A portable table saw is one of the most versatile tools in a wood working shop. It can make a variety of cuts including bevel, miter, cross and compound among others. Also, its functionality can be significantly enhanced by adding different accessories to it. One of the things that separate a table saw from a standard saw is that it gives a much more precise cut as due to the assistance provided by the miter gauge and fence. Make sure you read plenty of portable table saw reviews to help you find the best table saw for you.
There are a number of manufacturers who have launched a wide variety of portable table saw models in the market. While all the saws work in the same manner, there is a lot of difference in the features as well as quality of the tools. To help you buy the best portable table saw for sale on the market today, here is a list of some of the factors that you need to consider before you decide to click that buy button. One of the first things you need to consider is the safety of operating the saw. Underwriters laboratories has created a set of voluntary standards for safe operation of the table saws. Therefore, it is important that you buy a saw that confirms to these standards. These standards ensure that the current saws are much safer to operate as compared to the older models.
When you are operating any woodworking tool, it is going to produce a lot of dust. If you do not take proper precautions, this dust can be extremely damaging for your health. Therefore, you should pay special attention to the dust control included. The best way to find out about the dust control of a particular model is to read customer reviews from users who have personally operated the saw and have experienced the dust control first-hand. Another important factor you need to consider is the motor. An underpowered motor is not going to be much useful. While the horsepower is a measure of the available power, the voltage also gives an indication of the true power of the motor. As far as the power is concerned, a motor rated between 1 to 2 HP can cut through wood that is about 2 inches thick.
If you are going to use wood more than 2 inches thick, you should get your hands on a more powerful table saw that comes with bigger motor which is capable of producing anywhere from 3 to 5 HP. Table saws use two drive types namely direct drive and belt drive. Portable models use direct drive as in this type the blade directly connects to the motor which means that all the power of the motor is transferred directly to the blade. It means that there is much more efficiency in power transfer. Another advantage of direct drive is that it is much quieter as compared to saws that use belt drives.
Portable saws using direct drive also produce much less vibration. Since there is no belt involved, the drive also requires less maintenance as compared to stationary saw as stationary models require belt replacement every so often. Direct drive costs less than belt drive as they are less powerful. The direct drive is also cheaper to run in the long run as these do not require too much maintenance. One of the most important factors when it comes to getting a clean and accurate cut is the fence and table setup. You are going to need to use fence and rails to make an accurate wider cut. The rails that extend beyond the table will allow you to make a wider cut. Most of the popular brands available in the market come with expandable tables that allow one to easily increase or decrease the cut width.
Blade control is often used for adjusting the bevel angle of the blade which means that you need to buy a saw where the blade control is simple and comfortable enough to use. Some of the models available in the market today have the blade control of the side whereas some of the other models have it on the front. Having it in the front allows one to use the control more conveniently. Overall, it is important that you choose a table saw and where you are comfortable using the blade controls.
The rip fence is considered as one of the more important features. It needs to be precise and durable to ensure accuracy. Also, it should be able to securely lock down and it should always be parallel to the blade. It should be easy to move and should also offer clear and accurate scale. The overall portability, efficiency and results of your work depend on the table saw stand. After all, if you have a flimsy stand, you are not going to get much work done on your portable saw. Therefore, it is important that you pay special attention to the stand. Ideally, you need a stand that is easy to setup and offers good stability.
A stand that is collapsible and has wheels is easy to move around. Some of the portable table saw stands available in the market also allow users to roll them after they have been set up. This is great for users who want their table saws to be more mobile. There are a number of table saw stands available on the market today, but most of the users prefer folding, locking legs and a collapsible design with a lever that locks the stand in collapsed or functional position. While functionality is definitely important, stability is more important.
Overall, these are some of the things you need to keep in mind while buying a portable table saw. In addition to these features, you also need to consider the overall size as well as price of the saw to ensure that it does not exceed your budget and has all the features that you need. Do not make the mistake of spending extra money on features that you are not going to use. On the other hand, you should not cut corners on safety and accuracy. Therefore, it is recommended to buy one of the models from a well-established brand to ensure that you can keep using the saw for many years to come. We hope this guide will help you find the best portable table saw for your requirements, thanks for reading.