The table saw is a woodcutting tool driven by electricity. It is an electrical device and runs with electricity, either by belts or gears or direct. It has a circular blade mounted on a table to make delicate and precise angle cuts.
A blade that protrudes on the table and table provides support for the material to be cut, usually wood or tiles.
In modern table Saws, the size of the cut is determined by the size of the blade that protrudes out the table. The more the blade protrudes out the table, the deeper it cuts. The blade is portable, and you can adjust its position.
Early table saws had the blade fixed at its point, and the table moved up or down to expose the blade. The angle of the cut is controlled by adjusting the blade.
The table saws are mainly used to cut wood, but they can also be employed to cut Plastic sheets, sheet aluminum, and sheet brass.
Types of Table Saws
If you choose the right table saw style, it will make your work faster and more efficient. This article will tell you all types of table saws, and each type has its benefits and drawbacks. Depending upon your project, it is more or less suitable for you.
The market is overstuffed with the varieties of Table saws, and choosing the right type for your particular range of projects seems harsh. But no need to worry! We will guide you to the best pickup for you, whether you are a hobbyist, a weekend warrior, or a professional woodworker.
7 types of Table Saw
- Benchtop Table saw
- Mini Table saw
- Compact Table saw
- Jobsite table saw
- Contractor Table saw
- Hybrid table saw
- Cabinet table saw
Benchtop Table saw, Mini Table saw, Compact Table saw, and Jobsite table saw lay in the portable table saw category.
Portable table saws are lightweight, and you can take them any place you want to. But they are not very strong, and you can perform only limited functions with them.
Contractor table saw, Hybrid Table saw, and Cabinet table saw lay in the Stationary category. They are more robust than portable saws and give fine and actual angle cuts. They weigh heavy, and it requires two persons to lift them.
Benchtop Table Saw
Benchtop table saws are lightweight, and as their name indicates, it is designed to be put on the table or any other support to operate it well.
This table saw is the best option for homeowners, DIYers, and hobbyists. It offers an economical solution to small scale sawing needs. It can help you with basic home repair. And the best thing about them is that they are very affordable.
You don’t have to explain to your wife if you happen to buy it without her consent because it takes less space in your workshop or garage.
Benchtop table saws are also a good option for constructors who move from one job site to another; they can quickly load it in any truck and unload and operate it efficiently.
Benchtop table saw comes with a universal motor and is less expensive than heavy induction motors. Their engine is directly connected to the blade; that’s why they consume less electricity. They cost about 100$ to 200$
Benchtop table saw common use: Small furniture building, minor construction projects, Arts and crafts, decorative woodworking, etc.
Some pros and cons of a benchtop table saw are listed below:
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up and use
- Available at an affordable price
Cons
- Their small rip capacity limits project size
- Produce more vibrations during operation
- Huge variety in the quality of available product models
Mini Table Saw
Mini table saws are small, lightweight, and exceptionally portable types of table saw. Mini table saws are the best pick for hobbyists. They are small, yet they retain the ability to make accurate and precise angled cuts in wood quickly.
Mini Table saws are even smaller than the benchtop table saw and usually have small blades of about 4 inches in diameter.
Though their diminutive size makes them unsuitable for big projects, their attractive price makes them a good choice for beginners.
They are easy to carry around and are pocket friendly. It is also safer to handle and gives less risk of kickbacks.
Mini Table saw common use: Art and craft, home repair, decorative woodwork, detailing, DIY projects.
Some pros and cones of a Mini table saw are listed below:
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Easy to set up and use
- Available at an affordable price
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- Minimal rip capacity
- Produce more vibrations during operation
- Huge variety in the quality of available product models
Compact Table Saw
Compact Table saw lies in the portable Table saw category, yet they are much larger and perform various functions. They have a similar appearance to a large contractor table saw. The motor is a universal motor but driven through a small toothed belt.
The Compact table saws sit on portable folding stands with wheels. They can adapt to varying electrical power. They have a versatile electric motor so that you can power them with AC or DC supply.
Some models of Compact Table Saw have iron tabletops that offer incredible power and sturdier construction.
Some models of Compact Table Saw have a sliding milter table, and some have a built-in milter blade that you can tilt to any angle to make precise angle cuts.
Compact Table Saw common uses: House maintenance, on-site furniture building, small construction projects, Small to medium DIYs project.
Some pros and cons of a Compact table saw are listed below:
Pros
- Large rip capacity for a portable saw
- Easy to set up and use
- Long-lasting model
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Not good at handling
- Produce more vibrations during operation
- More expensive than previous options
Jobsite Table Saw
Jobsite table saw is a portable table saw designed for professional use. They are the most powerful Table saw in the portable category and are available with the go-anywhere option.
Jobsite table saw are a little bit more expensive than Benchtop Table saw, and they come with portable stand with wheels, which makes them easy to transfer; you do not need to pick them up when you are done with work.
