Best Beginner Table Saw [2024 Review]

One of the greatest challenges new woodworkers face is choosing the power tools to buy. Figuring out the specific type of tools to invest in can be overwhelming even after you know the tools you want in your woodworking shop.

This review will give you information to help you choose the best beginner table saw for your woodworking needs. My guide will also explain the essential features new woodworkers should consider before buying a table saw.

My Top Beginner Table Saw Reviews

Dewalt DW745

The Dewalt DW745 features a 10-inch carbide blade that is durable and tough. You can use the 24-tooth blade to carry out heavy-duty cutting applications. The unit is ideal for raw cutting jobs as compared to refined finish cuts since it has few blade teeth.

A 24-tooth blade is perfect for cutting with ease. It will also cut through the material without bending.

The blade angle adjustment can perform woodworking bevel angles that range from 0 to 45-degrees. The miter gauge located on the angle adjustment enables you to make precise angle adjustments.

This DW745 table saw comes with a 15-amperage motor that provides 1,850 watts of power. The motor is powerful enough to provide torque for heavy-duty cutting jobs. It is worth noting that the blade will not choke or stall when used on the high-density stock.

The blade turns at 3,850 RPM, which cuts through stock effortlessly and quickly. This fast speed allows the saw to deliver a professional and smooth cut finish as it compensates for the few teeth count.

To help keep your working environment dust-free, you can easily connect this table saw to an external or a shop vacuum system. It uses a standard 2.5 inches dust port.

Another remarkable feature is the metal T-fence that can be maneuvered easily along the fence rails. It provides accuracy and control when using this unit. You can also lock the fence in position using the locking system.

The Dewalt table saw comes with multiple safety features. The power switch is located at the front of the saw for easy access during an emergency. Also, the rolling bars are wide and provide stability to prevent the unit from tipping over when being used.

The 54 pounds table saw is also equipped with an inbuilt riving pawl that helps prevent kickbacks and a transparent blade guard for protecting your fingers from the spinning blades.

What I Like

• Easy to handle and use
• Powerful motor
• Small and compact
• Excellent blade speed
• 3-year limited warranty
• Portable

What I Don’t Like

• 24-tooth blade
• Expensive

Bosch 4100-09

The Bosch 4100-09 can perform a 2.5 inches depth of cut at 45 degrees. This is a common bevel angle that is used by many carpenters. The cutting depth is big enough and works with any commercial materials such as plywood and maple wood.

The bevel angle is between -2 degrees to 47 degrees making it one of the most versatile table saw angles. The unit has a 10-inch carbide blade with a 40-tooth blade. It can accurately cut into the material because it has many blade teeth.

The table saw can also deliver a professional and smooth finish. Therefore, it will not cause splinters when used on material such as plywood which is a problem with other saws.

The 15 amperage motor in this unit delivers an impressive four horsepower to the blades. This is very powerful since the saw can cut through the hardest wood without choking or stalling with such power.

The motor also enables the blades to perform a 3,650 RPM no-load speed. It is not the fastest blade speed. However, it is sufficient for most people and can still manage to provide a professional finish cut.

The Bosch table saw has no dust blower system. However, it has a dust port that allows you to connect it to a dust extraction system. The dust collection system is not the best in this model, as some dust will accumulate on the saw after heavy use. I have found this is nothing to worry about.

This model has a transparent blade guard to protect your hands from the moving blades. It also comes with other essential features like the power switch for safety. The power switch cannot be locked with a key like other models.

However, it is not a significant concern if you intend to use the table saw in a professional setting rather than a home workshop. It has a 1-year limited warranty and is bulky as it weighs 60 pounds.

What I Like

• Powerful 15 amperage motor
• -2 to 47-degrees versatile bevel angles
• 40-tooth blade for a professional cut
• Transparent blade guard
• Power switch

What I Don’t Like

• Bulky
• Expensive

SKIL 3410-02

When it comes to performance, the SKIL3410-02 table saw has a15 amperage motor that cuts any material without any power hiccups. This unit has an impressive no-load speed of 5,000 RPM.

This is higher compared to the Dewalt DW745 that has a modest 3,850 RPM. The high speed ensures you get a smooth and polished cut regardless of the density of the material being cut.

Apart from the powerful motor, this portable table saw offers a professional finish cut. Your cut requires little sanding post work when retrofitted using a 40-tooth blade.

The blade of the SKIL table saw is your standard 10-inch with a 24-tooth carbide blade. It is durable and sturdy and can be used for heavy-duty cutting jobs. Due to a few blade teeth and the blade design, it can cut through sturdy materials with ease.

Though the saw does not deliver smooth cuts, it can cut efficiently and quickly through the material. You can also lower or lift the blade effortlessly.  It offers 3.5 inches at 90 degrees maximum depth of cut.

The 3410-02 table saw does not come with a dust port or dust extraction system. Due to this, you cannot connect this model to an external vacuum system. You should instead use the table saw in an open workshop or outside where it is easy to clean.

This can be challenging when used for heavy-duty cutting jobs since sawdust can accumulate quickly and blur the cut line visibility.

This unit comes with some basic safety features such as an inbuilt riving pawl that helps prevent kickbacks. It also has a transparent blade guard that allows blade visibility during cutting while protecting your hands from the blade.

It is lightweight as it weighs 20 pounds and comes with a 1-year warranty.

What I Like

• Small and compact
• Affordable
• Great blade speed
• Heavy-duty steel stand
• Lightweight

What I Don’t Like

• No dust extraction system

Craftsman Evolv-28461

The Craftsman Evolve-28461 is a robust table saw that will handle your everyday cutting jobs. It comes with 15 amperage motor and 24-tooth carbide blade that measures 10 inches.

