Best Jobsite Table Saw for DIYers & Pros’ Wood Projects

Jobsite table saws will always come to mind when looking for convenience and portability for any woodworker, DIY, or contractor. Unfortunately, not all the Jobsite models are worth it, and therefore you need to be sure that the model you choose is worth it before making your purchase to avoid making an unworthy purchase. Read on to learn the best Jobsite table saw for your tasks.

What is a Jobsite Table Saw?

Jobsite table saws are spectacular machines invaluable for their portability and accuracy when it comes to cutting power. However, they are pretty similar to benchtop models when it comes to size. The main difference is that the Jobsite table saw is set on a rolling stand to be wheeled from one room to another in a construction site, and a Jobsite table saw uses a more robust motor. The rolling and folding stand with wheels make them portable saws for a job site and hence their name.

Jobsite table saws have a high-quality fence for the more precise measurements and cut better width adjustments. Ensure you opt for lightweight materials, robust motor size, and a smooth mechanism in your options to see which Jobsite saw will be the best for your tasks. These saws stick out as types you can take advantage of as it comes close to a small cabinet saw while still maintaining its portability. The goal of these portable Jobsite table saws is to maximize power and allow the saw to move from your trailer or truck to the job site.

These Jobsite portable table saws are easy to use and super versatile as they produce rip cuts, miter cuts, crosscuts and can also produce bevel cuts, dadoes and rabbets. However, if new to woodworking jobs, you can be overwhelmed by the number of choices you see online and ease your work. Therefore, we have some of the best Jobsite table saws with their pros and cons. We have also included some tips on finding the best portable table saw and more information to better understand these portable table saws.

Which is the best jobsite table saw?

1. DEWALT Table Saw for Jobsite (DWE7485 & DPG52-1C)

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DEWALT Table Saw for Jobsite, Compact, 8-1/4-Inch with...

• Portability: Compact size for ease of transportation and storage
• Easy adjustments: Rack and pinion telescoping fence rails make...
• Variety of cuts: 24.5 inches of rip capacity for ripping 4x8...
• Rubber tipped temples provide a secure comfortable fit.
• Soft, rubber nosepiece provides non-slip, comfortable wear.

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DEWALT DWE7485 Table Saw is a lightweight and portable unit that will come in handy, especially when you need to move it from one worksite to another weight just 45 pounds. The portable table saw has a table coating that decreases friction and facilitates smooth wood cutting and is also a durable construction surrounded by a steel roll cage that can absorb a lot of harsh beatings and protects your tool from breaking.

DEWALT DWE7485 Table Saw is powerful enough with a 15-amp motor with a 5800 RPM under no load allowing the table saw to rip hardwoods without any hassle. The portable table saw includes a dust collection port on the back, but it can only use 8.75-inch blades and will struggle with cutting large plywood sheets. In addition, the Dewalt table has a cast aluminum table that reduces its weight, and it's not flimsy, but the table saw does not accept dado blades and if you intend to do dado work.

2. SKIL 15 Amp 10 Inch Table Saw - TS6307-00

SKIL 15 Amp 10 Inch Table Saw - TS6307-00

• RACK AND PINION FENCE RAILS – Ensures fence stays parallel to...
• INTEGRATED FOLDING STAND – Legs quickly fold in to provide...
• PARALLEL BLADE ALIGNMENT – Available micro-adjustment of blade...
• 4x4 CUTTING CAPACITY – Cuts material up to 4x4 at 90 degrees
• 2-47° BEVEL CAPACITY – Cuts between 2 positive stops at 0 and...

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SKIL 15 Amp 10 Inch Table Saw is one of the best portable Jobsite table saws for first-time DIYers or woodworkers because it gives an excellent value for money. It features a robust direct-drive 15 amp motor and a 10-inch blade that spins at 4600RPM. The unit also has a blade bevel scale along its front, and it has permanent markings that will not wear out with consistent use, and they are easy to read to make necessary adjustments.

SKIL 15 Amp portable table saw features a 25.5-inch rip capacity that cuts various material sizes. Crosscuts, miter, rip or bevel cuts are all possible thanks to the 3.5 inches cut height, making it ideal for woodworking projects. In addition, the portable Jobsite table includes a cast aluminum table with a self-aligning rip fence that guarantees accurate measurements and settings, and it will accept dado cuts thanks to the maximum dado width of 5/8 inch.

