The Best Table Saw For Beginners
I’m going to take a deep dive into what I believe is the best table saw for beginners, budget-conscious woodworkers, and those working in small shops. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Oh great, another boring review of a power tool that's just going to put me to sleep." But fear not, dear woodworker, because I’m not just going to give you the run-of-the-mill list of features and specs. No, I’m going to spice things up a bit and give you the full scoop on why I think this saw is worth your hard-earned cash.
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So, without further ado, let's dive in and take a closer look at the saw that's been causing a stir in the 731 workshop. First things first, I personally purchased this saw and paid for it myself, so you know I’m not just spouting off marketing jargon here. It's available on Amazon for those of you who want to check it out for yourselves. See it here https://amzn.to/3jLvBIa This is the Skil TS6307-00 portable jobsite table saw.
Now, let's talk about the main reason I chose this saw: the rack and pinion fence. This little beauty helps to ensure that your cuts are as accurate as possible by keeping the fence perfectly parallel to the blade at all times. It's also fully adjustable, so we can fine-tune it.. But let's be real, I didn't just choose this saw because of a fancy fence. Oh no, there are a couple of other reasons that really sealed the deal for me making it the best beginner table saw.
First up, we have the blade size. It’s a full size table saw with a 10 inch blade. This blade can handle just about any woodworking task we throw its way. It's the Goldilocks of blade sizes: not too big, not too small, but just right. If you buy a table saw with smaller blade sizes it can be limiting, especially when you're working with thicker materials. So, in my humble opinion, the 10-inch blade size is the way to go for most people.
Next, we have the compact size and portability of this saw. Now, I know that not everyone has a spacious workshop to work in, and that's where this saw really shines. It's compact and lightweight, making it easy to move around and store when not in use. Plus, it comes with its own integrated stand, so you can set it up just about anywhere. Whether you're working in a cramped garage or taking it on the go to a job site, this saw has got you covered.
But wait, there's more! This saw also has some other cool features that I think are worth mentioning. For starters, it has adjustable legs that allow you to level it on uneven ground, like those garage floors that never seem to be perfectly flat. It also comes with a work support for cutting wider materials, so you don't have to worry about your plywood sagging or warping during the cutting process. And to top it all off, it has a cut indicator that shows the distance from the blade, making it easy to ensure that you're making precise cuts every time.
We know what you're thinking: "Okay, okay, this saw sounds great, but what about safety?" This table saw comes with a push stick, riving knife, and dust port to help prevent accidents and keep your workspace clean. It also has a blade guard and anti-kickback pawls to help prevent injuries caused by the blade.
But let's not forget about power. After all, what good is a table saw if it can't even handle the basics? This saw has a 15-amp motor, which gives it plenty of oomph to get through even the toughest materials. It can make cuts up to 3-1/8 inches deep, so you can tackle just about any project that comes your way. You can also adjust the angle of the cut from -2º all the way up to 47º so you can dial in the perfect angle.
Will this saw take a dado stack? Yes, and that is what really makes this saw a bit unique for this price range. Now, if you use the blade washer and nut you can only get about a 5/8-inch wide dado stack on the arbor bolt. In other words, the two outside blades and one chipper blade. However, if you leave off the washer you can get the full stack on the arbor.
Because there is no such thing as perfect table saw, let’s discuss the things I didn't like about the saw. Now, there was one thing that we really, really didn't like: the blade changing process. I wish there was a blade lock button that allowed you to use just one wrench, or at the very least, some room to access the second wrench on the left side of the blade. It was frustrating to have to wiggle the wrench to get it to fit onto the nut just right, especially when I was making multiple blade changes. Another thing to note is that this saw is extremely loud, so make sure you have some hearing protection on hand. And finally the stock blade isn’t great. But I have yet to buy a table saw that included a decent blade. I have a recommendation for a better blade at the end of this review. I would also have liked to have seen a better throat plate from the factory. The one that Skil provides with this saw is okay, but it is a little “soft” near the blade. Which means it has a little give to it and isn’t as solid as I like. You can get third party throat plates for this saw that will give you more support and zero clearance.
Another thing I didn't love about the saw was the rip capacity. It has a max of 25 and a half inches, which I wish was wider - at least up to 30 inches. But for most things, especially in a small wood shop, 25 and a half inches should be sufficient. On the plus side, I did like that the fence has a high/low feature, which flips over and gives you a work support when you're ripping wide panels. While it's not perfect, the only real annoyance I found was the blade change process, which isn't something you do all that often.
In conclusion, I believe that this is the best table saw for beginners, budget-conscious woodworkers, and those working in small shops. It has a combination of accuracy, power, and convenience that makes it stand out from the competition at this price point. I have a full video review of this saw if you want to see it in action. https://youtu.be/qOANCOd1NCE
Recommended accessories for this table saw:
Upgraded Table Saw Blade - https://amzn.to/3i6ayzE
Zero Clearance throat plate - https://amzn.to/3Q68C6V
Microjig Gripper Push Block - https://amzn.to/3jMBpBz
Upgraded Miter Gauge - https://amzn.to/3i5jrcV
