Table Saws: A Complete Guide for Woodworkers and DIYers
Introduction
A table saw is one of the most important and versatile woodworking tools ever created. Designed with a circular saw blade mounted on an arbor and powered by an electric motor, it allows precise cutting of wood, plastics, and even some metals. Whether you’re ripping long boards, crosscutting panels, or crafting joinery, the table saw is the centerpiece of both professional shops and DIY garages.
Delta Table Saws
Craftsman Table Saws
History & Development
Table saws first emerged in the early 20th century as heavy industrial machines. By the 1920s and 1930s, brands like Delta, Walker-Turner, and Atlas Press were producing versions for smaller workshops and schools. In 1939, Delta introduced the Unisaw, which set the benchmark for cabinet saws for decades. As woodworking moved from factory floors to home shops, portable and hybrid designs appeared. Today, the table saw continues to evolve with advanced safety technology, compact job-site models, and precision engineering.
Types of Table Saws
- Benchtop/Portable Table Saws – Lightweight and affordable, designed for mobility but with smaller rip capacities.
- Contractor Table Saws – Open stand design with larger motors, popular for both hobbyists and small shops.
- Cabinet Table Saws – Heavy, enclosed cabinets that reduce vibration and increase precision; the professional’s choice.
- Hybrid Table Saws – A mix between contractor and cabinet designs, offering solid performance at a lower cost.
- Specialty Table Saws – Sliding table saws, compact saws, and job-site saws built for specific tasks.
Key Components
- Blade – Typically 10″, with varying tooth counts for different cuts.
- Table Surface – Cast iron or aluminum for flatness and durability.
- Fence System – The key to accurate ripping; high-quality fences lock square and adjust smoothly.
- Miter Gauge & Slots – Guide crosscuts and angled cuts with precision.
- Motor Types – Direct-drive motors (compact saws) vs. belt-drive motors (larger saws).
- Safety Features – Blade guards, riving knives, anti-kickback pawls.
Safety Features & Innovations
Modern table saws incorporate multiple safety systems:
- SawStop Technology – Detects skin contact and stops the blade instantly.
- Riving Knives – Prevent kickback by keeping the kerf open.
- Blade Guards – Protect hands while maintaining visibility.
- Dust Collection – Improves safety and cleanliness.
Uses & Applications
A table saw’s versatility makes it indispensable:
- Ripping long boards into narrower pieces.
- Crosscutting boards to length.
- Bevel Cuts by tilting the blade.
- Dados & Grooves using dado blade sets.
- Specialty Cuts with sleds, jigs, and featherboards.
Table Saw Manufacturers: Past & Present
The story of the table saw is also the story of the companies that built them. From early 20th-century machine shops producing massive cast-iron saws to today’s global brands leading with safety innovations, these manufacturers shaped the way woodworkers cut, craft, and create.
Vintage Table Saw Manufacturers (Early to Mid-20th Century)
- Delta Specialty Company (Founded 1919, Milwaukee, WI) – Creator of the legendary Unisaw, Delta set the standard for precision cabinet saws.
- Walker-Turner (1927–1950s, NJ) – Produced contractor and benchtop saws widely used in schools and light industry.
- Atlas Press Company (1920s–1960s, MI) – Affordable and durable woodworking machines, later continued under Clausing.
- Moak Machine & Foundry (MI, 1900s–1970s) – Known for industrial-grade cabinet saws built for vocational schools and factories.
- Yates-American Machine Company (1900s–present) – Produced massive, precision machines still valued by collectors.
- Tannewitz (1900s–1990s) – Overbuilt cabinet saws and band saws for industrial shops.
- Oliver Machinery (Founded 1890s, MI) – Makers of rugged, smooth-operating industrial woodworking machines.
- Crescent Machine Company (1800s–1940s, OH) – Heavy-duty saws and jointers, later absorbed by Powermatic.
- Sidney Machine Tool Company (OH, early 1900s–1930s) – Produced industrial cast-iron table saws.
- Regional Makers & Foundries – Dozens of small regional companies built woodworking machines that served schools and industries across America.
Modern Table Saw Manufacturers (Past 50 Years)
- Delta Machinery – Continues its legacy with contractor and cabinet saws, led by the Unisaw.
- Powermatic – Known as the “Gold Standard,” famous for the Model 66 cabinet saw.
- SawStop – Industry leader in safety, pioneering flesh-sensing blade brake technology.
- DeWalt – Renowned for rugged, accurate job-site saws.
- Bosch – Innovated the gravity-rise stand, making portable saws easier to use on site.