What are the Different Parts of a Jobsite Table Saw?

Let's check out the different parts of a Jobsite table saw to understand the power tool better.

a). Blade

The blade is an essential part of your portable table saw since you cant cut a stock piece without using the blade. Jobsite table saws are mostly fitted with 10-inch blades, and other saws can accommodate the 12-inch blades, and table saw blades have carbide tips, with other having carbon or diamond tips.

b). Rolling Stand

Most Jobsite saws come with a rolling stand, and this allows you to wheel the table saw from one room to another or from the headquarters to a new job site. The wheels are usually made of rugged materials that ensure the tool can be wheeled even on uneven terrains.

c). Drive Configuration

Portable table saws feature three drive configurations, including the direct drive, worm drive and belt drive. These belt-driven configurations are usually used in large stationary table saws where Jobsite or portable table saws feature direct drive configurations and are equipped with universal motors. These tools usually come with motors connected to the table saw's blade directly, and because it doesn't have a belt, the power is directed to the blade.

Direct drive saws are usually more compact, but they are a bit loud than their belt drive counterparts, and even though it's rare, worm drives are another configuration used in portable saws. The worm-driven Jobsite saws are considered more durable than their counterparts, and while the motor is more powerful, it has more accurate cuts. In addition, these worm-driven table saws are better at heat dissipation and will ensure the motor's longevity.

d). Anti-Kickback Devices

As much as you are careful when operating your table saw, you are bound to experience kickback sooner or later. Most manufacturers feature attachments that reduce the likelihood of pieces of wood flying backward and hitting you. Some of these devices include blade guards, riving knives, anti-kickback pawls and splitters.

e). Miter Gauge

Crosscuts and rip cuts are not the only things a portable table saw can do, and most woodworkers use the tool to make bevels and miters. If you plan on making bevel and miter cuts, choose a portable table saw with a miter gauge. The miter gauge is a handy attachment that allows users to adjust the workpiece to make cuts at different angles.

f). Rip Fence

The rip fence is found on the table's saw right side and is positioned parallel to your blade where it aligns and supports the piece of wood as you cut it and serves as a guide to ensure the resulting cut is straight precise. If you intend on working on large workpieces, ensure the rip capacity is longer and also choose a unit with a secure rip fence, and it doesn't move around when you start cutting the workpiece.

g). Blade Height and Bevel Adjustment Wheel

The blade height adjustment is found on the front of your unit, and the user cranks their wheel to raise and lower their blade. The bevel adjustment is a mechanism located on the front of the table saw, and you can use it to tilt the blade to make the bevel cuts successfully.

h). Throat Plate

This is a detachable metal insert that sits at level with the portable saw table, and it protects your blade and its arbor by preventing any debris from falling inside.

i). Power Switches

The power switches are located on the left side of the blade height and bevel adjustment wheels, and if you have children or pets, this is a must-have feature. This feature prevents any accidents from happening, so ensure you get a unit with child-proof switches.

j). Dust Exhaust Port

This part is located on the Jobsite table saw back, and you can attach a dust bag, dust extractor or shop vac to ensure that your garage or Jobsite is cleaner. However, some table saws have a separate dust exhaust port, and it's integrated with a transparent blade guard for a clean work area.

What are Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Jobsite Table Saws?

Advantages

• Jobsite portable table saws take up less space when compared to other table saw types, which is excellent for people working in small woodshops.
• The most obvious advantage is the portability, where these saws are designed to move from one work site to another and hence are easy to move around in your worksite.
• These are the best table saws if you want to use less energy as they require less energy to operate. Most portable table saw models include a powerful 15-amp motor that generates up to 5000 RPM, and you will generally need a 110-volt outlet.
• Affordable and they come with a lot of varieties for small scale woodworking shops, and when compared to stationery models, they are cheaper and can cost up to less than $500

Disadvantages

• Most table saws suffer from the con of the available rip area for the saw, but this is not an issue for most people apart from those needing to cut large slabs of wood. One of the most common limitations with these Jobsite saws is that the rip capacity can be expanded by adding an aftermarket fence.
• These models don't pack enough power for some tasks, but the power is enough for hobbyists or DIYers

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Jobsite Table Saw

Just like when you are purchasing any equipment, you need to know what to look out for before making your purchase, and some of these include:

1. Portability/Mobility

When it comes to purchasing the best portable Jobsite table saw, mobility is one of the most important factors to consider, primarily because of the weight. Lighter saws will be more portable than heavy ones, and this might not be a big deal if you work with an extensive team of people, but most people don't make this an important consideration. When checking for portability, apart from weight, you should also check the wheels where most Jobsite table saws include wheels that make moving them a breeze.

