Wood is, without a doubt, one of the most commonly utilized building materials in the construction industry. It is used to construct a whole lot of structures for both household as well as work use. For this reason, acquiring the best table saw out there is a must for any woodworker. And this does not matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced woodworker. If you value convenience as far as woodworking goes, the table saw is a must get for you.
Among other things, this tool can help you cut pieces of woods into your required sizes precisely. Having one of these masterpieces will also allow your workstation to stand out from most.
Before acquiring my first best table saw under $500, I needed a tool that could work fast and one that could also allow me to execute precise cuts. That said, at first I thought I could do it with a handsaw. Needless to say, I was very wrong.
In fact, I ended up wasting and spoiling a lot of my working material. Until I decided to suck it up at last and get one of these power tools. So, from personal experience, I can tell you that a table saw will allow you to work more efficiently and faster compared to when you didn’t have one.
And as you can see from the title, you can get one of the best for as low as $500. You do not need to break the bank to get one of them in your garage. And do not let the enticing price fool you into thinking the tools cannot perform.
I tested them myself, and I can sure you that all of the five I’ve reviewed in this enumeration are the best money can buy. To confirm it yourself, check out their ratings on Amazon.
Without further delay, let us skip to the main section of the post. But also ensure you stick past the reviews. This is because I have included other sections teaching you more about these tools. Some of the sections I have covered include:
- How to use the table saw safely
- How to choose the best one
- Features that set different table saws apart
And much more.
So make sure you stick to the end.
Top 5 Best Table Saws Under $500 Comparison
Top 5 Best Table Saws Under $500 Reviews
1. DEWALT DWE7480XA
The first product in our enumeration is from Dewalt. And this tool will work great for all your needs. This is regardless of whether you want the best table saw for home use or for your job site at a construction company.
This tool also boasts a 15-amp and a Site-Pro Modular Guarding System. This implies that you will not have any problems even if you’ll be ripping through hardwood. The tool also delivers a 2-1/2 inch dust collection port that easily connects to a shop vac. This will be essential if you want to keep your workshop clean and safe.
After receiving DEWALT DWE7480XA, I could tell it is a real workhorse, thanks to its durable design. It is also quite lightweight and compact. But do not let that fool you into thinking it is inferior when it comes to performance. It is extremely sturdy. As you can see, this is a features combination that is hard to beat.
DEWALT DWE7480XA also weighs only 45lbs. this implies that moving it from one job site to the next should not be a problem for you.
The table saw also retails with 24.5” of rip, which makes trimming and shelving materials very easy. If you want to create a bevel, then you’ll be happy to know that you can easily adjust the blade from 0 to 45 degrees.
As you will also notice, the table also boasts rear feet that are quite easy to adjust. This can make it possible for you to work on surfaces that may not be even without worrying.
Pros
- Delivers a rip capacity of 24.5”
- Equipped with a 15 amp high torque motor
- The table saw is very portable due to its lightweight nature
- The motor is very powerful
- Work on any material without a hassle
Cons
- It is extremely noisy while in operations
- the rip capacity could have been better
2. Milwaukee 2736-20
The Milwaukee 2736-20 with one key generates the power of 15A corded saw. It also delivers a rip capacity of around 600 linear feet of cutting per charge. This tool was clearly designed with the professional carpenter in mind. It will serve general contractors and remodelers as well.
If you intend to become an expert in the construction industry, then this is the product for you. Milwaukee 2736-20 has also been optimized for productivity, portability, and power. So if you change job sites often, the tool will serve you perfectly as well.
Pros
- Comes with a miter gauge
- Powerful enough
- Very portable
- Durable
- Designed to meet any needs
Cons
- Not very easy to use
- A bit on the heavy side
3. Bosch GTS1031
On third place of this review is the Bosch 10-Inch GTS1031 table saw. This power tool is a moderate performance table saw. In fact, it is a very compact and lightweight designed table saw, which will come in handy for those who move around a lot.
However, this tool is more designed toward light home-based tasks. It also comes with a conveniently placed carry handle in order to make your work of moving it around easy. After receiving the product, you’ll also notice it boasts an all-steel base to ensure it holds firmly. This, at the same time boosts the product’s durability.
Pros
- It is very lightweight
- Compact and durable design
- Comes with an anti-kickback feature and a smart guard
- Includes a lockdown feature
- Very impressive cutting speed
Cons
- It is small and comes with a small rip capacity
4. SKIL 3410-02
The SKIL 3410-02 10-Inch Table Saw is yet another heavy duty table saw. This product retails with a cast aluminum stand that’s easy to disassemble and put up. The saw itself also boasts a steel construction. This delivers maximum durability and sturdiness.
