Table Saws

Types of table saws

Portable table saw -- Also called benchtop saws, reviews recommend this type both for transporting to jobsites and for easy storage. Contractor saws were invented for jobsite use, but portable table saws are often either very compact and light enough to carry, or they come with wheeled, folding stands. The small tables make it tricky to cut plywood, however. Generally, portable table saws use noisy universal motors, and they're much like a circular saw upside down on a table.

Contractor table saw -- This type of table saw has open, fixed legs. Since the motor hangs out the back, it takes up more space than a portable or benchtop table saw, but the table is often larger, so it's easier to cut sheet stock. Contractor saws are still reasonably portable, but usually it takes two people to move one. Their lower price often makes them the first saw for a new woodworking shop, and reviews say newer contractor saws are much improved over older models.

Hybrid table saw -- This type of table saw has an enclosed base, which aids dust control. Hybrid saws are heavier than contractor saws, and they vibrate less. Hybrid saws can run on ordinary household current; they are usually easier to move than a cabinet saw, but less powerful. Hybrid table saws are a good choice for woodworkers who want to make furniture or other projects that require precise accuracy, especially when budget or space are limited. Many hybrid saws can be moved to the side of the workshop between uses.

Cabinet saw -- This is the heaviest, sturdiest type of table saw, with more powerful motors that require a 220 electrical outlet. The large table (often with big extension wings) and long guide rails make it easy to cut sheet stock. Cabinet saws are apt to have the best safety features and dust control. Woodworkers with enough space (and money) usually make a cabinet saw the centerpiece of the workshop, though a few cabinet saws have mobile bases.

In choosing a table saw, be sure to consider the available electrical power. Because of their heavy-duty motors, cabinet saws run only on 240-volt power. Most hybrid and contractor saws can run on either 240- or 120-volt power, with 240 being more efficient. Experts warn that a 1.5- to 2-horsepower motor with 18 to 24 amps should be the only draw on a 20-amp circuit, and even then, some saws will keep tripping the circuit breaker. Portable saws and benchtop saws use 120-volt power, so they're especially useful for job sites or home workshops.

Available space is another big consideration in selecting a table saw. Most cabinet saws are stationary, designed to be located in the middle of the workshop. Reviews say to allow at least eight-feet of clearance on the infeed, outfeed and left side of the saw to handle 4x8 sheet stock. Hybrid saws on mobile bases can be moved against a wall when not needed, and of course, portable table saws take the least space of all.

Best portable table saws

Reviews recommend Bosch portable table saws more than any other brand, for performance, safety and ease of use, as well as for the "Gravity-Rise" stand that unfolds with special simplicity. The stand lets you roll the saw around both in its folded and unfolded form, so it's very convenient for jobsites and small workshops. Reviews praise the soft start motor, dust control and relatively quiet (88-decibel) performance. The maximum cut depth at 90 degrees equals that of most hybrid and contractor saws, and the arbor accommodates a full 13/16-inch dado head -- important for making woodworking joints.

Reviews praise the safety features even on the least expensive Bosch 4000 series of portable saws, including the Bosch 4000 benchtop saw (*est. $535) and the Bosch 4000-09 (*est. $530) table saw with gravity stand. Both come with a true riving knife to prevent kickback, plus a blade guard that flips out of the way easily.

Though the Bosch 4000 series portable table saws remain available, the saws in the very similar 4100 series (the newest Bosch models) have improved the whole blade guard assembly still further. All parts of the guard can be removed or replaced in seconds, without tools, and the blade cover is in two parts to protect when you're taking a measurement or ripping narrow stock. The system adds anti-kickback pawls, and the riving knife can be locked at three different heights to make it easier to cut rabbets or dadoes.

The top of the line Bosch 4100DG-09 (*est. $680) table saw offers metric measurements as an option and comes with a rip fence with digital LCD readout (which Bosch says is accurate within 1/32-inch). (We haven't yet found any tests of the new fence.) You can also get the Bosch 4100-09 table saw (*est. $600) without the digital rip fence but with the gravity-rise stand and improved safety guard. If you don't need a stand, the least expensive table saw in the lineup, the Bosch 4100 (*est. $500) benchtop saw, also has the improved safety guard. Early reports are impressive, with Tom Hintz at NewWoodworker.com saying, "the best in class just got better -- and safer."

