A table saw is also known as Bench saw, or Saw Bench in different parts of the world and is a highly useful tool. It has a blade, an electric motor, and is installed on an arbor.
There are different types of blade saws available on the market with varied uses and designs. The veteran woodcutters and designers prefer different types of saws for different uses.
The cut of the table saw varies in terms of the ups and downs of the blade. In the earlier models of the table saws, the arbor and the blade used to be fixed but the latest models come with different adjustment facilities. (Worry about changing the blade, read this article How to Change or Replace Table Saw Blade).
There are a total of eight types of modern-day table saws available in the market which are vastly popular considering their different uses.
In this article, we are going to present a thorough analysis of the 8 types of table saws and their specific uses.
- Benchtop Table Saw
- Jobsite Table Saw
- Compact Table Saw
- Hybrid Table Saw
- Contractor Table Saw
- Cabinet Table Saw
- Sliding Table Saw
- Mini and micro
Benchtop Table Saw:

Benchtop Table Saw
This is one of the most affordable tables saws that are available in the market. The saw is very lightweight and durable. One might also call it a portable table saw because of its mobility considering the weight. A benchtop saw can be constructed in a small space or of course on a bench.
The saw comes with an electric motor to complete its job with the help of a blade on top. One of the characteristics that make the benchtop saw special is its ability to cut straight and cut accurately. The cuts are also clean.
However, cutting big pieces of wood is not advisable. If you need to get a fresh cut in a small piece of wood, this is your saw. This saw will also give you the easiest and cleanest cut to particleboards.
Typical uses:
- Furniture making
- Small construction projects
- Crafting
- Decorating
Why buy them:
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Jobsite Table Saw:

Jobsite Table Saw Vector
Compared to the benchtop saw Jobsite table saw is larger and heavier in general. In recent times, the Jobsite table saws have become hugely popular among the carpenters and constructors.
Because of its vast usage and popularity, it is one of the most talked-about table saws in the woodcutters’ community. This particular table saw is also very portable and efficient. The cut is also accurate and fast.
Apart from those obvious features most of the Jobsite saws have dust collection facilities which make is very unique and the working space clean.
Typical uses:
- Carpentry and construction: medium to large
- Furniture making
- DIY Projects
Why buy them:
- For regular use
- Mobility
- Can cut plastics metal and thick woods
Compact Table Saw:

Compact Table Saw Vector
The woodworkers and carpenters love Compact table saws because of its mobility-considering the large size, and its efficiency. It has a drive belt with preinstalled motors. Because of this greater work intensity can be completed with the Compact table saws.
Often time, people confuse the compact saw with the carpenter saw but both have different purposes and jobs to do. There are only a few varieties with the genre of Compact table saws and that makes finding the perfect one easy.
The saw can do a decent job considering its size and price. So, definitely something to consider.
Typical uses:
- DIY Projects
- Small scale furniture
- Small constructions
Why buy them:
- Large rip capability
- Durable construction
- Long-lasting
Hybrid Table Saw:

Hybrid Table Saw Vector
Hybrid saws are, as the name suggests, has something extra within its design and usage. It is usually the mixture of the two well-used saws: cabinet and contractor saws. So, when one purchases a Hybrid table saw, he or she gets the benefits of using both saws.
Although both of the saws have unique usage, the Hybrid saws can most of its general tasks. The saw has a unique design for the dust collection- a feature that has been included by being inspired by the contractor saws.
There are usually two types of hybrid tune-ups like the table-mounted tune-ups and the cabinet mounted tune-ups. This type of Hybrid table saws can be a great choice for the woodworkers as well.
Typical uses:
- Most of the woodworking
- Accurate cuts
- Spacious home repair projects
Why buy them:
- Low vibration
- Super useful for large furniture
- Affordable
- Powerful
Contractor Table Saw:

Contractor Table Saw Vector
Contractor table saws are primarily used to do the complex and heavy-duty woodworks. There is a built-in blade attached at the back of a Contractor table saw for the convenience of collecting dust.
Having a large blade and a table area can be very useful. At the same time, it can be very challenging. There are different types of table saws available in the market that comes with great engine power and working capacity.
This Contractor table saw is one of those beasts. It can complete the task in hand efficiently and effectively. It can also save a lot of time for the user because of its user-friendliness.
Typical uses:
- Expert carpentry
- Construction
- DIY Projects
Why buy them:
- Top-notch woodworking
- Decorative work
- Hobbyist projects
- Home improvement projects
Cabinet Table Saw:

Cabinet Table Saw Vector
There are an enormous steel and iron metal that comes with standard Cabinet table saws. It is used to minimize the vibration during the usage of the Cabinet table saws. The cabinet saws are well-known for its efficiency and strength.
Because of it, the cabinet table saws are sometimes called mac-daddy. These types of saws can cut about 500 pounds. It also does the job without giving much trouble to the user.
Typical uses:
- High-quality woodworking
- Construction projects
- Accuracy
- Precision
Why buy them:
- Very powerful
- Largest rip capacity
- Super accuracy
- Suitable for most woodworking
Sliding Table Saw:

Sliding Table Saw Vector
This saw is also called the European saw. If you need to cut a large board or slip belongings this is the saw for you. There is a slide at the back of the sliding table saw that stays folded below the table of the saw.
For the majority of the tasks, the sliding table saws use different layers of induction which enables it to do heavy-duty tasks.
Among all the table saws we have discussed in this article, sliding table saws are the most expensive and it is because of a reason. And, that reason is- it can easily do the toughest of the job with the highest efficiency.
Typical uses:
- All sorts of DIY Projects
- Construction
Why buy them:
- Durable construction
- Long-lasting
- Precise cuts
Mini and micro:

Mini and micro
A typical mini table saw has about a 4-inch diameter blade. Although, the smallest among all the abovementioned table saws, in terms of efficiency it is no less than the others.
The hobbyists consider these to be the best of its kind and the hobbyists are the primary customers of the table saw. Most of the small cuts can be made with these types of mini and micro table saws.
Typical uses:
- Trimming
- Decorative works
- DIY Projects
- Crafting
- Repairing
Why Buy them:
- Great fit for the amateurs
- Easy operating and setups
- Very lightweight
- Affordable
- Little space needed to keep it
Frequently Asked Questions
In fact, a table saw is widely used for making long cuts in wood materials and can also be used for cutting other light materials. In order to make your favorite cross cuts, just set the tool with the appropriate height and angle, then force it to the exact position on the materials. Moreover, it is ideal for making straight cuts as well.
Getting quality performance from a table depends a lot on its horsepower and amps. Because the key features straightly gear up the torque and speeds. Especially, if you maintain a 2-horsepower engine with 15 Amps speed capacity in your regular table saw, you will always get a smooth and favorable cutting result from it.
If you work as a carpenter, you know that there are some restrictions on using a table saw. First, users can’t make any curve shapes on wood materials. No backward cuts are allowed in the table saw. Next, cutting PVC can be dangerous for table saws because it damages the teeth of the blade. Never try to cut harder metals through the table saw; definitely, it will break the blade instantly. Besides avoiding PVC cuttings, you should not make any plastic cuttings too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that the kind of table saw you should purchase purely depends on your need. You need to fully understand your need and purpose to buy a table saw and then make the call.
A choice for hobbyists is vastly different from a professional woodcutter. So, know your need and make the purchase! Happy Shopping!
Leave a Reply