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Owning a table saw is one of the most important decisions you can make when starting a workshop. Whether you are a seasoned woodworking professional or just is budding Do-it-yoursefer who got started thanks to a Youtube video, it pays to know what to look for when choosing the best table saw for you.
This is a curated guide for the best table saws under $500 that rates them on several criteria.
Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
DEWALT 10-inch Table Saw  | ||
SKIL 3410-02 10-inch Table Saw  | ||
Bosch 10-Inch Portable Jobsite Table Saw  | ||
Hitachi C10RJ 10-Inch Table Saw  | ||
Rockwell RK7241S Table Saw  |
What is a Table Saw?
A table saw is simply a circular saw that is attached to a table or bench, so that the blade projects through a slot. Used by DIYers and professionals alike, this saw has the very prestigious function of cutting wood into various sizes and shapes.
It has two main components; the blade and the motor. The blade is mounted onto an arbor, which in turn is run by the electric motor attached either directly, or through the use of gears or belts.
What is a Table Saw Good For?
Table saws are extremely useful in any wood related job because they add accuracy, speed, and convenience, to the process of cutting wood. They are a massive improvement from a hand saw, being able to do all the work in a fraction of the time. They are also far more accurate in comparison.
Ripping Boards
This is when you cut along the length of the wood you are working with. It is usually done parallel to the grain of the wood. This is used in several aspects of woodworking, for instance in building window and door frames, shelves around the house, and even bird feeders.
Although you can use other types of wood saw such as the reciprocating saw, table saws are far more accurate, and will have the job done in less time. Circular saws tend to seize up when cutting certain board sizes, and hand saw will take a long time while also having the greatest margin of error.
It is important to note that ripping smaller pieces of wood requires precision and care, to avoid injuries. This is because the fence will be closer to the wood, and you may have to use one or several push sticks.
Making Crosscuts
Crosscuts are some of the most common cut types you will encounter while working with wood. Most table saws come with a miter gauge for crosscuts, but they are not really set up for making them safely and accurately. This is because they are too short, and do not provide enough support for the board.
For best results, you may have to construct certain additions to the board, for instance, a cross-cutting sled. This will make the process easier and safer.
How to Choose a Table Saw
There are quite a number of table saw brands in the market today, and choosing the right one for you can be confusing if you do not know what to look out for. Here are some important factors to consider when buying your table saw:
Safety features
Using a table saw has been attributed to more work site accidents than a nail gun, chainsaw, and even ladders. This is why the best place to start your table saw search is to look at safety. Certain parts of the saw such as anti-kickback pawls, blade guards and sensors reduce chances of injury while working.
Accuracy
What good is a table saw if it is not accurate? Look at certain features that make the saw more precise such as stability of the fence, and the inclusion of a push stick to help you make smaller rip cuts safely.
Construction
You want a table saw that will last for a long time. This is why you should look at the build quality of the saw, including the material it is made of. Cast iron and heavy gauge steel tables are advised.
Dust control
As with most woodworking processes, there will be waste in the form of cut-off and dust. Having a large dust port is the first step. The dust port should also be able to connect to an extraction mechanism, for example, a vacuum.
Quick Take: Best Table Saws Under $500
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are our top picks:
Review of the Best Table Saws Under $500
Sometimes knowing what to look for in a table saw is not enough. This review looks through the various table saw options in the market and presents you with the best in several categories.
1. DEWALT 10-inch Table Saw
PROS
CONS
What are people saying?
The mobility aspect of this saw is a favorite among many people. They love how easy it is to transport thanks to the lightweight design. It weighs only 45 pounds and comes with an optimized footprint as well. The rack and pinion system is accurate and easy to read as well. There however have been complaints about the screws on the riving knife being hard to access.
What we love about it
We love the fence configuration on this saw, mainly because it gives you a 20-inch rip capacity. This is large enough to handle most board ripping jobs. The rack and pinion rails make it very easy to make quick and accurate adjustments to the fence. This is important since most worksites will require quick thinking and quick action. You do not need any tools to make these adjustments. It also comes with front and rear fence locks, and large, easy to read scales for added accuracy.
