A table saw is a must have for anyone serious about woodworking. This handy tool will take care of all the larger cutting jobs you will face in the workshop.
To put it in Layman’s terms, a table saw is basically an electric saw mounted to a table to produce precision cuts in wood. This tool is a necessity when larger pieces of wood need to be cut down to size.
Most table saws are equipped with a fence system to guide the wood through the saw to achieve an accurate cut. This tool is described by many as the heart of the workshop. On this page we list the best table saws in each category.
On this page we look at table saws for beginners and professional craftsmen. This ranges from portable table saws for home use to professional cabinet saws for the woodworking shop. Hopefully we can help you decide what table saw you should buy.
Contents
- 1 Here Is Our Reviews Of The Best Table Saws
- 1.1 1. Dewalt DWE 7491 RS Table Saw (Our Top Pick)
- 1.2 2. Bosch 4100-09 Table Saw
- 1.3 3. Dewalt DW 745 Portable Table Saw
- 1.4 4. Makita 2705 10-Inch Job Site Table Saw
- 1.5 5. Bosch GTS 1031 Table Saw Review
- 1.6 6. Delta 36-6020 Portable Table Saw
- 1.7 7. Craftsman Evolv Table Saw
- 1.8 8. Grizzly GO715P Hybrid Table Saw
- 1.9 9. SawStop PCS31230 TGP236 Professional Cabinet Saw
- 1.10 10. Shop Fox W1820 Table Saw With Extension Table
- 2 How To Find The Best Table Saw For Your Needs
- 3 Choosing The Right Make And Model From The Table Saw Reviews.
- 4 Buying a table saw
Here Is Our Reviews Of The Best Table Saws
This article was compiled to help you find the best table saw for your needs. Build quality, ease of use, power and consumer feedback were some of the main factors taken into account.
We have compacted all the most important specifications and features of each saw in an easy to read comparison table to make it easier for you to compare all the models side by side.
Whether you are looking for a portable table saw, hybrid saw or cabinet saw, our reviews have the information you need to assist you in selecting the best product.
View The Table saw Comparison Chart
1. Dewalt DWE 7491 RS Table Saw (Our Top Pick)
Dewalt DWE 7491RS Table SAW
The Dewalt DWE 7491 is one of the most popular table saws on the market today. This is due to the excellent build quality, powerful motor and the smooth, accurate cut it produces.
This 10-Inch saw is powered by an 15-Amp motor that delivers sufficient power to rip easily through hardwood. This saw has a 32.5 inch rip capacity with a rack and pinion fence system for easy adjustment. This is the preferred tool of many contractors when it comes to job-site cutting and ripping.
This Dewalt received excellent feedback in numerous table saw reviews from consumers which supports the fact that this is a very good tool. The DWE 7491 is well priced, making it a good investment and excellent value for money.
2. Bosch 4100-09 Table Saw
Bosch 4100-09 Table Saw
The Bosch 4100-09 is on of the most sophisticated table saws around. Bosch has certainly stepped up to the plate with this saw. Still the same top notch build quality we have come to expect of Bosch with loads of new innovations and features.
The design is probably one the best in the industry at the moment. The 15-Amp motor generates an impressive 4 Hp.
Bosch is one of the leaders in the field of workshop safety. This company has introduced some amazing safety features to their new range of table saws. This makes it the ideal saw for someone with a safety first approach.
3. Dewalt DW 745 Portable Table Saw
Dewalt DW 745 Table Saw
The Dewalt DW 745 is the top selling portable table saw at the moment. The true portable nature and build quality of this saw makes it a huge favourite with professionals and woodworkers.
A 15-Amp high torque motor provides consistent performance to handle the tougher jobs with ease. The Dewalt rack and pinion fence rails make adjustment fast and accurate. This model has an 20-Inch rip capacity.
This is on of the best value for money table saws around at the moment, and a good buy for someone on a budget. The low price certainly doesn’t mean that this is not a good saw, it still features the Dewalt quality and backup you expect. This is our pick for best budget buy in our table saw reviews. We can recommend this product with confidence.
4. Makita 2705 10-Inch Job Site Table Saw
Makita 2705 Table saw
The Makita 2705 is a top quality product and received excellent reviews from the experts. This saw has all the latest bells and whistles. Makita followed Bosch by introducing the modular blade guard system.
The 15-Amp motor delivers 4800 rpm and features an electric brake. Anti-kickback pawls and riving knife/spreader makes cutting much easier.
Makita is often the choice of the discerning professional that is looking for a top quality tool at a good price. This machine certainly provides all that and more. It would also be ideal for the DIY enthusiast as this saw is very user friendly.