The less expensive Ridgid TS2400LS (*est. $450) portable table saw also comes with a wheeled folding stand. When set up, the table is 35 inches tall (three inches shorter than the Bosch table saw), which is a better height for many people. The Ridgid portable saw earns second place in a review by Fine Woodworking, as well as among users surveyed by Fine Woodworking's publishers. Editors say the Ridgid portable saw has the best fence adjustment of all portable table saws it tested. Tests elsewhere show the Ridgid portable saw cuts faster than the Bosch 4100-09, but both saws cut with equal accuracy and rip precision

Most reviews say that while the Ridgid TS2400LS beats the Bosch portable saws with its lifetime warranty and lower price, the Bosch saws are safer and more portable. The Ridgid on-off switch is harder to reach in an emergency, and since the Ridgid saw lacks a riving knife, it's more apt to kick back -- which can startle the user enough to let a hand slip into the blade. Though the Ridgid blade guard is easy to remove and replace, it doesn't ride up and down with the blade as it does on the Bosch portable saws.

Despite its wheels, the Ridgid portable table saw isn't as easy to move as the Bosch. It also lacks the soft-start motor and is seven decibels noisier at 95 decibels. (Experts say noise level doubles with every six-decibel difference in sound.). However, owners reviewing the Ridgid TS2400LS at Home Depot give it a perfect 5-star rating overall, and the three-year warranty converts to a lifetime warranty once it's registered with Ridgid. Bosch tools, by contrast, come with only a one-year warranty.

The DeWalt DW745 jobsite saw (*est. $370) is protected by a roll cage, so it's easy to haul, and it includes a 2.5-inch dust port to hook up to a standard shop-vac. It's the lightest portable table saw now available, weighing in at only 45 pounds. (The Bosch weighs 56 pounds -- 109.5 pounds mounted on its stand -- and the Ridgid is heavier at 122 pounds.) We even saw a photo in Popular Woodworking showing the DeWalt benchtop saw stored on the wall to save space.

Editors at Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide (publishers of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding) recommend the DeWalt benchtop saw not only for jobsite use, but also for workshops with very limited space. Editors like the safety switch and say depth and bevel adjustments are easy. Tests there show it has plenty of power, as long as the blade is replaced with a better one.

A finish carpenter has tested the DeWalt DW745 table saw for Fine Woodworking, praising the rack-and-pinion fence for its precision and ease of adjustment. It's one of the top-rated table saws at Lowes.com, where owners give it a perfect 5-star rating for ease of use (at the time of our last visit). Owner-written reviews at Amazon.com are also mostly positive, while noting that it's noisier than the Bosch saws and lacks outfeed extensions, a soft start motor and an electronic brake. The DeWalt DW745 table saw also has a smaller rip capacity of 16 inches, compared with 25 inches for the Bosch 4100 saw. The DeWalt DW745 can't be used with a dado blade, and changing blades requires two wrenches. A folding stand is available (*est. $70), but it lacks wheels.

The DeWalt DW744S table saw (*est. $500) comes with a simple folding stand. Tests show it makes somewhat more accurate crosscuts than the Bosch and Ridgid portable table saws, but the DeWalt table saw loses points when it comes to precise ripping (that is, cutting boards in the longer direction). The stand adds about 20 pounds to the weight, but it does increase the ripping capacity. The DeWalt website lists the dust port as an odd 2.25-inch size, but our phone call to technical support confirmed that both the DW744S and DW745 use standard 2.5-inch dust ports that fit most shop vacs. (The technical support person actually measured the ports for us.)

Budget portable table saws

As a budget portable table saw, reviews recommend the Ryobi BTS20, now the Ryobi BTS20R (*est. $230), which has a large rip capacity of 27 inches plus a back table extension that adds stability. At 89.1 pounds, the Ryobi portable saw weighs nearly twice as much as the DeWalt DW745, but less than the Bosch portable saws. Professional comparison tests show that it falls short on ripping accuracy, but does reasonably well with crosscuts. Not all owners agree; we found some complaints in owner-written reviews at Amazon.com that it's hard to make accurate cuts with the Ryobi. Nor is it noted for safety -- like the Ridgid and DeWalt portable saws, the Ryobi lacks a riving knife. Ryobi also offers the BTS21 table saw (*est. $250), which has a 30-inch rip capacity and is slightly lighter (at 75.8 pounds) but otherwise similar. Both saws are available primarily at Home Depot.

