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Have you ever wondered why you need a specific tool for your DIY projects?
In the case of the contractor table saw, you will know the reasons after reading our post.
A contractor table saw provides the right balance between a portable and cabinet saw. It also has the best of both types of saws in terms of cutting strength, the convenience of mobility and space-saving technology.
However, you may be confused to select a suitable one for you among many models and features of this saw type on the market.
Don’t worry! We are here with you, guys.
Our post will provide you the best contractor table saw reviews 2024 and things to consider when buying this saw.
Now let’s get started with the precise definition of a contractor table saw.
Manufacturers design a contractor saw with simple, lightweight, portable, and affordable features in mind, so you can use and transport it easily to your workplace.
Also, it usually has a sturdy cast iron table top, extended wings with “open webbed” cast iron or metal stamping to increase stability and reduce the impact of vibrations on gears and trunnions.
The gearings, trunnions, and arbor assembly are less husky than high-cost saws. The engine hangs on the back to make it quickly to disassemble and connect to the arbor assembly through a V-belt. Many products today have a sound quality fence system.
Keep in mind that you should use the best quality saw blade with a design for a specific type of cutting to improve performance and speed.
In conclusion, this saw is suitable for family stores, small cabinet projects, trimming work, basic furniture making, and more.
Best contractor table saw for your work at home
How To Choose The Best Contractor Table Saw?
There are many features to consider before buying a contractor table saw to meet your needs, including:
Power
You can find products with 15 Amp engines and a capacity of 1-2 HP. A regular hardwood cutting job requires higher current intensity than 20A to prevent wear and tear.
Blade
Most products come with a 10″ blade which is suitable for a wide variety of cutting materials. If you want to buy more blades, pay attention to the compatibility feature with your saw design and work type.
Additionally, the cabinet type comes with a blade more massive than 10″ to handle large pieces, or some expensive ones even provide 12″ blades. You should also check the depth of the cutting ability whether it matches the materials of your projects or not.
Dado width
The contractor saws usually offer dado width of 13/15″ or 13/16″ or 2/4″ or 3/8″. High-priced models with adjustable fences and decks are for a wide variety.
Table
Note that the long size can limit mobility, so the ideal choice is a 52″ table top. You have to compromise with a large top to balance the movement of the table with its size.
RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)
RPM depends on the intensity of the engine and 15 to 20 Amp engines produce 3,000 to 6,000 RPM. The trick here is to choose a saw with a low RPM for higher accuracy.
Warranty
Warranty of this saw varies from one to five years. Remember that products with a higher warranty may cost more. And you need to follow the safety instructions and use the product adequately to avoid being denied warranty from manufacturers.
Other useful features
For your safety, check out the anti-kickback mechanism, blade guards, and dust collection. Then, you can work comfortably and conveniently in a clean working space.
In terms of accuracy, you should learn about the miter gauge and fences. For example, a hard T-shaped fence brings impressive accuracy and performance, while a quality gauge provides perfect cross cuts.
Next, we will walk you through the whole process of buying the best contractor table saw. Check them out.
1 – Makita 2705X1 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw with Stand – “Tool-Less” Blade Guard System – I Highly Recommended
The famous brand, MAKITA, introduces you a product with excellent quality, Best Contractor Table Saw under $1000 – MAKITA 2705X1. Firstly, the “tool-less” blade guard system has the adjustable side guards to set up the cutting by measuring from the blade to the rip fence.
Not only that, the saw operates with a strong 15 Amp engine, providing 4,800 RPM. It’s highly impressive when the device can cut 4 x material in one go thanks to a large cutting capacity of 3-5/8″ at 90° and 2-1/2″ at 45°.
Besides, its right expansion table allows tearing 4′ × 8′ plywood panels. And it can use a 13/16″ dado blade, combined with two easy-to-control and anti-kickback pawls and riving knives, to cut correctly.
The sliding system with two poles is responsible for lifting and lowering the blade, as well as adjusting the depth conveniently.
Here’s something fantastic for you.
You will love the table’s measurement of 24-5/8 x 22-1/4″, a sturdy and movable rack with hard wheels and powder coated cover. You can store it easily thanks to the folding feature.
