Safety First Portable Table Saw
SawStop 10-Inch Portable
BEST: SawStop Jobsite
IN THIS GUIDE:
Fine woodworking with a table saw requires a high-quality fence, horsepower for dense hardwoods, and a large table supporting long and wide stock.
But safety is a #1 consideration.
Why? According to the NCL, there are ten daily amputations with table saws. That’s right: over 3,500 amputations per year. And that doesn’t count the number of mutilated fingers and hands.
And while the right push blocks for your table saw will help, that steers a lot of woodworkers to the famous SawStop line of saws.
Features to Look For
When looking for a portable table saw for fine woodworking, several key features must be considered to ensure that the tool meets your specific needs and requirements. Here are some top features to look for:
- Precision and Accuracy: Fine woodworking demands precise cuts. Look for a table saw with a robust and accurate fence system that can easily adjust and lock to maintain consistent cuts.
- Stability and Durability: The stability of the table saw is crucial, especially for intricate woodworking tasks. Ensure that the saw has a sturdy construction, preferably with a solid base and high-quality materials.
- Powerful Motor: A powerful motor is essential for quickly cutting through hardwoods and thick materials. Aim for a table saw with sufficient horsepower to handle your woodworking projects effectively.
- Smooth and Adjustable Blade Height and Angle: Adjusting the blade height and angle quickly allows you to perform various cuts, including bevels and dadoes, enhancing the tool’s versatility.
- Dust Collection System: Fine woodworking requires a clean working environment. An efficient dust collection system helps keep the workspace clean and prevents dust buildup, which can affect precision and health.
- Miter Gauge and Crosscutting Capabilities: A reliable miter gauge allows for accurate crosscuts and angled cuts. Look for one with easy-to-read markings and smooth sliding action.
- Portability and Mobility: Since you’re specifically looking for a portable table saw, ensure it is lightweight and has features like carrying handles or wheels for easy transportation.
- Safety Features: Safety should always be a priority. Check for essential safety features like blade guards, anti-kickback pawls, and a well-designed on/off switch that can be easily accessed.
- Rip Capacity: The rip capacity refers to the maximum width of material the table saw can cut. A larger rip capacity provides more flexibility for various woodworking projects.
- Compatibility with Accessories: Check if the table saw is compatible with aftermarket accessories such as dado blades, zero-clearance inserts, and feather-boards, which can enhance its functionality.
- User-Friendly Design: Look for a table saw with intuitive controls and easy setup, making it more user-friendly, especially if you’ll use it frequently.
- Positive Reviews and Reputation: Research customer reviews and feedback from other woodworkers to gauge the overall performance and reliability of the table saw you’re considering.
Remember that fine woodworking requires attention to detail, so investing in a high-quality and well-equipped portable table saw can significantly impact the quality and efficiency of your projects. Always prioritize safety and choose a saw that fits your specific woodworking needs.
Our Picks: The Top Saws
First and foremost, a fine woodworking saw isn’t a general-purpose tabletop saw you can pick up from a big box store.
Instead, a high-quality saw that is portable and accurate is both large and more powerful, and our picks include:
- The SawStop 10-inch Jobsite
- Skil 10-Inch Wormdrive
- Dewalt DWE7491RS
So what wouldn’t we consider? Any bench top saw both cordless or corded. These saws have too small tables, lack a 10-inch blade, and sub-par fences.
SawStop: Safest Portable Table Saw For Fine Woodworking
Overview
SawStop has been making top-end table saws for years. What’s different with them that puts them at #1 on the best portable table saws list? Safety. As in technology that might prevent an amputated finger. SawStop table saws have a blade that carries a small electric current. This current is monitored, and any change, such as your electrically conductive body touching it, will cause an instant safety mechanism to engage. Whoa! What’s that?
Once your body touches the blade, the safety system kicks in and instantly slams the saw blade to a stop with an aluminum brake system that stops the blade within five milliseconds. Cool, huh? Well, there’s one more feature. Once the blade is stopped, it is almost instantly pulled below the table’s surface, and the power is cut to the saw.
How much do you think an emergency bill is for a cut finger (or cut-off finger)? These saws are not cheap. You are paying for a technology that has some profound ability to save your digits.