The tool also retails equipped with a self-aligning fence system that’ll deliver sufficient rip capacity. The table saw also boasts EZ view measurements. This ensures that it delivers precise cuts at all times. SKIL 3410-02 10-Inch Table Saw’s performance and power are also unmatched.
Pros
- Very efficient in mitering applications
- The motor is very powerful
- Relatively weight to improve portability
- Delivers precise and accurate cuts
Cons
- The table saw lacks wheels which means moving it around will be a challenge
- Makes a lot of noise during operations
5. WEN 3720
If you are in the market for the best Jobsite table saw that can serve all your needs, then this is the tool for you. It can do everything you throw at it without any question. This particular model is also very great for those who are always on the go. This is because the tool comes with a cart that can double as a mobile moving device and ready to go stand.
WEN 3720 15A Jobsite Table Saw is also a worthwhile investment. Thanks to its extra powerful motor that handled all my workshop material well. The power tool has a huge cutting capacity, so that explains why it won’t face any challenges.
The WEN 3720 15A Jobsite Table Saw also retails with a whole lot of accessories, including:
- A miter slot/gauge
- The fence
- Push stick
- A dust collection system
All of these will be useful in your workshop so ensure you take good care of them.
This product also retails with a dual extending table. This means that it can be a compact device. But at the same time, it can be extended to become substantially larger when needed.
Pros
- Has a high cutting and power capacity
- Includes dual extending tables
- Retails with a beveling blade
- Comes with a dust collection system
- An accurate miter gauge is included
- Locking fence
- Retails with a portable stand
Cons
- The blade angle tends to change slightly when it’s changing elevation
- It is slightly heavy
There you have it. My comprehensive review of the best table saws under $500 in the marketplace today.
And as I promised before starting the review, I have included other sections here. These are in place to help you familiarize yourself with these tools as you wait for your Amazon Order to reach your doorstep.
Let us start by looking at what a table saw is. Under this first section, I’ll also list for you a couple of ways the tool is used.
What Is A Table Saw And What Is It Used For?
Most, if not all of you must have come across a table saw face to face at least once. For those who have not, then it is a flat table that boasts a blade built into it. The blade’s role is to execute different cuts. Note though, this tends to confuse most beginners.
There are lots of woodworking power tools that have tables with blades built into them. but the table saw is quite different. The table saw boasts a circular saw blade that is protruding out from the surface of the table through a small and thin slit. Furthermore, the same blade that is fixed on a motor below can either be lowered or raised to meet your needs and personal preference.
And as I mentioned at the beginning of the post, a table saw should be in every woodworking workshop. And this does not matter whether you’re a beginner, DIYer, or a professional. These tools are designed with everyone in mind.
Think about the tool’s versatility and unique ability to execute a wide array of tasks. Any woodworker would be hard-pressed to work efficiently without one.
With that in mind, let us look at different ways the table saw is used
1. Cutting wooden boards
In the woodworking industry, there are lots of cuts to be executed. And as a woodworker, you will most often need to execute cross-cuts ad/or rip cuts. Basically, the table saw allows you to execute all the cuts you may require in your line of work.
This also eliminates the need for you to get separate tools in the garage.
2. Straightening wood edges
Sometimes you will want to create furniture using old wooden boards. And as you may have guessed, an old wooden board will tend to have warped surfaces. So you will need to ensure that you straighten their corners first before using them. which is where the best table saw under $500 comes into play.
Allow me to explain why straightening any material’s edges before using it is essential. You’ll probably need to join different materials in order to create a piece of equipment, right? Then it is essential to ensure that their edges can fit together perfectly. Otherwise, you will not be able to attain a well finished and smooth furniture at the end of your project.
3. It can cut different materials
Will you need to cut other materials such as Tile, Plastic, Styrofoam, and more? Then the table saw will work perfectly on these as well. And do you know what is even better? You will not need different techniques to work on these other materials. The same skills you use on the wood are the same ones you will need to work on other materials.
4. Allow you to easily join smaller wood pieces
Once you start using a table saw, it will help widely when it comes to joining wood piece you would need to work together. It starts by shaping every material to the perfect size. If you have dado joints, then you can easily complete the entire joining.
Now let us look at some of the features you would expect in the best table saw under $500.
