Every serious woodworker needs a table saw to complete different woodworking tasks smoothly. Cabinet table saws are an exclusive inclusion to the realm of table saws. They come in a rigid construction, providing more stability and less noise than regular types. That's why woodworkers now prefer cabinet saws to other types of table saws.
You need to have a clear understanding of a saw if you want to buy the best cabinet table saw that meets your needs. Since they are a bit pricey, it's very important to make an informed decision and invest in the right product.
So, you should understand what a cabinet table saw is, how it works, what things you should keep in mind while making a purchase, and what are the best models in today's market. We have all your queries answered in this article. No matter whether you are a starter or a professional, you'll find our buying guide and reviews helpful for sure.
The Drilly team comprises professional and passionate craftsmen, metalworker, and woodworkers from all around the USA. We've been completing woodworking and metalworking projects for the most part of our adult lives. During this long time, we've gone through a tedious learning process. We made mistakes and learned from them to be a better woodworker and metalworker. That's why we have critical insight into different metal and woodworking tools.
We have no financial relationship with any of the manufactures. That helps us review the products without getting biased by any brand or model name. Our sole aim is to promote only the deserving products to help readers choose the best one for their needs. So, you can put your trust in us without a second thought.
Understanding the Cabinet Table Saw and Its Importance
A cabinet table saw differs from the table saw in that it has a hardy base that is enclosed upon which the table top saw is placed. This allows for a sturdier table and precision cuts as it is also a lot more powerful than normal table saws. Their induction motors are known to be anywhere around from 2 to 5 horsepower.
Single-phase motors are suitable for home uses and three-phase motors are suitable for commercial uses. Cabinet table saws are sturdier producing less sound and provide excellent adjustability with the help of a cabinet-mounted trunnion.
They may be pricier than other types of table saws, but their power is unmatched with large attachable blades that can help you tackle a wide variety of projects. The greatest thing about this is that you usually only have to cut through the material once.
Why a Cabinet Table Saw Is Important for Woodworking
- They are quieter than most other types of saws as their motor is stored in an enclosed based
- Not as much to clean up after a hard day of cutting on the saw. The saw has large dust collection ports that collect the sawdust
- Less chance of landing up with bits of cut wood that has been burned from the excessive heat of the blades
- Smoother more precise cuts because of the rigid plate mounting and power at which the blades spin
- The important parts of the saw, such as the belts and motor are protectively housed in the enclosed base
- The blades last longer, especially if the machine is of high quality
- They have a large tabletop working area
- They have easier to use controls and magnetic safety switch
- The machines have the ever-important positive blade setting which enables the cut of material to come out with the desired results
- The cleaning and maintenance of the table cabinet saws are a lot easier thanks to well-spaced and positioned parts
Things to Consider When Buying a Cabinet Saw
There are hundreds of cabinet saws for sale. Keep the following factors in mind and you will find the perfect match without any difficulty.
1. Base & Cabinet Material
When looking at the cabinet table saw you are going to want to look at one that has a base unit that is designed to last. The better bases are made from cast iron and are completely enclosed to protect the different components of the saw and drown out a lot of motors noise.
2. Motor Horsepower
Ideally, you are going to need a saw that has enough horsepower to cut through the toughest knottiest of wood. It is good to remember not to just pick on horsepower alone and to ensure if you are going for higher horsepower it is within your budget. Higher horsepower tends to be pricier.
3. Power
- 5 to 2-HP Cabinet powerful enough for mainstream work
- 3 to 5 HP Cabinet this is more for the serious woodworker or hobbyist
4. Fencing
Better fences my rack up the cost of the machine a bit more but they are well worth the extra cost. When considering a machine make sure that is has a T-fence as this is one of the most important parts of the tool. This is what makes various kinds of cuts on the device possible and prevents the boards from moving about.
5. Hand Wheel
Check that the product comes with hand wheel for the adjusting of the blade heights.
6. Depth of Cut
Check the depth of cut for specific blade height cuts you want to be able to have a few settings for various wood, etc.
7. Floor Space
The size of the base must be determined by the space you have available in your workshop. This space will determine what size and weight of the machine you will require.
8. Kickback Protection
Working with any power tool requires safety preparations, especially with a tool that uses a high-speed, powerful blade. Make sure the machine has kickback prevention they must be able to protect from the riving knife and sudden hand jerk movements. Also, you need to gather certain items to ensure the overall safety of yourself
9. Blade
Make sure the blades are made from high-quality grade material and that the machine comes with a few choices.
