Woodworking table saws are a very powerful tool that allows for you to create precise, repeatable, and efficient rip-cuts and cross-cuts. In this article, I will go over the different types of table saws, the feature to look for when picking a table saw, table saw accessories, how to pick the perfect table saw, and common table saw questions.
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Table saw types
There are 3 main types of table saws, the benchtop, jobsite, and stationary table saw. Some people like to separate stationary table saws into more categories like contractor and cabinet table saws, but many manufacturers do not categorize them separately, so I will go over their differences in the features section.
| Benchtop table saw | Jobsite table saw | Stationary table saw | |
| Portability | 4/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Power | 3/5 | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Size | Small | Medium | Large |
| Weight | 30-70 lbs | 50-100 lbs | 220-700lbs |
Benchtop table saw
Portability
Benchtop table saws are one of the most portable table saws due to their small size and light weight. However, when using benchtop table saws in remote locations you will need either a rise stand or a work bench to elevate the saw. The best hybrid between a benchtop table saw and a jobsite saw is having a compatible rise stand. The rise stand can convert a benchtop table saw into a jobsite saw.
Power
Benchtop table saws range in horsepower (HP), blade rotations per minute (RPM), and motor amperage. Sadly, table saw hp is not calculated in many makes and models. Benchtop table saw RPMs range from 3650 – 5800 and their AMPs range from 10 – 15.
Size
Benchtop table saws tend to be smaller than jobsite and stationary table saws. However, jobsite and benchtop table saws can be the same dimensions and benchtop table saws can actually be larger depending on the make and model of the saw.
Weight
Due to the lack of a rise stand, benchtop table saw are generally lighter than jobsite table saws. Benchtop table saws tend to range between 30 and 60 lbs. The weight of the saw is largely due to the saw size, blade size, and tabletop material.
Quality
Generally, benchtop table saws are made of lower quality material, like plastic laminate and aluminum. However, there are many benchtop table saws that are made from cast iron, which is the best quality tabletop material.
Jobsite table saw
Portability
Because of the rise stand in jobsite table saws, they tend to be larger than benchtop saws. However, for many brands the rise stand is unattachable to allow for easier portability. Additionally, the rise stand allows for easier use at jobsite locations because you will not have to find workbench or support to elevate the table saw.
Power
Jobsite table saws can sometimes have more power than the benchtop table saw. But just like the benchtop table saw, this largely depends on the make and model of the saw.
Size
Jobsite table saws tend to be larger than benchtop table saws but also smaller than stationary table saws. Jobsite table saws are larger than benchtop table saws because of their riser stands. However, the actual cutting surface area are normally the same with variation between make and model.
The cutting surface on jobsite table saws are generally smaller than the cutting surface on stationary table saws.
Weight
Jobsite table saws are heavier than benchtop table saws but lighter than stationary table saws. Jobsite table saws range from 50 to 100 lbs.
Quality
Jobsite table saws are more likely to be made out of better-quality material than benchtop table saws. However, this is not in every instance and some benchtop table saws are better quality than jobsite saws. It largely depends on the make and model of the saw.
Stationary table saw
Portability
Stationary table saws are not portable like the jobsite and benchtop saws. These saws are much larger and heavier to make them very difficult to transport. Some saws have wheels to allow for easy relocating throughout the shop.
Power
Stationary table saws have more power than benchtop and jobsite saws. They can cut material much quicker.
Size
Stationary table saw are much larger than benchtop and jobsite saws. They can support right-side rip cuts from 40 to 60″ long while the portable saws can support right rip cuts from 12 to 35″.
Weight
Stationary table saws are much heavier and range from 220 to 700 lbs. The weight is largely to due to the size of the saw, tabletop material, and type of stationary saw. Contractor saws are generally lighter while cabinet saws are generally heavier.
Quality
Most, if not all stationary table saws are made from higher quality materials. Most stationary table saws have cast iron tabletops and higher quality miter gauges, rip fences, and other additional features.
Table saw features
There are 10 features and specifications that everyone should consider when purchasing a table saw.
- Bevel Capacity
- Common: 45 and 47 degrees
- The bevel capacity is how much of a bevel the table saw can cut. The two common bevel capacities are 45 and 47 degrees.
- Cut depth
- Common: 2.5″ and 3.5″ at 90 degrees
- The cut depth is the thickness of the wood that the table saw can cut. The cut depth is highly correlated to the table saw blade size. You should consider the cut depth at 90 and 45 degrees, because 45 degree cuts will be smaller.
- The average 8.25″ blade can cut between 2.2″ and 2.5″ at 90 degrees and 1.625″ at 45 degrees.
- The average 10″ blade can cut between 3.125″ and 3.5″ at 90 degrees and 2.25″ and 2.5″ at 45 degrees.
