February 22, 2020

Best Contractor Table Saw | 5 Reviewed + [Buyerโ€™s Guide]

Good contractors will tell you there is no substitute for the best contractor table saw. Saving money by buying an inferior product will bite you in the long run. Table saws are standard and a workshop favorite for woodworkers. Contractor table saws are easily the best bet for serious DIYers or contractors who like using table saws on the job.ย 

Contractor saws are better designed for smaller jobs. If you try ripping denser wood with it, you may be disappointed. This is because of the power this saw pulls. The contractor saw is portable, making it a great space saver. The reduced power on a contractor saw is not all bad. It makes for less kickback, which can be very dangerous. For the longest time, contractor saws were the go-to for professionals.ย 

ImageName & Key FeaturesLink
DEWALT DW745S Compact Job Site Table SawCHECK CURRENT PRICE
Delta Power Tools 36-6022 Jobsite SawCHECK CURRENT PRICE
DEWALT 10-Inch Table Saw, 16-Inch Rip Capacity (DW745)CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Shop Fox W1837 10" 2 hp Open-Stand Hybrid Table Saw CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Grizzly Industrial G0771Z - 10" 2 HP 120V Hybrid Table SawCHECK CURRENT PRICE

They were an alternative to cabinet saws and more portable. As time went on, the motors fitted on these saws became more powerful. More portable saws have been made, and contractor saws. Hobbyists use stationary table saws since they are less expensive than cabinet saws. This article looks at the best contractor table saws on the market and what you should look for.ย 

Do you need a quick guide to buying the best contractor table saws? There are a few things you will need to keep in mind. Getting the table saw that is right for you involves several factors. You need to be clear about the type of work you will do. Contractor table saws are generally not made to handle heavy-duty cutting.ย 

The weight of a machine is an important consideration. The heavier it is, the more stable the machine becomes, and you will keep vibration low. The outside can be a good sign of the internal componentsโ€™ quality. You may also want to check on the amount of power the saw has to know what type of work you can do. You may also want to check how easy it is to move around.ย 

Our Top Pick for ย Best Contractor Table Saw

We have researched and found our favorite pick to be the Delta Power Tools 36-6022 Jobsite Saw. It is easily portable and has big wheels and a detachable stand. This makes it easier to move around. This 15 amp saw cuts through even the toughest material. It also has a 2.5-inch dust collection port and a warranty from the manufacturer of 5 years. The Delta portable table saw is great for the contractor or do-it-yourself enthusiast. It is portable to various project sites and offers standard quality with all Delta products.

Delta Power Tools 36-6022 Jobsite Saw

DEWALT DW745S Compact Job Site Table Saw

Considering how compact this table can be packed up to when not in use, itโ€™s incredible how powerful itโ€™s also. This is a 10-inch table saw that delivers impressive performance for such a portable device.ย 

It features a 15-amp motor that runs at 1850 rpm. In line with being portable, you will also be pleased to know that this is a table saw that can be adjusted without using any tools. You will also be happy to know that this is a fast and accurate table saw in performance. It has a roof capacity of 20 inches, allowing you to work with more extensive materials.

You can always depend on the rack and pinion fence rails for adjustments. These are what make adjustments fast, smooth and accurate. In line with accuracy, a telescopic fence rail can be retracted. The cash quality you produce with this table saw is enhanced by a 20 4T carbide blade. This is a blade that is famed for durability.ย 

Iโ€™m not saying that this is an incredibly lightweight table saw. It only weighs 45 lb. This allows it to be moved from one area to another without trouble. This is what makes this such a great table so for most contractors. There is a three-year limited warranty cover on this product, with a 90-day money-back guarantee if you are to change your mind within the first three months.ย 

Prosย 

  • The table saw is lightweight.
  • Has excellent rip capacity.
  • It is a compactly folding device.
  • It is very reasonably priced.
  • The performance is impressive.
  • It is effortless to use.

Consย 

  • Quality control is not always up to scratch.
  • The stand may be too low for some users.
  • The instructions could be clearer.

