Best Contractor Table Saws: Our Top 5 Picks and Expert Reviews

One of the best feelings there is when you complete a project, and you know deep down that you could not have done it any better. Most professional contractors will tell you that to complete a project successfully. You will need the right equipment. Completing woodwork projects should not have to be hard or impossible. What you need to get the job done is the best contractor table saw for the money you are willing to spend.

A table saw is a saw that can be used to cut wood on your job site or in the luxury of your garage. A table saw makes use of a sturdy blade that can cut through any softwood types with the greatest of ease. You are probably wondering where do I get my hands on such a saw? Well, let’s get straight into our review of the 5 best contractor table saws. See also our Best Benchtop Bandsaw Review.

Top 5 Best Contractor Table Saws Reviewed:

Below is a table that shows how the different table saws compare to one another.

1. Makita 2705 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw

Makita is one of the best-known power tool manufacturers around. This electric-powered Makita table saw is a must-have for any on-site job or DIY project you feel like starting. This contractor table saw is but a mere 32 x 36 x 15.3 inches (L x W x H) and only weighs 67 pounds. This Makita 2705 table saw sports an electric brake and a 15 Amp motor that delivers up to 4 800 RPM, making it the perfect table saw companion for cabinet installers, remodelers, finish carpenters and furniture makers.

It is important to remember that this contractor table saw does not come with a stand. If you want the stand with this saw, then you will need to buy it separately.

Pros:

Smooth rip fence that slides effortlessly for an accurate and quick adjustment

Precision tabletop for precise cuts from the word go

3 5/8 inches cutting capacity at a 90-degree angle

Very affordable

Cons:

Not the most portable table saw

Dust prevents saw from effortless turning to a 45-degree angle

Table saw stand sold separately

FAQ:

What power source does the Makita 2705 require?

• The Makita table saw needs a 240-volt power supply.

Is this table saw 50/60 hertz?

• The label reads 50 – 60Hz.

Does this Makita 2705 have a soft start feature to it?

• No, it does not come standard with a soft start feature.

2. Powermatic 60B Table Saw with Riving Knife

The Powermatic 60B table saw is one of the big boys when it comes to the best contractor table saws. It sports a 1.75 horsepower output and has a lift tilt arbor. This table saw was built to meet every need of a contractor because, as a professional contractor, the last thing you want is your equipment letting you down in the middle of a project.

The electric-powered Powermatic 60B is a very well-designed piece of equipment. It is sturdy and well finished, ensuring you can be more productive with the things that matter most to you and not having to worry about the performance of your table saw. This table saw weighs 414 pounds (187.8 Kg), and it only takes up a space of 70 x 32 x 34 inches (L x W x H).

With everything mentioned above, I am sure you think you have heard the best this saw has to offer, but its best feature has not even been discussed yet. This table saw comes standard with a year warranty to guarantee you peace of mind when purchasing the Powermatic 60B.

Pros:

Sturdy and well finished

Five-year warranty

Comes with a stand

Cons:

Very heavy and not easy to move

Expensive if you are on a budget

FAQ:

Wat blade size does the Powermatic 60B accommodate?

• It takes a 10″ blade, or you can use an 8″ dado stack with this saw as well.

What is the thickness of the two riving knives that comes with the saw?

• Both are 2.3mm thick.

Can you adjust the legs if you have an uneven floor?

• All four legs have height adjustment to ensure the top is level even if the floor is not.

3. DEWALT Compact 8 – 1/4-Inch Table Saw

If you are looking for something that is easy to transport and can get the job done, then this DEWALT table saw might be just what you are looking for. It has a very compact design making it easy to store and transport this table saw to and from your worksite. The table saw is built into a metal roll cage that ensures the saw can withstand any harsh conditions and provide exceptional durability.

The DEWALT design team also kept in mind that this table saw must not only be durable, but it should also be accurate and easy to use. The fence railings make for an easy adjustment that is accurate, smooth, and fast.

