Table saw is one of the most recognizable power tools in every woodworker's arsenal.
Professionals and hobbyists have fully utilized its power and versatility.
There are numerous types of table saws that are available in the market today.
Being familiar with each one helps you understand what type fits your needs.
At its core, a table saw consists of a circular saw blade, a flat table, and a powerful motor.
You can make changes to the height and position of the blade, which makes various angles and depth to the cut possible.
The circular saw blade is attached to an arbor. This arbor is linked to the motor that makes the saw blade operational.
Modern table saws have a mechanism that allows you to position the blade lower or higher and tilt and move it sideways.
History and Development
Before we discuss the types of table saws, let’s look at this tool’s history and development.
The Beginning
Samuel Miller, an Englishman, was the one who invented the spinning saw blade in 1777.
This invention was first utilized in sawmills as the primary component in cutting lumber.
From 1777, further development of the circular saw blade was halted for more than 150 years.
The Use of Electricity
The harnessing of electricity is the catalyst for the next evolution of this tool.
In 1922, Raymond Dewalt used the circular saw blade and conceptualized the electric-powered radial arm saw.
This invention by Dewalt saved a lot of manual labor required to operate.
Before Dewalt’s radial arm saw, the company W.R. & John Barnes in Rockford, Illinois, has also developed one of the first iterations of the circular table saw types, the treadle-powered version.
During the 1870s, Barnes believed that foot power was sufficient to operate woodworking pieces of machinery.
The company’s treadle circular table saw's design has a resemblance to sewing machines.
The Portable Saw
In 1929, Art Emmons designed the first mobile version of the table saw.
Instead of relying on foot power, Emmons built his table saw with the saw blade attached to an electric motor.
The Advanced Technology
Since then, advancements in technology have paved the way for the continuous development of this power tool.
Numerous table saw types, such as benchtop, cabinet, and others, have become an invaluable tool for most woodworkers.
Table saws are recognized as the most hazardous type of stationary saw.
As such, some manufacturers have developed table saws with flesh-sensing devices and automatic blade breakage to reduce accidents.
Types of Table Saws
How many different types of table saws are there?
As with most power tools, there is a numerous type of table saws, each having its own set of qualities.
We listed below six of the most popular ones, with their definition, build, and uses.
Contractor Table Saw
Also called by some as the open stand saw, this type of table saw was designed to be used on job sites.
The straight-blade design and open-base construction make the contractor table saw very versatile.
Build
Most models for this type are designed for mobility. This quality makes the contractor table saw easy to deploy from one location to another without much physical effort.
The table top of the contractor saw is usually made with solid iron. It allows a wide range of thick materials to be worked on without much hassle.
Its cutting power is comparable to other high-end table saws due to its powerful motor.
The blade, located at the back, enables this table saw to carry out large and heavy cuts.
While the table top is made of solid iron, the extension wings are commonly made from stamped metal or “open-webbed” cast iron.
Some recent versions have premium quality fence systems.
Uses
For basic carpentry and furniture making and other small projects, the contractor table saw is your best bet.
If you’re just starting, you can purchase this type of table saw without burning away your budget.
Benchtop Table Saw
A table saw made for enthusiasts, the benchtop table saw is light, affordable, and user-friendly.
Thanks to its relatively light construction, you can carry it with little effort.
Build
To reach that lightweight quality, the benchtop table saw is made of light materials, such as aluminum, plastic, and other composite components.
Using it to cut large pieces is not a great idea because of the benchtop’s small table and limited rip capacity.
Since this tool doesn’t have enough support by itself, you must place the benchtop table saw on a table or other stable surfaces to function properly.
Benchtop table saws, most of the time, are using a direct-drive universal motor.
It may not give you impressive cutting power, but it is still powerful enough to do small cutting tasks for its size.
Uses
Similar to the contractor table saw, the benchtop is tailored for DIY projects such as small to medium-sized cabinets, bookcases, and chairs.
If you’re an amateur woodworker doing light-duty projects, getting yourself a benchtop table saw is a good investment.
Cabinet Table Saw
One of the most popular table saws out there, the cabinet table is a fixture in essentially every woodworker’s workshop.
It is known for its speed, accuracy, and power, qualities that every pro needs.
Build
As the name implies, the cabinet table saw features an enclosed cabinet-style base.
The motor of this power tool is enclosed within the cabinet, and this placement results in a more quiet operation.
Compared to the contractor table saw motor, which has about one up to one and ¾ HP, the cabinet table saw motor usually starts with three up to five HP.
No other table saws have the dust-collecting capabilities as the cabinet table saw has. The dust gets collected on the enclosed cabinet.
Durability is also among the most-praised qualities of the cabinet table saw, as its body is made from steel and cast iron.
Vibration is also almost non-existent because of its weight and construction.
That means improved accuracy when you are making cuts on thin workpieces.
Uses
With the design, power, and body of the cabinet table saw, you can work with rigid and denser materials.