5. Bosch GTS 1031 Table Saw Review
Bosch GTS 1031 Table Saw
The Bosch GTS 1031 is lightweight and very portable. A balanced one-handed carry handle makes it easy to carry this saw from site to site. The design is compact but still feature under-table storage facilities. The powerful 4.0 Hp motor operates at 5000 rpm. This unit received excellent reviews from consumers.
This is the smaller model in the Bosch range, making it ideal for the home workshop or garage. The added safety features makes this saw easy to use with confidence.
Bosch have had a long struggle with Sawstop about patents on safety features, and the end result is safer toll for the workshop. Our table saw reviews cover all the important features, including safety. That’s why this is our favourite pick in this class.
6. Delta 36-6020 Portable Table Saw
Delta 36-6020 Table Saw
The Delta 36-620 is another portable table saw that received excellent reviews from consumers. This Delta saw features an easy-one-step stand for fast removal and storage. The build quality is excellent and the performance of this model is top notch.
The Delta is powered by a 120 Volt, 15-Amp motor that produces a maximum of 5,000 rpm. This is one of the new releases from Delta and is quickly becoming a favourite with carpenters and woodworkers.
7. Craftsman Evolv Table Saw
Craftsman Evolve 10″ Table saw
The Crafsman Evolv is an entry level product, but by no means sub standard. This 10-Inch table saw delivers good value for money and is ideal for the DIYer or the home workshop. The table top is made from stamped steel to lower production cost.
This saw is powered by an 15-Amp motor that runs at 4,800 rpm. The Evolv hasn’t got the rip capacity of the other table saws we reviewed but it’s ideal for smaller work.
8. Grizzly GO715P Hybrid Table Saw
Grizzly GO715P Hybrid Table Saw
The Grizzly hybrid table saw offers you the best of both contractor and cabinet style saws. The light weight of this saw makes it just as easy as a contractor saw to transport while the dust control features are similar to that of a cabinet saw.
This saw is powered by an 16-Amp, 2Hp motor that produces effortless and accurate cuts. The Grizzly provides a 30-Inch rip capacity to the right and 12-Inches to the left. The easy-glide fence system works like a charm.
The Grizzly brand has been around for a very long time and is a brand that is trusted by millions of professionals. They produce quality work tools that are durable and well built. That is exactly what you want when you invest in a tool like this.
9. SawStop PCS31230 TGP236 Professional Cabinet Saw
SawStop PCS31230 Cabinet Saw
The Sawstop TGP236 received outstanding feedback from shop owners that purchased this saw. The build quality, operation and safety features are second to none. The high quality finish and attention to detail is striking in this saw. Tons of brute power is supplied by the 220 Volt, 3 Hp motor. The Sawstop cuts effortlessly through the hardest wood. This cabinet saw is the perfect choice for avid hobbyists and discerning professionals. We have said before that safety is a big factor in these table saw reviews and SawStop is arguably the leader on this front. The technology in this product is mind blowing.
10. Shop Fox W1820 Table Saw With Extension Table
Shop Fox W1820 Table Saw
The Shop Fox is another product that provides good value for money. The high standard of build quality and ease of use are just two reasons why this machine is so highly rated by consumers.
The 3Hp Leeson motor provides excellent power to this saw. By looking at the design and components used, it is clear that this saw is built to last lifetime.
How To Find The Best Table Saw For Your Needs
Our table saw reviews are designed to help you with the process of selecting a table saw. There are four main categories of table saws, and it is important to know what they are when shopping for the best table saw for your needs. Most table saws can be classified under the following categories: portable table saw; contractor saw; hybrid table saw and cabinet saw.
Portable Table Saw
The portable table saw is the smallest table saw and a favorite with professionals that move tools from site to site. The lightweight design of this saw makes it easy to transport, making life much easier for professionals like carpenters that use this machine on-site. The portable table saw perform the same basic function as any other table saw, but on a smaller scale.
To save weight, the portable table saw uses a smaller motor than hybrid and cabinet saws. This means that it is a little less powerful and also a bit noisier than the bigger saws. Most portable models are now equipped with 15 Amp motors. This is a big step up from older portables. The down side of this type of saw is that it lacks the power to easily cut through thick hardwoods and that it is not designed to have the accuracy for fine woodworking. If you need a saw for smaller and curved cutting, you may want to consider a jigsaw power tool. Read our page on the best jigsaw to find the right product for you.
Contractor Saws
Contractor saws should really fall in the portable saw category. These saws were originally designed to be portable units for contractors to take to job sites. The main difference is that the contractor saw has a fixed, open base as opposed to the foldable-frame base of the portable table saw. The contractor saw is designed to be affordable and portable.
