Do you want to buy a new table saw? Then you should be aware of the different types of table saws available and their unique features. Based on that, you can decide the most appropriate types of table saw that you should be getting for the woodworking project. To make your life easy, Tools Detail thought of sharing reviews on the different types of table saws. Based on this, you can figure out the most appropriate table saw type for your use.
Fixed Table Saws
Contract saws, cabinet saws, and hybrid saws are the three main categories of fixed-placed table saws. Compared to transportable table saws, these sorts of table saws are much more accurate, powerful, and enormous in both weight and size. As the first part of our review on different types of table saws, we will review fixed table saws in detail.
Contractor Table Saws
Compared to their cabinet equivalents, contractor table saws are more lightweight but nonetheless strong saws. The greatest users of these saws are DIYers and hobbyists. Contractor saws vary from cabinet saws in terms of the size of the engine they employ, but their enormous profile gives them the room and power to handle larger tasks and tougher materials with more accuracy.
True contractor saws with belt drives and big outboard induction motors used to be the preferred table saw for professionals. They were originally intended to be a more portable alternative for full-size cabinet saws. Their engines got more powerful as their designs advanced, as well as the units actually became bigger, sometimes weighing up to 300 pounds. Additionally, their dust collecting capabilities were often subpar and their outboard motors needed longer belts, which added to the number of vibrations generated.
Contractor table saws have single-phase induction motors with 1 or 2 horsepower installed at the rear of the machine. A circular saw blade is linked to the rotating arbor, and the arbor and motor are connected by belts. This motor is simple to run with standard household supply connections. That significantly affects how much it costs. These saws don’t cost a lot.
Contractor saws were thought of as an alternative before portable saws were invented. Owners had to dismantle the whole saw, transport the component pieces to the necessary location, then reassemble the saw in order to use it.
Contractor table saws were initially made portable in some way by their ability to be mounted on a base or stand with wheels, allowing for simple movement about the workplace. These saws have a few drawbacks but many amazing benefits. Contractor saws are a nuisance for woodworkers because they produce a lot of dust while in use. When a motor is positioned outdoors, the effectiveness of the dust drain is reduced, ultimately leading to a dirty workplace. You should keep these drawbacks in mind as you go through different types of table saws.
Cabinet Table Saws
As implied by their name, cabinet table saws have a profile that makes them resemble cabinets. These saws were created specifically for bulk production facilities and expert woodworkers.
The strongest of the lot are cabinet saws. In fact, each and every one of their qualities outperforms those of other kinds of saws. They don’t seem all that different from cabinet-enclosed hybrid saws in terms of appearance, but that’s about where the similarities stop. A cabinet saw’s parts are all made to be strong, resilient, and able to survive extensive usage. Cabinet saws are very accurate, substantial, and long-lasting. Because of this, they have made their way into the majority of industrial shops, specialist universities, and the workshops of almost all experienced contractors.
These types of table saws have very limited configurations and safety features. These saws use single-phase induction motors of 3 to 5 horsepower. This induction motor is run by sophisticated circuitry and switchboards. Each and every component of the operating assembly is deftly arranged in a cabinet, making it safe to handle.
Extensions and modifications are included with these saws to improve the capacity of both the wood to be ripped. At production facilities, it is often employed to deal with solid logs and big panel sheets. It is a trusted tool for experts because of its excellent damage-avoidance capabilities and lengthy lifespan
Hybrid Table Saws
Traditional contractor’s saws, as well as cabinet saws, are combined to create hybrid table saws. Since they are difficult to transport and woodworkers today utilize alternative portable kinds of table saws, the name “contractor” is no longer appropriate.
The hybrid table saws include a box with ventilation grooves on each side where the single-phase induction motor having a power of around 1.5 to 2 hp, which is readily operated on North American standards circuits, hangs. Because the engine cannot be removed from the box, these saws are difficult to transport from one location to another.
Hybrid table saws include internal components that are composite in design, including the motor and an arbor with a blade attached. All of these components are housed in a tiny, slightly elevated box with a table on top. These saws have a shorter profile and resemble cabinets more. These table saws have no issues with dust accumulation. For hobbyists and others who deal with little timber materials at home, hybrid table saws are designed. These table saws have far lower ripping capacities than other models.
Portable Table Saws
Fixed location or fixed table saws were previously described in this article as types of table saws. Nevertheless, until they were placed on a stand and base with wheels, they were not considered portable. They were no longer transportable since being portable does not include moving in small spaces. These table saws were older types that had undergone little modernization.
We will now look at the most current design of types of table saws, which combines mobility with innovation to satisfy contemporary demands.