As the table saw of choice by professional woodworkers, this tool not only gives powerful cutting, but it can also withstand regular heavy-duty use.
Aside from mobility, there is essentially no quality of the other type of table saws that surpass the cabinet.
Jobsite Table Saw
You can view the jobsite table saw as an upgrade to the benchtop table saw.
However, this type comes with stands or wheels, making it easier to move.
Build
The jobsite table saw is relatively less light and portable than the benchtop saw but has more solid components and delivers more accuracy.
Bearing more similarities to the benchtop, it also has a direct-drive motor.
That said, the jobsite motor is more capable of handling heavy-duty use.
Among the most common design features of the jobsite table saw is its stands.
It is also common for these stands to have transport wheels.
Extensions tables, improved fences, and 24-inch rip capacities are further qualities that the jobsite table saw has over the benchtop.
It is also standard for this table saw to have onboard storage space and dust collection ports.
Uses
Thanks to its improved power and size, the jobsite table saw can handle tougher tasks than the benchtop.
You can use this portable power saw to cut metal and large pieces of wood.
Compact Table Saw
The compact table saw is built larger than the contractor, benchtop, and jobsite saw.
It can only be on a stationary stand when you use it.
Build
Like the other portable table saws, the compact table saw features a universal motor with a drive belt.
As for its materials, it is common for this type of tool to have a table top made from cast iron.
To cut workpieces at different angles, it has sliding miter tables.
Uses
The compact table saw can be used similarly to using the jobsite and other portable table saws.
However, as its size is larger than other portable table saws, it offers more space and rip capacity to large workpieces.
Hybrid Table Saw
As some might have guessed, the hybrid variant combines two different table saw types: cabinet and contractor table saw.
The hybrid table saw is marketed as a power tool with the cabinet's power while being light and portable.
Build
Like the cabinet, the hybrid also has an enclosed cabinet that improves saw dust collection.
The cabinet is interchangeable. The hybrid can have a full enclosure or has a shorter cabinet with stands.
Its trunnion is either table-mounted or cabinet-mounted.
Hybrid table saw motors could have up to two HP, and it is heavier than a contractor but way lighter than a cabinet.
Uses
From novice woodworkers to professionals, you can utilize the hybrid table top as a better version of the contractor.
The improved power and mobility make it a better choice to have than other portable table saws.
What Are the Different Types of Table Saw Blades?
Choosing the correct type of blade for your table saw is essential because it will maximize the capabilities of your machine.
Picking the wrong blade will not only produce mediocre results but can also lead to injuries.
Below are the general types of table saw blades to guide you.
Crosscut Blade
If you are aiming to get fine, precise cuts, the crosscut blade is the answer.
This blade has less space between its teeth, which delivers steady, consistent results.
The crosscut blade works well with cutting veneered plywood and boards to width.
Rip Cut Blade
The rip cut blade cuts faster than a crosscut blade but produces rough quality.
This blade is best for cutting hard and thick wood.
With its smaller number of teeth, the rip cut blade’s gullet size is large, so the shavings disperse easier, unlike with the crosscut blade.
Combination Blade
This blade combines the features of the crosscut and rip cut blade.
If you’re doing a mix of ripping and crosscutting, the combination blade is your friend.
It can make smooth finishes on wood while giving you sufficient power to cut hard materials.
Dado blades are included in the combination blade.
This type of blade has a large gullet that divides each set of five teeth.
This feature allows you to remove chips from the blade without any issues.
Table Saw Accessories
To improve the safety and performance of your table saw, here are a few add-ons you may consider.
Safety Power Switch
There will come an instance where a board sticks between your blade and fence.
Turning off the machine without averting your sight from the cut offers safety and a better quality of cuts.
Featherboard
This safety device applies pressure to your workpiece.
The featherboard acts as an extension of your hands to the spot where your fingers shouldn’t be in in the first place.
Mobile Base
Moving around your table saw and to different areas is a recurring action if you are operating in a limited space.
Installing a mobile base under your machine saves you not only lots of time but also energy.
What Type of Table Saw Should I Buy?
The table saw is viewed as one of the most important tools a woodworker must own.
To answer the question shortly, it depends on what you plan on working on.
As each of the types of table saws offer a unique set of qualities, choosing the correct one for you shouldn’t be rocket science.
If you picture yourself working on small projects such as chairs, shelves, and drawers, then purchasing a contractor, jobsite, or benchtop should be your choice.
These machines do the cuts required for these projects; it is affordable too.
On the other hand, if you have advanced skills as a woodworker and cutting heavy and dense materials is your thing, then get yourself a cabinet table saw.
The hybrid table saw also deserves some consideration, as it provides qualities that a pro or hobbyist could appreciate.
The table saw features might get you excited, but it’s really the blade that gets the work done.
Invest in a good quality table saw and blade, and you will, more likely than not, get great results.