Top 16 Best Portable Table Saw For Woodworking Of 2024
Brandon Forder May 18, 2024 1:58 PM
Why can't you do quality woodworking with a portable table saw?
Because of all the movies you've seen of professionals using massive, high-priced cabinet saws to create high-end furniture, you might have this impression. A cabinet saw is, without a doubt, the best option for this task.
Nonetheless, it's not hopeless if you lack the storage space or financial means for a cabinet table saw. Beautiful woodwork can be accomplished with even a modest saw, such as a portable worksite table saw. The key is to be selective in your model selection and to keep your expectations in check.
Here are some of the finest portable table saws I've found for woodworking. And I have some further information to help you with your decision.
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Types of Portable Table Saws
There are three primary categories of portable table saws, including those that sit on a bench without legs, those that have legs, and those that roll on a stand. There are some that have a combination of wheels and legs.
The smallest table saws are benchtop models, yet they often still have adequate cutting capacity for most jobs. The primary problem is that there may not be a good spot to set them up on the job site. No one should ever put a table saw down on the floor to use it.
The legs of most table saws fold down for storage or transport. There are saws with benches built right into the frame, and others that sit on a separate table saw stand that doubles as a work surface. Wheeled stands for table saws are undoubtedly the most practical, especially for larger, bulkier types. Still, there are occasions when a stand is enormous.
Blade Size
Cutting sheet goods like plywood or "two-by" timber like 2x4s, 2x6s, etc. is a common requirement for many home renovation and building tasks. Since none of these materials is over 1.5 inches in thickness, you may use just about any table saw blade. It's not uncommon for woodworkers to have to deal with thicker, more irregularly shaped pieces of wood.
The standard size of a table saw blade is 10 inches, therefore a saw that can accommodate this size is ideal. Almost all brands of blades are available in a 10" length, and that includes the majority of the major brands. The normal cutting depth with a 10" blade is between 3 1/8" and 3 5/8".
Finding portable worksite table saws that can accommodate 10" blades is becoming increasingly difficult. This is because of new safety regulations that restrict the size of the blade in relation to the table saw. Soon, only larger table saws will be able to accommodate a complete 10" blade. Not quite yet, though. You can still get a few 10" portable saws on the market, as we saw above.
Workable 8 1/4" blades are becoming the norm for portable table saws. Still, the cut depth of 2.5–2.75 inches is sufficient for many uses. If the wood you're working with is particularly thick, you may find that you need to make two separate cuts. Therefore, you may want to leave a tiny bit of extra length so that you may smooth off any rough spots using a hand plane or sander.
Dado Stack Capacity
Woodworkers use dado stacks, an unique kind of blade, to cut dados (long grooves cut partway into a workpiece). The blades in these stacks are sandwiched together to create a uniformly wide swath of cut.
Because the arbor of the saw must be long enough to handle the complete stack in addition to the nut that secures the blade, not all table saws can accommodate dado stacks. In particular, dado stacks pose a challenge for portable table saws because their designers must balance the necessity for features like a longer arbor with the constraints imposed by the saw's compact and lightweight form factor. From half an inch to one and a sixteenth of an inch is the maximum width of dado stack that can be installed.
Alternative methods, such as several cuts with a standard blade or a router, can typically yield the same effect if a dado stack is unavailable. Except if you're confident you'll never need a dado stack, steer clear from table saws that don't support them.
Rip Capacity
The ripping capability of a table saw is determined by how far the fence can be moved away from the cutting edge. That's how you know how broad of a piece you can cut using the rip fence.
In order to cut a 4-by-8-foot sheet of plywood in half lengthwise, a contractor will require a saw with a rip capability of at least 24 inches. Which rip capacity you require is determined mostly by the nature of the woodworking jobs you intend to undertake.
There's probably not going to be a need for more than a 24" rip capacity, especially for smaller operations like building smaller pieces of furniture. However, if you're making a piece of furniture or a set of cabinets on a grand scale, you might need to remove some enormous panels. These could be made of sheet products or glued-together lumber. The rip capacity of many portable table saws is between 24 and 30 inches.
For the massive panels that they often work with, professional cabinet manufacturers rely on saws with rip capacity of 50 inches or more. To be frank, I wouldn't suggest a portable jobsite saw for something of that scale. If you're using one of those little tables, you'll be spending a lot of time and effort holding the workpiece steady. In addition, the saw may become unbalanced and fall over, putting you in a dangerous position. You should think about getting a contractor, hybrid, or cabinet table saw if you plan on working on a project like that in the future.
Power
Although you'll likely be tearing sheet products most of the time, you may occasionally need to shred 2x or 4x material as well. However, while most portable table saws perform admirably on thin sheets, they vary greatly in their ability to cut various types of lumber.
We insist on a minimum 15-amp motor. The next step is to fine-tune the engine's output such that there is sufficient torque to support the rotor's high rotational velocity. Don't let high RPMs fool you; we'd rather have a design with more torque than risk having the motor stall out on our harshest cuts because of insufficient speed.
