This is enough power to provide a 25.5-inch rip capacity. To ensure you can make smooth and accurate cuts, the table comes with calibrated rack and pinion fence rails that stay parallel to the blade. The patented, bevel-detect, quick-release lever allows for accurate cuts between two positive stops at zero and 45 degrees. Also, it can make smooth 90 degree cuts on 4×4 material. The blade provided can make 2.5-inch deep cuts at 45 degrees and 3.5-inch deep cuts at 90 degrees. A dust port elbow directs dust to a specific container so you can keep your workstation clean. Lastly, it comes with an integrated, foldable stand so it saves space and you don’t have to assemble it.
Unfortunately, a few users noted that the blade may dull with heavy-duty use, and the plastic parts, including the levers and handwheel, may also wear out quickly. Therefore, we recommend using it for light- to medium-duty projects.
- Die-cast, aluminum tabletop
- 10-inch carbide blade
- 15-amp motor
- Brand Skil
- Model TS6307-00
- Weight N/A
Large rip capacity
Comes with a foldable stand
Makes accurate and smooth cuts
Reasonably priced for a high-end model
Plastic levers and handles aren’t so durable
Blade not designed for heavy-duty use
The Milwaukee Electric Tools Table Saw packs a lot of power in a small design. This table saw is cordless and uses a Lithium-ion battery to power up its brushless motor. That same motor can produce no-load speeds of up to 6300 RPM. The strength of its motor coupled with the table saw’s 24.5-inch rip capacity makes it suitable for all but the most demanding kinds of wood ripping work. It makes use of a rack and pinion system which makes adjustments quick, easy, and smooth. It has a riving knife that’s easy to install and set in the right direction. Lastly, It comes with a five-year warranty.
One downside is that it doesn’t have an AC adapter option and the blades that are included in the box leave a bit to be desired.
- Compact and portable design
- Powerful brushless motor
- Great adjustment design
- Brand Milwaukee Electric Tools
- Model 2736-21HD
- Weight 55 pounds
Rack and pinion system
Cordless
Well constructed, durable design
No stand
No AC adapter option
Blades included have inferior quality
The Goplus Portable Table Saw is an affordable option if you need a table saw with a strong load capacity to do all kinds of professional work. The electronic 15-amp motor of this table saw is surprisingly quiet, but it can deliver 5000 RPM of power that can cut through hardwoods without a hitch. It also offers an impressive 26-inch rip capacity that is higher than a lot of table saws in the same category. It’s fitted with a self-aligning rip fence that makes micro-adjustments fast, easy, and accurate. Additionally, it has an onboard storage area beneath the table where wrenches and other accessories can be stored when not in use.
While it is light at 46 pounds, one complaint we have is that the overall ergonomics of the table saw makes it difficult to carry around.
- Compact and portable design
- Powerful 15 Amp motor
- Great adjustment design
- Brand Goplus
- Model N/A
- Weight 46 pounds
Double-bevel cut feature
26-inch rip capacity
Well constructed, durable design
Quality of accessories is low
Ergonomics not great
Grated holes in the table can catch material
If you need a table saw with a large rip capacity, then the Delta 10 Inch Table Saw will be a great option to consider. This table saw can handle very large sheets of wood with its 32.5-inch rip capacity. Its 15-amp contractor-grade motor delivers 5,000 RPM and is strong enough to cut through a variety of hard materials, including hardwoods and treated lumber. The rack and pinion system is easy to use; adjustments are accurate and can be fine-tuned. It comes with a rolling stand for easy transport, and the base is durable and sturdy.
The whole package, however, is quite heavy. The rolling stand helps, and it can be rolled from one room to another with ease, but you’ll need help loading this on the back of your truck.
- Compact and portable design
- Powerful 15 Amp motor
- Rack and pinion adjustment
- Brand Delta
- Model 36-6023
- Weight 78 pounds
Five-year warranty
32.5-inch rip capacity
Well constructed, durable design
Heavy
Best Table Saws Buying Guide & FAQ
Are you a DIYer who needs a table saw for basic types of cutting work, or will you need a table saw for more complex projects like making furniture? Needless to say, the kind of work you intend to do will determine the kind of table saw you need.