Wait. Before you keep scrolling. Over 30,000 table saw injuries yearly; up to 10% involve amputations. Maybe that extra $500 for a table saw with a finger-saving capability is worth it.
Editor: After years of using a JET contractor saw, my shops upgraded saw is a SawStop. It has top features, and the integrated braking system is invaluable for saving fingers.
Details
- Table Size: 24-inches
- Fence Quality: T-style with Ergolock
- Sturdy Base: Integrated with levelers
- Motor Power: Large 1.5HP
- Blade Adjustability: 10-inch easy adjust
- Dust Collection: Integrated with shrouds
- Miter Gauge Compatible: Yes
- Mobility: Cart included
- Safety Features: SawStop Blade Cartridge
- Rip Capacity: 25-1/2 inch right of blade
- Dado Support: Yes, 29/32-inch Max
- Zero-Clearance Insert: Optional
- Intuitive Controls: Yes
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Weight: 117 pounds
Manufacturer information: SawStop
Bottom Line
There isn’t a better portable saw for fine woodworking than a SawStop. As this saw combines many features you’d find in a contractor saw into a mobile form, it’s perfect for small shops or job-site use.
The only negative? Expect to pay over $1500 for all of the features.
High Rip Capacity: DEWALT 10-Inch Portable Table Saw
Shown: Dewalt Mobile 10-inch, available from Amazon
Overview
This saw from Dewalt checks the box on all the key features of the best portable saws:
- Huge base with the wide, sturdy stance
- Large, integrated wheels for portability
- Massive table
- 10″ blade
And Dewalt is one of the top brand names out there.
Details
- Table Size: 21-7/8 x 26-3/8 inches
- Fence Quality: Rack and Pinion Telescoping
- Sturdy Base: Integrated with four feet
- Motor Power: Large 15 Amp
- Blade Adjustability: 10-inch easy adjust
- Dust Collection: Integrated with shrouds
- Miter Gauge Compatible: Yes
- Mobility: Cart included
- Safety Features: n/a
- Rip Capacity: 32-1/2 inch right of blade
- Dado Support: Yes
- Zero-Clearance Insert: Optional
- Intuitive Controls: Yes
- Warranty: 3 Year
- Weight: 90 pounds
Manufacturer information: Dewalt
Bottom Line
For fans of Dewalt, this saw will keep the shop yellow and at a budget price compared to the more feature-packed SawStop.
What makes it different from the competition? A class-leading 32-1/2 inch rip capacity.
Overview
Featuring Skil’s long-time worm drive system for maximum horsepower transfer and a maximum cut of 3-5/8″, the Skil is a contender.
Details
- Table Size: n/a
- Fence Quality: Rack and Pinion
- Sturdy Base: Integrated with 16-inch wheels
- Motor Power: Large 15 Amp
- Blade Adjustability: 10-inch easy adjust
- Dust Collection: Yes
- Miter Gauge Compatible: Yes
- Mobility: Cart included
- Safety Features: n/a
- Rip Capacity: 30-1/2 inch right of blade
- Dado Support: Yes - 0.5 inch max
- Zero-Clearance Insert: -
- Intuitive Controls: Yes
- Warranty: 3 Year
- Weight: 52 pounds
Manufacturer information: Skil
Bottom Line
With an optional 15-inch outfeed table, this easy-to-transport saw excels at longer stock. While it lacks the SawStop safety features, the long-brand name history, and warranty make this a lightweight saw.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best table saw for a small workshop?
Regarding table saws, the #1 rule is to buy for safety first, then for features. Unfortunately, that means choosing one saw brand: SawStop. Why SawStop? Well, they have a unique patent on a finger-saving blade-stopping device that can instantly stop a saw blade before it cuts…you.
Which is better an 8 inch or 10 inch table saw?
For table saws, it is always preferable to have more power. And with table saws, that means larger horsepower and, of course, larger blades. This means a 10-inch saw will outperform an 8-inch saw based on horsepower, and, of course, a larger blade will have more teeth and stay cooler during operation.
How much do portable table saws weigh?
A portable table saw will generally weigh between 60 and 100 pounds.
Summary
Most woodworkers may be tempted to start with a benchtop saw, but a portable saw with a larger table, a built-in cart, and the safety features found with the models like the SawStop is a better choice for fine woodworking.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