An in-depth Benchmark review of an earlier Ryobi portable table saw finds the saw's accuracy acceptable, but notes that the alignment requires a lot of "fiddling until you get lucky." There may be some quality-control issues, since the saw tested at Woodworker's Journal had a fence that kept going out of alignment, while the Fine Woodworking review praises the fence as excellent. Fine Woodworking also likes the miter gauge and onboard tool storage, but finds the controls inconvenient. Users reviewing the Ryobi BTS20R table saw at Home Depot give it a near-perfect average rating. They praise its quality and portability, and many appreciate the fact that it accepts a wide dado blade.

Reviews agree that the 15-amp Ryobi BTS20R is much better than the 13-amp Ryobi BTS10S (*est. $100) , though the BTS10S outperforms several more expensive Craftsman and Skil portable table saws. The least expensive portable saws by Delta, Firestorm, Shopmaster and Task Force get relatively low average ratings from owners reviewing them at Lowe's and Home Depot websites. Earlier reviews recommend the Delta 56-540 as a budget choice, but at Amazon.com, owners reviewing its replacements, the Delta TS200LS (*est. $120) and Delta SM200L (*est. $100) , give these benchtop saws low ratings. In this price range, expert reviews say you're basically getting cheap circular saws mounted upside down on a table, so vibration, alignment and dust control are problems. There's also no riving knife to prevent kickback.

Best cabinet saws

Review after review confirms that the safest table saw now available offers not only a true riving knife, but also a unique electronic sensor that stops the blade within a fraction of a second, if it encounters anything as soft as human flesh. The SawStop Industrial Grade cabinet saw (*est. $3,300) is the only table saw currently available that has this sensor. Reviews say it's not only the safest table saw, but that it matches other cabinet saws for accuracy and overall performance. This innovative technology is winning more and more acclaim, including an award from Time Magazine for one of the best inventions of 2006 and an earlier award from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. SawStop has received reports of over 200 fingers saved so far.

The main question is whether or not the SawStop cabinet saw is worth over a thousand dollars more than the Powermatic PM2000 (*est. $2,200) , a competing top-rated cabinet saw. Comparison reviews in both Fine Woodworking and Workbench magazine give both saws equal top ranking. The reviews indicate that both of these cabinet saws perform extremely well, provide excellent dust control and have superb safety features -- not only quick-release blade guards, but also riving knives to prevent kickback. Switches can be turned off easily with the hip or knee in case of an emergency. The Workbench review notes that both saws use concave gear teeth and Poly-V belting, features that make for the smoothest cutting with the least vibration.

Tests at Fine Woodworking show that the SawStop table saw's fence has the least deflection under pressure of the 13 cabinet saws compared in their tests, including the Powermatic saw. The Workbench review also prefers the SawStop table saw's riving knife to that on the Powermatic PM2000. In addition, editors there praise the SawStop saw's clearly written manual. (Owner-written reviews confirm that both the SawStop manual and technical support are exceptional.)

Editors at Taunton Press (which publishes Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding) like the beechwood extension table (*est. $350) now available for the Powermatic PM2000, which is equipped with a vise and dog holes to serve as a basic woodworking bench. They also praise the mobility of the Powermatic PM2000, whose castors retract to make the base as stable as a stationary one. Both features make the Powermatic PM2000 saw ideal for a workshop with limited space. Editors at Popular Woodworking agree, also favoring the Powermatic PM2000 for its one-wrench blade changes and easy adjustments. They criticize the SawStop rip fence as hard to set with precision and disagree with the 2008 Taunton Tool Guide review's judgment that the SawStop blade guard is the easiest of all to remove and replace.

While reviews say that the SawStop is the safest cabinet table saw to use, some woodworking experts claim that most table saw accidents are caused by kickback, so that the riving knife found on the Powermatic PM2000 (and SawStop) is enough protection. Statistics don't back that up, however. According to a CPSC report, most table saw accidents occur to hobbyists and homeowners, and they don't involve kickback -- so a riving knife alone might not prevent some accidents.

In the end, it is hard to make a Fast Answers recommendation between these two cabinet saws. Both are excellent. In a perfect world, the SawStop would be a slam dunk for its safety features, but the nearly 50 percent price premium over the Powermatic PM2000 can be hard to justify, especially for a homeowner or hobbyist who probably won't be using the saw on a daily basis. Still, those are the very consumers statistics say are most at risk from table saw accidents. Ultimately, therefore, it depends on how much you're willing to spend to minimize accident risk.