10. Weight
Heavier cabinets tend to mean a more stable machine. Most workshops that have the table cabinet saw have bolted to the floor permanently. But some smaller workshops may need to be able to move the device in order to maximize their space. Pick the weight and size of the machine to fit into your workshop environment.
11. Miter
The miter slot must be a standard size this is important for the adding of accessories onto the device. Most accessories are of a standard size and will be of no use to a device that has a unique sized miter
12. Bevel
The bevel should ride above the blade this makes for smoother rip cuts that are bur-free.
13. Dust Port
Look for machines that have broader dust ports. These do not get clogged as easily as the narrower ones and a dust port is just as necessary for your safety as the other safety features are
The machine needs to be able to have a clean runoff of debris so that some small bits of wood or sawdust do not fly up into your face/eyes.
14. Blade Assembly
Make sure that the machine you choose has for easy changing and adjusting of the blades. Some blade assemblies will require tools in order to be able to adjust and change out the blades.
15. Safety Features
Always check the safety features of the machine to ensure it has a paddle emergency button that is easy to use. This should be able to be worked by pressing it with any part of your body.
16. Arbor Shaft Size
Changing out of an arbor shaft is not a job that you are going to want to do. When looking over a machine make sure that the arbor shaft is long enough to have room for a dado stack of blades.
17. Price & Warranty
Make sure that you are getting the best product for the money. Check if the price is in your budget range and always examine the warranty specifically the length and what parts it covers. You will find it hard to get a good quality model under 1000 dollars. So, spend more than that to get a cabinet table saw that will work smoothly for your woodworking projects.
How Did We Pick These Tools?
We spent almost 22 hours to conduct thorough online research to shortlist 20 deserving products to be tested physically. In the next few days, we worked from dawn to dusk to test each of the products in real-life situations. It was difficult for us to run the testing process all by ourselves. For this reason, we engaged our volunteer teams when testing the models physically.
During the testing process, we compared and analyzed the overall performance of the models. We combined our findings with that of our volunteers to made the final list. We considered important factors such as performance, price, and user ratings to narrow down the options to our top 10 picks.
Then, we consulted other industry experts in our locality to see how they react to our reviews and top picks. As expected, they agreed with most of our points and also suggested a little adjustment. Finally, we were able to come up with our final list of cabinet table saws, maintaining all the steps of our protocol. We're confident that you will not find a more comprehensive set of reviews and buyers guide than ours.
Our Top 10 Product List
Wondering what is the best cabinet table saw? Here finally comes our shortlisted products. Go through each model carefully to see which one fits your individual needs most.
Care and Maintenance
As with any tool, the proper care and maintenance are required in order to ensure it lasts. As the table cabinet saw is no small investment to make taking care of it is a must.
Keep these factors in mind before you begin any maintenance work on your saw:
- Unplug the table saw
- Clean the table of any debris or sawdust
- Clean inside the cabinets of the saw
- The vacuum outlets or dust bag must be thoroughly cleaned
- Clean the belts and motor make sure all the sawdust has been cleaned away
- Your saw blades should be cleaned with pitch and gum remover. This will keep the blades well lubricated and sharp
- It is important to keep the table top well waxed/polished. A waxed table makes the debris slide off it easier. You can use a metal polisher or even car wax will work wonders on the table top surface.
- Replace a chord such as the power cable should you notice any signs of fraying.
- Make sure the alignment of the saw is what it should be the can be tested with the straightest blade in the kit. Then test to see if the miter slots and fencing are flush to the side of the blade.
- Keep the bevel gear well lubricated with a small dollop of dry lubricant every now and then
- All plastic parts on the saw’s exterior should be washed down with a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Then dried off with a clean towel that does not leave fluff or wipe marks.
- Tighten any bearing under the cabinet that may have come loose with use on the blade raising and tilting mechanism.
Final Words
Cabinet table saws are an essential tool for any serious woodworker. We hope that our reviews and buying guide have helped you on your way to finding the best table saw for you. Before you even look at any make and models, you need to allocate a permanent or semi-permanent spot for the machine. This will give you an idea of the size/weight of the machine.
We were surprised to see that no model from reputed brands like Walker-Turner Co., Bosch, Shop Fox, Ryobi, Porter Cable, Hitachi, Steel City, and Laguna couldn't make it to our final list since they failed to match our benchmark. However, some of their products are really good - a fact we cannot deny.
For serious woodworkers and hobbyists, you will not go wrong with a cabinet table saw to help you bring your ideas into reality. So take your time, make sure you have space and cash to get a machine that will last with everything you need.
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