3 features to consider in the best portable table saw
How do you know which portable table saw to buy? Well, you have to look at each saw’s accuracy, motor/mounting system, and portability and then match the levels of those features to your level of need. Do you intend to use the portable table saw on multiple job sites or will it likely be in your shop most of the time? Is it going to be used a lot or only occasionally for your hobby? Primarily, you need to consider the table and fence configuration, the motor and blade mounting system, and any accessories.
Table and Fence Assembly
The table and fence will affect the accuracy of the cuts. A fence and guide rail that extends beyond the table will allow for wider, more accurate cuts.
The DeWalt Model DW744 has a large table with a fence and rail that supports a 24 1/2-inch rip. The table can be extended on a system of sprockets and teeth that adjusts the guide, which locks onto the ends of the rails.
Both Bosch and Ridgid make a portable table saw that has an extendable table that pulls out with the rails to increase the width of the cut. Ridgid saws are manufactured exclusively for Home Depot. The Bosch portable table saw has aluminum rails that are less likely to bend under heavy plywood, but Ridgid’s rails are even stronger.
Ryobi’s BT3000SX is the only table saw that has a larger cutting capacity with a 33-inch width. This portable table saw pushes the term portable because its extendable fence, sliding miter table, and quick-change inserts add considerable weight to the overall unit.
Two other heavy portable table saws include the Jet and Hitachi products. The Jet has a cast iron table and dual extensions that make it too heavy to move easily, especially if you have to climb stairs or load it into a truck. However, it is wide enough to rip plywood in half. The Hitachi C10RA2 has a table made of cast aluminum, but the unit has a steel cover that makes it too heavy for one person to move, even if it’s not bolted to its steel stand.
Delta, Powermatic and Skil offer bench saws that are small and lightweight for easy movement and are priced at nearly half of larger portable table saws. Delta and Skil come with a cast aluminum table and cam lock slides, while the Powermatic has a larger brushed aluminum table that has two precise extensions. However, these three will not be able to compete with the workload of the larger saws.
Engines and Assembly
The way the motor and blade are mounted is an important feature on portable table saws.
The smaller benchtop table saws mount the motor on a single-sided bracket. This system then pivots to raise or lower the blade. This system can ruin a cut by drifting, or it can bind the blade if you have to cut a heavy load.
Larger portable table saws use guide rods or symmetrical tracks to adjust the blade. Left straight, this system reduces blade and motor vibration, allowing for more precise cuts. However, if the angle is adjusted, the vibration returns.
Improving on this motor/blade carriage, Makiti and Ridgid portable table saws use a tooth and tooth adjuster on their height adjustment wheel.
Both Ryobi and Hitachi have a manual push/pull adjuster. However, Hitachi uses plastic gears and tracks, so their durability may be compromised.
The Jet Portable Table Saw has the best motor/blade mounting system with a heavy duty gear screw system on two separate handwheels: one for height and one for angles. This makes it heavier, but more accurate.
Accessories
Accessories are evaluated by how portable they make the table saw portable.
Makita has a way to increase the width of cuts to 49 inches with their accessory mount. However, the mount is bulky and increases the time it takes to install.
Although Ryobi offers a steel cart with an extendable table, these are primarily useful for store use only because they detract from portability to different locations.
The universal bracket with legs and bolts is offered with Jet, Delta, Skil, Hitachi, Makita and Powermatic. The weight of this steel bracket detracts from the portability of these brands.
The easiest brackets to move and set up are found on DeWalt, Bosch, and Ridgid portable table saws. Bosch and DeWalt have kickstands that open and fold in one motion. However, the legs do not adjust for uneven footfalls. Ridgid improves portability by using a stand that folds into a hand truck to move both stand and saw.
general
DeWalt, Bosch and Ridgid stand out as the best in terms of portability and useful features. They offer the widest widths of cut, the most durable motor/blade mounting systems, and easy portability for use on multiple job sites. However, they may be more than you need and more than you can afford. If you need precise cuts at a cheaper price, you can still get good quality cuts from Makita or Hitachi at much more affordable prices. And, if you’re the occasional woodworker who doesn’t travel or needs professional results, less expensive benchtop models may be the way to go for you. Each portable table saw reviewed has its positives and negatives depending on your particular wood cutting needs.