If you need something portable that can be carried around, then a job site or a benchtop table saw will be a great option. These will necessarily be more affordable and will have all the features that an enthusiast or DIYer will need. Some job site table saws will even be powerful enough to handle contractor-grade work. Conversely, stationary table saws are designed for big jobs and contractor-grade work. These won’t be as portable, but will be much more accurate and powerful, and will be strong enough to handle large sheets of material.
Do You Need a Table Saw?
A table saw is a tool that is primarily used for making extremely fast, accurate, and clean cuts. So if the type of woodwork you intend to do requires this kind of speed and precision, then you’re likely better off doing it on a table saw.
Other kinds of saws (like bandsaws or circular saws, for instance) won’t be able to achieve the kind of speeds and cutting accuracy that’s possible on a table saw. While a circular saw, for example, can make very accurate rips, you’ll need to pair it with a whole host of other tools — like a shooting board or edge guide — to get anywhere near the cutting precision of a table saw.
Among all kinds of power saws, a table saw simply has the widest range of use. Its powerful motor, miter gauge, and rip fence make ripping boards and cross-cutting work easy and also very fast and accurate. Of course, all those benefits do come at a cost; table saws will almost always be more expensive and less portable than other types of power saws.
- Table saws allow you to cut material more accurately.
- Cutting work is made fast and efficient.
- Table saws have the widest range of use among power saws.
Types of Table Saws
Not all table saws are created equal. They come with different designs ranging from small portable options that are ideal for home improvement projects to large industrial-grade options that are used at job sites. The most common types are explained below.
Bench Top
This is the most portable kind of table saw. They are also the most affordable, and will typically be made from lightweight materials like plastic or aluminum. The power and rip capacity of a benchtop table saw is limited, making them better-suited for light jobs. However, some can be equipped with specially designed blades for cutting metal and other hard materials.
Job Site
Job site table saws are a step up from benchtop table saws in the sense that they are larger and more powerful. They will still be relatively easy to carry around because of their design — some will have a foldable stand, while others will have wheels for easier transport.
Contractor
The features offered in both job site and contractor table saws can overlap, which is why both terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, contractor table saws will have a more powerful motor, and will typically weigh too much to be considered “portable.” These table saws will have increased functionality and will have large table surfaces to handle big jobs.
Cabinet Saws
Cabinet saws have an enclosed design, hence the name. They will have all the features of the table saws above but will be better in every regard except portability. Their motors are powerful enough to cut through any kind of material used at a job site, and they are suited for the most demanding cutting jobs.
Hybrid
Hybrid table saws are the newest model of table saws that combine the best of cabinet and job site table saws. They typically have an enclosed design but one that occupies less space and is more portable than a cabinet table saw. They also pack quite a lot of power and can be used for heavy-duty cutting at a professional job site.
How We Compared Table Saws
We focused on portable table saws for this comparison. Suffice to say that there are a few criteria that we considered while evaluating the most popular table saws available in the market.
One of the things we considered is accuracy. We wanted to know how accurate each table saw can cut material, which will depend on the features and quality of their fence system. Another factor we considered was motor power. We compared how well each one was able to cut through different materials.
Of course, we also compared their prices because this will always be something that consumers will consider when choosing a table saw. Lastly, we factored in each table saw’s additional features, including portability, dust collection, and ease of assembly.
Ultimately, we found that the DeWalt Table Saw for Jobsite was the best based on the criteria above.
The Most Important Features of Table Saws
Naturally, there are a few key features that one should consider when deciding on what table saw to purchase. Not all these features will be equally important to everyone and it will largely depend on the type of cutting work one intends to do. But suffice to say that for most, the best option will be one that strikes the best balance between the features listed below.
Portability
Naturally, portability won’t matter to those who will do their cutting at the workshop and don’t intend to carry their table saws from one place to another. However, for most light or DIY work, a portable, job site table saw is the best option. They are powerful enough to do most work, and they can be easily moved around when needed.
Some portable table saws will be light enough to be lifted and carried around, while some will have foldable stands or rolling wheels to make transport easier. A glaring downside to some of these portable table saws, however, is that they can be a bit wobbly when you’re doing cutting work.