To make the contractor saw affordable, some sacrifices are made with regards to the quality of parts used. The extension wings are often made of stamped metal and not solid cast iron. The trunnions, arbour assembly and gearing of a contractor saw are not of the same quality as on the more expensive saws. The contractor saw is still the most affordable option for the home workshop. This saw is suitable for furniture making, carpentry, small cabinetry and trim work. When buying a contractor saw, we recommend that you look for a model with solid cast iron extension wings and a high quality fence system.
Cabinet Saws
The cabinet saw is the flagship of table saws. This saw is made to meet the needs of the professional woodworker in every way. Cabinet saws are constructed from the best materials to deliver accuracy, high performance and durability. It is called a cabinet saw because of the “cabinet” style enclosed base. This means that the motor is enclosed, making it a lot quieter than other saws. The closed base makes dust collection much more efficient. These saws are ideal for the professional workshop where noise and dust have to be kept under control.
To produce the high amount of power, cabinet saws use motors in the 3 Hp – 5 Hp range. These motors require a 220 Volt circuit, making the cabinet saw more suitable for the industrial workshop. Cabinet saws are much higher priced than contractor saws, but still the preferred choice of professionals and serious woodworkers. These saws produce top quality performance and durability, making them a very good investment.
Hybrid Saws
There has always been a big gap between contractor saws and cabinet saws. In recent years manufacturers realized this and the hybrid saw was born. As the name suggests, it is a hybrid or combination of the contractor saw and the cabinet saw. This saw has some of the valuable features of a cabinet saw at a price that the average woodworker can afford. The base of the hybrid saw is enclosed like that of a cabinet saw but weighs significantly less. The hybrid is basically a scaled down version of the cabinet saw.
Hybrid saws feature motors in the 1.5 Hp to 1.75 Hp range. The higher quality components produce the same precision as a cabinet saw while the bigger motor gives you a lot more power than a contractor saw. Hybrids are well built and sturdy, making them a excellent choice for the serious woodworker. The price is a big plus and will suit those looking for quality and value for money.
Choosing The Right Make And Model From The Table Saw Reviews.
Finding the best table saw will depend on what type of applications you intend to use it for, the amount of work you plan to do and of course what your budget is. There is no need to spend tons of cash on the most expensive cabinet saw if you are going to use it for small carpentry work every fortnight. The same goes for the opposite, don’t purchase the cheapest portable saw if you are going to subject it to heavy duty work on a daily basis.
The features of the product is just as important as choosing the right type of saw. The table saw reviews on this page and the pages linked to have all the features and specifications of all the products listed. Look at the quality of the components used, the horsepower rating of the motor and the quality of the fence system.
Take a close look at the grind and finish of the top and extension wings and what system is used to drive the blade. Take the manufacturer’s reputation into account when buying. A tool like this is a big investment, and the backup that the reputable manufacturers provide, give you the peace of mind in the event of a break down.
Safety is a very important part of choosing a the right model as this can be a very dangerous machine. Choose a unit with good safety features. This reduces the risk of injury and is well worth the investment. Features like a modular guard system and flesh sensors are some of the latest inventions. A magnetic switch is another handy safety feature. This system prevents accidental start-ups that can cause injury.
A quick look at the blade size will inform you of the depth of cut you can expect from a particular saw. Make sure this is sufficient for the type of materials you intent to cut with the saw.
Compare the horsepower of the saws in the class you are looking at. More horsepower means easier cutting. The performance of any table saw is directly related to the horsepower of the motor.
Reading the table saw reviews on this page will give you a clear indication of how the models in a certain class are rated. This gives you the opportunity to compare the top products to find a saw that is perfect for your needs. Use our table saw comparison chart to compare products like the Dewalt DWE 7491 RS vs Bosch 4100-09 to see which model meets your needs.
Here is a video by Steve Ramsey on Table Saw basics:
Buying a table saw
All the information in this article was assembled by the DIY Hubby to help you choose the best table saw for your needs. The link by each product price will send you direct to the online retailer where you can purchase the product.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of different types and models of saws on the market and it can be quite a daunting task to find the best product for your specific application. The process doesn’t have to be stressful, there are loads of information around to help you make the right decisions. one of the best ways to get all the info you need is to read table saw reviews, which will give you all the insight to find that perfect tool you have been searching for.
Sources:
- Consumer feedback forums
- Amazon.com/reviews
- www.dewalt.com
- www.sawstop.com
- www.makitatools.com
- www.boschtools.com
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| Dewalt DWE 7491RS | Bosch 4100-09 | Dewalt DW 745 | Makita 2705 |
| See Review | See Review | See Review | See Review |