Best Table Saw for the Money

Last Update: November, 2023

When you’ve been looking for a good table saw, you’ve probably seen a dizzying variety of different models, specs, and features. Of course, it goes without saying that the best table saw for one person may not be the best for another.

That’s why you need to consider some important factors about your work before you get yours. So here’s what you need to know about table saws, and the best saws you’re going to find.

More About The Dewalt DW745

This table saw is compact, and very easily transported. It’s a great pick for when you need to be able to get mobile and get working quickly. It comes with a high precision 10 inch blade, and definitely doesn’t skimp on rip capacity. This compact model can actually handle up to 20 inches of rip capacity, which helps you get work done faster.

Even better, this saw gives you all the safety features you expect, and then some. You can work with confidence thanks to the protective systems.

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More About The Dewalt DWE7491RS

Have you been looking for a high powered saw that doesn’t need a bunch of extra bulk and weight to go with it? If so, you need to check out this Dewalt saw. While it’s highly compact and lightweight, you lose zero cutting power.

It’s easy enough to transport from job site to job site, and strong enough to cut through some of the hardest woods. Impressively, that even includes pressure treated woods. As an added bonus, it includes plenty of room for adjustment.

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More about The Bosch Power Tools Table Saw 41000-10

This table saw is nothing if not heavy duty. You can easily use this for large home projects, but it serves as a great portable saw for contractors and professional woodworkers too. One of the standout features that’s going to catch your attention is the larger workspace it provides, and the 25 inch ripping capacity (which means you can get through just about any project without switching saws).

The build of this saw is great for increasing safety as well. The high precision riving knife reduces kickback on its own, but the special anti kickback system ensures you never have an issue.

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More About The SKILSAW SPT70WT-01

This is a pretty unique saw, not just in the quality of cuts it delivers, but also in its construction. Unlike other saws, this table is the premier Worm Drive saw that has brass gears powering it. In short, that means you’re getting the absolute max out of your saw, with higher torque and power than other table saws.

Even better, this saw delivers power that lasts. From the blades to the table to even the motor, the Skilsaw is designed for a long lifetime of use.

If you’re worried a saw like this might be difficult to handle, don’t. It’s impressively easy to operate and adjust when needed. The ripping fence will even adjust itself.

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More About The Dewalt DWE7480 Compact Job Site Table Saw

This saw takes every measure to ensure you get a high quality, even cut. Even the base adjusts for when you’re working on difficult, uneven surfaces. You’ll love how smooth the table is (and you’ll find it results in a much cleaner cut), and how it virtually eliminates friction.

It’s easy to roll around, thanks to the extra sturdy wheeled base. This is definitely a saw to look at when you need a quality job done, post haste.

Things to Consider

Safety features

One of the most important features your new table saw can have is a good safety system.  You’ll want to find a saw that has plenty of safety measures, and remember, the more the better. This often includes things like a blade guard, kickback protection, and a good amount of stability.

The blades

The blades that come with your table saw should be precise, easy to operate and change out, and be able to cut at an appropriate depth for the woodworking you need to do. The better the blade on your saw, the better the cut will turn out.  Make sure the blade is easy to fit, and if it includes splinter protection, it’s a saw worth looking into.

Adjustments

While not all woodworkers need an extreme amount of adjustment from their saw, if you take on a variety of different projects it’s a feature you’ll be glad to have.

Make sure the model you’re looking at is capable of the cutting depths you’re most likely to work with. Also check to see if the saw allows you to adjust the base plate. Many models allow for between 45 and 90 degrees of adjustment.

Ease of use

You’ll see many table saws that are marketed to either home projects or professional work, as well as a mix between the two. If your saw is too difficult to operate, that can lead to concerns not only with the quality of your cut, but also the safety of operating it. Make sure it’s appropriately sized and weighted for you to safely use.

If the saw contains extra features like no tool adjustments, easy start and stop, or quick blade changes, that’s even better. You also want to make sure it’s appropriate for your project, so consider whether you need something more solid like a cabinet table saw, or something you can move, like a portable saw.

The Purpose of a Table Saw

The main purpose of a table saw is to cut, and it can cut through pretty much anything you put in front of it. You can change out the blades to cut things like stone and metal, but the table saw’s primary function is to cut wood in woodworking.

For woodworking, table saws even saw in a way that blows wood shavings away from the person operating it to avoid getting shavings in eyes.

