The Best Table Saws: Make Smooth and Accurate Cuts | Autance

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

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.
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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.

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:

1. Table Saw – Wikipedia