- Left and right rip capacity
- The rip capacity is how wide of a rip cut that the table saw can perform left and right of the blade. The rip cut capacity is highly variable depending on the make and model of the saw. Generally, benchtop table saws are smaller with smaller rip capacities and stationary table saws are larger with larger rip capacities.
- When picking the correct rip capacity, you need to first determine what sizes of wood you will want to cut. The widest commonly sold dimensional lumber is 12 inches. Plywood sheets are commonly sold in 4ft by 8ft.
- Rip-saw fence
- Often included
- The rip fence should be included with your table saw purchase. A good quality rip fence is sturdy and has a strong clamping force. Unfortunately, there is no specification to compare rip-saw fences and their clamping force. Additionally, many rip fences are specific to the make and model of the saw.
- To get a good quality rip fence, you should either look at reviews or test the rip fence yourself at the store for movement.
- Miter gauge
- Often included
- Just like the rip fence, the miter gauge should be included in your table saw purchase.
- Miter gauge slots are generally standard, so miter gauges can be universally manufactured and upgradeable. It is not as essential to purchase a table saw, just because the miter gauge that comes with it is high quality. You can easily buy an upgraded miter gauge that is more precise and has more features.
- Push stick
- Often included
- Push sticks are a safety tool that allows the user to push the wood through the saw without risking cutting their hands. All table saws come with push sticks. However, you can purchase upgraded push sticks with better grip, longer extensions, and other safety features.
- Dust extraction system
- Most table saws come with a dust port. With this feature, you can attach a dust collection system, like a shop vac.
- If your saw does not have a dust port, then it will be much more difficult to use the general dust collection tools.
- Emergency stop
- Most table saws have a very large, easy to press, emergency stop button. While this button stops the saw very quickly, it still takes a couple of seconds for the blade to stop rotating.
- An upgraded emergency feature is a saw stop. When a body part is detected or the button is pressed, the blade will drop below the table top. The blade will still take a couple of seconds to stop spinning, but the injury is mitigated.
- Table top material
- Common: Plastic laminate, Aluminum, and Cast Iron
- The table saw table top material can enhance the durability of the saw. The 3 most common table top materials for the table saw are plastic laminate, aluminum, and cast-iron.
- Heavier saws are ideal for stability.
- While cast iron is the most durable and heaviest, it requires maintenance for slickness and rust prevention and is the most expensive.
- Plastic laminate is the lightest and the least durable, but is the cheapest and requires the least maintenance.
- Aluminum is heavier than plastic laminate and lighter than cast iron. It is also in the middle in terms of cost and maintenance.
- Detachable or compatible rise stand
- If you are looking for a portable table saw, then you should consider a saw with a detachable rise stand. This will allow for the most versatility with benchtop and jobsite use.
- If you purchase a benchtop table saw, look for a compatible rise stand for the make and model of the saw
- If you purchase a jobsite table saw, check to see if the rise stand is detachable.
Table saw purchase guide
This this guide, I will go over the specifications of the common types of table saws and which saws are best for portability, versatility, and power. These are just the common table saws and many table saws are not mentioned in this guide.
Benchtop Table saws
| Price $ | Blade size | Cut depth at 90 | Cut depth at 45 | Left rip capacity | Right rip capacity | Bevel capacity | Dimensions (LWH) | Weight lbs | Amps | RPM | |
| Dewalt DWE7485 | $399 | 8.25″ | 2.5 | 1.75 | 12 | 24.5 | 47 | 22.75×14.88×12.875 | 46 | 15 | 5800 |
| Craftsman CMXETAX69434506 | $299 | 10″ | 3.125 | 2.25 | 10 | 27 | 45 | 27.3×21.8×35 | 69 | 15 | 5000 |
| Craftsman CMXETAX69434510 | $149 | 8.25″ | 2.2 | 1.625 | 7 | 12.5 | 45 | 25.5×18.9×11.1 | 38.5 | 13 | 5700 |
| Kolbalt TS10602 | $279 | 10″ | 3.5 | 2.5 | 17 | 32.5 | 45 | 25x22x25 | 56.5 | 15 | 5000 |
| SKILSAW SPT99T-01 | $449 | 8.25″ | 2.625 | 1.875 | 12 | 25 | 45 | 24x24x40 | 50.71 | 15 | 5300 |
