Best Cabinet Table Saw Reviews: Perfect for Larger Pieces of Wood

Cabinet saws are huge and strong, and can be classified as the most precise of all saws. These saws may not be as popular as the portable ones, but they certainly do better work. If you want to work with large pieces of wood, such as plywood sheets, then you need a cabinet table saw which will allow you to rest the large sheet on the table as you maneuver it to the blade.

Cabinet table saws have guide rails and a number of safety features which ensure that the operator does not get injured. The saw is very big and powerful and can really cause a lot of harm if not used with care.

How to choose the perfect cabinet table saw?

When looking for a cabinet table saw, and it is actually your first time to see one, let alone hear of it, you need to know that there are several types and each come with their own special features. There are saws that are huge, and classified as contractor saws, and others which are small and can be lugged along like portable saws; most people go for the portable saws, which they can move around as they please. When you are buying one, you need to be very clear about the uses that you are going to put it to, and also the model that you desire. The features of a saw are the most important considerations, but the model, the performance, the weight, and a number of factors must be considered too, in order to get a good saw.

The power of the saw

You need to consider the power of the saw, when you are buying it. In order to get the best cabinet table saw, you need to know the kind of material that you will be cutting. If it is only sheets of plywood, then you do not need a very powerful saw, but if you will be cutting up logs, then you need one with a high power rating. You also need to look at the voltage rating, since this will be a factor in the running of the saw, vis-a-vis your electricity costs.

Category of 1.5 to 2 HP cabinet table saws

When you get a cabinet table saw with a power rating of 1.5 to 2.0 HP, then this will work with a normal power outlet of 120 volts. The maximum that a 2 Hp motor will draw from your electricity is about 18 to 20 amps. So when you have one of these at home, you need to make sure that it is the only one operating on a 20 amp circuit, or else you will keep blowing the fuses in the house. When you look at the cutting power of a saw in this category, it should realistically only cut a maximum of two inches of hardwood. If you want to gut thicker pieces of hardwood, then you will need a more powerful saw.

Category of 3 to 5 HP cabinet table saws

Well, the larger the motor on the saw, then the more power that it will use. If you are lucky, you may already have a garage or workshop that has a 240 volt circuit. You should always check on the power rating in your house, before you go out and buy a cabinet table saw. This is a power range that will comfortably cut up to three inches of hardwood.You should always look at the safety standards of a cabinet table saw. The more powerful it is, the more careful you should be. The powerful motors will more often than not give what is called a kickback.

How to prevent a kickback

The best way is to look for a cabinet table saw that has a riving knife and not a splitter. The safety of the riving knife is better than the splitters because the former will move up and down with the saw blade; this ensures that you do not get any wood debris thrown in your face by the blade.

Consider having a flesh sensor

If you have a little more money to spare, you should improve the safety of the saw by getting a flesh sensor. This is an expensive accessory, so you should only use it if you can afford it, or really want high safety standards. The flesh sensor stops the saw, within an instant of 0.01s, after it senses that the blade has touched your skin. The flesh sensor will probably ruin the whole blade, but you will be free from injury.

These are the factors that you should be looking into when you are buying a cabinet table saw. Below are some of the best cabinet table saws that you can find on the market.

The Grizzly G0690

This is one of the most powerful and unique table saws on the market today. It is designed for performance and quality work. This is a durable saw that comes with a triple belt drive stream and wings on the table, a 3 HP, 200V, 3-phase Leeson Motor and durable cast iron trunnions. Apart from these main features, other features include a 4-inch dust collection port, a T-slot miter gauge, heavy cat hand-wheels, a magnetic switch, a cam lock T-fence and a riving knife. Most professionals can attest that this is truly an impressive cabinet table saw.

One thing you should note is that the saw has fantastic safety features. It has a quick-release riving knife and blade. It also has a push stick for keeping your fingers away from the blade. The riving knife moves up and down, and also tilts whenever the blade does; this feature offers advanced safety for the operator.

Things We Liked

  • It has great performance, and will not disappoint at all.
  • The design is stylish and safe.
  • Safety is a priority even as performance and design are considered. This is one of the saws with the best safety measures

Things We Didn't Like

  • It is quite difficult to assemble. This is mainly because of the large blade and table size.

The SawStop PCS31230-TGP252

This is a table saw that comes with a patented safety system that is absolutely amazing. Apart from the safety features, it is a table saw that is suited to hobbyists and craftsmen due to the many features that it has. It has a flesh detector which stops in milliseconds when it comes into contact with skin. It has a stylish design and finishing. It has superior dust collection, so your workshop will always remain clean. It has a 52-inch T-Glide fence system for increased precision and strength. It also comes with an extension table and rails. The blade tilts to the left so the wood does not bind on the fence, and has a riving knife to protect the operator during non-through cuts; there is also very little chance of kickbacks. It comes with an optional mobile base, which is great for those who will want the saw moved from one point to another within the workshop.