Who is this perfect for?
This saw is perfect for short job contractors and builders, home re-modelers, furniture builders, and people who make small wooden items such as bird feeders. The 15 amp motor is very efficient with torque. It is capable of a no-load speed of 3850 rpm and is powerful enough to cut through pressure-treated lumber and hardwood. The 10-inch blade is made of
Final thoughts
One of the best features on this table saw is the overload protection system. This gives you strong performance even when dealing with wet or frozen wood. This, combined with the steel roll cage which protects the machine from impacts, makes this the ideal table saw for a busy workplace.
2. SKIL 3410-02 10-inch Table Saw with Folding Stand
PROS
CONS
What are people saying?
The worktable is a particularly interesting talking point. This saw comes with 20 inches by 26 inches cast aluminum table, which is excellent for most worksite ripping jobs. The table does, however, extend on the longer side to 32 inches to allow for longer workpieces. Along with the 3½ inch cut height that is standard on the saw, you are able to cut through larger and more materials with ease.
What we love about it
We love the heavy-duty folding stand that is made of steel. This provides a strong and durable base which is essential when working with heavy pieces of lumber. The stand is capable of quick mount, a feature that makes moving the machine across the worksite easy. Since the mount folds away, this saw can be stored conveniently in your garage without taking up too much space.
Who is this perfect for?
This saw is ideal for furniture makers and DIY woodworking enthusiasts. Different features on this saw makes it ideal for them because of the diverse nature of the items they will be building. The cut height allows you to cut through 4 times the material than most regular table saws, and the table extends to give you more space to work with.
Final thoughts
This is a saw that is built for convenience. The quick mount stand allows for fast set-up which is ideal for busy worksites, where the machine may be moved several times. It also comes with a self-aligning fence, which couples up with the EZ view measuring system, to help you make more accurate cuts and reduce mistakes.
3. Bosch GTS1031 10-inch Portable Jobsite Table Saw
PROS
CONS
What are people saying?
People love that you have the power of a cabinet saw for a fraction of the size. The saw is powerful enough to cut through thicker maple and cherry pieces of lumber. It can even be used to make furniture in limited spaces. You would have to put in extra effort in making sure your measurements are precise.
What we love about it?
We loved the base that comes with this machine. Made using steel, it is uniquely designed to withstand the rigors of a busy job site. It can hold up against impact by heavy pieces of lumber, and even other workplace tools. The base also comes with rubber feet for added grip and stability, and a storage space under the table. This space can accommodate the smart guard system, the miter gauge, the push stick, the rip fence, and wrenches as well.
Who is this perfect for?
This saw is excellent for contractors and heavy DIY enthusiasts. At 52 pounds, it is light and the ergonomic single hand carrying design means it is easy to transport across a job site. The steel base can take a lot of abuse, which is essential for any workplace where a lot of woodworking and construction take place. Tools, pieces of lumber, and even other construction material may hit the saw and stand from time to time.
Final thoughts
The combination of features that come with this saw at this price point makes this the best for the money. There are a host of great elements that make it ideal for woodworking, such as the 15 amp motor that is capable of a 5000 rpm at no load. There are however concerns about the precision of the fence, and you might have to measure both ends periodically to make sure it maintains accuracy.
4. Hitachi C10RJ 10" 15-Amp Jobsite Table Saw
PROS
CONS
What are people saying?
People who have bought this saw love the balance between space and power. The ripping tabletop measures 28¾ inches by 22 inches, which allows for longer pieces of lumber and wider boards to be cut. The 15 amp motor (About 1.95 horsepower) is capable of producing 4500 rpm at no load. This is enough power to cut through most pieces of lumber, including pressure treated. It is important to note that Hitachi has renamed its power tools division to Metabo HPT. The quality and innovation still remain the same.
