Table Saws

Purchase table saws for your construction or woodworking company

By Jess Buskirk

Table saws are used as a quick and accurate method of cutting wood. These power tools use a large, circular blade that protrudes through the saw's table. The operator feeds the wood into the blade to create a clean, straight cut.

There are several types of table saws. Information about the size of the blade, the construction material of the saw's table and base, safety components, if the saw tilts and the miter gauge should be carefully reviewed when comparing several models. When purchasing a table saw, consider the following:

1. Buy bench table saws for easy portability.

2. Use contractor table saws when only a standard electrical circuit is available.

3. Purchase cabinet table saws for stability, durability and dust containment.

4. Order a hybrid table saw for the features of a cabinet table at a lower cost.

Purchase bench table saws

Bench or benchtop table saws are ideal for contractors and woodworkers who need portability in their table saws. Bench table saws sit on a stand, bench, table or similar flat surface and are ideal when precision cutting is needed at a job site. Bench table saws are the least expensive type of table saw.
Try: Purchase the Master Mechanic 10-inch bench table saw from True Value Hardware Stores. These table saws list features such as a blade guard, dust port and 0- to 45-degree bevel. Buy the Ace 10-inch bench table saw that includes an aluminum miter gauge and stand.

Use a contractor table saw

Contractor table saws are also ideal for on-site projects because they can be powered by a standard electrical circuit. This type of table saw has an attached stand and can be used wherever space permits. Many contractor table saws have wheels on their bases so they can be easily moved.
Try: Order a SawStop 10-inch Contractor Saw from a table saws provider that is well known for revolutionary safety designs, such as blades that stop and retract on accidental contact. Woodsmith Store sells the General International 10-inch Tilting Arbor Contractor's Table Saw with a heavy-duty, precision cast iron ribbed table with T-slot miter gauge.

Order a cabinet table saw

Cabinet table saws are constructed of cast iron and steel to create a cutting surface that minimizes vibration. The heavy base increases accuracy while cutting. The table saw's motor is enclosed in a cabinet, and many models come equipped with a dust collection port.
Try: Purchase a PowerMatic Model PM2000 Cabinet Saw from Southern Tool. This model uses a 10-inch blade and is covered by a five-year warranty. The Grizzly 10-inch Heavy-Duty Cabinet Table Saw has an interchangeable guard with a splitter of a riving knife to prevent binding and kickback. This table saw supports a full sheet of plywood.

Find table saws that are a hybrid between contractor and cabinet table saws

Hybrid table saws offer some of the features of cabinet table saws at the less expensive price of contractor table saws. Most hybrid table saws have a cabinet to house the motor and collect dust, but don't offer the stability of heavy-duty cabinet saws. Some hybrid table saws' cabinets are full length while other table saws use a more compact cabinet and the unit sits on a stand.
Try: Order the Delta Hybrid Table Saw Model 36-717 from Woodcraft. This hybrid left-tilt table saw offers a full-length cabinet with an internal dust chute. Tools & More offers a Shop Fox 10-inch Hybrid Cabinet Table Saw that features a left-tilting blade, splitter with clear blade guard, precision cast iron miter gauge and 4-inch dust port.

Bench table saws and contractor table saws require an external dust collection system.