The Best Table Saw

Buying Guide

If you regularly work with wood, a table saw is an important part of your tool kit. Not only can it slice up lumber, but it can also tackle materials like framing and hardwood trim. But not all table saws have the same capabilities. You may find you’re working hard to do the same task with some tools, costing time and requiring way too much elbow grease.

In addition to cutting power, it’s important to also consider how you’ll be using your table saw of choice before you start shopping for one. If you plan to take it on the go with you, perhaps from one job site to the next, portability is important. However, the same lightweight form that makes a table saw easy to transport will also reduce its stability when you’re using it. If you plan to set up your saw and leave it the vast majority of the time, low weight may be a weakness, not a strength.

No good table saw is complete without an accurate, easy-to-use fence. The fence helps you line up the board so that when you cut into it with your blade, known as “ripping” the wood, you get a cut that’s perfectly parallel. Although you can replace your fence if you need to, getting a table saw with a well-built fence will start you in the right direction.

An unfortunate byproduct of sawing wood is dust. If you’ve ever used a saw around wood, you’re likely well aware that sawdust can create a pretty big mess. Some table saws are better able to manage this dust than others, with a built-in dust collection bin. However, you should still plan to keep a vacuum cleaner nearby to pick up the particles that will be left around when you’re finished working.

Unfortunately, any time you’re working with something as powerful as a table saw, there are certain dangers you’ll face. In fact, 42 percent of all woodworking-related injuries suffered each year occur while using table saws. But there are some things you can do to stay safe, starting with wearing safety goggles while you’re working. You should also avoid wearing long sleeves, which can get in the way, and gloves, which can reduce sensation and cause slipping.

Lastly, you should remember that table saws can be rather noisy. You can find some that are quieter than others, but earplugs can help protect your hearing. You should also consider this noise level when you decide where to locate your table saw. If your workshop is within hearing distance of where younger family members nap, for instance, it can limit your work hours.

• When you invest in a table saw, you want one that can do its job with little effort. The Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise has a 15-amp motor that produces a horsepower of 4. You’ll find that this gives it more power than competitors, enabling it to rip lumber up to 40.5 inches in length. The Skil Table Saw with Folding Stand has a 15-amp motor that can cut through any type of wood and even take on sheet metal.
• A table saw can handle some pretty tough tasks, so it’s important that you have one that will stand up to years of use. The Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise has a motor that’s built to last a while and is made from durable, sturdy materials. It also comes with a one-year warranty. The DEWALT Compact Job Site Table Saw and the Skil Table Saw with Folding Stand each have blades made from carbide, an extremely durable substance. The DEWALT Jobsite Table Saw’s plastic top plate can be a disappointment for someone who plans to get serious about woodwork.
• If you need to take your table saw to job sites, portability is an important feature. The Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise folds up to a slim frame, which not only makes it easy to squeeze into your vehicle but also to store when not in use. The Skil Table Saw with Folding Stand includes a steel stand that folds up for easy moving, as well as a mounting system that both folds and sets up quickly. The DEWALT Jobsite Table Saw is lightweight, weighing only 40 pounds. However, unlike the Bosch saw, neither the Skil saw nor the Dewalt saw has wheels, making them tough to maneuver as you move from place to place.
• The Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise uses a special design that makes it easy to fold down and set up. If you plan to store your saw away after each use, this might be an option to consider.
• The price between saws can differ by as much as $400, so price is definitely worth mentioning. You can save money with the Skil Table Saw with Folding Stand, which retails for under $200. But the Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise and DEWALT Jobsite Table Saw will each cost more than $500.
• You won’t always cut your wood in the same direction. For those other angles, you’ll need something called a miter gauge. The Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise and Skil Table Saw with Folding Stand have lackluster miter gauges, so you may want to budget extra money to replace it with something better. You can buy an aftermarket miter gauge for less than $50, so this probably won’t be a dealbreaker.
• Although many table saws come with a stand, the DEWALT Compact Job Site Table Saw comes without one. You can set it on an existing table or purchase a separately sold stand. However, if you plan to do the latter, you’ll need to set money aside, since it retails for between $50 and $100.
• One of the benefits of the DEWALT Jobsite Table Saw is its adjustability. You can easily set the saw up to work with your own preferences without the need for tools.
• Dust is an inevitable part of working with a saw, but the Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise is built to overcome that challenge. There is a dust-collecting port built into the table. The port isn’t perfect, but it will reduce the amount of dust you would normally deal with from a table saw. The DEWALT Jobsite Table Saw takes dust collection to the next level, though, connecting up to a vacuum to extract dust while you work. You can plan on it gathering approximately 80 percent of the dust you generate while you’re working. Some table saws, such as the Skil Table Saw with Folding Stand, don’t come with a dust bin, which may not matter if you use your table saw primarily outside or in a shed that you clean periodically.
• With any table saw, the fence plays an important role in how your cuts turn out. With portable saws, though, it can be tough to find one that’s accurate. The DEWALT Jobsite Table Saw has an impressive fence system for a portable saw, with rack and pinion adjustments to help you refine your measurements. The fence also locks in place to avoid slips while you’re ripping.
• If you’re limited on space, the size of the table saw should come into play. Measuring only 25.75 x 26.5 x 13.88 in, the DEWALT Compact Job Site Table Saw will squeeze into the tightest of spaces. The Skil Table Saw with Folding Stand is fairly compact as well, at 28.9 x 20.87 x 12.99 in inches.
• If you’re moving from one worksite to the next, breaking your saw down and setting it back up again can become exhausting after a while. The Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise is both easy to set up and disassemble, saving you time and energy.
• One important safety feature on table saws is the push stick, which lets you work on narrow objects without putting your fingers too close to the blade. The Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise, DEWALT Compact Job Site Table Saw and DEWALT Jobsite Table Saw all come with push sticks.
• In addition to the push stick, the Bosh Bosch Table Saw With Gravity-Rise also uses a unique smart guard system that also keeps your hands safe while you work.
• While working, you’ll need somewhere to store your accessories and tools. The DEWALT Compact Job Site Table Saw and DEWALT Jobsite Table Saw both have onboard storage, offering a handy place to keep the push stick and other components when they aren’t in use.