Table saws are very popular tools in carpentry and woodworking because they allow you to cut wood with accuracy and ease. In small shops, the table saw takes the place of larger saws like the circular saw and cabinet saw, which makes it an essential piece of equipment for any workshop. There are many different table saws on the market, but their features and prices vary widely.
However, whether you’re just starting or have been using one in your small shop for years, choosing the best table saw that will meet your needs without breaking your budget is important. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best table saw for your small shop and what they can do for you in your small shop!
Top 5 Best Table Saw for Small Shop
We’ve compiled a list of the best table saws for small shops based on our own experience and research. We’ve looked at various factors to determine which saws are the best, including power, portability, price, and more. Here are our top picks:
- DeWALT DWE7485WS – Editors Pick
- Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw – Second Runner’s up
- DeWalt DWE7491RS – Best for pro
- Rockwell RK7323 – Best for beginners
- SNPO Dust-free Table Saw – Eco friendly pick
Our selection criteria: Buyers Guide
Before deciding on the best table saw for our project, we considered several factors influencing our purchase. The following aspects aided us in selecting and distinguishing the best table saw from the ordinary table saw. We could come up with a list of the highest-caliber table saws for small shops currently available on the market by taking these features into account.
Feature to consider when selecting a Table Saw for Small Shop
Choose the features that are most important to you, and then buy the best quality table saw for a small shop in that area.
1. Your budget
Though being on a tight budget can sometimes prevent you from getting the best available, this is not always the case. There are times when you can get the best quality of anything you want for a fraction of the price of its most expensive counterpart. Buying something at a high price does not always guarantee you that it is of high quality.
As a result, we began to look for the best table saw for a small shop that was both affordable and of high quality. Worry no more if you’re on a tight budget and searching for a high-quality table saw; we’ve got you covered.
2. Safety equipment
Safety is always the most important feature that every manufacturer emphasizes when working with any power tool. We were very concerned about a table saw with safety equipment when choosing our best table saw for a small shop. As a result, we chose a table saw with a user-friendly and well-designed blade safety device.
The standard blade safety features on saws sold in the United States are essentially three-in-one devices. It combines a splitter, antikickback fingers, and a blade cover into one piece. However, many common woodworking operations are not well suited for this particular configuration. This is because it frequently causes delays in stock feeding and is challenging to remove and reinstall when necessary for specific operations. Because of this, many woodworkers are forced to remove these safety precautions, which is not a good idea when using a table saw.
As a result, rather than purchasing American saws, we chose European saws, which have much friendlier and better-designed safety devices than American saws. Instead of a splitter, the blade cover is connected to a riving knife and is simple to remove when needed. Additionally, they don’t have anti-kickback fingers, thanks to the appropriately chosen riving knife.
3. The weight of the table saw
When selecting most woodworking tools, especially those used for cutting or turning, the tool’s weight is an important consideration. As a general rule, you should consider heavy tools because a machine is better off the heavier it is.
The additional mass on the machine reduces vibration, which can lead to device wear and alignment issues. However, if a smaller, lighter machine is balanced well and made with close tolerances, it can also produce some extremely precise work. We chose a table saw that is reasonably heavy, well-balanced, and very efficient.
5. Accessibility of Controls
Most table saws have control features such as a switch and handwheels. The control feature is frequently used to ensure that the machine runs smoothly. The switch should be easily accessible and easily deactivated in the event of an emergency. The switch would also be preferable to include an automatic lock-out feature during child interaction.
The hand wheel should also be easily accessible and turn smoothly without difficulty. Metal handwheels that are large and heavy are the best.
6. Warrant
Table saws are quite expensive, and you would not want to spend extra money looking for an engineer to fix your machine immediately after purchase if there is any fault. As a result, we looked for a table saw with a solid warranty and a guarantee that the manufacturer would offer to repair or replace the faulty part in the event of a breakdown.
4. Size of the saw
The size of the saw is the most crucial factor to consider when choosing a table saw for a small shop. The size here may technically mean the largest blade it will handle, and thus its cutting depth. However, the size of the table saw itself is also an important consideration as the blade size. A smaller table saw will be easier to move around in a small shop, but it might not be able to handle as much work as a larger saw.
Types of table saws for small shops
1.Benchtop
For our small shops, the first choice is benchtop saws. Due to their light weight and ease of storage when not in use, they are regarded as the best for small shops and garages. They work better when cutting thin sheets of material and small pieces of wood.
The benchtop saw can easily handle anything that is less than 1 inch thick and less than 4 inches long. Although hardwood can be ripped with the benchtop saw, doing so is not recommended because it will wear out the motor. The motor lacks sufficient power to cut thick wood.