This DEWALT table saw weighs only 53.3 pounds (24.2 Kg) and only takes up an area of 26.65 x 14.08 x 27.15 inches. It is easy to store and easy to transport from one site to the next without needing a team to lift this table saw.

Pros

Lightweight and portable

Easy to set up and use

Extra onboard storage capacity

Cons:

Stand sold separately

Saw only works with 110/120 Volt outlet

Not compatible with a dado blade

FAQ:

What is the blade size of this DEWALT table saw?

• The DEWALT 7485 takes an 8 ¼ inch blade.

Does it cut hardwoods?

• You will need an excellent blade, but yes, it will cut hardwood.

Is it marked using the metric or imperial system?

• It uses the imperial system.

4. Delta 10-Inch Left Tilt Contractor Saw with 52-Inch RH Rip

The Delta contractor table saw is another good table saw to consider. It makes use of a unique stand that ensures maximum stability and support. It comes with a heavy-duty rail system that provides accuracy with every cut. The Delta 36-5052 is one of very few smaller contractor table saws that boast a blade brake that stops the blade within seconds of turning off the power. It comes with an extra wing extension for that bit of extra working space

This Delta table saw is not all that portable weighing 233 pounds (105.69 Kg) and taking up an area of 33 x 83 x 44 inches. Another significant advantage of this saw is the fact that it is dual voltage, meaning you can run it from a 120- or 240-Volt power outlet. It possesses an impressive 15 Amp induction motor that churns out 2.5 Hp.

Pros

Large saw top

Comes with stand

Very fast blade brake

Runs very quiet and with little vibrations

Cons

Difficult to assemble

Not easy to move around

FAQ

Does the Delta 36-5052 come with a dado insert?

• No, you will need to buy a dado insert separately.

Is this saw belt-driven or direct drive?

• This Delta saw is belt-driven

What is the horsepower?

• It has a powerful 2.5 Hp motor

5. SawStop 1.75 Hp Cabinet Saw with 36-Inch Professional T-Glide Fence System

The SawStop professional cabinet saw assembly is a top of the range table saw. One of its top qualities is featured in its name, saw stop technology. The blade recognizes when it comes into contact with human skin, and it immediately stops and drops down into the machine. This feature gives the user that extra sense of safety when working with this power tool.

This table saw comes in at a whopping 471.79 pounds (214 Kg) and sports a 14-amp 1.75 horsepower motor to give it hat extra torque when cutting through those thick pieces of wood. The table saw dimensions are 99.4 x 83.8 x 86.4 cm (L x W x H) with many different table and wing extensions to enhance your working capabilities and make it possible to take on new challenges.

Pros:

The most prominent feature must be the SawStop technology.

Two-year warranty on this table saw

Powerful sawing capabilities

Powder coat finish

Cons:

Very heavy and not easy to move around

Not the most affordable table saw

FAQ:

Is this table saw easy to setup?

• Yes, the only part that can be tricky is correctly aligning the add-ons like the cast iron wings.

Is the SawStop professional saw durable?

• Due to the powder coating and cast-iron tabletop, this saw was built to last you a lifetime.

Buyers Guide

To find the best contractor saw for the money you have available, you need to know exactly what to look for. We have compiled a list of all the factors that we find essential for consideration when looking to buy a contractor table saw. This buyers guide will take you through everything you need to consider before making that purchasing decision.

Budget

Very few of us have the luxury of not browsing table saws on a budget. It is essential to define how much money you are willing to spend on this piece of equipment because that narrows your available options. It might be better to spend a little less on the saw itself and add some extras to broaden the capabilities of the saw. This is just an example, but you can see why it’s important to know what’s your budget when browsing for a table saw.

See also the best 14-inch bandsaw review.

Size and Weight

Size is a crucial aspect of a table saw. You will need to consider a table saw sized to your needs. If you are a contractor that works multiple sites at any given time, then you might want to consider a smaller, more portable table saw over a heavy, bulky one. The same is true for the reverse. If you only plan on using it in your garage, then you can consider a bigger bulkier table saw that does not need to move around too much.