Table saws have an extremely powerful motor, so they can do anything a heavier duty saw can do. But they differ from heavy duty saws because they are more lightweight, making them easier to handle and use.

This makes them more suitable for anyone who enjoys woodworking and wants to take on at-home projects.

Table saws are also extremely durable. They come with 4Ah and 5Ah batteries that allow them to run for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about the saw’s battery draining in the middle of a project. Their durability also comes from their magnesium shoe machinery that is lightweight and strong.

Another really great thing a table saw can do is power off its motor when it starts to overheat. When a saw overheats, the blade will dull a lot quicker.

However, table saws are made to sense overheating in the motor and shut off automatically, which will save you the headache of having to frequently replace blades. While it may be frustrating to have your saw turn off in the middle of a woodworking project, in the long run this feature of table saws will save you a lot of trouble!

How to Use a Table Saw

Make Sure Everything is Set Properly

Before even plugging in the saw, you want to make sure everything on the saw is aligned and set up.

First, make sure the miter slot is perfectly parallel to the blade. Next, make sure the fencing is also straight and parallel to the blade. Finally, the blade needs to be set at a 90 degree angle. You can double check this using a measuring tool. Making sure everything is properly aligned and set up will make sure you are cutting efficiently.

Cutting with the Saw

When you are actually cutting, there are a few things to remember. It’s important to remember that the blade will be spinning toward you, so you want to feed wood toward the blade, which is away from you, while cutting.

You should always expect kickback from the saw while you are cutting, so you should make sure the fence is properly secured down and set in a way that holds the wood tightly between the fence and the blade. This will minimize resistance and keep the kickback under control.

Ways of Using a Table Saw Safely

When it comes to using such a potent tool, you need to be aware of your own safety as it can cause serious injury. In general, always remember to pay attention to your eyes, arms and ears.

Dress Properly

When using a table saw, it is important that you are wearing proper attire for your safety. You want to make sure your ears, eyes and arms are properly covered. For your ears, make sure you have a pair of ear plugs or headphones that will minimize the loud noise that come from a table saw.

In addition, you’ll need a good pair of goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris and wood shavings that could result in long-term damage. Finally, wear no or only tight-fitting sleeves, as loose-fitting clothes could easily get caught up in the saw. Watches and jewelry should also be removed to avoid tangling.

Make a Push Block

No one likes the thought of getting their fingers mixed up with the blade of a table saw. An easy solution is to make yourself a push block out of a piece of wood and a handle. You can use your push block to feed the wood into the saw, so you don’t have to worry about your fingers getting in the way.

Make Sure You Have a Riving Knife

A riving knife is a piece of metal that keeps wood shavings from getting caught in the back of the blade. Debris stuck in the blade can cause unwanted feedback that can be extremely dangerous.

If your saw does not come with a riving knife, you can make one yourself by shaping a piece of metal into a surfboard fin shape.

Don’t Remove the Safety System

Another really important thing to remember when it comes to safety is not to remove any of the safety elements your table saw comes with.

Some people feel that removing the safety equipment the saw comes with will help them speed up their projects. However, this is just a dangerous choice that actually reduces the quality of the saw. It is definitely better to swallow your pride and stick with safety.

Don’t Make Crosscuts with the Saw

Another safety mistake many people make is cutting the board using the fence as a guide.
Using this method can result in major kickback and flying pieces of wood that can be very dangerous. Instead of using this dangerous method, you should use the miter gauge or a crosscutting sled to make crosscuts.

Changing the Table Saw Disk

Turn off Power

Make sure the power is off before trying to change the power saw blade. It is also smart to unplug the blade for extra precaution.

Remove the Blade Plate

The blade plate is located in the middle of the saw and surrounds the blade. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws on the blade plate.

Replace the Blade

Move the blade to its top height. Using a wrench or spanners, turn the nut counterclockwise and remove the blade. Put in a new blade, holding it with a piece of wood for safety. Make sure the teeth of the blade are facing you and replace the washer and nut.

Replace the Blade Plate

Put the blade plate back on using a screwdriver to tighten the screws.

Conclusion

A table saw is a staple tool for any woodworker, and it’s also suitable for a woodworking fanatic to create at-home projects. Table saws are extremely powerful, making them capable of many tasks, but they are also lightweight and user-friendly.

However, it is important to remember that they are still dangerous tools that must be handled with caution. Make sure you are always following proper safety precautions when using a table saw.