Delta Power Tools 36-6022 Jobsite Saw

For portability, you cannot go wrong with this sort of design. It is easily foldable for ease of movement. There are wheels on the bottom that are attached to the detachable stand. The wheels are incredible for moving from one area to another within the same workspace. You can also use the wheels to move from the workspace onto a vehicle.

As far as performance is concerned, you have a 15 amp power, which cuts through most material regardless of its thickness or strength. You have a 2 ยฝ inch pot for dust collection that allows you to direct the dust from the workspace onto our disposal.

Its size also goes a long way. It also has a 30-inch right-hand rip capacity and a 12-inch left-hand rip capacity. This makes it more versatile for all sorts of work that you may put it to. While it is easy to fold, it is also easy to clean up after working, partly due to the presence of the dust collection system.ย 

The riving knife can be lifted and lowered with ease by using a lever on the plateโ€™s throat. You are experienced as a user or just getting started. This is a good table saw to use.

At 92 lbs, it is a very lightweight table that can easily move from one working area to another. The blades can be tilted to a 45ยฐ angle. The motor rotates at 5000 rpm.

Pros

  • It is incredibly lightweight.
  • It is straightforward to set up.
  • It can be adjusted without tools.
  • Comes with a 5-year warranty.
  • It is pretty affordable.

Consย 

  • The motor is only 1HP.
  • Some users have had issues with the fence breaking.

DEWALT 10-Inch Table Saw, 16-Inch Rip Capacity (DW745)

If youโ€™re looking for a portable table saw that provides you with an outstanding level of performance, this may be the one for you. According to the manufacturer, durability will not be of concern either. You will derive a lot of benefit from the 15 amp power motor rotates at 1850 rpm.ย 

A fence helps you get the accuracy required when working with one of these machines. This is our table, so you can set it up without needing any tools. You can also make all of the adjustments that you deem necessary while working with it or packing in the way without needing to use tools.

The rip capacity is 20 inches. It guarantees that you can work with large materials. The stand is of a scissors sort of design. All in all, this is a lightweight table saw that is very durable. According to the manufacturer, one of the key things they wanted to achieve with this design was delivering an easy set-up.ย 

The result is that this table saw can be set up very quickly and broken down at a similar pace. It features a wide array of other features. The feet are easy to adjust, which is handy when working on even surfaces. You are also happy to find that onboard storage allows easy access to your tools when working on this machine.

Pros

  • This is easy to set up the table saw.
  • It is lightweight and portable.
  • It is very accurate.
  • The stand is great for uneven surfaces.
  • It is beginner-friendly.
  • The results are excellent.
  • It is reasonably priced.

Consย 

  • Questionable quality control.
  • The instructions are not easy to follow.

Shop Fox W1837 10โ€ณ 2 hp Open-Stand Hybrid Table Sawย 

The Shop Fox W1837 hybrid table saw is another incredible pic. It is designed to balance ease of transport, as you would find with most of the excellent contractor table saws with that dust control system that comes with cabinet saws.ย 

One of the first things you will notice is the presence of a quick-change blade guard with anti-kickback poles. This is positioned away from your workplace. This provides you with a perfect table for most work environments.

The riving knife on this table saw is interchangeable. It allows you to make non-through cutting operations requiring removing the blade guard. Another thing that could not invade your gaze is the two wheels on the bottom of this table saw.

This means that it is much easier to move this from one area to another when working. For safety, these wheels have a foolproof braking system to ensure that your saw does not roll away as youโ€™re working.

As with other souls on this list, this one comes at a robust two hp with a 220 V โ€“ 140 V single phase. It delivers a speed of up to 3450 rpm. The maximum blade diameter you can use with this table saw is 10 inches. Itโ€™s a 90ยฐ angle. You can cut to a depth of 3 ยผ inches. At a 45ยฐ angle, you can cut to a depth of up to 2 ยผ inches.

Prosย 

  • This is a robust table saw.
  • It comes with wheels at the base.
  • It has a blade tilt function.
  • There is a 4โ€ dust port on it.
  • The cabinet is solid.
  • It is a well-made product.

