Skip to main content

Choosing table saw

For inexperienced DIY, the wide range of different saws makes it difficult to choose. Having your own table saw opens up a whole new range of possibilities.

This allows you to cut a wide variety of workpieces precisely and conveniently. Power and so-called idle speed are among the most important aspects you should pay attention to when choosing.

Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page, that you should pay attention to if you want to buy a table saw.

table saw choose

Why are table saws a practical tool for many projects?

A saw can not be missing in a well-equipped workshop. At the same time, today it is possible to obtain a high-quality circular saw for wood, even for private use. The table circular saws are mostly equipped with a frame. This allows a comfortable working height of 80 cm or more. The classic circular table saw test winner allows you to adjust the height of the frame individually.

The saw blade is recessed into the saw table. On the side, there is an adjustable guide rail. The saw blade diameter can vary. Many models have a diameter of 250 mm on delivery. Other machines are equipped with a saw blade of up to 350 mm. Professional machines are offered by all well-known brands and manufacturers. A professional machine has both advantages and disadvantages to offer:

Advantages Disadvantages
High cutting depth High cost
Large saw blade Large dimensions
Comprehensive equipment High-power consumption
Height adjustable
Miter cut

Generally, circular table saws are distinguished according to type and application. Circular table saws are mainly used in the field of wood processing.

Circular saws classification

Household and professional

The professional tool differs from the domestic tool first by its resource and the possibility of long continuous use. Domestic models overheat in this mode of operation, they require regular breaks in the work to cool down.

Also, professional power tools are supplemented with some special features that are not useful to the DIYer.

In addition, professional models are much more expensive than household models.

The division into professional and household (amateur) is conditional. Some models may have professional functionality, but their design does not reach the durability. Do not attach too much importance to the classification. Be guided solely by practical considerations.

Handheld and stationary saws

These tools differ significantly. The handheld circular saw is compact; the operator holds it in his hands and moves it along the workpiece along the cutting line. It is a portable tool, easy to carry to the job site. Stationary machines are a different matter. This tool is ideal for work in a shop or workshop. The electric motor is mounted under a large work platform. Its length can exceed one meter; the machine is mounted on legs. During operation, the operator moves the workpiece on the platform and feeds it to the cutting disc.

A stationary machine or table circular saw is convenient for carrying out extensive single-type work. For example, if you need to saw narrow bars of the same size from a wide board.

But the manual circular saw makes it possible to work “on the spot”, as well as with large-sized workpieces that cannot be sawed on a stationary machine. A typical case of such use is cutting sheets of plywood. Some models of manual circular saws can be fastened to the work table with special clamps. In this position, the workpieces are cut in the same way as on a stationary circular saw. This expands the possibilities of the tool, but because of the small dimensions of the platform, it does not fully replace a stationary saw.

If portability and versatility are important, choose a handheld circular saw. If you have a workshop and need high performance, a stationary circular saw is your option.

choosing table saw

What to look for when choosing a table saw

We would like to give you the most important 5 tips along the way to make a solid device discoverable. So what criteria are really important, now explain the following five table saw choosing tips.

Tip #1

The most important thing about a table saw is the power (watts). It determines the idle speed – how many revolutions the saw blade achieves per minute. The more power (watts) a machine has, the more precise and better the cut quality. If it is too low, it can lead to unclean cut edges and workpiece damage with harder materials.

We, therefore, recommend a saw with a power of 1,400 watts or more. The general rule is: “More power = more fun!”

Tip #2

You should pay just as much attention to the cutting height. The material to be processed can only be cut correctly if the cutting height of the saw blade also corresponds to the height of the material. The higher, the better!

For normal use, cutting heights of 75 mm are sufficient.

Tip #3

Another important criterion is the size of the saw table. If you want to cut larger and heavier workpieces, you must make sure that the table surface is large enough.

We recommend a large saw table from approx. 500 x 500 mm for more safety, overview, and better guidance!

The large saw table offers you a safe cut and a generous surface for all kinds of sawing work. Some circular table saws can even be enlarged so that you have even more working space. In addition, the table or the frame of some circular saws is even height-adjustable. So you can adjust it to your size. Your back and joints will thank you.

