Best Contractor Table Saws of 2024 [Buying Guide]

SawStop CNS175-TGP236

 

When it comes to contractor table saws, the SawStop CNS175-TGP236 is in a class of its own. This innovative 10″ saw combines SawStop’s revolutionary safety technology with top-notch build quality and precision that rivals the best cabinet saws on the market.

At the heart of the CNS175-TGP236 is SawStop’s patented safety brake system. If the spinning blade comes into contact with skin, the brake engages in less than 5 milliseconds, stopping and dropping the blade below the table to prevent serious injury. It’s a true game-changer for jobsite safety.

But the CNS175-TGP236 isn’t just about safety – it’s precision-built for ultimate cut quality too. The trunnion, arbor, and poly-v belts are engineered for strength, stability, and minimal vibration. The cast iron table is flat to within 0.010″ for perfectly straight cuts every time.

Key Features

• Patented blade brake stops blade on skin contact in <5ms
• Precision-flattened cast iron table top
• Robust 1.75HP motor with belt drive
• Professional 36″ T-Glide fence system
• Configurable with mobile base, router table, and more

Pros

• Unmatched blade brake safety technology
• Cabinet saw-level cut quality and precision
• Solid cast iron construction
• Highly configurable for any application
• Dust collection and blade guard included

Cons

• Expensive up-front cost
• Replacement brake cartridges add ongoing expense

Final Thoughts

For contractors and woodworkers who value safety above all else but won’t compromise on precision or performance, the SawStop CNS175-TGP236 is simply the best contractor table saw on the market today. While the innovative safety brake does add extra cost, the potential to prevent life-altering injuries is priceless. Pair this with world-class cut quality and you have a truly exceptional saw.

Powermatic PM2000B 10″ Table Saw

The Powermatic PM2000B is a true premium, industrial-grade 10-inch cabinet table saw designed for the most demanding professional woodworking applications. It features a massively overbuilt design with an innovative one-piece cast iron trunnion and precision-ground cast iron table top to provide exceptional stability, accuracy and flatness that woodworkers require.

The saw’s trunnion utilizes a box design that is significantly stronger and more rigid than conventional table saws. The massive cast iron trunnion attaches directly to the cabinet to handle even the largest rip cuts without deflection. The precision-ground cast iron table top has a finely polished finish and front/rear beveled edges to allow for smooth movement of workpieces.

Powermatic equipped the PM2000B with an array of patented features to improve safety, ease of use and repetitive accuracy. The quick-release riving knife can be easily adjusted or removed with the simple pull of a lever to reduce the risk of kickback. An accessible arbor lock allows you to change blades without wrenches. Adjustable angle indicators on the tilting blade bevel scale ensure you can return to common angled cuts repeatably.

The saw’s digital readout provides a precise bevel angle display to a tenth of a degree. This works in conjunction with the micro-adjust handle to easily dial in exact beveled cuts. When needing to relocate the saw, the integrated hydraulic caster system raises it up high enough to easily roll over obstacles.

Key Features:

• 5HP, 230V single-phase motor
• 50″ rip capacity with extension wings
• Cast iron trunnion and table eliminate flexing
• Quick-release riving knife reduces kickback risk
• Arbor lock for tool-less blade changes
• Digital readout and adjustable angle guides for bevels
• Integrated hydraulic mobile base with wide stance

Pros:

• Extremely rigid and flat cast iron top
• Innovative riving knife and arbor lock designs
• Digital bevel readout with micro adjust indicators
• Ample 50″ rip capacity with extension wings
• Heavy-duty trunnion and wide stance for stability
• Built-in mobility with hydraulic caster system

Cons:

• Expensive premium price point
• Heavy 500+ lb weight requires care when moving
• 230V power requirement may need rewiring

Final Thoughts

The PM2000B delivers exceptional engineering, stability and precision that discerning woodworkers demand from a premium cabinet saw. Its innovative designs and robust build make it a long-lasting investment piece.

Delta 36-6013 10″ Table Saw

The Delta 36-6013 is a powerful and robust 10-inch contractor table saw designed for professional woodworkers and serious craftsmen. At the heart of this saw is a 15 amp motor that delivers ample power to rip through treated lumber and hardwoods with ease. The saw features a generous 25-inch rip capacity, allowing you to easily cut full 4×8 sheet goods or make dados up to 13/16″ wide in a single pass.

Delta equipped the 36-6013 with a heavy-duty rail and fence system to provide smooth, accurate rip cuts every time. The fence is solidly built with a low profile design that allows you to safely cut very narrow stock. Quick-positioning fence tabs make adjustments simple. The precisely machined cast iron table provides a perfectly flat surface for stability. An outstanding 3-1/2″ cutting depth at 90 degrees gives you ample capacity for thicker hardwood workpieces.