Contractors saw
Contractors saw are the second options we have for our small shop. Compared to the portable saw, they are more robustly built for heavier use and greater accuracy. They have larger, flatter tables than portable saws, and their fences are stronger and longer. This improves the contractor saw’s ability to handle large stock and makes it suitable for a wide range of woodworking projects such as carpentry, cabinet making, and furniture.
They are also slightly heavier, weighing between 200 and 300 pounds. Two people can easily move this contractor saw to a job site when necessary.
Cabinet Saw
The cabinet saws are our third choice for table saws for a small shop. This is one of the most precise and effective saws recommended for producing high-quality work. It can cut any kind of wood, including hardwoods and sheet goods, nonstop.
Best Table Saw for Small Shop-Reviews
Editors Pick
We chose the Dewalt table saw as one of the best for our small shop. It's an excellent choice for woodworkers looking for a powerful and compact table saw capable of handling a wide range of materials.
The DWE7485WS has a 15-amp motor that can generate up to 5800 RPM, making it more than capable of handling even the most challenging cuts. Plus, the racks and pinion fence allow for fast, easy adjustments and provides the capacity to rip 4×8 sheet goods.
Weighing only 75.9 pounds and measuring only 28 x 27 x 17.25 inches, you can easily transport and store this lightweight table saw in any work area. There’s also a convenient blade guard with a transparent safety shield, so you don’t have to worry about accidental contact during operation. And unlike other models on the market, the DWE7485WS features a Power-Loss Reset, which prevents accidental re-starts following a power disruption when the tool is left in the on position.
A few people mentioned that they had issues assembling the DWE7485WS, but we’re happy to report that these were generally minor complaints. This is an excellent option for those looking for a high-quality table saw at a reasonable price. At just under $500, the DWE7485WS is both affordable and highly functional.
Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw
The Bosch is one of the better options for a small shop with cramped spaces. Its smaller footprint makes it easier to maneuver in tight spaces.
The blade is narrower, which reduces the risk of kickback. The metal body provides additional durability, which will come in handy if you use your table saw frequently. For those looking for a top-quality workhorse that doesn’t take up too much space, this is the best table saw for small shops.
It has a powerful 15-amp motor that can generate up to 3,650 revolutions per minute, making it capable of cutting through even the toughest materials. Plus, it has a large 10-inch blade that can rip through lumber up to 25 inches wide. The SquareLock rip fence is designed to increase cutting trueness and allow for one-handed operation as you glide along the rail, as well as a riving knife and anti-kickback pawls for protection in the event of a kickback.
The saw also comes with a 1-year warranty and 30 days money-back guarantee. And finally, it has an easy-to-use fence system that makes precise cuts a breeze. For these reasons, we think this table saw will meet all your needs for any DIY project.
On the downside, this wouldn’t be the right saw for cutting 4×8 sheets all day long, but it is a very good utility tool. So if you’re looking for the best table saw for a small shop, be sure to check out the Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw!
Dewalt Dwe7491rs 10″ Jobsite Table Saw
Our top pick for the best table saw for professionals in small shops is the DEWALT DWE7491RS 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw with 32-1/2-Inch Rip Capacity and a Rolling Stand.
It is well known for its precise and smooth cuts, made possible by the 15-amp motor, which can generate up to 4800 RPMs, making it powerful enough to cut through even pressure-treated lumber and hardwoods.
The rip capacity is impressive for its size, and the rolling stand makes it easy to move around your shop.
With the precision miter gauge and rack-and-pinion fence system, you’ll have accurate cuts in no time. The blade guard automatically retracts when you start the saw to allow easy access to the blade without sacrificing safety. This model also features an on/off switch that locks in, so you don’t have to hold down a button while using it. The dust collection bag effectively captures debris, but you’ll need to purchase one separately if you don’t already have one from another table saw.
The drawbacks are that it is heavier and more expensive than average. However, there are many good models out there, but this one strikes the perfect balance between price and performance. But with a 90-day money-back guarantee, a 1-year free service contract, and a 3-year limited warranty, you won’t regret picking this one up!
Rockwell RK7323
The Rockwell RK7323 is a great choice for a small shop table saw, especially for beginners, because it is lightweight and has a built-in carry handle, making it easy to move around. It also has plenty of power to get the job done.
It has five blades that are easy to change, so you can quickly switch between different types of cuts. You don’t have to worry about switching out blades when changing from ripping to crosscutting, which saves time. It also has an adjustable miter gauge, with which you can make cuts from 0 to 60 degrees, so you can tackle all common woodworking projects that require miter cuts. It has a safety switch with a key that prevents unintentional starting. Additionally, the vacuum port enables you to connect a shop vac that cleans as you cut.