Motor Power
Another consideration when choosing a table saw is the motor it uses. Indeed, this is one of the most important factors to consider because a table saw’s motor won’t be something you can replace or upgrade in the future.
Typically, table saws can generate between 1 HP to 5 HP, and how much HP you’ll need in your table saw will depend on the type of work you intend to do. Below 3 HP will be enough for most DIY and casual woodworking jobs, but if you need to cut through material like hardwoods, you’ll probably need a table saw with a motor that can generate 3 HP or higher.
Needless to say, the more powerful the motor the more expensive the table saw will be, so the key is to find the right balance of power and price.
Fence and Miter Gauge
Two of the most important components of a table saw are the fence and miter gauge — making accurate cuts will be impossible without them.
A good fence will be easy to adjust and stable enough to be able to handle the vibrations from the motor without shaking or wiggling around. The miter gauge, on the other hand, is the device that holds each piece at a set angle. A good miter gauge will be easy to adjust, too, as well as stable enough that the working pieces don’t move around while cuts are being made.
Safety Features
A table saw can be a dangerous tool if handled incorrectly, so you should prioritize a model that comes with multiple safety features. A vital feature to look for is a riving knife or a splitter that’s mounted aft of the saw blade and moves up and down with the blade. It helps to separate the two sections that have been ripped by the blade so you don’t experience kickback.
A blade guard that keeps your fingers safe when you’re cutting or need to reach over the blade to grab the cutoff is another safety feature to consider. A table saw that comes with a push stick is also a bonus. The push stick maintains a firm grip on the material, and you can use it to guide the material through the blade while keeping your hands away. Lastly, choose a table saw that has a blade brake, which is designed to instantaneously stop the blade if it comes in contact with your skin. Most upscale cabinet saws have this feature.
Dust Collection System
You don’t want to have a pile of sawdust building up on your workpiece, nor do you want to have a hard time cleaning up the mess after you are done with your project. This is why you need a table saw that employs an efficient dust collection system such as a reliable dust port that directs most of the dirt from the blade to a dust collection bag or a port that connects to an industrial vacuum.
Care and Maintenance for Table Saws
A table saw consists of a lot of moving parts and is, therefore, a very complicated piece of equipment. Some of the best table saws available in the market are built robust and will last a very long time. However, every single one of them will require regular maintenance.
Sticking to a regular maintenance schedule will not only ensure that your table saw will be running in tip-top condition, but it will also ensure that your safety won’t be unreasonably compromised. Additionally, replacing the parts of your table saw that are nearly damaged from use will make your workshop safer and save you a lot of money in the long run.
- Base your maintenance schedule on the number of work hours.
- Check saw alignment before and after use.
- Clean table saw parts regularly, and keep them well-lubricated.
- Regularly check parts for wear, and replace the blade immediately when needed.
Best Table Saws FAQ:
Because table saws are fairly complicated pieces of equipment, it’s natural to have questions about them. People in the market for a table saw will want to know everything they can about it before making a purchase, so below we’ve addressed the most common questions to help you make a decision.
For home use, a benchtop or job site table saw will be best because these will have the best balance between power, portability, and price.
If you’re a beginner who will need a table saw for light, DIY work, then we suggest you use a benchtop table saw.
Some table saws allow dado blades and some do not — and those that do sometimes permit only certain types of dado blades.
You’ll need to wear safety goggles or a face shield to protect your eyes from getting sawdust, as well as a dust mask to reduce the risk of respiratory problems.
Table Saw
Our Top Pick
We rate the DeWalt Table Saw for Jobsite as the best choice for its compact and portable design that is ideal for job sites. Its space-efficient design doesn’t compromise its performance, as it can deliver up to 5,800 RPM, which is enough power to make clean cuts. It will come in handy when you’re doing fine woodworking.
Final Thoughts
While the DeWalt Table Saw for Job Sites may be a powerhouse with a commendable ripping capacity, you can still get a more affordable table saw that’s also safe to use and can also help you make precise cuts. This is why we also recommend the Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Tabletop Saw, which is affordably priced and still gives you the performance that rivals most of the upscale table saws.
Sources:
- Table Saw – Wikipedia
