Rigid Table Saw

A table saw is the most common piece of large woodworking equipment found in shops around the world. Table saw are very versatile, and if you can only have one piece of woodworking equipment, a rigid table saw is probably the best one to choose. These more portable types of table saws offer versatility and ease of use with the convenience of portability.

There are four main classes of table saws: contractor saws, benchtop table saws, cabinet saws and hybrid saws. When deciding between portable and floor standing table saws, the main thing you're trying to do is balance durability with portability. Since most portable types of equipment do not have the same durability features, they typically do not last as long as their less portable counterparts.

In the modern table saw, regardless of type, the depth of a cut is changed by adjusting the distance that the blade sticks out above the table surface. The more the blade protrudes from the table, the deeper the cut that is made in the material will be. Conversely, the less a blade protrudes from the table, the more shallow the cut that is made in the material being cut, will be.

In older table saw, altering the angle of the blade was used to increase or decrease the depth of the cut. Nowadays, there is still an adjustable angle control, but this is used merely to adjust the angle at which the material is cut, and is not used to decrease or increase the depth of cut being made.

Contractor table saws are heavy, large and come with a base or stand that often also has wheels for increased mobility. The motor hinges off the rear of a contractor table saw and drives the saw blade back and forth by a single belt that uses a 1 to 2 horsepower induction type of motor.

This type of table saw is often used by homeowners and hobbyists for the standard electrical requirements and the low cost of operation. Because the contractor table saw motor hangs off the rear of the saw on a pivot, dust collected can be a problem when compared with a cabinet saw.

Benchtop table saws are very lightweight and are designed to be operated while they sit atop a table or other level supportive surface. These types of table saws generally have a direct drive that does not involve pulleys or a v-belt to drive the saw.

One of the advantages of using a benchtop table saw are that they are very lightweight and can be moved by one person. This makes them wonderful saws for taking from place to place. The down side, however, is that these compact table saws are made from somewhat less durable material. These are the least capable as well as the least expensive models of table saws available today.