To enhance dust collection, the saw has a 2-1/2″ port that can connect directly to a vacuum or dust collector to keep your work area clean. Adding to its professional credentials, Delta backs this table saw with an outstanding 5-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Key Features:

• 15 amp motor with ample power
• 25″ rip capacity for full sheet goods
• 13/16″ dado cutting capacity
• Heavy-duty fence with precision rail system
• Flat, stable cast iron table top
• 2-1/2″ dust port for vacuum connection
• 5-year warranty

Pros:

• Powerful 15 amp motor for hardwoods
• Generous 25″ rip capacity
• Heavy, solidly built fence system
• Quick-positioning fence tabs
• Flat cast iron table
• Outstanding 5-year warranty

Cons:

• Blade guard could be better designed
• Dust collection not fully enclosed
• On the heavier side at 90+ lbs

Final Thoughts

The Delta 36-6013 delivers the power, capacity and robust build that professionals and serious woodworkers demand from a contractor’s table saw. Its outstanding performance is backed by Delta’s 5-year warranty for added confidence.

Evolution Rage 5-S 10″ Multi-Purpose Table Saw

The Evolution Rage 5-S is a truly revolutionary multi-purpose table saw that breaks away from traditional wood-only models. At its core is Evolution’s patented cutting technology that allows the saw to cleanly cut through a wide variety of materials including wood, plastic, aluminum, steel, and even wood with embedded nails using just one 10″ TCT blade. This unique “cool cutting” capability produces burr-free metal cuts with virtually no sparks or heat buildup.

The 5-S features a powerful 15 amp high-torque motor optimized for efficiently cutting diverse materials. It has an extremely versatile 0-45° bevel and 0-60° miter range to handle any angled cutting needs. A generous 3-1/4″ cutting depth at 90° (2-1/4″ at 45°) gives it great capacity. The saw’s large cast aluminum table provides an ample 47-1/4″ x 25-3/16″ work surface with extensions to fully support wide stock and sheet goods.

For precision, the 5-S has an adjustable parallel rip fence with a measuring rail to ensure smooth, accurate rip cuts every time. Adding to its versatility, the saw features a folding stand with wheels for easy portable operation and storage without the need for a miter saw stand.

Key Features:

• Cuts wood, plastic, aluminum, steel with one 10″ TCT blade
• Unique cool cutting technology with no burrs/sparks in metal
• 0-45° bevel, 0-60° miter for angled cuts
• Large 47″ x 25″ cast aluminum table with extensions
• Adjustable parallel rip fence with measuring rail
• Folding stand with wheels for portability
• 15A high-torque motor optimized for all materials

Pros:

• Versatile – cuts virtually any material
• Cool, burr-free metal cuts with no sparks/heat
• Large cast aluminum table with extensions
• Portable folding stand with wheels
• Adjustable rip fence for precision
• Powerful high-torque motor
• Wide bevel/miter ranges

Cons:

• Expensive compared to wood-only saws
• Limited cutting depth for very thick metals
• Guard design could be improved

Final Thoughts

The Rage 5-S raises the bar as a true multi-purpose table saw able to precisely cut wood, plastic and metals like aluminum and steel using its innovative cool cutting technology and blade. Its portable folding design with large table makes it well-suited for jobsite needs across multiple trades.

What Sort of Jobs Will a Contractor Table Saw Be Best For?

Contractor table saws are designed to handle a wide range of woodworking tasks, from ripping thick hardwood to precision crosscuts on trim and moldings. Their robust construction and ample rip capacity make them well-suited for projects like:

Framing and Rough Carpentry: The power and large rip capacity allow smooth, accurate ripping of dimensional lumber for framing walls, floors, and roofs.

Cabinetry and Furniture Building: With the right blades, these saws can precisely cut cabinet components, shelving, tabletops, and other fine woodworking pieces.

Deck and Fence Construction: Their portability is ideal for cutting deck boards, railings, and fence pickets right on the jobsite.

General Contracting/Remodeling: From trimwork to built-ins, a good contractor saw can tackle just about any cutting task for residential and light commercial projects.

While contractor saws excel at these types of jobs, they may have limitations for very large sheet goods (depending on model) or lack the precision and power of a true cabinet saw for high-end furniture work. But for most general woodworking applications, they offer outstanding performance in a relatively compact, mobile package.

Who Would a Contractor Table Saw Benefit Most?

Contractor saws are extremely popular with several key user groups:

Professional Contractors/Carpenters: The combination of power, precision, and job-site portability make these saws ideal for framing crews, remodelers, trim carpenters, and general contractors who need a saw they can take from site to site.

Serious DIYers/Woodworking Hobbyists: The larger rip capacity and power give DIYers the ability to tackle ambitious projects while the mobile design fits well in home workshops.

