Best Table Saws for Contractors

Need a new saw for work?

A contractor needs tools that can handle a hard day’s work, start right up the next day and do it all again.

Poorly built tools mean poorly done jobs, right? If you can’t rip a board square, you can’t build square. It’s just that simple.

And your time is valuable, we know, so we shortened your “To-Do” list by putting together this review of table saws that can handle construction all day, every day.

So, you can sit back, relax and shop around without a care in the world. For once, the hard work’s been done for you!

In a Rush?

OUR BEST CHOICE

Jet 708492K JPS-10TS

The Jet 708492K JPS-10TS cuts cleanly through the competition in this review. It’s an undeniably tough, well-built tool that can handle anything you can throw at it.

Whatever your needs, whatever your price range, there’s a saw here that’ll get the job done. So, grab your card and let it come to you!

Choosing the Best Table Saw for Contractors

The Rip Fence

We’re not going to insult your intelligence here – if you’re looking for a work saw then you probably already know how important it is to have a rip fence that lines up squarely to the blade and locks tightly into place.

It’s all on the Table

Let’s face it – if the table isn’t flat, the saw isn’t worth a dollar. We’ve checked these saws out and will let you know what real people using these saws say about the tables. Whether they’re machined aluminum or cast iron, they’ve got to be flat, right?

Power Play

We know that you’re going to want to know about the motor. It’s got to be strong enough to tackle any piece of tough lumber that you need to cut. No problem! We’ll let you know how strong each motor is and what people say about it when they run something like a 2” thick piece of oak through the saw.

Variety (not the Magazine)

You’ve got to have choices. Sometimes you’re in the shop building out something to be installed later so a shop saw is what you want. Other times you need to bring your table saw to the site and work in whatever conditions exist. That’s why we’ve reviewed various types of saws that we know contractors use – so you get exactly what you need.

OSHA’s Baby

We know that there are safety rules on every job site. It’s not enough to just wear a hard hat and show up, right? Every saw needs safety equipment, especially when employees or co-workers will be using that saw so don’t worry, this review is OSHA compliant, too!

5 Best Contractor Table Saw Reviews

1. Jet 708492K JPS-10TS

PROS:

• 1 ¾ horsepower motor powers through even the hardest of materials.
• The arbor lock is integrated and accessible from the table top for quick blade changes.
• The quick release riving knife and blade guard make for easy and tool-less mounting and removal.
• The over-sized “Stop” button is a big safety plus.
• The rip fence is square, tight and smooth – just a perfectly designed piece.
• The enclosed cabinet keeps the internal mechanisms clean.
• The solid steel legs make for one stable table saw.
• The table is cast iron and won’t warp or bend under even the most intense working conditions.
• Dado blades – Yes!
• It runs off of 110v, so you can even run it off of a generator.
• The blade is properly set so that most of the dust goes out the 4” dust port, not the throat plate.
• The heavy-duty cast iron table, trunnion mounted motor and solid legs make it almost vibration free.

CONS::

• Requires 2 people for assembly.
• Assembly time may be up to 3 hours.

Cutting the competition at just under $1,400 this saw is a fantastic value. A solid, reliable table saw that will cut clean, consistent and continuously to handle any task you take on! Don’t hesitate to invest in this great machine.

2. Powermatic 1791230K 64B Table Saw

PROS:

• Pre-wired for 115v but dual voltage so you can hook it up to 220v.
• 1 ¾ horsepower motor blasts through oak and walnut like a hot knife through butter!
• Exclusive Accu-Fence system rips up to 30” and never moves.
• Top access arbor lock eliminates the need for two wrenches, making for quick and easy blade changes.
• T-slot miter gauge with rack-and-pinion angle setting, positive stops, and an extension plate.
• Front edge bevel on the cast iron top is a high-end feature.
• Accepts all common dado blades.
• Solid legs and the cast iron top give you a very low vibration saw, which you need when there are hours of ripping to get done.
• The heavy-duty cast iron trunnions provide excellent blade positioning and long-term durability.
• Riving knife and blade guard are quick releases.
• The additional low-profile riving knife can be used for non-through cuts.