- Craftsman – Household brand that introduced generations of woodworkers to affordable table saws.
- Jet Tools – Reliable hybrid and cabinet saws for hobbyists and small shops.
- Grizzly Industrial – Affordable cabinet saws with professional performance.
- Ridgid – Job-site focused saws offering solid performance at accessible prices.
- Makita – Compact, portable table saws designed for contractors and remodelers.
Buying Guide
When choosing a table saw, consider:
- Budget – Portable saws cost a few hundred; cabinet saws several thousand.
- Space – Benchtop for portability, cabinet for stationary shops.
- Accuracy – Quality fences and flat tables matter most.
- Power – 1–2 HP for hobby use; 3–5 HP for professionals.
- Safety Features – SawStop or advanced guards are worth the investment.
Comparison Snapshot:
| Type | Power | Portability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benchtop | Low | High | DIY, job sites |
| Contractor | Medium | Medium | Hobbyists, small shops |
| Cabinet | High | Low | Professional shops |
Vintage Table Saw Models
Maintenance & Care
- Keep the blade sharp and clean.
- Regularly align the fence and blade.
- Lubricate moving parts.
- Clean the table surface to prevent rust.
- Attach a dust collection system for longevity and safety.
Safety Tips for Users
- Always use push sticks and featherboards.
- Never cut freehand—always use the fence or miter gauge.
- Stand to the side of the blade to avoid kickback.
- Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask.
- Disconnect power before blade changes or adjustments.
Table Saw Accessories
- Dado Blade Sets for grooves and joinery.
- Crosscut Sleds for accuracy.
- Miter Gauges
- Aftermarket Rip Fences for precision upgrades.
- Table Extension Wings
- Mobile Bases for moving heavy saws in small shops.
Table Saw Mobility
Portable Table Saws have some distinct advantages over larger stationary table saws. They are lighter, often made of plastic and aluminum. Because of this, they are easy to transport from job to job and they usually have a built in stand or are a bench type model that is made to sit on a bench or saw stand. Portable table saws perform most all of the same long straight rip cuts (with the grain) and crosscuts (across the grain) more quickly and accurately than a hand held circular saw. Their lightweight and ease of mobility make it the perfect choice for on site work like decks and framing jobs.
Stationary Table Saws
Floor standing or stationary table saws are heavier, usually made of steel or cast iron to provide weight and reduce vibration. They are found in all sizes of woodworking shops and are a permanent fixture.
They usually have larger more powerful motors that enable the saw to perform operations beyond ripping and cross cutting such as dadoing and running molding heads.
They are designed to mill wood, to make heavier cuts and remove large amounts of stock. The types of stationary saws differ in size, price, and performance.
Contractors Table Saws
A contractors table saw is usually a 10″ bench model format mounted on a separate open steel stand. Motors are usually belt driven and hang off the back of the saw. The horsepower on these saws is usually between 1 1/2 to 3 HP. Contractors table saws are typically wired for 110v household current, although some heavier motors are wired for 220v. The trunnion on the contractors saw is usually mounted to the underneath side of the table top.
Cabinet Table Saws
A cabinet saw is typically a floor standing table saw with a full length enclosed steel stand. The Delta Unisaw and the Powermatic Model 66 table saws set the standard for cabinet saws. These are usually at least a 10″ diameter saw blade and some go up to 12-14″ or even 16″ for large commercial cabinet saws. The motors begin at 3 HP but 5 to 7 HP motors are not uncommon. The voltage on these machines is usually 220v. for a single phase motor. Larger motors are quite often 220v or 440v three phase. Cabinet saws are usually much heavier than the lighter contractors saws and are not made to be moved around, although some work well on movable stands. Another significant difference between the cabinet and the contractors saws is that the trunnion on cabinet saws is mounted to the top of the floor standing cabinet, not under the table top like the contractors saw.
Hybrid Table Saws
The hybrid table saw is usually is a mix of features found in the contractors and the cabinet saws. The most distinguishing feature is that hybrid saws use the same trunnion design as the contractors table saw. They are commonly referred to as a light duty cabinet saw but they are usually lighter, have smaller motors, and are priced less than cabinet saws.
Bench Top Table Saws
Bench top table saws are exactly what the name implies, table saws without a base or legs that are designed to sit on a workbench or table.
Table Saw Power Drive Systems
Table saws also come in three types of power trains. That is the system used to transfer power from the motor to the table saw blade.
Direct Drive Motors
Direct-Drive Motors are linked directly to the blade and transfer all of the motor’s power to the blade. Most portable saws have direct-drive motors.