| WEN TT0811 | $229 | 8.25″ | 2.75 | 2 | 25 | 25 | 45 | 18.4×18.9xn/a | 28.9 | 11 | 4500 |
Jobsite Table Saws
| Price $ | Blade Size | Amps | Cut depth at 90 | Cut depth at 45 | Left rip capacity | Right rip capacity | Bevel capacity | Rolling stand | Dimensions (LWH) | Weight lbs | RPM | |
| Dewalt DWE7491RS | $549 | 10″ | 15 | 3.125 | 2.25 | 24 | 32.5 | 45 | Yes | 26.25x26x36.5 | 90 | 4800 |
| Craftsman CMXETAX69434502 | $229 | 10″ | 15 | 3.125 | 2.25 | 10 | 12 | 45 | No | 27.4×21.8×34.5 | 58 | 5000 |
| Bosch 4100XC-10 | $649 | 10″ | 15 | 3.125 | 2.25 | 8.5 | 30 | 47 | Yes | 27×32.5×13 | 94 | 3650 |
| Metabo HPT C10RJSM | $449 | 10″ | 15 | 3.125 | 2.25 | 22 | 35 | 45 | Yes | 22×28.75×36 | 96 | 4500 |
| Kobalt TS10601 | $349 | 10″ | 15 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 17 | 32.5 | 45 | Yes | 25x22x35.4 | 92.5 | 5000 |
| SKIL TS6307-00 | $299 | 10″ | 15 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 14 | 25.5 | 45 | No | 22x24x36 | 51.15 | 4600 |
| SKILSAW SPT99-11 | $649 | 10″ | 15 | 3.625 | 2.25 | 16.5 | 30.5 | 45 | Yes | 52.6×29.53×35.08 | 94.29 | 5000 |
Benchtop and jobsite table saws tend to vary in cut depth, power, size, and price. However, since many jobsite table saws have removable bases and many benchtop table saws have compatible bases that can be purchased, the two saws are commonly interchangeable.
Below I will go over the most versatile, portable, and powerful portable table saws.
The most versatile table saws
Overall: Kobalt TS10601
The Kobalt TS10601 is the most versatile portable table saw. It has a cut capacity of 3.5 at 90 degrees, which allows it to cut 4x4s in one pass. Additionally, it has a very large right rip capacity of 32.5″ and left rip capacity of 17″. Lastly, it has the common maximum bevel of 45 degrees.
Max Bevel Capacity: Bosch 4100XC-10 and Dewalt DWE7485
The table saws with the maximum bevel capacity of 47 degrees include the Bosch 4100XC-10 and the Dewalt DWE7485. The Bosch is a jobsite saw while the Dewalt is a benchtop table saw.
Highest Cut Depth: SKILSAW SPT99-11
The SKILSAW SPT99-11 has a maximum cut depth of 3.625″ at 90 degrees, which is higher than most portable table saws. The downside to this saw is that the maximum cut depth at 45 degrees is 2.25″.
The Kobalt TS10601 and SKIL TS6307-00 both have a higher maximum cut depth of 2.5″ at 45 degrees. However, these saws can only cut 3.5″ at 90 degrees.
4×4 dimensional lumber has an actual measurement of 3.5×3.5 inches. So all of these saws will be able to cut 4x4s in one pass.
Largest Rip Capacity: Metabo HPT C10RJSM
The Metabo HPT C10RJSM has the largest right rip capacity of 35″. The left rip capacity of this saw is 22″. The Dewalt DWE7491RS has a higher left rip capacity of 24″ but a right rip capacity of 32.5″. Since right hand cuts are the most common when using a table saw and the Metabo can cut the largest pieces of wood, it is placed as the table saw with the largest rip capacity from this list.
The most portable table saws
Smaller and lighter table saws are more portable than the larger ones. Therefore, the more portable table saws will have the 8.25″ blade over the 10″ blade.
The most portable table saw is the WEN TT0811 with an 8.25″ blade and a weight of 28.9 pounds. The next lightest table saw is the Craftsman
CMXETAX69434510 with a weight of 38.5 pounds.
The lightest 10″ portable table saw is the SKIL TS6307-00 that weighs 51.15 pounds.
The most powerful table saws
The most powerful table saws have the highest RPMs and amps. The Dewalt DWE7485 is the most powerful table saw with an amperage of 15 and an RPM of 5300.
The second runner up is the SKILSAW SPT99T-01 with an amperage of 15 and an RPM of 5800.
Common questions
Can you cut 4×4 lumber with a table saw?
Most table saws require you to cut 4×4 lumber in 2 passes. The actual dimensions of 4×4 are 3.5×3.5 inches. So you will need a saw with a maximum cut depth of at least 3.5 inches. According to the above guide, the table saws that can cut 4×4 lumber are the Kobalt TS10601, SKIL TS6307-00, SKILSAW SPT99-11, and the Kolbalt
TS10602.
Conclusion
In this article we went over the different types of table saws and the differences between each. Afterwards we went of the common features to look for when purchasing a table saw. Lastly, we went over the specifications of some of the common table saws and which ones are ideal for versatility, power, and portability.
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