One notable feature is its utility design for containing any accessories you regularly use such as saw blades, power supply wires, miter gauges, rip fences, push bars, wrench, safety guards and dado blades.
You may not like the user manual. The instruction is hard to read, the illustrations are unintelligible, and useful information is not included.
Buy this model right away if you want a great saw with excellent power, level table, and sturdy construction. Do not forget that you have a 30-day money back guarantee and a one-year warranty for the craft and materials.
SawStop is famous for its excellent safety feature. With SawStop CNS175-TGP36 pricing around $2000, you will be amazed by the patented safety system of SawStop.
How does this system work?
The blade carries a small electrical signal that detects micro changes. Thus, as soon as your skin touches the blade, the machine stops almost immediately and requires a reset.
Besides, this saw has 1.75 HP for a powerful performance and high accuracy. More specifically, its heavy-duty trunnion and cast iron head ensure a stable cut. Moreover, more than 100 different configurations for Saw Sawor is waiting to satisfy your needs.
One factor worth mentioning is the well-shielded blade to improve dust collection while the zero clearance insert reduces tearing and chipping.
Also, this model comes with a 36-inch T-Glide fence system to increase strength and accuracy with rails and expansion table.
So, there’s plenty of free space for applications with a large and ample working area. But the legs are screwed to the base so you cannot fold them to move around easily.
Other safety features you may concern include the main power switch with a key lock to prevent users from turning on the saws and a large start/stop button with hands-free interrupt mode.
Last but not least, this 1-year limited warranty saw is compatible with a standard 10″ blade and 8″ dado sets.
Warning: The top is quite challenging to get on with the contractor saw. The biggest problem is how tight you have to bolt it down. Be patient to get it done well.
In short, you will have a pleasant and hassle-free experiences from the process of ordering, receiving, assembling, and using the Sawstop. Give it a try now!
Pros
Excellent quality
Fine running machine
Smooth assembly and fence system
Quiet motor and stable table
Proper work of the mobile base
Cons
The miter gauge may fit loosely in the groove of the table.
This excellent table saw requires only 115 volts. That means it doesn’t need much extra voltage and is easy to operate with your home sockets.
Powermatic PM1000 1791001K also runs with 1-3/4 HP engines with poly-v belts to reduce vibration and maximize engine efficiency. Not only that, Powermatic designs a dust collection to keep your work area clean.
Another useful feature is the convenient location of the power switch, just below the saw table, allowing you to quickly turn on and off the saw with your knees or legs when your hands are busy.
What’s more?
You will own a pivoting miter gauge moving 60° in two different directions for more precise fast cuttings. You can feel comfortable with the exclusive Accu-fence 30″ system for stability.
Powermatic adds some outstanding safety features such as a 10″ blade protector to keep the blade away from your fingers. The assembly does not need any tools, reducing the risk of pushing your hand into the blade.
Note that there is no saw blade included in the package, so you have to buy one separately.
All in all, if you are looking for a quality table saw with a smaller footprint and runs on 115V, this saw is an ideal choice for you.
Pros
Strong power and well-made
Extra table width
Good dust collection
Quality tool manufacturer
Tight clamping and sturdy fence
Cons
This saw is relatively heavy.
Get Jobs Done With Your Best Contractor Table Saw Now
We believe our contractor table saw will be of great help in your purchasing decision. The three top-rated products in our list have their own pros and cons. Determine your demands first, then bring home the most suitable one to use for your tasks.
Moreover, you should consider several essential factors such as power, blade, dado width, table, RPM, warranty, etc before paying for the saw.
From our experiences, we are impressed with the performance of the Makita 2705X1 because we find it helpful for our works. They include the “tool-less” blade guard system, strong 15 Amp engine providing 4,800 RPM, a large cutting capacity, and secure storage.
But it is our need, not yours. Think twice and buy the best contractor table saw for yourself.
Please share this post to others who have the same demands and bookmark it for your further reference.
Thank you for reading through the article until the end and see you in our upcoming reviews.
Makita 2705X1
SawStop CNS175-TGP36
Powermatic PM1000 1791001K
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