However, not all wheels are ideal and are made the same because some wheels are built for heavy-duty work, and others are prone to breakage. Other wheels are made to navigate debris and curbs, but not all can do this comfortably. Ensure you check how quality the best portable table saw wheels are for efficient and fast movement.

2. Accuracy

Your portable table saw needs to be accurate whether you are a contractor or a DIYer and how accurate it is will depend on what you are using it for. The accuracy of a portable saw may depend on many features, including the miter gauge, table flatness, or fence, and it's essential to observe all these features if accuracy is on top of your list.

A Jobsite table saw should have a usable rip fence, a flat table, and a high-quality miter gauge for maximum accuracy. The miter gauge can be changed, but it's better to choose an accurate one from the box because changing the miter gauge will cost you some more.

3. Build Capacity

A significant issue with most budget table saws is that the table is not usually fully flat. This can be due to several factors, including poor manufacturing, damage during shipping, or warping over time. The best table tops are made of cast iron and are high quality, more stable and durable, and will hardly have issues with the tabletop flatness. Portable models usually feature aluminum tabletops.

When shopping for the best table saws, ensure the tabletop is reasonably flat on a compact table saw but expect a slight imperfection. However, avoid models that use a lot of plastic parts, as when you purchase a table made of poor quality material, it will prevent you from achieving the best results on your woodworking projects. Tables with perfectly flat tables tend to make more accurate cuts, and even a slight sag in the table can reduce your ability to cut precisely.

4. Power

You will need the power to cut through anything, and most of the time, the more power you have, the better results you will get. However, this is not always the case with Jobsite table saws, as more power will mean more weight, and this can be challenging especially if you plan on moving the saw around. Therefore, the choice of the best portable Jobsite table saw is a balance between portability and power.

Most Jobsite portable saws feature a 15-amp motor, and this is usually adequate for most projects; and this amount of power can handle nearly anything you throw at it without getting bogged down. In addition, this motor size does not minimize the portability a lot, making it a good choice for most contractors and homeowners. Still, you can also find a Jobsite portable table saw with a small motor and is very portable.

There is no one-size-fits-all in how much power you will need for your portable table saw, and you should check your situation and expectations to make the best choice. For example, if you will be moving around a lot, opt for a unit with a larger motor as portability will not affect you a lot.

5. Bevel Capacity

This feature is necessary for anyone looking to do serious woodwork as the feature allows you to change the angle of your blade. Changing the blade angle is beneficial as it allows you to make cuts at angles other than 90 degrees. In addition, it enables you to make some more excellent corners and other design features that would not be possible to make without some additional tools.

6. Durability

Jobsite table saws are more likely to suffer from rough treatment than table saws in workshops. Therefore, ensure you look for durable and rugged models that will still stand after talking a few knocks and not break down easily.

7. Dust Collection System

Table saws feature some system for collecting sawdust, and therefore you should ensure the one you are purchasing has one and check how efficient it is. Notably, some table saws lack a dust collection system, and this can also work if you are working outside, but it will be less desirable if you are working indoors.

8. Safety

As with all equipment, safety is always an essential factor to consider, and most of the table saws we have reviewed above observe this factor. Every Jobsite saw should feature an on and off switch that is easy to reach, and a user should familiarize themselves with where the switch is before making any cuts. Also, it might be beneficial if you chose a saw with a kickback control for maximum safety.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Jobsite Table Saws

1. Are portable table saws accurate?

Some of the best portable table saws are super accurate, while others are not, and this varies from one table to another. So before making your purchase, ensure you read some reviews like the ones above if you are concerned is accuracy to know how accurate each one is.

2. Do you need a blade guard on a table saw?

As much as most people think that the role of a blade guard is to protect your fingers, it is one of the purposes, with the leading role being preventing the wood from falling on the spinning blade. Unfortunately, a portable Jobsite table saw is quick to cut, and if you cut your fingers close to your blade, the blade guard may not be able to protect them.

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