Masters in every trade were all at one time beginners. The expert mason you see today was once a newbie. Like every other field, while up to 20 tools could be applicable to handle a task, it is unlikely for them to give the same level of efficiency. Yes, the work would be done, but it might result in damages to parts, unnecessary time overrun, and even injury on the user’s part. As a beginner, it is more imperative to stay with the right tools. In this article, I will be reviewing the best table saws for beginners and some basic safety tips for working with a table saw.
Woodworking has remained daunting for lots of newbies, not because the tasks that go along with it are more difficult than other creative hobbies. What is missing most times is a good grasp of appropriate tools for each task and the basic precautions while applying them. As you review each of the best table saws for beginners, keep in mind the accessories that come with table saws. Many of the table saw accessories have become essential in using your table saw efficiently and safely.
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Best Table Saws for Beginners
Makita 2705 Contractor Table Saw
Generally speaking, table saws are electronically driven. And for that reason alone, many beginners have construed them to be dangerous. While this may be true for some Cabinet Saws, Contractor table saws are different. The Makita 2705 Contractor Table Saw, for instance, is less exacting and works with less power. Much more, it is comparatively lighter and cheaper. It has a transparent blade guard on either side with a riving knife, which you can adjust as the blade cuts through the wood. This brand of table saw is not just safe and economical. It also highly efficient and user-friendly. All necessary accessories, including – blades, miter gauge, wrenches, and the likes, come with the package, so you won’t be buying any additional fixture to get your table saw work. It would make a good option for every newbie in the carpentry trade.
Makita 2705 Specifications:
- Model: 2705
- Weight: 67 pounds
- Dimensions: 32 x 36 x 15.3 inches
- Electric Motor Rating: 15 AMP
- Blade Speed: 4800 RPM
Dewalt DWE7485 Compact Jobsite Table Saw
- Variety of cuts: 24.5 inches of rip capacity for ripping 4x8 plywood or OSB sheets
- Power: 15 Amp, 5800 rpm motor
- Guaranteed tough: Metal roll cage ensures job site durability
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Dewalt DWE7485 Compact Jobsite Table Saw is another option you can consider. Though portable, it can efficiently handle most of the big jobs you might want to carry out, owing to its electric motor with a 15 AMP rating, which provides the blade with a speed of 5800 RPM. As a result, the blade could handle 4x8s of 24 inches of wood. As a beginner, you might be needing to reconfirm your measurements while ripping. The rack and pinion telescoping rip fence of this brand of table saw would make that easier. Speaking of user-friendliness, the Dewalt DWE7485 Compact Jobsite Table Saw comes with a little space inside where you can keep your push stick and other items while operating it. Push stick, miter gauge, riving knife, blade, wrenches, modular guard, and other tools come with the table saw the package.
Dewalt DWE7485 Specifications:
- Model: DWE7485
- Weight: 53.3 pounds
- Dimensions: 26.65 x 14.08 x 27.15 inches
- Blade Speed: 5800 RPM
- Electric Motor Rating: 15 AMP
Jet 708675PK Deluxe Xacta Cabinet Table Saw
- QUICK-RELEASE RIVING KNIFE Hassle-free riving knife changes.
- POLY-V DRIVE BELT SYSTEM: Delivers efficient, quiet operation.
- PUSH-BUTTON ARBOR LOCK: For rapid blade change.
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Jet 708675PK Deluxe Xacta Cabinet Table Saw is a bigger table saw for operations beyond the power of the portable ones. A major limitation of portable table saws is that they can’t handle large wood materials simultaneously. The wide cast iron table of this cabinet table saw allows you to work on large boards. This table is extensible to suit varieties of tasks. You can extend it from the folded size of 29 x 20 inches to 29 x 42 inches. And in case you are thinking the size may offer low user-friendliness for you as a beginner, it has internal storage space for your tools. Also, it works with a Poly-V drive belt system, which makes it appropriate for avoiding unnecessary noise that is common with other table saw types. Jet 708675PK Deluxe Xacta Cabinet Table Saw comparatively boasts of a silent operation with the in-built belt system.
