To select the best cabinet table saw for your purposes, pay attention to the amount of material you need to work with and the space you have. First, a table saw has to be safe, so consider if it is ergonomic, whether there is any blade protection, and how sawdust removal is organized.
To define that the tool is powerful enough, pay attention to the motor, blade, and fence quality. In this article, I will explain these basic parameters and review 5 popular models.
Contents
Top 5 Best Cabinet Table Saws Reviewed
- SAWSTOP 10″ Cabinet Saw – Top Pick
- Powermatic PM1000 – Runner Up
- Grizzly Industrial G0651 – Great Value
- JET 10″ XACTA Cabinet Saw
- 5-hp Unisaw With 52″ Biesemeyer Fence
There are four types of table saws depending on size. Cabinet saw tables are the heaviest and the biggest among them. This type of table saw is installed once and for all; it is a solid, professional instrument. These tools are designed to work with big wood sheets and produce furniture.
Making the furniture requires high accuracy, so every millimeter counts. The construction includes large amounts of cast iron and steel to prevent vibration during the blade rotation since it reduces accuracy. This type provides the most accurate cut and most powerful motor, and it also belongs to the expensive price range.
1. SAWSTOP 10″: The Safest Cabinet Saw
Specification
- Brand: SawStop
- Blade Material: High-Speed Steel
- Surface Recommendation: Wood
- Speed: 3500 RPM
- Blade Length: 10 Inches
- Cutting Angle: 90 Degrees
SAWSTOP 10″ professional cabinet saw is a solid and accurate tool I use by myself. It weighs more than 550 pounds, absorbs vibration, and allows you to work with a material of the required size. The 20×27-inch working surface is made of cast iron and is 34 inches above the ground, which is perfect for my height.
The 10-inch blade is made of high-speed steel, and it runs with a 3-hp motor. It provides cuts that are 3 ⅛ inches maximum deep, and it works best for wood. The crucial advantage of this model is safety since the rotating blade stops and drops below the table in case you accidentally touch it.
The blade carries a small electrical signal, and when the skin touches it, the signal changes since the human body is conductive. Using this principle allows for reducing injuries. Moreover, this model is equipped with an onboard computer that checks if the system works properly, preventing malfunctions in the beginning.
Though the weight of the tool is decent, accuracy is ensured by a stable fence. This detail is made of heavy-gauge steel and helps to reduce the wear caused by constant deflection. The rip capacity is 36 inches, which might not suit any task, but it completely fulfilled my needs. Dust collection is delivered in two ways for more effectiveness.
The first one is a tube above the blade that includes a blade guard. This model also provides dust collection below the table with shrouding around the blade. They flow dust into a 4-inch port.
- The rotating blade stops and drops below the table in case you accidentally touch it, preventing serious injuries;
- Heavy-gauge steel reduces wear caused by constant deflection;
- Two ways of collecting dust effectively prevent clogging.
- 36-inch rip capacity might not suit all types of work.
2. Powermatic PM1000: Cabinet Table Saw for Various Cuts
Specification
- Brand: Powermatic
- Blade Material: High-Speed Steel
- Surface Recommendation: Wood
- Speed: 4200 RPM
- Blade Length: 10 Inches
- Cutting Angle: 90 Degrees
The Powermatic PM1000 is lighter than the previous item: It weighs up to 300 pounds. It is also higher, with a working surface of 53 inches above the ground. However, the weight is lower. This model is equipped with a poly-V belt drive system, which is constructed to reduce vibration and maximize accuracy.
The only flaw I found in this model is its motor power, which is 1.75 hp. As a rule, the capacity of a cabinet saw motor starts from 2 hp, thus Powermatic PM1000 is slightly less effective than other models.
The 10-inch blade has 50 teeth and a rotation speed of 4200 RPM. These properties are close to standard ones; they ensure effortless work and decent finishing. The great advantage of this model is that the blade leans 60° left and right, providing a wide range of cuts. It is also easy to assemble and maintain: You can change the blade with one hand and minimum tools.
- The blade provides a wide range of cuts leaning up to 60° left and right;
- A poly-V belt drive system offsets low weight, reduces vibration, and maximizes accuracy;
- Easy to maintain: You can change the blade with minimal tools.
- The motor power is 1.75 hp, which is slightly lower than the average cabinet saws perform.
3. Grizzly Industrial G0651: Cabinet Saw With Comfortable Table
Specification
- Brand: Grizzly
- Blade Material: High-Speed Steel
- Surface Recommendation: Wood
- Speed: 4000 RPM
- Blade Length: 10 Inches
- Cutting Angle: 90 Degrees
Considering the weight, Grizzly Industrial G0651 is the middle ground between the two first items. It is 435 pounds. The table is made of ground iron cast and provides extension wings. I had an opportunity to try this model in my friend’s workshop and appreciated that it provided a convenient corner workspace.