What we love about it
We love that Hitachi included an electric brake for added safety. Even with the normal safety measures in place, including anti-kickback pawls and blade guards in place, it gives you peace of mind knowing that you can stop the blade in a matter of seconds when needed. It also comes with a soft start function, which makes the saw start up a lot quieter than most options on the market, and with less recoil as well.
Who is this perfect for?
This saw is ideal for busy workshops and remodelers. This is because these are jobs that require a certain amount of power but could do with the safety measures that come with the saw. Apart from the electric brakes, the power switch is oversized and installed at knee level to make it easier to reach and shut down in an emergency.
Final thoughts
Hitachi tried to cram as many useful components as they could while keeping the price low. The result is a great little saw that is a joy to live with when it works. It is even capable of making simple dado cuts thanks to 8×13/16 dado capacity. They should look at correcting the overheating problem with the switch in later models, however.
5. Rockwell RK7241S Table Saw with Laser
PROS
CONS
What are people saying?
One of the talking points on this saw is the portability and the LaserGuide technology. The laser indicator points to where the blade will cut through the wood, giving you consistently accurate cuts. This removes the need to refer to the blade when cutting, and it adjusts with the blade when making bevel cuts. This saw comes with a trolley stand for easy mobility when working. It also allows you to store the saw’s accessories, such as the push stick, riving knife, dust bag, and blade wrenches.
What we love about it
We love that this saw cuts at the biggest depth in comparison to other saws in its class. It can cut through a 4×4 piece of lumber at one go, whereas other saws would need to go through it a second time to complete the job. The maximum cutting depth is rated at 2 and 9/16 inches at 45 degrees, and 3 and 9/16 inches at 90 degrees. It also has an impressive rip capacity thanks to the 30-inch table to the right of the blade, which lets you efficiently saw a 4×8 sheet of plywood in half.
Who is this perfect for?
This saw is ideal for small workshop owners and DIY beginners. This is mainly because of the increased accuracy of using the LaserGuide system which adjusts when you want to make bevel cuts. When you do not have to constantly check the blade for accuracy, the job goes a lot faster.
Final thoughts
This is a decent starter saw. You get all the features you need in a workshop, and the added accuracy thanks to the laser pointer. This will come in handy as you learn to keep pace with the blade. The ripping depth is also pretty impressive. There are a couple of issues with the motor and the dust collection bag which you might want to take into account.
Can You Find Table Saws Under $500
The short answer is yes. There are useful and durable table saw options for under $500. They have most of the qualities you are looking for in a table saw, with added portability. The ripping tables are also decently sized which makes it easier when dealing with larger pieces of wood. You also get portability, since most of these saws are designed to be light, with either a pull trolley stand or ergonomic handles.
There are certain trade-offs you are going to have to make. One of these is the amount of working space on the table and power. While larger saws are able to deliver up to 3 and 5 horsepower, most table saws under $500 will fall in the 2 HP and under range.
What Do I Need To Know?
Other than the factors to consider when choosing your table saw, there are other elements to look at such as:
- Power: Check whether the power requirements are enough for the job you plan on carrying out. You should also check the voltage requirements. Some international brands come with a 240V requirement and you may need to purchase additional equipment to use.
- Motor: The motor should be able to handle all your sawing needs. Check both the amount of horsepower generated and the rip capacity, especially if you work with large pieces of lumber and long boards.
- Space: It is essential to consider the amount of workshop space you have when buying a table saw. In this regard, check for a fold-able stand, and extra storage for saw components.
- Blade and Bevel: The right saw should have a quality blade with a blade guard attached. You should also check for the capacity to support different types of blades in order to increase versatility. Your saw should also be able to make quality corner and bevel cuts as well.
- Portability: Look for light machines that can easily be lugged around the worksite. They should have several handles to allow for lifting onto a truck bed or shelf as well.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a pretty clear idea of what a table saw is, and what you need to look for when buying one. You should also be able to identify a saw that suits your needs from the carefully curated list provided. Quality table saws that are priced under $500 do exist and they can serve you for years to come.