Sawstop Contractor Saw CNS175-SFA30

This long-awaited table saw incorporates the SawStop flesh-sensing blade brake that prevents losing a finger, plus a riving knife and excellent blade guard. These are the same safety features found on the top-ranked SawStop Cabinet Saw (*est. $3,470) but on a more affordable open-legged contractor saw. Reviews say it runs and cuts smoothly, with excellent dust collection through a four-inch port. Cast iron wings (*est. $190) cost extra. A mobile base (*est. $160) or handled jobsite cart (*est. $200) are also available. The warranty is for two years. If you can't invest this much in a contractor saw, the portable Bosch 4100DG-09 (*est. $820) has the same safety features except for the flesh-sensing technology.

Many comparison reviews of cabinet saws praise the SawStop safety features, but the SawStop Contractor Saw is too new to be included in tests of contractor saws – with the exception of an excellent review at Woodworker's Journal which includes a preproduction model of the SawStop. We found the most detailed single-product review of the final version of the SawStop Contractor Saw at Taunton.com, which also publishes an online video of the saw in action. The review at Toologics.com is by an experienced woodworker who's also used the SawStop Cabinet Saw. Earlier, Popular Mechanics gave the SawStop an award for safety features unique among contractor saws.