If you have decided to purchase a table saw, but you are not quite sure which one will suit you best, take a quick read of this. We’ll give you a full overview on portable table saws and you can judge for yourself if this style of table saw will best suit your needs.
What Makes A Portable Table Saw Unique From Other Table Saws?
The number one feature is obviously the portability of the saw. Other saws such as the cabinet, hybrid and contractor are all heavy, big pieces of equipment that would need a few blokes and a decent sized van to transport.
Most portable table saws come on a stand with wheels which makes moving around a job site easy work. It also makes transportation from a vehicle onto a job site easy work.
Top 4 Portable Table Saws:
| Model | No-Load RPM | Max Cut Depth (45º / 90º) | Table Size | Rip Capacity (Right / Left) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SKIL 3410 Table Saw Check Price on Amazon.com | 5 000 | 2-1/2" / 3-1/2" | 26" x 20" My Review | 24.25" / 12" |
DeWalt DW744XRS Table Saw Check Price on Amazon.com | 3 650 | 2-1/4" / 3-1/8'' | 29" x 21.5" My Review | 26-1/2" / 95-1/4" |
Bosch GTS1031 Check Price on Amazon.com | 5 000 | 2.5" / 3-1/8'' | 22.5" x 20" My Review | 18" / 8.5" |
Dewalt DWE7491RS Check Price on Amazon.com | 4 800 | 2-1/4” / 3-1/8” | 26-1/4" x 22" My Review | 32-1/3” / 22” |
What Specs Should I Look For When Choosing A Portable Table Saw?
There are a number of specs to keep an eye out for, but before you start looking at blade sizes and features, ask yourself a few questions.
- How often are you going to transport the saw?
- Will you have help transporting it or are you a sole contractor?
- Do you value safety highly or are you willing to risk it?
All of these answers will bring up different questions for different guys, but here is an overview of a few of the most important specs to check out.
Weight of Portable Table Saw
Without a stand, most saws will weigh at least 40-50 pounds. With the stand included, you will be looking at 80+ pounds for most saws.
Maximum Rip Right Of Blade
Between the blade and the fence is the maximum width of material you can rip. If you are going to be cutting wide pieces of timber, this is definitely a figure to check out before you hit the “Buy It Now, Regret It Later” button.
No Load RPM
Some saws will have an RPM as low as 3,500, while others have an RPM of 4-5,000. A faster RPM will not necessarily result in a better or faster cut however. Some of the big name brands such as DeWalt will have a lower RPM, but a high torque rating and because of this the blade won’t jam up, and cuts perfectly well.
What Extra Features Should I Look For When Buying A Portable Table Saw?
The portable table saw is just as much about the features as it is about the saw itself. Here are a few that you should consider before making your woodworking purchase.
A Quality Fence
When it comes to making cuts on site, you can’t screw things up too often. A fence on a rack & pinion or cam lock may be a better option than one that slides with wing nuts to lock it into place.
Bevel Cutting
Some portable table saws will just do normal rip cuts, while others allow bevel cuts. If you are a joiner, this is probably a prerequisite. For a carpenter doing framing, it won’t be such a necessity.
Riving Knife
This is a safety feature that prevents wood from being thrown out by your 4,000 RPM blade. It can save injuries and prevent a lot of trouble.
Sawdust Collection
Some jobs will be dirty and you can throw sawdust wherever you like, however when you are working indoors this is something to consider. Do you mainly work outdoors or indoors?
Extension Table
An extension on your saw can be a good thing to have for storing the next few bits of lumber to be sawn, which can save time and save your back. Some table saws have an extension reliable enough to cut on, but some of the cheaper ones won’t be 100% accurate.
Warranty
Even though most power tools live a long and fulfilling life, the odd one will perish on the front line. Hedge your bets and get a table saw that has a decent warranty. Most will be at least one year and there should be an option for a return period.
WHAT Are Portable Table Saws Best Suited To?
Because of the comparatively small gap between the fence and the blade, portable table saws are not going to be ideal for cutting huge pieces of wood. Plywood is one such material that would not be practical to cut with a portable table saw due to it’s seeming inability to ever be straight.
With the exception of large (wide) pieces of wood, portable table saws are good for most projects. You could build a house and most of the joinery in it with a portable table saw – but you wouldn’t make your own custom doors with one. It is just too cumbersome for intricate work on large materials
WHO Are Portable Table Saws Best Suited for?
A portable table saw will be perfect for any D.I.Y enthusiast, or a budding woodworker/furniture maker. It is also a popular choice for joiners and contractors who do a lot of work on site. It gives an easy to transport option for one man going out to do the work, and doesn’t risk back injuries carrying it up and down stairs.
Portable table saws are a lot cheaper than any of the other table saw family due to their size and less intricate designs which puts them in reach of even the smallest budgets.
Make sure to check out our list of table saw ranking categories for more recommendations.
One of the best articles I’ve read so far on the things to consider when choosing a suitable table saw.