For a budget cabinet saw, a remarkable consensus of reviews over the years favors the Grizzly G1023, now the Grizzly 1023Z Cabinet Saw (*est. $995). Several reviews recommend this saw plus a Biesemeyer or similar fence for improved accuracy. Wood Magazine praises the Grizzly's square, flat extension table and its precise, adjustable-width miter gauge. Workbench Magazine gives the saw high marks as a budget choice for fit, finish, power and smooth adjustments.

The Grizzly 1023Z doesn't have a riving knife, nor does it run as smoothly or have dust control comparable to the SawStop and Powermatic cabinet saws. The blade guard isn't as convenient to use either, but the switch can be shut off with the knee in an emergency. You can extend the ripping capacity from 25 to 52 inches with options (*est. $290) or just move up to the Grizzly G1023SLX (*est. $1,300) with seven-foot rails. Better still is the Grizzly G0651 (*est. $1,800), which not only adds 52-inch rails, but also a riving knife. At this price, however, you're getting close to the Powermatic PM2000 (*est. $2,200) which gets much better reviews.

Two new small cabinet saws are starting to get attention in woodworking magazines. Both the Hitachi C10LA saw (*est. $1,000) and the Steel City Tool Works 35601 saw (*est. $950) are called cabinet saws, but reviews note that because of their smaller size, they could also be called large hybrid saws -- they're really between the two types. They're compared in the Popular Woodworking review of hybrid table saws, so we discuss them below.

Hybrid saws

Reviews consider hybrid saws a step down from cabinet saws, since they're not as heavy or powerful, with motors that are able to run on regular 110-volt electricity. Still, they're much heavier than open-legged contractor saws, and they vibrate less for smoother, more accurate cuts. Their enclosed bases also improve dust collection. Since a hybrid saw's motor doesn't hang off the back, hybrid saws can be pushed to the side of the workshop for storage, and mobile bases are usually available. Some hybrid saws with bases that go all the way to the floor are also called small cabinet saws, so the line between types is blurring.

None of the current hybrid saws have riving knives, however -- though the new UL regulations will require them on models made in 2008. If you need to buy a hybrid saw before then, you can add a third-party splitter designed to improve safety and ease of use. Like most table saw accessories, these aren't cheap -- for example, the Shark Guard costs about $150. (See the Alternative Considerations section below for details.)

The Tools of the Trade Online review of hybrid saws covers two models not included in the more recent Popular Woodworking review -- the DeWalt DW746X (*est. $1,100) and the Hitachi C10LA (*est. $1,000) . Otherwise, the two reviews cover the same models, with one confusing exception. They each cover a different 10-inch Jet hybrid saw, though both use 1.75-hp motors. Popular Woodworking tests a Jet ProShop (*est. $725) without providing the model number, while Tools of the Trade tests the much more expensive Jet SuperSaw JWSS-10CSPF (*est. $1,200). The latter has a fully enclosed base, down to the floor.

If sheer cutting power on thick hardwoods is the most important feature for your needs, both reviews agree that the 2-hp Grizzly G0478 hybrid saw (*est. $725) offers a lot of power for the money. Tools of the Trade Online gives this saw top ranking, and Popular Woodworking picks it as the budget choice. Both reviews praise the Grizzly hybrid saw for its power, fence and dust collection. Both reviews agree that the blade guard is so hard to remove and replace that it's not apt to be used -- a major safety flaw.

The two comparison reviews rank their respective Jet hybrid saws second for power, but indicate that the blade guard system is easy to use. Popular Woodworking says the Jet ProShop has the best fence system of the six hybrid saws tested there, gliding easily along the rails and supplying T-slots for attaching jigs. The main drawback is that dust collection is poor, though the Tools of the Trade review finds it average on the more expensive Jet SuperSaw.

If convenience matters more than power, reviews say the Steel City 35601 (*est. $950) is worth considering. It shares top ranking with the Jet SuperSaw in the Popular Woodworking review, and both brands carry five-year warranties. The Steel City blade guard removes without tools, and the saw provides a larger table area left of the blade, making it easier to cut large panels. Popular Woodworking finds the Steel City the most convenient hybrid saw to set up and use, with the only drawback being a slight slowing when cutting 1.75-inch hardwood.