Small Woodworking Businesses: Cabinet shops, furniture makers, and other small operations often start with a high-quality contractor saw before upgrading to a full cabinet saw.

In general, anyone who needs a versatile saw with enough power and capacity for most woodworking tasks – but in a relatively portable design – will appreciate the benefits of a contractor table saw. The balance of performance and mobility is perfect for work that moves between the shop and jobsite.

What Are Some Useful Extra Features to Look For?

While capable out of the box, many contractor saws now offer useful features and accessories that can enhance their performance and versatility:

Extension Tables/Wings: Extending the main tabletop provides crucial extra support when ripping long stock or working with sheet goods like plywood. Look for well-designed extension tables.

Upgraded Rip Fences: A smooth, accurate rip fence is essential. Many saws offer aftermarket fence upgrades that improve adjustability and precision over stock fences.

Mobile Bases: Having a wheeled base makes it much easier to move the saw’s substantial weight across job sites or in the shop. Integrated mobile bases are very convenient.

Cutting Capacity: Deeper rip cut capacity (3-1/2″+ at 90 degrees) allows for cutting thicker hardwood stock in a single pass.

Dust Collection: An enclosed cabinet with good dust ports results in cleaner, safer operation by allowing connection to a vacuum or dust collector.

When evaluating models, consider the advantages that premium fences, extension tables, mobile bases, and dust collection can provide in terms of precision, safety, and efficiency for your type of cutting needs.

What Makes a Contractor Table Saw Different from Other Table Saws?

While all table saws share some fundamental features, contractor models are distinct from other main saw types:

Cabinet Saws: As the name implies, cabinet saws are larger stationary units with fully enclosed base cabinets. They offer greater power, precision and maximum cutting capacities – but are not portable.

Bench/Job Site Saws: These ultra-portable compact saws mount to a bench or stand. They have very limited rip capacities compared to contractor models and are best for trim, small cuts.

Hybrid Saws: Combining elements of contractor and cabinet saws, hybrids are stationary units with enhanced precision and power – in a larger, heavier design.

So what defines a contractor table saw?

It’s the balanced combination of:

• Powerful 1.5-2 HP motor (more powerful than portable bench saws)
• Deep cut capacity and large rip range (20″+ rip, 3″+ cut depth)
• Jobsite portability with open base design
• Usually includes basic stand with wheels
• Smaller footprint than cabinet but larger than benchtop models

This blend of performance and portability is ideal for users who need to move the saw between locations but still require the cutting capabilities to handle most wood stock. The contractor saw bridges the gap between ultra-portable trim saws and stationary cabinet units.

Why Trust Tool-Mentorship?

At Tool-Mentorship, we pride ourselves on providing trustworthy, in-depth guidance on all types of tools and equipment based on firsthand testing and decades of combined experience. Our team of writers doesn’t just regurgitate specs – we actually get hands-on with the products.

When reviewing and recommending contractor saws, we put these versatile workhorses through their paces on real jobsites and in our workshops. We evaluate the full user experience – power, cut quality, dust collection, setup, portability, safety features and more. Our reviews weigh both objective test data as well as qualitative feedback from professional tradesmen and DIYers.

Our mission is to mentor readers in making educated tool purchasing decisions based on unbiased analysis from true experts in the field. You can trust that any recommendations coming from Tool-Mentorship have been thoroughly vetted and field-tested.

Here are some FAQs for the “best contractor table saws” along with a 120 character meta description:

FAQs:

What is a contractor table saw?

A contractor table saw is a powerful, portable table saw designed for jobsite use by contractors, woodworkers, and serious DIYers.

What are the advantages of the best contractor table saws?

The best contractor table saws offer a great balance of power, cutting capacity, precision, and portability in a relatively compact design.

What motor power should I look for in the best contractor table saws?

Look for models with 1.5-2 HP motors which provide ample power for ripping hardwoods while still being portable.

What rip capacity do the best contractor table saws typically have?

Top contractor saws usually have 20-30″ rip capacities, allowing cutting of full 4×8 sheet goods or long stock.

Are the best contractor table saws difficult to move around?

No, most quality contractor saws include integrated mobile bases or stands with wheels for easy jobsite portability.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a contractor, carpenter, or passionate DIYer looking to take on bigger woodworking projects, a high-quality contractor table saw can be an incredibly valuable addition to your tool arsenal. These saws pack impressive cutting power and capacity into a still-portable package able to travel from the jobsite to the workshop with ease.

When shopping for a contractor saw, be sure to consider factors like motor power, rip capacity, included accessories, dust collection and available upgrades like premium fences and extension tables. With the right contractor saw – and insight from an experienced testing resource like Tool-Mentorship – you’ll be fully equipped to handle just about any wood-cutting task with precision and efficiency.