Features You Would Expect To Find On The Best Table Saw Under 500
We have agreed this is a power tool you’ll depend on highly in your workshop. And as such, it is only fair that you familiarize yourself with some of the features of the product you’ll need. With that in mind, below are the most important that you should always watch out for.
1. The fence
The fence is the section on the table saws that you use to slide the wood against when you want it to pass through the saw. This is also arguably the most important feature of the table saw. This is because it is what allows you to achieve precise and accurate cuts.
Having said that, also note that the quality of the saw usually dictates the price of the saw. But worry not because the fences of all the products above are of great quality and are durable.
But how do you test that a fence will improve your working efficiency? Well, the main thing to look at is how parallel the blade is. Do you think it will allow you to adjust material accurately and smoothly without making mistakes?
And do not worry either in case you choose a table saw with an inferior saw. You can always replace them pretty easily in the future when you have more experience.
2. Right tilt or left tilt
On table saws of these days, you can easily adjust the tilt of the blade in order to execute angled cuts. In the past, however, a wide array of the table saws had blades that tilted to the right. Only the most expensive ones could tilt in both directions.
But nowadays, most, if not all table saws can either tilt to the right or to the left. But it is rare to find one that can tilt to both directions. The side of the tilt usually depends on the user’s personal preference.
For instance, some individuals prefer being able to measure the long side of the angled cuts and so they prefer the right tilt table saw. Some other people, however, prefer the manner in which a left tilt goes away from the fence. This also makes the cut way less dangerous, which is advised for beginners.
But as you can see, only you can decide which side you think would be better for you. I’ll give you my analysis based on my personal experience and the experience of those around me. Usually, unless you’re contemplating on doing a lot of work that needs mitered cuts, you will probably choose a right tilting saw. This is usually because you will have more options when it comes to buying one. (to this day, right tilting table saws are still more common in the marketplace.
3. The miter gauge
Table Saws also retail with a little t-shaped tool also called a miter gauge. The miter gauge usually fits into one of the two slots that have been placed into the table saw. These slots are also regarded to as miter slots. The miter gauge is in place so it can guide your working material as you feed it through the saw and the blade.
Most contractor table saws nowadays retail with decent miter gauges. But if you want the best, I advise that you buy one separately. But how do you know a table saw with the best miter gauge? Well, when you lace the gauge into the miter slot and then wiggle it sideways, it should fit snuggly. That is how you know the product you have chosen is the best.
The miter saw should not wiggle too much.
4. The Motor Size
Most contractor table saws nowadays either boast a 1.5 or 2 horsepower motor. Cabinet table saws, on the other hand, usually retail with between three and five horsepower motors in them. From my personal experience, the 1.5 to 2 horsepower motor is usually sufficiently powerful for most applications.
I also have a trick that will allow you to get the most out of the power you have on your tool. Ensure that you feed the wood slowly into the power tool and use an extremely sharp carbide-tipped blade.
5. The saw blade
Most table saws out there nowadays usually have a ten-inch blade. But some of the most expensive alternatives retail with blades that even reach 12 inches. Both of them will work just fine for most construction tasks.
In addition, more important than the blade size is the finish and the quality of the blade itself. Just like when it comes to handsaws, different blade designs of table saw blades exist to ensure you attain the best cut you can.
The blades are also designed to execute different tasks. For instance, you can find some designed for crosscutting and others designed for ripping. Some even have both crosscutting and ripping (these are usually called combination blades.)
Other types of blades you will find are those designed for plastic laminates, plywood, and other man-made materials. The safest bet I would suggest is that you start with a combination blade and a dado blade. You will have to buy them separately from the saw.
After that, you can then keep adding the rest as the needs to use them arise.
6. The table top
The tabletop is, in my perception, the most important section of the table saw. This part needs to be 100% flat in order to deliver the most accurate cuts. Most table saws also boast cast iron tables that have been milled to improve their flatness.
That is all on features you would expect to find on the best table saw under $500. Now let us look at how you choose the best once. And read this info keenly as you will, without a doubt, need it in the future.
How To Choose The Best Table Saw Under $500
The first step to choosing the best table saw under $500 is understanding the different types of table saws out there. The first type is:
Types of table saws
1. Stationary table saws
Stationary table saws are usually designed to rip larger pieces of wood as well as break down sheet plywood. They can do this using their premium parts and high-performance motors in order to deliver support, stability, and the greatest cut capacity.