Belt-Drive Motors
Belt-Drive Motors have a belt that transfers power from the motor to the blade. The table saw motor is usually mounted below the saw carriage or at the back of the saw cabinet and the power from the motor is transferred to the saw blade using one or more belts. The advantage of belt-driven saws is that the motor is usually away from the source of most of the sawdust.
Flex-Drive Motors
Flex-drive motors are not as common as the other two. Sears Craftsman made a line of flex-drive motors that used a flexible steel shaft to transfer power from the motor that hung off the back of the saw and the blade arbor. These eliminated some of the vibration found in belt-driven models. Newer belt designs, however, have eliminated most of the belt vibration.
Table Saw Quality Indicators
Vibration and Cut Quality
A good quality saw will not vibrate. In fact there is a vibration test called the nickel test that serious woodworkers like to run on their table saws (stand a nickel on edge when starting the saw and see if it stays standing). A saw that vibrates will be noisy and will give a rough cut. Look for one that passes the nickel test and runs smooth and quiet.
Miter Slots
Better saws have large miter slots cut parallel to the saw blade. The best of these are T-slots which when used with T-slot miter gauges prevent the gauge from easily falling off the front of the table when cutting large pieces. Miter slots must be parallel to the saw blade. if yours are not, your table top or the trunnion will need adjusting. See the related pages below for more details about miter gauges.
Rip Fence Quality
A good rip fence is one of the most important features to consider. A good one is straight, easily adjusted and securely locks in position. It must be square to the table and parallel to the saw blade. There should be little to no deflection of the fence when pushing a board against it at the back of the saw. See the related pages below.
All Table Saws
Craftsman Table Saws
Delta Table Saws
Table Top Flatness
One would think that all table saw tops are flat. Unfortunately that is not always the case. Use a straight edge to be certain there are no dips or valleys in your saw top.
Trunnions
The trunnion holds the saw arbor and allows it to be raised and lowered and tilted from zero to forty-five degrees. Some trunnions are cabinet mounted and others are mounted to the underneath side of the saw table. The table tops on saws with cabinet mounted trunnions are easier to adjust if the miter grooves are not parallel to the blade. They are also easier to get to by removing the table top. Look for solid beefy trunnions. This is where all of the wear and tear take place on the table saw. Large heavy duty trunnions will last for years.
Table Saw Wings
The best saws have cast iron, steel or solid aluminum allow extension wings. Letter models have stamped sheet metal extension wings. Extension wings must also be flat and installed so they are perfectly flush with the top of the saw table.
Table Saw Basic Features
Most table saws come from the factory with the following features.
On/Off switch
Many older saws didn’t come with switches and those that did were not always in a convenient location that could be easily accessed in an emergency. Switches on today’s saws should be mounted on the front of the saw in a location that is easy to hit or knee to the off position to shut down the saw. Some saws have a plastic safety key that prevents the saw from being turned on accidentally.
Saw Blade
Most saws come with a general purpose saw blade. Inexpensive saws usually come with steel saw blades. On more expensive saws, they are carbide tipped blades. Other specialty blades are available such as fine tooth plywood blades, and thin-kerf carbide blades that are used when cutting expensive exotic woods to preserve the amount of usable stock.
Table size
The larger the saw table the easier it is to manipulate sheets of plywood or long boards. The larger work-support surface is always better. Most stationary saws have an optional side extension available on the right side that with longer rip fence rails, can increase the saw’s capacity to reach the center of a 4 x 8 sheet or more. These right side extension tables often double as router tables where you can take advantage of the rip fence for straight line cuts.
Table insert (throat plate)
The throat plate is usually a piece of soft metal that fits in the table top around the blade. It must be level with the table surface — in some cases it needs to be shimmed — and fit closely around the blade or else small pieces will drop through.
Rip fence
A sturdy quality rip fence is one of the most used and important features on the table saw for turning out accurate work. Of all the features, the Rip Fence is the most important one. It provides a straight edge parallel to the blade and controls the width of the rip. It must lock parallel to the saw blade at every setting. Look for a fence that locks onto and support bars or rails at both the front and back of the saw.
Miter gauge
The miter gauge is a removable guide for square and mitered crosscuts. Must fit snugly and move freely in the saw’s table slots. Look for one that can be calibrated and has positive stops at 45 and 90 degrees. Miter gauges are make in several materials including plastic, aluminum and steel.