Tip #4

A connection for dust extraction. So if dust-free working is important to you, you should attach importance to a connection for an external dust extraction system when selecting a circular saw. Who finds in any way frequent contact with the table saw, should also consider a dust extraction use in terms of health.

Tip #5

The rip fence and angle fence are among the most important accessories for circular table saws and should always be included in the scope of delivery. With the help of a rip fence, you can quickly cut larger sheets of wood into smaller slats without having to measure and mark each time. The angle fence, on the other hand, allows many variable angle cuts that are available on a machine (usually 45°-90°). Here it is important to pay attention to somewhat more expensive models because with cheaper often, due to the mounting method, the stops have played, and you thus lose accuracy and precision.

For accurate, precise cuts, a model that is not too cheap should be selected. The parallel and angle fence should also be included in the scope of delivery.

The best manufacturers of circular saws

  1. Bosch
  2. Metabo (Hitachi)
  3. Husqvarna
  4. Makita
  5. Skil
  6. Dewalt
miter saws chosing

Recommendations for choosing a circular saw for the home workshop:

  1. For a small amount of work from time to time, you can buy a tool with a power of 1-1.2 kW.
  2. For construction works on a country site, where it is required to cut a bar, plank, plywood, and other lumber, you can buy a circular saw with a power of more than 1.2 kW and with a cutting depth of at least 60 mm.
  3.  For professional use, it is possible to buy models with the power of more than 1,2-1,5 kW, with high speed (more than 5 thousand) and the maximum cutting depth at the right angle (more than 60 mm).
  4. If it is necessary to make grooves and notches in the workpieces, it is possible to purchase a plunge saw.
  5. When performing work related to the construction of metal structures, where metal cutting is required, you can consider the use of a circular saw for metal. The advantages of its use are described above.

Areas of application – table saw in use

Perhaps you want to create a new wooden carport or patio roofing. In this case, the squared timber can be sawn to the exact length with a table circular saw. Likewise, a table saw is very suitable for sawing firewood. But this stationary electric saw can also be used for ceiling and wall battening, as well as for sawing laminate and parquet.

In the construction industry, of course, a circular saw table can not be missing. With it, any kind of construction timber can be brought to the right length. But also in the carpentry shop, you can reliably shorten wooden boards and beams with a table circular saw.

Precautionary measures

The experts advise five basic safety rules, which are valid not only for the circular saw for wood but for any table saw:

  • always use a riving knife
  • choose a good guide
  • stop at 45° for narrow cuts
  • freedom for cut-offs
  • there is never too much freedom

Conclusion

A circular saw is not as specialized a tool as it seems at first glance. If there is a need to work not only with wood, you can choose a circular saw for wood, and then buy interchangeable blades for cutting plastic or sheet aluminum.

In conclusion, let us remind you once again: any tool should be chosen based on the tasks you intend to solve with its help. Quick and pleasant work will mean that you made the right choice.

How to Choose a Circular Saw - Video

FAQ - Circular Saw

❓ What should you avoid when cutting with a circular saw?

Do not hold or force the retracting lower guard in the open position. Do not place the hand under the shoe or guard of the saw. Do not over-tighten the blade-locking nut. Do not twist the saw to change, cut or check alignment.

❓ Why are some circular saw with blade on left?

Traditionally, all worm drive saws operated in a blade-left orientation. Furthermore, this orientation likely places the weight of the saw over the portion of the material the user wants to keep, making it easier to stabilize the saw during the cut.

❓ Why does circular saw get stuck?

If your hand is asserting a sideways pressure, that will cause binding and the saw will stop. Even a slight sideways pressure combined with dirty/dull blade will cause stoppage.

Max Welder

Max Welder

Hi! I'm Max Welder (toolsproper.com). I always wanted to work with my own hands, repair something, do things. Now I combine my knowledge with computers and my own knowledge in the field of mechanics in order to understand which tools I like the most. I hope to convey some knowledge and experience.

Leave a Reply