CONS:

• The stop switch could be bigger and easier to hit in an emergency.

This saw is hard to beat. It’s built like a tank and made for years of hard use. At less than $1800 it’s definitely worth the money. Don’t pass this one up – it’s a table saw that any contractor would love to have.

3. Baileigh TS-1040C Contractor Table Saw

PROS:

• 1.5 horsepower motor spins the blade at a blistering 4,000 rpm!
• Runs on 110v or 220v single phase, so you can plug it in anywhere.
• 30” left and 12” right rip capacity.
  40” x 25” table top with two 10” steel extensions.
• Ground and polished cast iron top is “webbed” into the stand so it will never warp from heat or moisture.
• Lockdown System rip fence stays tight and secure for multiple rips.
• Rip fence has micrometer adjustment for fine tuning – now that’s cool!
• Heavy-duty welded steel base tied into the cast iron top keeps vibration at a bare minimum.
• Riving knife for cut-through and dado. No worries there!
• Clear anti-kickback safety guard keeps you safe and OSHA happy.
• Lifetime phone tech support from real people!
• Table rule is scaled in inches and millimeters – so, whatever you’re comfortable with, it’s there.

CONS:

• Stop switch could be larger for easier stops in emergencies.

It’s hard to find fault with this saw. Baileigh is well-known for their metal fabrication equipment and they have put that world-class engineering and commitment to quality into their wood working tools as well. This table saw is built to last, well designed and masterfully engineered.

4. DeWalt DWE7491RS Jobsite Table Saw

PROS:

• Portable – because some jobs need a saw onsite, you need portable options that are tough enough for hardcore construction.
• The rack-and-pinion rip fence is brilliant! It can’t be moved out of square, operates smoothly, never gets gunked up and locks down securely.
• The rip fence can also be removed and flipped to the left side of the blade for narrow cuts, which is great for finish carpentry. Hands down the best fence yet.
• The push stick stores securely in the fence, making it easy to access when you need it most.
• 15 Amp motor cuts through oak and maple without bogging down.
• The legs fold up and down very easily and the wheels are tough.
• 2 ½ inch dust port can be connected to a shop-vac or dust collection system.
• A whopping 32 ½ inch rip capacity!

CONS:

• It’s a bit heavy at 90 pounds.
• The miter gauge is a little out of reach because it’s stored under the saw.

This is a big saw in a small package. It’s a contractor’s delight and a great investment at less than $560. Need a saw that can work at the jobsite as well as in the shop? This is the black and yellow beast for you!

5. Bosch 4100-10 Worksite Table Saw

PROS:

• The Gravity-Rise stand makes this easy to set up and take down at the job site or in the shop.
• The stand is also adjustable in height and has two leveling adjusters in the front, like a washing machine, for uneven surfaces.
• Along with the wheels, it also has lift-handles to help you get it into the back of a van or truck.
• Square-Lock rip fence clamps on tightly and keeps your cuts true.
  Adjustable riving knife to ensure safe and accurate cuts.
• Tool-free anti-kickback pawls are easily mounted and removed.
• Clear split-blade guard provides an optimal view of the blade where it contacts the material.
• Muscular 15 Amp motor cuts through hard stock with ease.
• The miter gauge is stored outside, on the body of the saw, so it’s easy to access when you need it.

CONS:

• It’s pretty heavy at about 120 pounds.
• Some reviews have mentioned having to align the rip fence and blade with the T-slots to ensure square cuts, but then it stays true.

In the portable saw world, only a couple can truly handle what a contractor throws at them each day. At under $800 this Bosch is one of them. It’s a genuine jobsite saw worthy of your hard-earned money!

FINAL VERDICT

Jet 708492K JPS-10TS

The Jet 708492K JPS-10TS dusts the competition.

The precision machining, ultra-low vibration, powerful motor, and unmatchable features make it the Top Choice. Any product in this review will do any job a contractor needs to get done but the Jet is a step above. This one will not let you down. A saw can be a big investment and this one’s a no-brainer.