Blade guard
The blade guard protects the user from the spinning blade, and should never be removed. They come in a variety of styles, some all metal and others made of clear plexiglass to enhance visibility while cutting. Look for one that rises up parallel to the table so it stays on top of the work piece.
Splitter (riving knife)
The splitter is a vertical metal piece directly behind the blade that keeps the blade from binding in the work piece if the saw kerf starts to close up. Newer saws are provided with a thicker and heavier splitter called a riving knife. It is the main safety device to keep wood from kicking back toward the operator. It should mount on the motor assembly so it rises and falls along with the saw blade. Some splitters also adjust to match the width of the kerf.
Riving knives are a safety requirement on newly designed table saws as of 2008. The riving knife typically sits closer to the saw blade than the older splitter devices. This positioning provides greater protection. The riving knife is also separate from the blade guard meaning that it can remain on the saw even when the guard has been removed.
Anti-kickback pawls
Anti-kickback paws are usually two sharp-toothed arms one on each side of the splitter that prevent the work piece from moving backward.
Elevation Hand wheel
The elevation wheel is located at the front of the table saw and controls blade height and depth of cut. On a 10-inch saw, the blade should be about 3 5/8 inches high when fully raised so that you can cut through a dressed 4 x 4 in one pass.
Blade Tilt Hand Wheel
The blade tilt hand wheel is located on the right or left side of the saw depending on which direction the arbor tilts. It adjusts the angles of the blade for bevel cuts up to 45 degrees left (away from the rip fence).
Table Saw Extension Wings
Extension wings come in a variety of styles and extend the width and sometimes the depth of the table saw table to provide a larger more stable work surface when cutting stock. Heavier saws come with sold cast iron extension wings while others may be a webbed cast iron or solid or webbed aluminum. Outfeed extensions provide more table surface when cutting long stock.
Vintage Table Saw Models
Boice Crane Table Saws
Boice Crane 10″ Tilting Arbor Table Saw Model No. 2500
Craftsman Table Saws
Craftsman Model 113.27520 10″ Table Saw
Delta Table Saws
Delta Model 1160 10″ Tilting Table Table Saw
Delta Homecraft Model 34-500 8″ Table Saw
Delta Homecraft Model 34-600 9″ Table Saw
Delta 10″ Unisaw (1948)
Delta 10″ Unisaw (1963)
Jet Table Saws
Jet Portable Table Saws
Jet Contractor Table Saws
Jet Hybrid Table Saws
Jet Cabinet Table Saws
Jet Table Saw Manuals
Jet Table Saw Accessories
All Jet Table Saw Information
Powermatic Table Saws
Powermatic Model 66″ 10″ Cabinet Saw
Newer Table Saw Models
Contractor Table Saws
Delta Contractor Saws
Jet Contractor Saws
Cabinet Table Saws
Delta Cabinet Saws
Jet Cabinet Saws
General 650R 10″ Cabinet Saw
Grizzly 10″ Cabinet Saw Model G0651
Jet 10″ Cabinet Saw Model JTAS-10XL
Laguna 10″ Cabinet Saw Model MT0200-0180
Powermatic 2000 10″ Cabinet Saw
Sawstop 10″ Cabinet SawModel 31230
Steel City 10″ Cabinet Saw Model 35675
Steel City 10″ Cabinet Saw Model 35905
Hybrid Table Saws
Delta Hybrid Table Saws
Jet Hybrid Table Saws
Woodtek Hybrid Table Saw 10″ Model 148-271
Portable Table Saws
FAQs
Q1: What’s the difference between a contractor saw and a cabinet saw?
Contractor saws are lighter, open-stand saws, while cabinet saws are heavier, enclosed machines designed for precision and power.
Q2: What size blade is most common?
Most table saws use a 10-inch blade, though 8-inch and 12-inch models exist.
Q3: Can I cut metal on a table saw?
Only thin non-ferrous metals like aluminum, and only with the proper blade.
Q4: How much space do I need for a table saw?
At least 8 feet in front and behind for safe ripping, plus side clearance.
Q5: Is SawStop worth it?
Yes—while more expensive, its injury-prevention technology can save both your project and your fingers.
Conclusion
The table saw remains the heart of the woodworking shop—versatile, powerful, and indispensable. From the massive cast-iron saws of the early 1900s to today’s safety-driven machines, manufacturers have shaped the craft of woodworking for more than a century. Whether you’re a weekend hobbyist or a seasoned craftsman, the right table saw will improve your accuracy, expand your capabilities, and keep you working safely for years. For related tools, see our guides on miter saws, band saws, and jointers.