As their name indicates, you can take them Jobsite to Jobsite without any botheration. And they are available with adjustable blades to cover all common cut angles.
They are manufactured using cast iron and steel to minimize vibrations and increase efficiency. Jobsite Table Saw are the best choice for local carpenters and tradespeople.
Jobsite Table Saw has versatile options with a reasonable price and a 15A optimized gearbox.
The common use of Jobsite Table saw: for professional carpenters, medium to large furniture making projects, medium to large projects of DIYs, heavy-duty home improvement, medium construction projects.
Some pros and cons of a Jobsite table saw are listed below:
Pros
- Powerful and long-lasting
- Combined the versatility of portable and stationary saws
- Sturdy construction.
- Best portable saw to cut lumber, hardwood, and plastic.
Cons
- Most expensive in the portable category
- A large variety in the market that is confusing.
Contractor Table Saw
Contractor Table Saw are heavier in size and lay in the stationery category, weighing about 200 to 300 pounds. They are heavy and can’t be picked up, and you have to go to them every time you use them. They are the best choice for professional woodworkers.
They work with the induction motor with 3 to 5 hp in range, and the circular blade is usually driven by one belt and sometimes two(v-belts). Their heavy induction motor needs standard electrical circuits to run them, and they can not be operated with batteries.
Contractor Table Saw were initially intended to be somewhat portable. Some models of Contractor Table Saw have wheels and used to be brought to the worksite before the invention of small-sized table saws( like benchtop and mini table saw).
Their heavy body is made up of cast iron and steel and makes them long-lasting, more durable and accurate.
The common uses of Contractor Table Saw:
Professional woodworking, construction projects, carpentry projects, big DIY projects, and heavy-duty home refinement.
Some of the pros and cons of Contractor Table Saws are listed below:
Pros
- Robust, long-lasting, and durable
- High-level decorative works
- Best portable saw to cut lumber, hardwood, and plastic.
- Best for professional-grade woodworking
Cons
- Less stable than other stationary table saws
- A large variety in the market is confusing.
- Somewhat outdated.
- Dust assortment is risky and annoying.
Hybrid Table Saw
Hybrid Table Saw is intended to compete with top-notch Cabinet Table saws with its high durability and affordable price. They offer updated technology of the Cabinet Table Saw at a reasonable cost than the traditional Cabinet saw. The Hybrid Table saw lay in the stationery category.
They have an inboard belt-drive induction motor of about 1.2 to 2 hp. Some models of the Hybrid Table Saw have a single v-belt(serpentine belt), and others have multiple belts. Their body comprises polished cast iron and steel and offers long-term reliability and fewer vibrations.
Some Hybrid Table Saw has table-mounted trunnions, and others have cabinet-mounted trunnions. Generally, cabinet-mounted trunnions are more convenient to adjust than table-mounted trunnions.
Most of the Hybrid table saw come in a full enclosure design, improving dust collection and minimizing noise. If you work in a close environment, it is the best choice. You can also read Hybrid Table Saw Maintenance Checklist it’s help you to maintain your table saw.
Some pros and cons of a Hybrid Table Saw are listed below:
Pros
- Precise angled cuts
- Low vibrations
- Metal body
- Sturdy construction.
Cons
- A big investment is required.
- A large variety in the market is confusing.
Cabinet Table Saw
Cabinet table saw is the most powerful table Saw, and we can name them the “King of table saws”. They are heavy, comprised of a large amount of steel and cast iron and provide brilliant accuracy.
This Saw is the main tool of any professional woodworker’s shop. Other table saws only dream of reaching the level of accuracy of the Cabinet Table Saw. their every characteristic is superior to those of the other table saws.
Cabinet Table Saws have cabinet-mounted trunnions that are easier to adjust and operate. They run through an induction motor of about 5 to 7.5H hp in range. As its name indicates, its motor is enclosed in a cabinet and drives the blades with one or two v belts.
A cabinet table saw can cut the thickest stocks and hardest woods like a hot knife with butter. Its cabinet collects the dust and keeps the workshop clean, and its high technology reduces the noise. They give a truly professional feel to your workshop with their heavy machinery and gigantic body.
Some common uses of the Cabinet Table Saw:
Professional quality wood cutting, hard sood cutting, constructional projects, milling boards to size, furniture making of all sizes.
Some of the pros and cons of the Cabinet Table Saw are listed below:
Pros
- The most powerful table saw
- Largest rip capacity
- Heavier construction with lower vibration
- Suitable for any sort of woodworking
Cons
- Messy body
- Most expensive category of saw
- Occupies a lot of space in your workshop
Wrapping up
To choose a Table saw for you, first, you see the type of project you want to be accomplished. If that is a decorative or DIY project or any small to medium project. Portable Saws are the best to go for.
And if you want some of the professional or constructive projects to be accomplished, stationary saws are your need.
We hope we have guided you well through our article and made it as comprehensive as possible. Now I’d like to hear from you, has it helped you or not? Share your reviews in the comment section given below.