In tests at Popular Woodworking, the General, Delta and Craftsman hybrid saws slowed even more. Tests at Tools of the Trade Online reach the same conclusion, but also find the Hitachi C10LA (*est. $1,000) the least powerful of all. It improves when equipped with a thin-kerf blade and provides excellent dust control, but the review finds the Hitachi C10LA’s adjustments and blade guard "cumbersome." A review in Fine Woodworking also praises the dust control along with a "dead flat" cast-iron tabletop and fine finish. The review says it has enough power "to rip 4/4 hardwood with ease, and 8/4 just fine if you feed it slowly."

The Craftsman OR35504, also known as the Craftsman 22124 (*est. $1,045), has gotten good reviews in the past, but it doesn't rank at the top in either of these recent comparison reviews. It comes with lots of extra accessories and is still one of the top-rated table saws in owner-written reviews at FineWoodworking.com and Sears.com. However, much of the praise is for its accurate Biesemeyer fence. Since the rest of the saw is made in China, owners say you can expect to fiddle with it (and possibly get replacements parts) to get it working at full potential.

The DeWalt DW746X hybrid saw (*est. $1,100) also ranks more or less in the middle at Tools of the Trade Online, and it isn't included in the Popular Woodworking review. The DeWalt hybrid saw was a pioneer in this arena and has some nice features, including an integral sliding table, though the mobile base is extra. Earlier reviews recommended it, but readers of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding rank it toward the bottom. Owner-written reviews of the DeWalt DW746X are mostly positive, but there have been complaints about both the flatness of the steel wings and the milling of the fence. It also lacks the four-inch dust port most hybrid saws now provide.

Contractor saws

Although reviews say that contractor saws have improved over earlier models, this type of table saw has lost popularity over the years. When the new SawStop contractor saw (*est. $1,800) is finally available sometime in early 2008, that might revive this part of the market. See "The Buzz" section below for more about this anticipated model, which features the same blade sensor as the well-recommended SawStop cabinet saw discussed earlier.

Contractor saws usually have better motors than portable table saws, but they’re harder to transport and store. On most, the motor hangs out the back, so the saw takes up more workshop space. We did find comparison reviews of contractor saws in Taunton's 2006 Tool Guide, as well as in a 2005 review in Woodworker's Journal.

Both reviews pick the 1.5-hp Ridgid TS3650 (*est. $600) as the best budget contractor saw, and at the time of this report, all 50 owners rating it at Lowes.com give it a perfect 5-star rating. Like the Ridgid portable saw discussed above, it carries a lifetime warranty once registered. The Taunton Press review says its cast-iron trunnion assembly is stiffer than that of any other contractor saw they tested, and it uses a Poly-V belt that minimizes noise and vibration. (Vibration is one of the main sources of cutting inaccuracy.) Cast iron extensions give it a big 36-inch rip capacity. The larger rip capacity is especially useful for making kitchen cabinets or furniture. Because of the consensus of praise for the Ridgid, we've included it in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers as the best budget contractor saw.

Taunton's 2006 Tool Guide mentions that Craftsman makes less expensive 1.5-hp contractor saws, implying that they can also be expected to perform well. Only one of these is still available, the 15-amp, 1.5-hp Craftsman OR35505 (*est. $680). This model has a heavy cast-iron trunnion system and cast-iron table extensions like the more expensive Craftsman hybrid saw above. It's one of the top-rated table saws in owner-written reviews at Sears.com, ranking just under a much more expensive cabinet saw. Craftsman makes less expensive 10-inch table saws that look like contractor saws, but they're really benchtop saws on a fixed stand; they get much lower ratings from owners.

The 15-amp Hitachi C10FL (*est. $500) gets very good ratings from owners rating it at Lowes.com, especially for quality and ease of use. The Hitachi contractor saw gets slightly higher ratings from owners than the 1.5-hp Delta 36-979 (*est. $450) , but the Delta also gets especially high marks for quality. The Hitachi could even be classified as a hybrid saw, since it has cast-iron trunnions and a partially enclosed base, but both saws include mobile bases plus ports for dust collection and carry two-year warranties. They each have advantages: Delta has a cast iron table and wings, while Hitachi has convenient controls and scales.

The 18-amp, 1.5-hp Jet JWTS-10 contractor saw (*est. $500) , top-rated in the past, varies in price depending on various accessories and whether or not the table wings are steel or the more expensive cast iron. The Jet JWTS-10 has cast-iron trunnions, plus a motor that hangs below the table instead of taking extra space at the back, and it comes with a five-year warranty. Users at Amazon.com give the Jet contractor saw fairly positive ratings, but Taunton Press readers rank it toward the bottom in the 2006 survey.