The size of the table with an extension is 27 x 75 inches, which is about 35 inches above the ground. I value the versatility of tools and recommend this model since it allows cutting from both sides: The maximum rip capacity on the right is 52 inches, and it is 18 inches on the left.
This model is equipped with a poly-V serpentine belt drive system, which is typical for cabinet saws. The tool features a 3-hp motor that runs the 10-inch blade with 4000 RPM speed. The blade provides various cuts by leaning 45° on the left side, and its maximum cutting depth depends on the angle. 90° allows cutting about 3 inches deep, and the 45° position reduces the depth up to 2-3 inches.
For more safety and ease of maintenance, it is equipped with a quick-release blade guard and driving knife assembly. Unlike SAWSTOP 10″ professional cabinet saw, this model has only one way of collecting dust, yet the underside container is still effective.
- Extension wings provide a convenient and spacious working area;
- Large rip capacity on the right, which is 52 inches;
- The fence allows cutting both on right and left sides;
- A ground iron cast table ensures accurate cuts.
- The blade speed is relatively low (3000 RPM).
4. JET 10″ XACTA: Space-Efficient Cabinet Saw
Specification
- Brand: JET
- Blade Material: High-Speed Steel
- Surface Recommendation: Cast Iron
- Speed: 4300 RPM
- Blade Length: 10 Inches
- Cutting Angle: 90 Degrees
The JET 10″ XACTA cabinet saw differs from other models in its construction. Unlike the rest of the cabinet saws on this list, this item has only a foot and no additional pillars. This cabinet saw is well-balanced and space-efficient. It weighs a bit more than 400 pounds and includes a built-in storage drawer. A cabinet saw is a long-lasting tool, and it has to be reliable. The JET 10″ XACTA cabinet saw is covered with powder-coated paint, increasing its chip resistance.
A standard 10-inch blade makes 4300 rotations per minute, which is the highest speed on the list. Among all the saws I’ve tested, this instrument allowed me to finish my tasks in the shortest time. A bush button arbor lock allows quick blade change, ensuring easy maintenance.
To make the working process safe, the tool is equipped with a rail-mounted magnetic switch that is responsible for overload protection. Moreover, an independent leaf safety guard protects your hands even when cutting at a 45-degree position.
- Space-efficient construction with a built-in storage drawer;
- A powder-coated paint provides durability and increases chip resistance;
- A rail-mounted magnetic switch prevents overload protection;
- An independent leaf safety guard protects your hands even when cutting at a 45-degree position.
- The rip capacity is small, compared to other items on the list (30 inches).
5. 5-hp Unisaw: Cabinet Shop Table Saw With Biggest Power
Specification
- Brand: Delta
- Blade Material: High-Speed Steel
- Surface Recommendation: Cast Iron
- Speed: 4300 RPM
- Blade Length: 10 Inches
- Cutting Angle: 90 Degrees
The 5-hp Unisaw is the most powerful cabinet saw on the list. It is equipped with a motor that provides 5 hp, which is the maximum for this kind of table saw.
A powerful motor allows the spinning of the blade at high speed which is 4300 rotations per minute. This provides quick and effortless work with a big amount of wood. It is also the heaviest item among those I have named above: It weighs 650 pounds. This feature ensures stability and accurate cuts, as well as the bevel dial, which allows fine-tuning of the blade bevel with ease and provides accuracy.
This model conditionally belongs to a commercial table saw since it allows you to create high-quality furniture. I finished a few projects with this saw, and the quality of the cuts was as high as craft furniture.
- The most powerful cabinet saw of this type (5 hp);
- High rotating speed (4300 RPM);
- Decent weight and bevel dial ensure accurate cutting.
- Difficult to transport.
Cabinet Table Saw Buyer’s Guide
To select a particular machine, pay attention to the features I name below. All of them directly influence the results of the work.
Power
Table saw motors are divided into two types, depending on the construction and properties:
- A direct-drive system is run by an induction motor, which means using torque through electromagnetic induction. They are relatively small and easy to maintain, but they are also noisy and less powerful.
- Belt-driven table saws also use an induction motor, but this system includes a V-belt and pulley system between the electric motor and the saw blade arbor. Table saws that are equipped with this system tend to be bigger, yet they allow cutting deeper and stopping faster, ensuring more control over the material.
Any motor can be described by four parameters. Knowing them makes your choice more accurate and specific.
