April 21, 2021

Radial Saw vs Table Saw |What Are They? Which One Do I Need

As I look for better models daily, my information contributes to the discussion. Having used both for over a year, I came up with the radial saw vs table saw comparison. There are a few factors to consider when choosing between the two. When matching them to your needs, you must look at power, weight, work area, cost, dust collection, and design. This article looks at a more detailed review of both brands.

Overview of the Radial saw

A radial saw is a woodworking machine for cutting and shaping wooden workpieces. It comes with a circular blade on the table surface. It has a handle on the side for easy handling and a blade guard that keeps the user safe. Radial saws make both rip and crosscuts. The advantage of using the radial saw since the miter saw cannot perform run rip cuts.ย ย 

They have the blade positioned above the table that rips through the workpiece. That is ideal for cutting long workpieces. The material remains stationary as you move the blade through the workpiece. The simple design allows users to be quick when working on wood pieces. It uses a fast electric motor.ย 

It locks into position when you are running rip cuts. That makes it easy for the stock to reach the blade. Increased productivity is what it focuses on. It is the ideal saw for dadoes and rabbets. Check on the miter saw blade before you start working towards the dadoes. Set up the height of your choice to the dadoes. It does not have to exceed the depth of the blade.

Pros

  • Ideal for rip and crosscuts
  • Simple design
  • Efficient
  • Quick
  • Safe

Cons

  • Not affordable to beginners
  • Constant maintenance

Key Features of the Radial saw

Blade

The size of the blade matters since it determines the thickness of the material you will be cutting. Before operating your saw, you need to run it at the maximum speed before making cuts. It prevents blade binding and ensures you a risk-free start. If the blade has a blockage, switch off the machine before taking it off.

Table

When setting up for work, ensure that the table you use is wide enough to accommodate the saw. Overhanging the saw compromises your work.

Motor

The Dayton radial saw has a 1hp motor that produces 3,400 rotations per minute. The rip capacity is 31-1/2inch, making crosscuts at 45 and 90 degrees. The powerful engine cuts through hardwood, making easy crosscuts and miter cuts. The rip capacity of Dayton is 31 ยฝ inches, and the crosscuts range up to 161/2inch at 90degrees and 11 ยพ inches at 45 degrees. The Dewalt Dw728 radial arm saw has a 300mm blade that makes 2,800 rotations per minute. It uses an induction motor that makes accurate cuts.

Weight

Consider your workspace before you purchase your saw. An industrial workshop utilizes heavy-duty saws that are immobile. Even if they are mobile, you will not have to move them. However, activities that require mobility need a compact-sized saw.

Dust collection system

Working on wood materials means you have to deal with dust production. Consider your workplace and the possible volume of dust to be collected. Dust blowers are ideal for heavy-duty tasks. Saws come with dust ports compatible with dust bags, dust canisters, or vacuums.

Overview of the Table saw

What is unique about a table saw is the ability to withstand more extended and broader materials. It is bigger and ideal for materials that require longer cuts. There are table saws that come with additional shelf space. The Rockwell Tabletop Saw has onboard accessory storage that keeps extra blades, the miter gauge, and the rip fence. That brings convenience to the user when you need to replace your blade.ย 

There are also industrial table saws with large surfaces and workbench table saws that are ideal for DIY enthusiasts. 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. The height is adjustable as you raise it lower or higher, depending on the thickness of the wood you are working on.ย 

The blade is stationary. For accuracy, the blade guard and rails guide the material. There are four types of table saws. These are the bench, contractor, cabinet, and hybrid table saw. 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

The horsepower size determines the cutting power. Light bench saws are compatible with the 3/4hp to 1.5hp. They cut up to 5/8 inch thick material. Large table saws come with two hp to 5 hp motors. The cabinet table saw is compatible with the five-hp motor. The Dewalt 10inch table saw has a 15A high torque motor powerful enough to cut through treated hardwoods.ย 

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. The Dewalt 10inch table saw uses a 10inch tooth carbide blade that makes fast and smooth cuts.

Cutting depth

The type of cut depends on the width of the blade. Shallow cuts attract wider blades. A 10-inch blade can make a deep cut of up to 3.5inches. A 12inch table saw makes a deep cut of up to 4 inches.

Fence options

The fence is the adjustable guide of the saw. It makes your material stay in place. The T-square is the standard fence that is ideal for common cuts. Specialty fences have a micro-adjust feature. The Vega U26 Table saw has micro-adjustment table support. You are allowed to fine-tune the measurements of the cut.ย 

Rip capacity

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

Similarities

  • They both perform the same woodwork task. That is to cut wood.
  • They both have the same design. They are elevated saws with table-like surfaces.
  • They both make accurate cuts.
  • They have circular blades.

Differences between a radial saw and a table saw

  • Radial saws are easier to maintain than table saws.
  • Radial saws can be positioned against the wall, whereas table saws should be away from the wall. There is a need for space that caters to a larger workpiece across the blade.
  • Table saws cut along the grain, whereas radial saws are for crosscuts.
  • The blade is adjustable when using a table saw, and you move the wood as you cut. Using a radial saw, you move the blade to cut the wood.
  • If the blade saw spins 9n a radial saw, it lifts the wood off the table. It is dangerous. That is not the case when you are using a table saw. The wood remains in place due to the direction the blade spins.
  • A radial saw is used as a sander or planer, whereas a table saw is only used to cut wood.

Cost

Table saws are available on a variety of price tags. They range from 250 to 5,000 depending on your budget and working conditions. Radial saws are for professionals, and they range from 100 to 500.ย 

Verdict on radial saw vs table saw

If you look for a saw that performs more than one duty, the radial saw is the perfect saw. It is also a sander or planer. Radial saws are more affordable than table saws considering the 100-500 range versus the 250-5,000. However, that is not the case for casual users and beginners looking forward to a 200 saw use. If you are a professional industrial user, you might consider the radial saw. You also have a wide range of table saws. How do miter saws compare to table saws?

David D. Hughes

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