Important Features: Table saws

Reviews say to consider the following features when shopping for a table saw. Several surveys show that around 50% of all workshop accidents involve a table saw, so safety features are especially important.

• A riving knife is better than a splitter for preventing kickback, and the blade guard should be convenient to take off and replace in seconds. Once available only on very expensive European cabinet saws, true riving knives are now available on some American table saws. Experts say they're much better than splitters for preventing kickback, one of the most common causes of table-saw accidents. However, it's better to equip a table saw with an after-market splitter than to go without one at all. It's crucial that the blade guard be easy to detach or flip out of the way, because inconvenient blade guards usually get left off the saw, exposing the user to danger.

• A switch that turns off with the knee or hip in an emergency is another important safety feature. This also lets you keep both hands on the wood you're cutting as you turn the saw on. Be sure the switch is mounted where you usually stand. Reviews note that if the saw doesn't come with such a switch, it is possible to make a kick-switch.

• Consider a saw with flesh-sensor technology. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has been urging manufacturers to use this technology since 2001, because they say a riving knife isn't enough to prevent serious damage from table saw accidents.. Right now, the technology is only available on an expensive SawStop cabinet saw, but the SawStop contractor saw should be available soon, and other manufacturers are reportedly at work developing similar safety systems.

• A magnetic switch prevents accidental turn-ons. Usually available only on cabinet saws, a magnetic switch keeps a saw from accidentally turning back on when the power is restored after an outage.

• Dust collection is an important safety feature to protect the lungs. Contractor saws, with their open stands, usually provide the worst dust control, though the best models do provide shrouds around the blade with ports for dust hoses. Table saws with closed bases vary in dust-control performance. The best have shrouds around the blade and a slanting chute toward the main dust port.

• A left blade-tilt is safer than a right tilt. Most experts now agree that a left blade-tilt arrangement is safer than a right tilt, reducing the risk of kickback. Also, experts warn that small offcuts can become trapped between the blade, table and fence on a right-tilt saw, flying out at the operator. In addition, reviews note that left-tilt saws make it easier to make clean miter cuts along the length of a panel.

• Match power to your needs. Buying more power than you need is not only expensive, but can also mean more powerful kickback. If you plan to rip hardwoods three or more inches thick, experts recommend a 3- to 5-hp motor, and therefore a cabinet saw. For ripping hardwood two inches thick or less, 1.5- to 2-hp motors are adequate.

• Motor type. Experts warn that most portable and benchtop table saws are really just circular saws set into a table, using noisy universal motors. Except for the cheapest models, most table saws use induction motors for less noise and vibration, plus longer life. If you do buy a table saw with a universal motor, experts say the better ones feature accessible carbon brushes that you can replace yourself, without a repair charge. Reviews also warn against open motors that can draw in dust, shortening their life span.

• Cast iron is better than regular steel for minimizing vibration. Cast iron usually translates into greater stability, while stamped or open steel creates more vibration. Heavy cabinet and hybrid saws usually run more smoothly than contractor saws and portable saws. However, even within table saw types, vibration varies a lot, so it's an important factor tested in many reviews.

• Solid cast iron table wings are best. According to reviews, these are more apt to stay flat over years of use. Their weight also dampens vibration. Large, flat wings provide a good assembly table. Ribbed wings are a slight safety hazard, as it's easy to catch fingers in the openings. For budget saws, ribbed or stamped steel tables and wings can be covered with plywood or replaced with solid wings. Recent reviews have been impressed by the overall flatness of current tables, so quality seems to be improving.

• Poly-V belts make for smoother running. Workbench Magazine explains that Poly-V belts make for smoother running than wedge belts, which in turn are better than regular V-belts.

• Blade alignment should be accurate and easy to adjust. American Woodworker editors point out that it's usually easier to align the blade on a cabinet saw than on one of the other three types of table saws. Other adjustments need to be checked periodically. This is called "tuning the table saw" and is an art in itself.

• The front wheel should work easily to maneuver the blade. Test the handwheels that raise and tilt the blade in the housing. Does it take several dozen revolutions or just a few to raise the blade a few inches or tilt it ten degrees? Also, the wheels and levers should work without heavy friction and should be easy to lubricate.