Accuracy
If you need a table saw and want precision, don't choose a portable model. When accuracy down to the last 1/16th of an inch is crucial, cabinet table saws are your best bet.
Nonetheless, you should anticipate a high level of accuracy from your portable table saw. The fence is where this action is concentrated. When feasible, we stay away from out-of-square fences that are simple to lock down. Those are the models that often have clamps on both sides.
When you tighten down a single clamp fence, it usually squares itself up rather nicely. Make sure it's sturdy enough to withstand material being fed into it without being pushed to one side.
Rack-and-pinion fences are among the most user-friendly and accurate types available. We originally implemented this on DeWalt's best-selling DWE7491, and since then, other manufacturers have followed suit. It seems like the best option to us.
Stability and Portability
There is a close relationship between stability and portability, two essential features. When searching for the most convenient portable table saw, a lightweight model may seem like the way to go. This may greatly simplify portability, but it may come at the expense of durability. A table saw that moves as you feed material is a major safety hazard, especially if you're not using a proper stand.
However, integrated stands are also a potential source of disruption. The saw's feeding accuracy can be compromised if the legs aren't stable enough to prevent movement while you feed. There are, however, a few gems among them.
Some really great dedicated stands are also available. Whether you go with a freestanding stand or one that's built into the table, you want to make sure it's made of sturdy materials that won't sway when the legs are extended and that has feet that can be adjusted for use on uneven surfaces.
The stand's wheels make it easy to move from place to place. To facilitate movement of the saw over less than ideal ground, we favor supports with large wheels.
Is there a best-case scenario layout? A saw that is substantial enough to prevent movement on a specialized stand with great steadiness and big wheels is our first choice. Not everyone can afford it, and you'll need a helping hand from someone else if you plan on moving heavy saws into and out of the back of a truck.
Easy Setup and Adjustments
The portability and quick assembly of a quality portable table saw are crucial to its usefulness. The work can be done by a single person. Sometimes it's not easy to get the legs of a folding stand in the right place. Attaching a saw table with built-in legs requires laying the table on its side. A frame on wheels that can be rolled into position is the logical choice. Some of these are simple to implement, while others take more time.
Altering the pitch and pitch angle of the blades is another subject to think about. It's important to have big, simple hand wheels. Verify that the increments on the scales are properly marked.
Fence
When sawing, especially of sheet goods, the fence (or rip fence) is a helpful guide. The greatest width of the cut, or "ripping capacity," is determined by the distance between the blade and the fence. It is feasible to do without the fence, but doing so accurately is much more challenging.
A quick-release clamp may be used to keep the fence in place along rails on some portable table saws. A rack-and-pinion drive arrangement is preferable because it facilitates more exact fence positioning.
A miter gauge, in addition to the fence for guiding straight cuts, is helpful for making precise cuts at angles with a saw.
Dust Collection
Nearly all modern table saws provide an attachment point for a dust collection system, typically a vacuum. That's especially crucial for woodworking, since the dust can easily gather in a closed workplace. Sawdust is harmful if inhaled for extended periods of time, so take precautions to prevent it from entering your respiratory system.
The dust apertures on most job site table saws are either 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" in diameter. Shop vacuum hoses and adapters typically come in those dimensions. When cleaning up after a single machine, such a table saw, a standard shop vacuum would suffice.
To gather debris from multiple tools at once, you'll need a dust collector with additional suction force. You'll need an adapter to connect the larger hose from the dust collector to the smaller port on a portable table saw.
Can I use a portable table saw for fine woodworking?
A portable worksite table saw can be used for fine woodworking. However, you should be selective about the saw you employ.
To get a compact, inexpensive product to market, many companies have skimped on features or precision. Woodworkers have certain needs that the average builder or weekend warrior could overlook.
The woodworking industry values accuracy, therefore it's important to shop for a rip fence that can be adjusted to the nearest 32nd of an inch. Portable saws with a rack-and-pinion fence are highly recommended.
A dado stack is a useful tool for making rabbets and dados. Unfortunately, dado stacks aren't compatible with all portable table saws. So search for those that have this feature and be ready to order a dado throat plate as an extra for the vast majority of them.
The engines in cheaper portable table saws are adequate for cutting 2x4s and plywood, but they struggle when used on the hardwoods that are the preference of most woodworkers. You don't have to get the strongest motor available, but you should still check out customer ratings to be sure it can do the job.
What’s the lightest portable table saw?
The benchtop DeWalt 8-1/4-inch table saw is the lightest option at 46 pounds. The Skil 10-inch table saw has the lowest weight of any table saw with a stand or legs at just 512 pounds.
How dangerous are portable table saws?
When used properly and with the guard in place at all times, a table saw is not a dangerous tool, despite the inherent danger of its high-speed blade.
A portable worksite table saw could be a good investment if you're looking to cut costs or save space. However, that shouldn't discourage you from continuing your table saw woodworking. The Bosch 4100-10 saw is versatile enough to handle any woodworking job short of building custom cabinets or a whole room's worth of furnishings. Don't forget to upgrade the miter gauge of whichever portable saw you end up buying.
