Table Saw Buying Guide

Jeff Smith
3 min readOct 23, 2017

--

Table saws are a type of versatile power tool used to cut wood for a variety of projects. There are many brands and styles of table saws available at a variety of price points. With so many different table saws to choose from, selecting the right one for your project may seem like a difficult task, but by reading the table saw reviews and carefully researching each type of table saw, you will easily find the right tool for you.

Some Tips To Help You Find the Right Tool

  • Consider the Project Type

A table saw isn’t the right tool for every job. Take a good look at your project and determine whether you need a table saw or another type of tool. Table saws are especially good for making straight cuts, but for curved cuts, a reciprocating saw like a saber saw is a better choice. Table saws can be expensive, so if your project would come out better by using a cheaper, smaller saw, you should definitely go that route.

  • Budget
Powermatic Table Saw

If you definitely need a table saw, be prepared with your budget before you enter a store. Table saws are available in an extremely wide range of prices. A Porter Cable table saw will set you back a few hundred dollars, while a Powermatic table saw can cost more than a thousand dollars. The average homeowner may not want or need to spend huge amounts of money on tools, while a carpenter or professional homebuilder may feel the extra investment is worth it for improved performance and durability. Setting your budget before heading to the store will help you avoid overspending and blowing you entire project budget on tools.

If you don’t want to spend more than $100 on a table saw, consider renting one. Many big box home improvement stores rent tools on an hourly or daily basis. If you know you won’t need to use the tool again, or if you just don’t have room to store a table saw, renting one may be your best bet.

  • Read Reviews

If you decide to buy a table saw instead of renting one, taking time to research table saws before you head to the store will help you get an idea of each brand’s strengths and weaknesses. With so many different types of table saws available, table saw reviews are valuable resources in making your final decision.

Once you’ve decided you are definitely going to purchase a table saw and you’ve done all of your homework, head down to your local home improvement store to pick one up. Read all assembly directions and review the operator’s manual before using your new table saw. As always, be safe and wear safety glasses while operating your new power tool.

--

--