Consย 

  • Releases a lot of dust into the atmosphere.
  • Some users found it to require regular adjustments.

Grizzly Industrial G0771Z โ€“ 10โ€ณ 2 HP 120V Hybrid Table Saw

What you get with this one is a precise table with a ground iron table cast together with some extension of wings. The presence of the extension will provide you with additional space to work on. Whenever you encounter cast iron, you will be assured of a product that lasts for a while. Speaking of cast iron, they are cast iron trunnions used on this product. The blade has a quick-release blade guard and a riving knife.

They have combined a spreader with arriving life to give you additional versatility. The trunnions are mounted to the cabinet. One of the critical safety features of this product is the safety switch that comes with a removable key start. The fence system is the easy-glide kind.ย 

You also have the advantage of a T-slot miter gauge. Where power is concerned, you benefit from a two hp motor that runs between 120 to 240 V. The depth of the cuts is between 3 ยผ inches cutting at a 90-degree angle and a maximum of 2 ยผ inches when cutting at a 45-degree angle.

For ease of cleanup and dust collection, you have a 4-inch dust port. This can be connected directly to your dust or waste management system. Above all, this is quite a robust table saw that is incredibly versatile.

Prosย 

  • This is a mighty table saw.
  • It has a 4โ€ dust port.
  • It is effortless to set up.
  • Customer support is excellent.
  • The fence is square.
  • It is very accurate and sturdy.

Consย 

  • The aluminum gauge doesnโ€™t feel as strong.

Buyerโ€™s Guide

What is the difference between a contractor saw and a cabinet saw?

Cabinet saws are on the higher end of table saws price range and quality. They are for a professional woodworker, which means they have to be more durable and should be able to withstand heavy use. They have sturdy construction as they are made of cast iron and steel. They have heavier trunnions, gearing, and arbor assemblies.ย 

The motors on cabinet saws are more powerful than those on contractor saws. This makes for a powerful saw that can cut through almost any material. The motor on the cabinet saw is inside the cabinet base. Making it a quieter saw, an enclosed base can collect dust easier. Cabinet saws are made to more exacting standards than contract saws. They have flatter tables, heavier bearings, and a more reliable fence system.ย 

Contractor saws are portable and easy to move about. They are also more affordable. This makes them an excellent option for people buying them as part of a short-term project or even as a hobby.

Contractor saws usually are lighter in weight. Although most contractor saws have a solid cast iron tabletop, the extension wings may be made of open webbed cast iron or stamped metal. A contractor sawโ€™s trunnions, gearing, and arbor assembly are less husky than those found on more expensive saws. Contractorsโ€™ saws have motors hanging off the back of the saw to enable you to move it around more easily.ย 

What are the different types of table saws?

Table saws come in two general types, portable and stationary. Of the portable type, you can get benchtop saws, also known as job site saws, and compact saws. Stationary table saws include contractor saws, hybrid saws, and cabinet saws. Saws are not classified into definite categories, and the lines can get blurry.ย 

What is the difference between a table saw and a bench saw?

These two saws are the same saw described with a different name. They both have a circular-shaped blade on an arbor that allows it to rotate. The blade is then mounted on a table or bench so that part is sticking out. Wood and other materials can be pushed through the blade to be cut while the bench or table supports the wood or material being cut, making it easy to handle and cut larger pieces.ย 

What is a sliding table saw?

A sliding table saw is the same as a cabinet saw. It is more of a large stationary table saw that allows you to brace your workpiece and move the table as a whole instead of across a stationary table.ย 

What does a riving knife do?

A riving knife is installed on a table saw as a safety device. It is attached to the sawโ€™s arbor and fixed relative to the blade and moves with it as the blade depth is adjusted. You can also find it on circular or radial arm saws used for woodworking.

Final Thoughts

Contractor table saws, like other tools used by woodworkers, have specific uses. Once you understand the use, your saw is made, and it is easier to work more effectively. We have gone through the top contractor saws on the market and what we think makes a great buy. Happy shopping! We hope this helps you find the best fit for your project.

David D. Hughes

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