Sliding Table Saws
The biggest table saws are sliding ones. They go by the name of panel saws as well. These saws feature a sliding table that can move through eight to ten meters on each side of the blade on the left blade’s right side.
Typically, these table saws feature blade arbors with a 30mm diameter. There is special edition sliding table saws that include a scoring blade (a tiny diameter blade mounted directly in front of the standard saw blade) to prevent damage to the bottom fence of materials. Sliding table saws are mostly used to cut big panel sheets like plywood.
Cordless Table Saws
There is still another table saw variation that renders them even more portable. Table saws that are cordless are well known for being very portable. In order to aid craftspeople, several conventional saw manufacturers also provide cordless table saws that can be utilized in enclosed workspaces. Among portable types of table saws, these saws are quite popular.
Typically, 18v lithium-ion battery packs are used to power these saws. The size of the saw may affect the battery’s rating and capacity. Both wood and ceramic tile may be cut with these saws. It is dependable to use in the cemetery because of the water containment function. Additionally, these saws contain water pumps that spray water onto the tiles while they are being cut to keep them cool.
Compact Table Saws
Carpenters & woodworkers who operate remotely and in various locations benefit most from using compact table saws. Because it is so simple to move about with and utilize, it becomes their go-to tool.
The benchtop of the table saws is an improvement over compact table saws. In addition, they will have extra features like supports or even table tops made of cast iron. They share some of the same qualities, such as motor-driven universal motors as well as lightweight construction. Some of them may even resemble full-sized table saws, although they have much smaller tables and rip capacities.
Old-school woodworkers place a lot of emphasis on the size, power, and weight of their tools. Compact table saws provide every feature a woodworker may want, including size, fence, and ripping capability. These types of table saws are bigger table saws than other portable ones; they may be mounted on a permanent platform, which gives them more strength against the craftsperson’s push. These saws have smaller tables and are also equipped with universal motors. Typically, belts are used to drive the blade assembly. The belts on more recent versions include cast iron tips to increase the friction between the arbor and the motor.
Benchtop Table Saws
Benchtop table saws are smaller in size than Jobsite table saws. These saws function similarly to standard table saws; however, their mobility is what really makes them valuable to carpenters.
Bringing the work to the saw all the time is not feasible. It implies that a Jobsite table cut would be the best choice for you if you require a table saw outside of the workshop since it offers identical working capabilities as a traditional table saw does!
Benchtop and small table saws are far less durable and ruggedly built than job site saws. They are often referred to as “contractor table saws” even by certain manufacturers as they are frequently the table saws de option for many builders when they require a portable table saw. Even though this word is now frequently used and accepted, actual contractor table saws are distinct animals that are more difficult to find on the market today. Later, I’ll talk about the subject. Both “Jobsite table saws” and “contractor table saws” are now used interchangeably. These saws use universal motors as well, but they’re rather strong. usually between 15 and 20 amps. Because Jobsite table saws are so small, you can either attach them to work tables or leave them standing wherever you wish to begin your project.
Table saws for use on a bench are maintained there or on stands. Even hefty materials are not taken into account in their construction to keep the size down since they are supposed to be portable and are manufactured lighter in weight to easily be carried about. For use at home, benchtop table saws are designed. These table saws are the most affordable.
Universal motors are included with these saws. The blade is operated using a direct drive (motor operates the blade directly) approach. Older versions utilized induction motors, which made the blade heavy and produced a lot of friction due to the tiny profile, which caused the saw to vibrate.
Benchtop saws are made to be as small, light, and inexpensive as possible. The majority of their target audience consists of people looking to do some light-duty tasks in their workshop or garage. They don’t have a base or transportation wheels, yet they are nevertheless regarded as portable since practically anybody can carry them about due to their little weight.
They heavily depend on the use of lightweight materials, including aluminum, plastic, or other composite materials, to achieve this. Their rip capability is quite limited, and their tables are tiny. Even so, these tiny saws are up to the task if you want to cut any plywood or softer woods like pine and won’t be dealing with full-size material sheets. Because universal motors don’t last as long as motor drives do, the tool is less effective and can only do difficult tasks. These saws don’t have much more ripping capability, but that doesn’t really matter since they are solely intended for at-home workers who often encounter hard tasks.
Final Words: Types of Table Saws
Now you know about different types of table saws. The size of your projects should be your first priority when selecting a table had seen for yourself. A more compact and portable tabletop saw will be an easy and affordable alternative for simple DIY tasks and aesthetic trim work. However, you’ll need a more powerful and larger saw for more significant, larger projects on furniture or building.