April 21, 2021

Cabinet Saw vs Table Saw Comparison | Which Machine For What Job?

Trying to choose a cabinet saw vs a table saw? Having used several cabinet and table saws, I have gathered a lot of information about both saws. Using a specific tool in your area of construction or woodworking is essential and will help you achieve your goal. The features that come with each tool must be sufficient to achieve the desired goal.

Your working conditions will determine the type of saw you need. Power, blade size, hand wheel, dust collection, size and base material all contribute to which saw you choose. Keep in mind that each saw has its advantages and disadvantages. The difference is in the features and cutting capacities. Thatโ€™s what I am going to introduce you to in this article.

Overview of the Cabinet Saw

Cabinet saws are table saws in different forms. The name Cabinet comes in the enclosed design of the saw that looks like a cabinet. They are ideal for professional woodworkers as it offers quick and reliable access to your working tools. Cabinet saws are steel or iron materials with a heavy tensioning mechanism that allows you to work with thick wood.

They have powerful motors that withstand vibrations. Vibrations result from different types of material that the saw works on. Cabinet saws use an induction motor that gives you long run times. Consider your safety when you are looking for the ideal cabinet saw.ย 

The SawStop 10inch cabinet saw has a safety feature that stops the spinning blade as soon as it contacts the skin, and the blade stops in less than five milliseconds and drops below the table.ย 

The dust collection system of the cabinet saw is 99% effective. It comes with a dust collection and blade guard. The saw has a 4inch dust collection port, a control box with the On/Off switch, and a power paddle.ย 

The cabinet saw is innovative as it comes with an onboard computer. The fence system determines the rip capacity of large materials. The Grizzly G0690 cabinet table has a riving knife that keeps you safe from kickbacks.

Pros

  • Long run times.
  • Ideal for heavy construction.
  • Increased rip capacity.
  • Enclosed design.
  • Safe.

Cons

  • No riving knife for kickbacks.
  • Not ideal for crosscuts.

Key Features of the Cabinet saw

Blade size

Your sawโ€™s name is the size of the blade. The blade size determines the thickness of the material you are allowed to work on. That tells the precision of your cuts. I recommend adjustable blades as they are convenient and versatile.ย 

That does not stop you from running your task, looking for the perfect blade. Different blade sizes are better as you adjust the type of cuts on other materials. The standard blade size is 10inch and works on multiple wood pieces.

Dust extraction system

Working on wood means you have to deal with dust production. Saws come with different dust collection systems, and some saws come with dust ports compatible with dust bags, dust canisters, or vacuums. It will help if you consider your workplace and the possible dust collection volume. Healthy working conditions are vital in the industry, and dust blowers are ideal for heavy-duty tasks.

Power

The overall rotations produced per minute differ from one model to the other. You need to make sure that you choose a saw that meets the amount of power you expect from your dream saw.ย 

The power of your motor determines the thickness of your material. The Grizzly G0690 cabinet table saw uses a 3hp motor that produces 4,300 rotations per minute. The maximum rip capacity is 291/2inch, and the power outlet is 220 Volts.

Hand Wheel

The handwheel is a mechanism that adjusts the height of your blade. It eases the cutting capacity of your saw tool, affects the depth and flexibility of your material, and determines your toolโ€™s accuracy.ย 

Weight

Consider your workspace before you purchase your saw. The size of your saw determines the mobility of your saw tool. A heavy-duty saw is for the industrial workload, and the chances are high that it will be big and immobile. However, activities that require movement need a compact-sized saw.

Overview of the Table saw

Table saws are safe since they use a riveting knife, reducing the chances of kickbacks. The name implies a saw has a table you use to carry out your task as it holds your material.ย 

There are two types of cuts that you make with the saw. The rip cut is the cut you make on a wood, following the grain. Cutting against the grain and slicing the wood in half is cross-cutting. The cross-cut has to work on a thin piece of wood. What is unique about a table saw is the ability to withstand longer and wide materials.ย 

The Rockwell Tabletop Saw has onboard accessory storage, which brings convenience to the user when you need to replace your blade. There are also industrial table saws with large surfaces and workbench table saws ideal for DIY enthusiasts.ย 

The solid base makes the tool sturdy as it stays in place. You connect your tool to a dust management system that keeps you healthy from diseases caused by inhaling dust saw. The blade on a table saw is fixed.ย 

The height is adjustable, and the blade is stationary. For accuracy, the blade guard and rails guide the material. There are four table saws: bench, contractor, cabinet, and hybrid table saw.ย 

The contractor and the cabinet table saws are portable for household activities. The cabinet table saw combines the two, and the hybrid table saw is a heavy-duty table saw.

Pros

  • Onboard accessory storageย 
  • Adjustable blades
  • Accurate
  • Effective dust management system
  • Specific table saws for different locations

Cons

  • High noise level
  • A bit unstable

Key features of the Table saw

Motor

Light duty bench saws are compatible with the 3/4hp to 1.5hp, cutting up to 5/8 inch thick material. Large table saws come with 2hp to 5hp motors, and the cabinet table saw is compatible with the 5hp motor.ย 

The 5-hp Unisaw with a 52inch Biesemeyer fence has a Marathon motor that tackles demanding tasks. Make sure that the table saw has a powerful cooling system. As much as it can be a heavy tool, it must make easy cuts.

Blade size

When manufacturers are naming a table saw, they are after the blade size. Table saws come with circular blades, and the 10inch is the standard blade. The blade is adjustable depending on the material you are working on.ย 

Cutting depth

The cut type depends on the bladeโ€™s width, and shallow cuts attract wider blades. A 10-inch blade can make a deep cut of up to 3.5 inches, and a 12-inch table saw makes a deep cut of up to 4 inches.

Fence options

The fence is the adjustable guide that makes your material stays in place. The Vega U26 Table saw has micro-adjustment table support. You are allowed to fine-tune the measurements of the cut. Some saws come with extendable fences that take care of large materials.ย 

Rip capacity

The rip capacity ranges from 18inches for the entry-level saws to 60 inches for high-end saws. I recommend a table saw that rips larger materials with accuracy. However, it also depends on the ideal materials you will be working on.

Similarities

  • Both saws work on large pieces of materials.ย 
  • Both are ideal for construction, building and crafting.
  • They both have shelves for accessories.
  • They both have solid bases.

Differences between a cabinet saw and a table saw

  • Table saws use a riving knife that reduces kickbacks, whereas Cabinet saws use an induction motor for extended run times.
  • Cabinet saws are meant for heavy construction tasks, whereas Table saws are for large production companies specializing in large panels and solid timber.
  • Table saws come with a folding arm used for crosscuts and thick wood pieces, whereas Cabinet saws have extensions that increase the rip capacity up to 50 inches.ย 

Costย 

The price of a table saw differs depending on the type and the features. The entry-level table saw ranges from 250 to 500; midrange table saws range from 300 to 600 and industrial from 2300 to 5000. That is the same price range as the cabinet saw since another version of the table saw.

Verdict on a cabinet saw vs table saw

It is high time you take the model that serves your specific needs in the industry. Table saws are safe since they have a riving knife that fights kickbacks. That is the ideal saw if you are more into crosscuts and large, thick materials. If you are in the construction industry, the cabinet saw is the tool. It also allows you to have a large 50inch rip capacity. You may also be interested in our Bench Saw vs Table Saw comparison & Chop Saw vs Table Saw.

David D. Hughes

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