It can cut light to moderately hard materials like wood (up to 1-1/2″), ceramic tile (3/8″), PVC pipe (1-1/4″), aluminum (3/8″), and steel (1/8″) with its 5.5 amps of power.
One thing to remember: this model doesn’t come with an extension fence or miter gauge, so if those are features you want, be sure to purchase one separately. Also, it is not a real table saw with a circular blade and doesn’t have the advantages and total accuracy of a true table saw, but it is worthy of a small shop. We recommend this model if your budget doesn’t allow for the more expensive model or if you don’t need something as big as our top pick.
SNPO Dust-free Table Saw
For small shops, the SNPO Dust-Free Table Saw is a fantastic choice. It is one of those table saws with a superb dust collection mechanism that helps keep your workstation clean. It can capture up to 98 percent of the dust that your table saws emit. You can easily keep the area dust-free by using the dust chute, which will hold the dust.
Are you looking for a powerful yet compact table saw?
This table saw has a 15-amp motor capable of producing up to 5,000 RPM, making it powerful enough to handle difficult cuts. The cutting power is capable of sawing through wood fibers, fiberboard, plywood, block board, and plasterboard. However, if you need more power to cut through thicker materials, such as sheet goods, you may want to go with a larger model.
The blade length of this machine is 4 inches wide, which makes it perfect for smaller projects like cutting boards or cabinetry. Also, it has a transparent blade cover designed to assist the vacuum system in better collecting wood chips above the tabletop.
With over 100 positive reviews on Amazon, this is the best table saw for small shops that are very easy to assemble. Is great for people who are allergic to dust, and its also easy to use for beginners and hobbyists
Questions related to Table Saw for Small Shop
Which is the Best Small Table Saw for Shop?
The best table saw for a small shop is the Dewalt DWE7485. It’s a great all-around saw that will do everything you need without breaking the bank.
How powerful of a table saw do I need?
A table saw is only as good as its blade, so you’ll want to make sure that the one you choose can handle the type of cuts you need to make. If you’re only going to be making straight cuts, a smaller, less powerful saw will suffice. However, if you plan on making more intricate cuts or need to cut through tougher materials, you’ll need a more powerful saw.
How much should I spend on a table saw?
That depends on your budget and what you plan to use it for. If you’re just starting, we recommend opting for a lower-priced model. However, if you’re looking for professional-grade quality, you’ll want to invest in a higher-priced saw.
You can find many great models that will fit any budget or need. A good rule of thumb is to spend 10% – 20% of your total budget on a table saw.
Is a table saw worth it?
Yes, it is worth the purchase because a table saw is a versatile tool you can use for various tasks, such as rip cuts, cross cuts, miters, and bevels. In addition, you can also use a table saw to make dadoes and rabbets. A table saw is more accurate than a handheld circular saw and can make cleaner cuts. It’s also easier to use since you don’t have to balance the piece while cutting it on the edge of your workbench or table.
How long does a table saw last?
A table saw is a big investment, so you want to be sure it will last. There are a few things to consider when determining the lifespan of a table saw.
- The first is the quality of the saw. A higher-quality saw will last longer than a lower-quality one.
- The second is how often you use the saw. If you use it every day, it will wear out faster than if you only use it once a week.
- The third is how well you take care of it. Make sure to store your table saw somewhere where there isn’t a lot of dust or debris from wood pieces. After each use, clean the blade with a rag soaked in water and a soap mixture. Make sure not to get any soap on any other part of the saw. Finally, ensure not to drop anything heavy on your table saw or expose it to extreme temperatures because this can cause irreversible damage.
Considering all these factors, you can anticipate that your saw will last up to ten years; on average, you will need to change the blade every two to four years.
summary
There are a lot of different table saws on the market, but finding the best one for your small shop can be a challenge. After reading through dozens of reviews and comparing features, we’ve concluded that the best table saw for a small shop is the Dewalt DWE7485. It’s a powerful machine that can handle just about any project you throw at it and is also relatively affordable. The safety features make it easy to use even if you’re inexperienced with power tools, and its compact size makes it perfect for small spaces.
Corded vs. Cordless
A corded table saw is powered by an electric outlet, while a cordless one relies on a battery. Both have their pros and cons, but for a small shop, a corded table saw is a way to go.
Corded models are more powerful, so you can make tougher cuts. They’re also more affordable than cordless models. But the downside is that you have to be tethered to an outlet, which can be a problem if you don’t have easy access to one.
Cordless models are good when you don’t have access to electricity at your job site. On the downside, they have shorter run times per charge; even with a decent 20-volt lithium-ion battery, you’ll only get about 30 minutes of use before it needs recharging.
Conclusions
Consider a table saw with the features that will most likely meet your needs when selecting one for your small shop. Before making a purchase, be sure to read our selection criteria so that you can find the ideal saw for your small shops.