Jet 708675PK – Specifications:
- Model: 708675PK
- Weight: 510 pounds
- Dimensions: 85 x 36 x 38 inches
- Blade Speed: 4300 RPM
- Electric Motor Rating: 3 HP
Powermatic PM1000 Cabinet Table Saw
Powermatic PM1000 Cabinet Table Saw is quite similar in operation with the just mentioned Jet 708675PK Deluxe Xacta Cabinet Table Saw. In any case, they are both produced by the same company. Its electric motor of 1 – 3/4 HP ratings powers the blade with a speed of 4200 RPM. And unlike the Jet type with a 50-inch rip fence, PM1000 has a 30-inch rip fence. For ripping and cross-cutting, the Powermatic PM1000 Cabinet Table Saw is built with ergonomically designed 7-inch handwheels for making necessary angular adjustments on the blade. Also, it comes with an on-device storage drawer for keeping working tools and a miter gauge for adjusting boards while working. As for user-friendliness, it has a large cabinet space, which enables users to do more within a short time, a dust collector, and a Poly-V belt drive for silent operation.
Powermatic PM1000 Specifications:
- Model: PM1000
- Weight: 418 pounds
- Size: 36 x 27.5 x 63.75 inches
- Blade Speed: 4200 RPM
- Electric Motor Rating: 1-3/4 HP
What are the Safest Table Saws For Beginners?
Thinking of the best and safest table saws for beginners, then you should opt for SawStop. SawStop has a fantastic selection of saws types for beginners. Some of these saws include: Jobsite saw pro, Contractor saw, Professional cabinet saw, and Industrial cabinet saw.
These saws are made with high-quality materials and have unique designs. Top among its feature is the safety system that makes them perfect for beginners. SawStop saws feature blades with small electrical signals monitored continuously by the safety system.
- 52-INCH T-GLIDE FENCE ASSEMBLY: The 52-inch T-Glide Fence & Rail are made of heavy-gauge steel for sure lockdown and reliably square cutting for years without deflection.
- SAWSTOP PATENTED SAFETY SYSTEM: Stops a spinning blade on contact with skin. The blade stops in less than 5 milliseconds, and drops below the table, minimizing a potentially life-altering injury to a mere scratch.
- UNMATCHED QUALITY: The trunnion and arbor are built for precision, strength and stability. The gas piston elevation delivers smooth and easy adjustability. Table flatness is measured diagonally at 0. 010” maximum gap.
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What makes this table saw on the safest on the market is:
- Monitoring and detection: While in use, it monitors and detects any contact with human skin. Once detected, the signal changes and activates the safety system.
- Brake activation: SawStop has an aluminum brake that stops the spinning blade just in seconds. In addition, with the blade’s angular momentum, it is quite easy to remove risks of subsequent contact and powers the motor off.
- Reset: The saws are quite easy to rest. You only need to replace the blade and the brake cartridge to get your saw working in full capacity again. In fact, the whole process of resetting takes less than 5 minutes.
Before we wrap up, let’s talk about the safety tips to ensure while working with table saws.
Beginner Table Saw Safety Tips
Amongst other things, the following precautionary steps should be taken anytime you’re working with a table saw.
- Use adequate hearing protection equipment. Most table saws cause a significant amount of noise. And continuous exposure to that could lead to either temporary or permanent deafness.
- Wear standard eyeglasses to shield your eyes from projectiles. While some table saws have a belt system that ensures silent operation, projectiles of wood cuttings and sawdust are things you can’t avoid. So, ensure you wear eyes protection anytime you’re operating a table saw.
- Keep a good standing position, especially when you’re cutting a long piece of material that would require you to keep moving. As you take steps, keep a wide pace. Also, ensure your footwear is frictional enough to support prompt stoppage.
- Make appropriate use of your push stick when cutting, especially when you are working on shorter stocks. This would help you keep a safe distance of 4 – 6 inches from the blade.
- Ensure power is disconnected before performing any form of maintenance on your table saw, even if it just to change the blade. And after adjusting the blade, confirm that it is turning-free before putting on the power. You can simply spin the blade to confirm this.
- Before cutting boards, remove nails, knots, screws, or any other item that could turn out as harmful projectile while cutting. Apart from the ill injuries they can cause on the body, they might negatively affect blades.
- Do not release a stock until it has completely left the blade. Doing so can result in kickbacks as a blade can still draw your stock even if what is left is just two inches.
- Finally, wait for the blade to stop moving before making any adjustments to your table saw. As you may not know when your hand would touch the blade.
Table Saws for Beginners – Final Thoughts
A table saw is a must-have for every artisan in the carpentry trade. But as a beginner, the identified types would make good options even though there are thousands of options available in the market. Also remember to all requisite table saw safety tips to avoid accidents. Now that you have your beginner saw identified, here are a few great tips on using your table saw to cut angles.
