It is safe to say that we live in a DIY era. Think about it. When was the last time you went on YouTube or anywhere else online and looked for something that tickled your fancy, a guide on how something is made or done, or maybe a tutorial. Indeed, we do it very often, so why should woodworking and home improvement be any different? With the prices of table saws constantly dipping and the insane number of choices on the market, you can get one for yourself and save thousands of dollars by doing things yourself instead of hiring contractors.
I decided to do the very same thing a while back. I thought it would take a few days to figure out everything about table saws and then just buy one. I was dead wrong. While table saws are simple in their construction, they are complex because there are so many factors, so many aspects, and so many different features to consider. After spending a large amount of time doing my homework, I decided to share what I learned with you, in the shape of table saw reviews and informational articles. Before you actually go and read them, let me take you on a quick walk through the website so you know what there is and where you can find it.
This article is the place to start, and then you can take it from there. My table saw buying guide has all the essential information on table saws you will need, like their classification based on size, portability, motor type, blade size, and the features they come with. You will encounter each of these terms in all the product reviews, which is why you shouldn’t skip reading it.
All the articles on this website are short and punchy without much filler, but because there is so much to learn about table saws it will still take you the better part of an afternoon to read through them all. For those who don’t have that kind of time, or those who already know a great deal about table saws, this is the section that will take you to the best table saw for your needs.
A table saw can be classified in many ways, and I’ve come across terms like contractor, folding, featherboard, hobby, induction, sliding and zero clearance. However, I will conform to the most basic and clear classification and range the tables accordingly. That means I’ll order them by benchtop table saws, jobsite table saws, cabinet saws and hybrid table saws.
While you may be tempted to skip straight to the reviews, they are a bit on the technical side and contain plenty of terms you might not be familiar with just yet. My suggestion would be to start by reading the informational articles which will provide you with a decent amount of knowledge on table saws. After that, I sincerely doubt you would be caught off-guard while reading anything in the review section.
Further down below you’ll find some additional information on the saw blade, but we’ll start with the most basic information you need to know before buying a table saw. If you already know the ins and outs, you can just skip it. But if not, make sure to check it out before continuing to the reviews.
Although I mention table saw types in the Buying Guide, I discuss the matter in detail in this article. If you are not familiar with all the types of table saws and their key characteristics, this article is just what you are looking for. If you haven't been looking for it, read it anyway. You will learn something new, I guarantee it.
READ MORESafety is extremely important when working with power tools, and that goes double for table saws. In order to feel safer while operating a table saw, look for a unit with at least some of the safety features discussed in this article.
READ MOREThe motor is an integral part of a table saw because it is what provides the saw's cutting power. However, not all motors are created equal. They differ from one another based on horsepower count, size, the type drive used to transfer the power to the blade, the amount of amps drawn, and the circuits they run on.
READ MOREThis article explains how fences and miter gauges work. I have also provided some advice on how to make the most of them and deciding which types would work best for you.
READ MOREWelcome to the heart of this website – my selection of the best table saws for several specific needs. You see, it’s impossible to select only ONE as the best for all purposes because a table saw should be carefully tailored to your needs. There’s no point in buying a complex cabinet saw if you’re a beginner, you’re probably better off with a solid benchtop saw. The same goes if you’re a professional, only the other way around.
So, without further ado, here are my top picks.
The Bosch GTS1031 10-Inch Portable Jobsite Table Saw is the best bench top table saw, as far as I’m concerned. Thanks to its massively powerful 4hp motor and rugged all-steel base it’s much more capable than its dimensions indicate. And because it’s Bosch, the quality is exceptional.
DeWALT DWE7480 is an excellent table saw, especially if you consider its price. It’s a step up from the highly popular DW745 and slightly more expensive, but I think the larger rip capacity and higher RPM are well worth the extra money. The DWE7480 is still in the lower price region though, and unlike the DW745 you can also get this one with a stand: the DWE7480XA!
If you’re looking for a high-quality table saw with clever and solid stands, the DWE7491RS from DeWalt is your best choice. It’s built for extensive use, easy to take from from job site to job site, plus you’ll get some of the features you normally only encounter on some of the more expensive table saws.
Just like DeWalt’s DWE7491RS the Bosch 4100-09 is an excellent jobsite table saw, but thanks to its weight and better manoeuvrability DeWALT won the title. However, it’s a dead heat between these two in other respects, so you may want to check if the Bosch has some extra features you value.
I knew there were jobsite table saws on the market for less than $250, but I never thought they were good enough to get my recommendation. Sure, the SKIL 3410-02 is not a professional saw and may not be versatile enough for contractors, but the stand, power, accuracy and build quality of this table saw are much better than I thought possible in this class.
The award for best hybrid table saw goes to the Shop Fox W1824. This powerful unit truly brings together the best of both worlds, contractor and cabinet, into a single table saw which is simply staggering.
I could go on for days about the SawStop PCS31230-TGP236 table saw. Instead, I will just name it the best cabinet table saw there’s ever been, and leave it at that. Well ok, the best thing about it is its revolutionary safety system, but for more information you should really read my full review.
I don’t want to sound pretentious, but by being here you have done the majority of the work you need to do when it comes to learning about table saws. The rest is up to me, and I hope that I will be successful in that.
An essential part of every table saw is the blade. There are numerous types of blades and they are classified based on their diameter, the type of material they cut, the type of material they are made of, teeth count, and other features as well. All these divisions, and more, are explained in this article.
Another thing to consider when buying a table saw is which way the arbor of the saw tilts, and with it, the blade of the saw. While there aren’t any crucial differences between left-tilting and right-tilting saws, I still addressed this issue, as it seems to create a lot confusion.
This article discusses all the basic features you are likely to find on all types of table saws, such as the switch, storage options, dust collection and more. It also includes an explanation of why each of them is commonly found, how they work, and what they actually do.
My intention with this website is to provide you with everything you need to know about table saws. I have tried to remain as objective and as informative as possible, and I hope you will be able to tell that when reading the reviews. Hopefully, you will find them helpful when it comes time to choose a table saw for your workshop or home. Good luck and take care.