With such a combination, you can expect this model to handle large and small materials effectively. The table is large enough for ripping hardwood materials and large sheets.

The Craftsman-28461has a firm stand that offers stability. This table saw is also highly recommended because of its ease of use. You can adjust the miter gauge easily and be able to control the tightness of corners and bevels.

An advanced guarding system is another excellent feature that is worth mentioning. It offers versatility that every beginner woodworker looks for in a table saw as well as excellent blade coverage.

The pinion blade height controls and rack also allow you to make swift adjustments. With the rip fence quick-mount feature, you can start working right away on various projects.

The feature enables you to release fast when making rip adjustments. When it comes to safety, the unit has a power switch that allows you to have full control over the saw.

What I Like

• Easy to use and accurate
• Advanced guarding system
• Easy setup
• Power switch

What I Don’t Like

• Plastic switches

Beginner Table Saw Features and Consideration

When looking for the best beginner table saw, the most important thing you should pay attention to is power output. A quality table saw with enough power can cut through hardwood and wet timber.

Below are other features you should also consider:

Cutting Depth/Capacity and Bevels

It is important to test the depth of cut when a table saw isn’t cutting any bevels. This will help you determine maximum cutting at zero degrees and accuracy. The base plate should also be adjustable when thinking about bevel cutting.

You should check the adjustment allowance your tool provides like 45 or 90 degrees. The saw should also have the flush housing feature to enable it to cut close to the wall edges.

It is crucial to consider this feature because it will enable you to make different types of cuts effortlessly.

Blade

This is another critical feature you should check when looking for a beginner table saw. This is because it will determine how the table saw will perform. The blade will be useful if you have set the depth of the cut correctly.

The saw will also function well if the blade designed for a particular cut is attached. The correct blade will help you to get accurate and smooth cuts. When buying a blade, choose the one with the right blade setting.

Also, consider the depth of cut as it will determine if it’s suitable for a particular project. You should also make sure the table saw has splinter guards to help prevent the top surface of the board from splintering.

Splinter guards enhance precision because when they are placed at the beginning point, the table saw will cut accurately. A good table saw should be equipped with a 20-millimetre arbor to ensure the blade is stable and also safety in your woodshop.

Control and Speed

The performance of a table saw is derived from its motor. You should therefore check the rating given to the motor when shopping for a table saw. A high RPM will result in better cuts. Having a saw with a motor that is highly rated will have the blades spin quickly.

More power will also result in more control and enable you to cut hard materials. Additionally, more control will allow you to use larger blades with a lot of ease.

For example, a 1500 watt motor will enable the blade to move as it rotates. Blades with high RPM will enable you to achieve precise cuts. So, when buying a beginner table saw, pick one with a higher motor rating.

Safety Considerations

Table saws are dangerous tools that must be used with a lot of care. A few seconds of inattention can cause severe injuries. It is therefore important to look for a table saw that is equipped with adequate safety features.

Some standard safety features include:

Blade Guard

Protects you from getting in contact with the blade accidentally

Riving Knife

Prevents kickback that is caused by wood

Anti-Kickback Pawls

Prevents the saw from throwing the workpiece to you while working

Comfort Level and Physical Strength

Your ability to manipulate, control and hold the table saw depends mostly on the strength you have. Though small saws are light, it is a good idea to choose a robust table saw.This will help you avoid fatigue when handling small tasks.

The lightweight table saw is also of great importance, especially if you will be working the whole day in your woodshop. It will minimize fatigue. When buying a beginner table saw, ensure it fits well in your hands.

Also, ensure you can shift the saw grip effortlessly from one hand to another without losing balance.

Power Switch

An electric brake is an essential feature in a table saw. It helps the saw reverse electricity in the motor, which contributes to accurate cuts. I recommend buying a table saw that has the power switch.

The switch should be accessed easily to make work more efficient and better. The switch should also have a cover. This will prevent you from turning the saw on accidentally and cutting yourself or damaging your working area.

Dust Extraction System

A lot of dust is usually produced during woodworking. Some table saws are equipped with a mechanism that enables them to suck dust from the working environment after extracting it.

The extraction system functions like a vacuum cleaner and draws sawdust away from your woodshop to make it dust-free. You should, therefore, select a saw with such a system to prevent health challenges.

Mobility

Space is a premium commodity, especially if you woodwork in small areas. You should think about whether you intend to move your table saw aside to store other things or leave it in a fixed location.

Fortunately, you can outfit the heaviest table saws with mobile bases and be able to move the saw when needed. The mobile base will also help you rearrange or clean your woodshop without having to ask other people to help you move the saw.

If you have little or no floor space, you can opt for a job site saw. It sits under a benchtop when you’re not using it and on it when it is being used.

Investment

You need to decide how much you want to invest in a table saw. This will differ depending on the brand, the features the saw has, and where you are buying.

However, you can narrow down your options quickly if you are working with a certain range. You will have a few products to compare as you check the features within the range you’re comfortable with.

Amperages

Voltages and amperages are used to measure the power of a table saw. High voltages and amperages will result in excellent cutting power. For example, if you are shopping for a site job saw, choose one with between 230 and 110 voltages to avoid being disappointed.

Table Inserts

They are also referred to as throat plates. They are pieces of wood or metal that are usually mounted around the blade. Table inserts are leveled on the table surface and work by preventing the wood from falling into the arbor. Ensure the beginner table saw you buy has these, or you can make a table saw sled yourself.

Visibility

It is essential to have a clear sight of the blade. The table saw should provide you with a view of the blade via its window for optimum performance. This will help you assess the line of the blade and depth of cut.

Wrap Up

You need a good table saw as a beginner woodworker because I understand every beginner has different skill levels and needs. The table saws I have reviewed above have put all that into consideration. You can also use the information in this article to choose a saw that is right for you.