A table saws area can vary anywhere from 70 x 32 x 34 inches to as small as 26.65 x 14.08 x 27.15 inches. This has a direct influence on the weight of the table saw. Heavier table saws might be harder to move, but they are sturdier overall, while lighter table saws might be more portable but can be harder to keep steady. The weight of table saws ranges anything between 471.79 pounds to 53.3 pounds. This is a massive difference in weight and has a direct influence on what table saw will best fulfill your cutting needs.

Table saw stand

The table saw stand can be a beneficial addition to any table saw. It is vital to note that many table saw stands are sold separately and are not included in the price or packing. A stand will give you much needed extra workspace and will also give you the ability to perform a few additional cutting methods. Most stands come with adjustable legs to ensure you have a level saw top in any situation and environment.

Cutting depth

Contractor table saws usually come with an 8 – to the 10-inch blade, but this does not mean that the table saw has a cutting capacity of said 8 or 10 inches. One must be sure to ask an expert on the machine exactly what the specific saws’ cutting capacity might be because this might differ from saw to saw.

Something to remember is that a contractor table saw with a 10-inch blade, usually has a cutting capacity of around 3 – 5/8 inches at a 90-degree angle and a 2 -1/2-inch capacity at a 45-degree angle. This is not true for all table saws as there will be small differences depending on the manufacturer.

Saw Motor

The motor plays a big part in the overall performance of a table saw. The bigger the motor, the stronger the saw, but it can add to the overall size and weight of the saw should it be too big. There are two essential points to consider when it comes to the table saw motor.

Firstly, you should know the power supply requirements of the motor. Many motors can only run from a 110 Volt outlet while others can only run from a 220-volt outlet.

Secondly, you should understand the torque output and RPM capabilities of the motor. If you are planning on cutting hardwood pieces, then you will need a table saw with a higher torque output than if you only plan on cutting plywood.

FAQ

What is the difference between a cabinet – and a table saw?

• Manufactures have discovered in recent years the need for a more portable table saw. Contractors usually work multiple sites at a time, and the need a saw that can travel with them from site to site to get the job done. A table saw is precisely what the name suggests, a table with a saw blade in the middle. A table saw is primarily more portable and more comfortable to move. A cabinet saw, on the other hand, is not meant to be moved around a lot because it is built to be more precise and more durable.

What is the standard motor size for a contractor table saw?

• Most table saws come with a 15 Amp 1.75 Hp motor. Although this is the standard, there are a few table saws that come with motors that deliver up to 2.5 Hp or motors that deliver 1.5 Hp.

How can I store my table saw when it is not in use?

• If you are not using your table, saw you must keep it in a dry, dust-free location. If it is possible, you should cover your table saw with a 100% waterproof plastic sheet to ensure that dust particles do not settle in those hard to reach places and compromise the performance of your table saw.

Can one cut hardwood with a table saw?

• The answer is yes. You can cut hardwood on a table saw if you use the correct cutting blade. It is important to note that cutting hardwood can be dangerous on a table saw if you are not careful. Be sure to do some research before you jump in and start cutting because that can save you some trouble. The two tips I can give is to make sure the fence is entirely parallel to the blade and that you are not forcing the wood through the saw.

What blade sizes can I use?

• All contractor table makes use of a blade sized between 8 and 10 Inches. It is essential to define your cutting needs before purchasing a table saw. If you first define your cutting needs, then it will ensure you do not buy a product that cannot cut what you want to cut. Ask a professional for advice on a particular table saws’ cutting capabilities before finalizing your purchase decision.

Here is a great video that shows you awesome tips on how to best use your contractor table saw:

 

Final Thoughts

A good table saw is part of any professional contractors’ tool kit. You can find the best contractor table saw for the money you have on this list. Each one was thoroughly reviewed to give you the best indication for which one is the best fit for your pocket and your needs. We guarantee that you will not find a better table saw anywhere else. These products were tested and reviewed to give you the best information possible to make an informed decision. We are 100% certain that you will find the best co tractor table saw for your money to fulfill all your wood cutting needs.