Choices, choices, choices. With so many table saw options on the market, how are you supposed to know if you’re making the best choice for your needs, shop, and budget? Here are 5 keys tips for buying the right table saw.
Size
The type of saw you buy will likely be determined by how much room you have and the style of your work. Budget comes into play here as well. The best advice is spend as much as your budget allows, even if you have to wait a little longer. This doesn’t mean you can’t get a lot of bang for your buck in a smaller saw, but make sure to do your research. You’ll want one that offers the features you need and can be easily moved on an integrated stand.
If you’re looking at a larger cabinet-style saw, it’s important to know that it’s meant to be placed and rarely moved. This increases the workflow through the shop if you have the space by making this one of the central players in your builds. However, you can move these saws quite easily if you have a heavy-duty mobile base like the BORA® PM-3500 or PM-3550. Even for a medium-sized shop, this type of saw could be an option if you don’t mind moving it around on a mobile base.
Style
The style of saw you buy is a similar dilemma to the size question. Contractor-type saws are good to a point, and nowadays there are some that give you great results. If you want this option, be prepared to pay top price for this smaller package to get the better features. There are saws available in the starter or intermediate price range; however, it is likely that there will be tradeoffs with quality or features.
At the end of the day, you need to imagine how much you will use this equipment and buy what gets you the finished result you need. Pouring all the budget into one item doesn't leave much for the other needs you will have going forward.
Mobility
Since having a large woodshop is a luxury, the ability to move your equipment is essential. The key here is to know both the footprint of your saw as well as the weight. BORA® has a range of mobile bases to suit all types of saws. There are even outboard table extensions, which means you can have a larger cabinet-style saw with an extension table and still be able to move it. Two great choices to consider are the PM-2550 and PM-3550, which both are all-swivel wheel models. These allow you to parallel park the saw in almost any location as the swivel wheels maneuver in all directions.
Fence
Most saws will do the cutting you need. However, they are not all created equally when it comes to the fence. Choosing wisely in this case will pay dividends in the long run. You're looking for adjustability here. This means you can adjust for parallelism to the blade as well as place the rule markers and have adjustment of the fence so that measurements are correct. You should always measure before you cut, but you want to have accuracy there regardless, so you are focusing on final setting of the fence.
There are several good fences that come on machines as well as after-market fences that can upgrade the fence you have currently. Look for reviews and articles during your research and you will find a unit that fits your needs.
Extras
Saws also can expand their functionality with optional extras such as zero-clearance table inserts, router table extension wings, and dust extraction. Zero-clearance aids protect edges and promote a chip-free finish when cutting expensive timber or sheet goods. The router table wing is self-explanatory, but with the right combo you save the need to have a separate router table that takes up valuable room.
Finally, dust extraction helps with line of sight and keeping the shop clean, as well as dust out of your lungs. The extras can come later, but plan accordingly and have a plan for upgrading and expanding the functionality of your table saw.
A table saw can be one of your most important and most used pieces of woodworking equipment. Do your research to find something that suits your setup and how you like to work as well as a bit of futureproofing for what you aspire to make later on.
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