• Consider table height in relation to your own. This is usually more of an issue with portable table saws on rolling stands. A couple of inches in height can make a big difference in your comfort -- too low can create backaches, while a table that’s too high limits vision and ease of motion.

• Consider table size and blade-fence distance. Table sizes vary widely. Small portable table saws and contractor table saws have a table surface of about 17 x 26 inches, while large table saws have tables of about 40 x 28 inches without extensions. The blade-fence distance can be anywhere from 12 inches to 48 inches (or more with extensions).

• Consider a mobile base. Casters on your table saw can make a small workshop much more efficient, since the table saw can be moved out of the way when the space is needed for another task. Retracting castors are best, and it's important that the castors lock securely to minimize vibration when the table saw is in use.

• Miter gauges vary greatly in precision and ease of use. The best gauges can be fine- tuned to fit the saw's miter slot precisely. Look for a gauge that will accept auxiliary fences for managing larger pieces of wood. Popular Woodworking estimates that upgrading to a top quality miter gauge will cost $200 or more. On some table saws, a sliding table is provided instead of a miter gauge. Feedback is mixed on this feature, with some reviewers preferring it and others missing the option of adding accessories that fit on standard miter gauges.

• A one-inch-long arbor will enable you to handle a full stacking dado set. Even if you have no immediate plans to use dado blades, you may want to do this later.

• Budget extra for blades. Especially if you buy an inexpensive table saw, be prepared to buy a better blade. We found quite a few owner-written reviews testifying that this can dramatically improve smoothness and accuracy.

Features like riving knives certainly help, but that's not all that's required for safe table saw use. Be sure to study table saw safety guides carefully and definitely use both hearing and eye protection. (See the Best Research section that follows.)

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of picks	Model(With retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
9	SawStop CB31230 cabinet saw (*est. $3,300)	-
9	Bosch 4100-09 portable saw (*est. $600)	details
9	Grizzly G1023Z cabinet saw (*est. $975)	-
6	Powermatic PM2000 cabinet saw (*est. $2,200)	details
5	Ridgid TS3650 contractor saw (*est. $550)	-
4	Ryobi BTS20 portable saw (*est. $230)	-
4	Craftsman OR35505 hybrid saw (*est. $1,100)	-
4	Ridgid TS2400LS portable saw (*est. $450)	-
4	DeWalt DW745 benchtop saw (*est. $370)	details
3	Delta 36-979 contractor saw (*est. $450)	details
3	DeWalt DW746X hybrid saw (*est. $1,100)	details
2	Steel City 35601 hybrid saw (*est. $950)	-
2	Jet Proshop hybrid saw (*est. $725)	details
2	Bosch 4000 portable saw (*est. $350)	details
1 each	Bosch 4000-07 , Craftsman 21829 (contractor), Craftsman Professional 22124 (cabinet), Delta 36-540 (now TS200LS, benchtop) , Delta 36-L51X-BC50 (cabinet) ,Delta TS350 (contractor), Delta 36-L31X-U50 (cabinet) , Delta 36-717 (hybrid) , General 50-220MI (budget), General 650-T50-M2M (cabinet), Grizzly G0444 (contractor) , Grizzly G0478 (hybrid) , Grizzly G0605X (cabinet) , Hammer Trend B3 (cabinet), Hitachi C10FL (hybrid/contractor), Hitachi C10LA (cabinet) , Hitachi C10RA3 , JET 708315BTC JBTS-10BT-3 (benchtop) , Jet JWSS-10CSPF SuperSaw (hybrid) , Laguna TS (cabinet), Powermatic 66 (cabinet) , Ryobi BT3100 (benchtop)

Table saw models don't change often, so newer table saws are at a disadvantage when tabulating top picks in reviews over recent years. Yet among heavy-duty cabinet saws, the relatively new SawStop CB3120 gets lots of recommendations for its unique flesh-sensing blade brake. Unfortunately, it’s also extremely expensive at nearly twice the price of the well regarded Powermatic PM2000, which also does well in reviews. Bosch retains its lead as the best portable table saw; the new 4100 series is essentially identical to the highly rated (and still available) 4000 series, but it offers better safety features. For years, reviews have recommended the Grizzly G1023 (now the G1023Z) cabinet saw and Ridgid TS3650 contractor saw as good budget table saws. There's less consensus about the best hybrid table saw.

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