Things We Liked

  • This is a very powerful saw, featuring a 3 HP motor. It can cut through wood of all sizes and densities.
  • It has a large and steady table for better support of large pieces of wood.
  • Superior dust collection reduces the amount of cleaning that you have to do after a job is complete.

Things We Didn't Like

  • The cost is quite prohibitive and is therefore a hindrance for beginners.

The Jet Proshop 708494K JPS-10TS

This is a high-end cabinet table saw with a lot of features to justify the cost. You can get the option of having stamped steel or cast iron wings. The cabinet saw has a quick-release riving knife and this reduces the probability of kickback. The blade guard is transparent and has independent leaves. These two features alone make this cabinet table saw quite safe to use. The Jet Proshop 708494K JPS-10TS is a saw that is durable and rugged but easy to use; this makes it ideal for the beginner and professional alike. It has a heavy-duty cast iron blade, and the cabinet is enclosed. It has a great leg stand design, which makes its assembly quite easy. The Jet Proshop 708494K JPS-10TS also comes with a blade guard and an integrate arbor lock. This is definitely another of the top cabinet table saws on the market.

Things We Liked

  • High dust collection capability; this is great for your health and also reduces the cleaning job afterwards.
  • Internal mechanism gives you comfort and safety as opposed to the hinged motor bracket of most saws which protrudes from the back.
  • You can easily adjust the angle of the blade from 0 to 45 degrees.

Things We Didn't Like

  • There are currently no cons recorded at the moment.

The Delta 36-L552

This is a versatile cabinet table saw that can be used to make anything from cabinets to boats. It comes with a 52-inch Biesemeyere fence, dual crank (up-front) controls with locking cams, and scales that are designed like speedometers. When you look at the 5 HO, 200 V motor, you know that the Delta 36-L552 is a powerful saw indeed. You can use it to cut hardwoods, MDF and melamine. The riving knife on this saw allows you to adjust the table without using any special tools; this allows for easy cutting on through and non-though cuts, which is great for grooving shelf boards and cutting picture frames amongst many other techniques. It has a tablet board for the storage of tools and other items that you many need for your work. It is a convenient an expandable table saw. It has a bi-level dust extraction system which is superior to most other systems. It has a cast iron base which gives it a solid footing.

Things We Liked

  • High expandability makes it easy to change work styles without using special tools.
  • It is a powerful saw and will cut through most materials.
  • It is stable and comes with advanced safety features.
  • Best dust collection system.

Things We Didn't Like

  • There are no cons of note to this day.

The Powermatic 1792001K PM2000

This is an award-winning cabinet table saw that has an Accu-fence system, a 1-phase, 3 HO motor that comes with a rout-R lift. This is a new standard and it is because of the large design of the sax body and also a wide range of safety features. A lot of research and innovation has gone into the design of the Powermatic 1792001K PM2000, and it involved hundreds of interview with woodworkers, whose input was crucial to the design of the blade. It has improved performance and safety features, which make it a reliable cabinet table saw. It comes with a mechanism which was developed by tweaking and improving the Trunnion mechanism. The worm gear drive has a conical shape which improves the surface area; it also has high-end ball bearings. Combine these with the box-style cast iron cabinet and you have a saw that has truly amazed the industry.

Things We Liked

  • Improved safety features make it great for working on difficult projects.
  • It has improved mechanisms for better power and performance.
  • Has an easy height and tilt adjustment.
  • It comes with an adjustable backlash.

Things We Didn't Like

  • At this moment, the award-winning saw has no cons as yet. People are still amazed at the improved design.

In conclusion

Cabinet table saws are designed for heavy woodworking projects. They come with several different features, but they are designed to provide the best performance and safety features. When working in your workshop, you need to know that you have a saw that will enable you to do complicated work, with ease, and knowing that you are safe. The operation of heavy machinery requires high safety standards and these are at the top of the design of these saws.

When looking for a cabinet table saw, you can look through some of these designs mentioned above. You will have to weigh the features against the cost, but do not compromise in the safety. The saws are made to last long and work for long hours. They do not require a lot of maintenance, and their dust removal systems allow you to work in an environment free from sawdust, and also reduce the cleaning that you have to do thereafter.

Don't forget to check out our article detailing the top table saw picks, in case you're looking for something else.​