- Horsepower stands for power output.
- Amperage describes the current flow.
- Voltage is the tension that pushes electrical current.
- Rotations per minute mean blade speed.
Size and weight
Cabinet table saws are the biggest and the heaviest category, but these tools still vary in weight and size. An average model weighs about 450 pounds. They provide the most accurate cuts due to their weight since it allows for reducing vibration and minimizes alterations. This parameter depends on the amount of cast iron and steel the model includes. The heaviest cabinet table saws are fully made of metal and weigh about 2 000 pounds.
The most important thing to keep in mind concerning the size of any table saw is that the dimensions of a table are not the size of the working area. Thus the most critical parameters are the blade size, which is usually 10-12 inches, and rip capacity.
Stability
Apart from weight, stability is also affected by the table’s construction. A crucial detail for a stable instrument is a solid platform that withstands the load. However, even a perfect table saw won’t work properly in an unsuitable environment, so even a curved floor can spoil the results of your work.
Accuracy
Weight is also not the only parameter that affects accuracy. Every detail of a table saw has to be stable and adjusted, so the whole system works its best.
- A flat table surface allows for keeping a wood sheet stable and prevents it from wobbling
- A fence needs to be locked properly so that it doesn’t change its position under pressure.
- Keep a blade in proper condition to ensure an accurate cut and prevent rough finishing.
Blade
To select a suitable blade, pay attention to its diameter and the number of teeth. These features give an idea of sawing speed and quality of finishing.
Safety
When dealing with woodworking tools, you need to stick to safety rules, and a cabinet table saw is no exception. Blade, dust, and noise are the main causes of injuries you can face if you ignore these simple instructions.
- Wear proper eye and ear protection. When cutting a sheet of wood, slivers can reach your eyes and harm them, and ordinary glasses won’t help you. Unlike eye damage, hearing loss is not the thing you notice immediately. Constant noise slowly affects the eardrums, and symptoms most likely mean it’s already too late.
- Use a push stick to guide sheets that are more than 6-inch wide. This tool allows for keeping your fingers far from the blade.
- Avoid wearing loose clothes since fabric might cling onto details and keep you out of the line of most kickbacks.
- As with any other electrical instrument, make sure the table saw is not plugged in before changing the blade or maintaining any other details.
- To ensure accurate cuts and expected dimensions, make sure the rip fence is parallel to the blade.
Dust сollection
Sawdust is a source of issues both with your health and with a table saw. It can harm your airways and clog the whole machine. A cabinet table saw has either a port under the table to remove waste or a hose that extracts dust straight from the blade.
FAQ on Choosing a Cabinet Saw
There are a lot of other woodworking tools intended for cutting. You might want to learn the full range of options, so here are the most common questions on this topic.
What is the best cabinet table saw on the market?
There is no best cabinet table saw on the market since any model fits particular tasks. To decide which cabinet saw suits your needs, consider the amount of wood you need to work with and the required power.
What’s the difference between a table saw and a cabinet saw?
A table saw is a general name for woodcutting machines, and a cabinet saw is a kind of table saw. There are also benchtops, job sites, and contractor saws; they vary in size and other properties.
Is a worm drive table saw better?
A worm drive table saw suits different conditions. Unlike a cabinet saw, it is portable, and you can carry it around. However, lightweight can’t provide such high cutting accuracy as a cabinet saw does.
Best Cabinet Table Saws for Workshops
A table saw is an essential tool for any woodworking workshop. They serve a wide variety of tasks in cutting wood, for example, batch cutting, customizing board thickness, and making lengthwise beveled and decorative cuts. A table saw has to be stable, reliable, and accurate, so I have selected the 10″ Professional Cabinet Saw as a top pick. I find it the safest model, which also suits my workshop dimensions.
Best cabinet table saw: comparison table
| Weight | Rip capacity | Additional safety features | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAWSTOP 10" Professional Cabinet Saw | 555 pounds | 36 inches | The blade stops automatically if you touch it. |
| Powermatic PM1000 | 289 pounds | 52 inches | |
| Grizzly Industrial G0651 | 435 pounds | 52 inches right 18 inches left | Quick-release blade guard. |
| JET 10" XACTA Cabinet Saw | 407 pounds | 30 inches | Rail-mounted magnetic switch that is responsible for overload protection. |
| 5-hp Unisaw | 650 pounds | 52 inches |
Which kind of work are you selecting a saw for? Which properties are crucial for you? Please share in the comments.
“A good tool stays with you for many years and choosing carefully ensures the job is done right, your work is neat, and the tool is always a pleasure to use”