If you have a workshop and you would like to include a personal saw that can easily stand to demanding and frequent use, then the stationary table saw is the perfect choice for you.
Now let us look at the second type of table saws.
2. Job site table saw
Job site table saws usually retail in two different models, contractor, and compact. The compact models are usually lightweight. They also usually do not include a wheelbase or a stand. They are also great for on the go tasks and home renovation jobs.
In addition to that, these power tools derive their name from their portability. They are easy to carry around and move from one job site to the next.
Contractor models, on the other hand, award you a wider range of cutting capacity. They also boast more features and usually have collapsible wheeled or scissored stands that are attached to the saw.
After choosing the type of table saw that would best fit your needs, below are the other features to consider.
Features to consider to choose the best table saw under $500
1. The fencing system
I mentioned this tip slightly earlier in the past. You need to double-check the fencing system. Ensure you get one that awards you a reliable and efficient parallel alignment with the blade. This is the best way to acquire clean cuts and accurate ripping when you lock the rip fence position.
2. The Bevel angle range
Check out the bevel range on the table saw. Usually, you will see a range of 2 to 45 degrees. This is sufficient for most jobs you will encounter in the construction industry. If you require added versatility, then find a saw boasting a bevel range that has been extended past the 45 degrees mark.
3. The rip capacity
Ensure you check out the cutting and rip capacity that the table saw delivers to both the right and the left of the blade. If you are executing basic work like trimming fence boards, then a rip capacity of 20 inches or lower is sufficient.
However, if you are venturing into more varied work like custom cabinetry, then you will require more options. Look for table saws with a minimum of 24 inches to the right side of the blade.
4. Constant speed control
This is the feature that will allow you to maintain your speed when you have an unexpected load. A good example of an unexpected load is a knot in the wood. This minimizes the chance of your tool experiencing kickbacks. This also makes sure that you will not have burns in your material.
5. A soft start
A soft start is a feature that’ll manage the intensity of the motor during start-up. This, in turn, offers you more refined performance. All this while at the same time minimizing the chance of tripping a circuit breaker.
6. The Dado capacity
A saw that retails with a dado capacity permits you to fit in a dado blade to work on different types of wood
7. A dust collection system
I guess you do not want your workshop looking extremely messy and dirty after each operation. So ensure you find the best table saw under $500 with a great dust collection system. This will keep your workshop safe and clean.
The dust collection system will also hugely minimize the number of dust particles accumulating inside the machine. This, in turn, prolongs the machine’s life.
I hope that you now know how to choose the best table saw under $500 from my review above. Now let us look at one of the most important sections of the blog post.
How To Use The Table Saw Safely
In the workshop, a simple mistake can result in a fatal injury. That is why I always advise everyone looking to venture into the construction industry to use all their power tools safely. Let us jump right in.
1. Wear the best Googles
This is a safety tip anyone who has ever used a saw of any kind understands. And this is regardless of whether the tool is in manual mode, handheld, or table. Always protect your eyes from dirt and wood debris using the best safety goggles.
2. Have ear protection when operating the table saw
One of the biggest disadvantages of the table saw is how loud they can get. And even with the most expensive product models out there, the noise is still too much. And long term exposure to something like this is dangerous. Without the best noise protection tool, it can cause damage to your eardrums and affect your hearing ability overtime.
3. Gloves
Hand protection is another essential section of the table saw safety. But note that the glove will not do much when it comes to protecting you from the blade. But it will keep you safe from flying debris and lose workpieces that may be a nuisance.
4. Use clearance inserts
If you will be ripping really thin boards, then you will want to avail an insert in order to protect your fingers from getting too close to the blade.
For those not familiar with inserts. It is a piece of wood that nicely firs between the saw blade and the side fence. This creates a buffer zone you can use while operating the tool. To top it off, you can also use a pushing device when you’re working on very thin boards.
5. Install a blade guard and install it properly
Blade guards usually prevent debris from kicking back. At the same time, it keeps your fingers from accidentally touching the blade. If the product you acquire does not come with a blade guard, then simply buy one separately.
Whatever you do, try not to operate your table saw without a blade guard.
6. Locate the table saw’s emergency turn off button
Sounds self-explanatory, right? If there is an accident or you realize that the material is kicking back, then you may need to turn off the machine right away. The emergency turn off button will come in handy during such times.
Conclusion
This detailed review and guide on the best table saw under $500 should help you narrow down the list to your most preferred table saw. Choose a tool that will deliver all the necessary features you may need during operations. Good news for you, every product up there will do just that.
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