Best Table Saw for Beginner or DIY Woodworkers (10-inch Corded)

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A table saw is one of the most versatile woodworking tools for cutting lumber. Anyone can use it and you don’t have to be a professional woodworker to own one.

There are many types of table saws and they are mainly classified by size, application, or level of skill of the intended users.

Depending on the size, a table saw can either be benchtop, compact, contractor, cabinet, or hybrid (a cross between contractor and cabinet table saw). Compact and benchtop table saws are also known as job site table saws because they have a small size and are highly portable.

When you classify table saws according to application, you have five main categories including general purpose, rip-cutting table saw, cross-cutting table saws, dado capable table saws, or specialty table saws.

And when you classify them based on the user skill level, you either have a beginner table saw or a professional-grade table saw.

If you are new to table saws or want a table saw that can handle small woodworking projects at home or the job site, a beginner table saw is a perfect choice.

In this article, we shall explore table saws for beginners/DIYers. We shall look at the important features to look for when buying a table saw for the first time. I will also recommend some of the best beginner/DIY table saws for your woodworking projects at home or the job site.

Table Saw for Beginner/DIY, What is it?

As the name implies, a table saw for beginners is one that is designed for first-time users or hobbyists. It is the best choice for anyone starting out in woodworking or for small woodworking projects.

Because these saws are easy to carry to the job site, they are called job site table saws. Professional contractors use them on the job site to cut lumber and boards.

A beginner-level table saw has basic features and enhanced safety mechanisms to accommodate beginners or those with limited experience. They typically have simplified controls, enhanced safety features, and are highly portable.

However, most DIY/Beginner table saws have a small rip capacity and limited power. This makes them only suitable for light-duty tasks and small projects that involve cutting narrow workpieces – lumber, plywood, or sheet goods.

Essential Characteristics of Table Saws For Beginners

There are two important characteristics that tell you a table saw is beginner-friendly or for the job site: portability and compactness.

Portability

One of the most important properties of beginner table saws is portability. They are easy to carry from one point to another. This is why they are called job site saws because you can transport them in the trunk of your truck to and from the job site.

There are many factors that contribute to the table saw portability but the most crucial ones are the overall weight and wheels on the stand.

Portable table saws are typically built with lightweight materials such as aluminum and hard plastic. For instance, a bench top or compact table saw usually has a plastic body and aluminum table top and fence.

In addition, some of the best job site table saws often feature wheeled stands for convenient mobility around the job site. Moreover, these stands can be foldable, allowing the table saw to fit effortlessly in a car trunk without the need for disassembly.

Compactness

Most hobbyists and beginners in woodworking often work from their homes, mostly in their garage, basement, or a designated area within their living space. These working areas have limited spaces that only favor compact tools.

Therefore, the compactness of a table saw is an important consideration when shopping for a table saw for beginners or DIYers. It should have a small form factor to save valuable floor space in your constrained work area at home.

Generally, when a table saw is compact and lightweight, you can easily move it from point A to point B and conveniently stow it away when not in use to create more space in the workshop.

It is also easy to operate a compact table saw (benchtop table saw) from the top of a working bench.

Best Table Saw For Beginners

There are several types and brands of table saws for beginners and DIYers. Our top 3 picks are Skil TS6307-00, DeWalt DWE7491RS, and Metabo HPT C3610DRJ portable table saws.

But before we explore each one of them in detail, let’s look at the essential factors to consider when choosing the best one for your needs.

Factors to Consider (Buying Guide)

1. Type of stand

There are two important questions to ask about the stand of a table saw: is it foldable? Does it have wheels?

A foldable stand makes it easy to store a table saw in a small space. And when the stand has wheels, they make it easy to roll the table saw from place to place on the job site. You don’t have to lift it up.

A collapsible rolling stand is particularly important for table saws that weigh more than 50 lbs which can be difficult to lift.

2. Fence control mechanism

The fence control mechanism on a table saw determines how accurate your cuts will be.

A dialable fence is the best because it offers accurate fence adjustment even if you are new to using a table saw. With this fence system, you are sure of square even cuts every time.

A dialable fence is also easy to adjust to position. You only turn a knob and the rack and pinion mechanism does the work of setting the fence for you.

3. Rip capacity

Generally, benchtop and compact table saws have a small rip capacity. So, don’t expect to use them to rip very broad workpieces.

However, a good job site table saw should have a ripping capacity of at least 24 inches, enough to rip 4′ x 8′ sheets of ply by half.

4. Extendable fence

Because job site table saws have an inherent limitation of small rip capacity, some table saws allow you to cheat with an extendable fence.

This mechanism extends the fence beyond the edge of the table saw top, allowing you to get more rip capacity for broader workpieces. This is especially useful if you work with boards.

5. Cutting Depth

Beginner table saws usually have a blade depth range between 8-1/4 inches and 12 inches. This measurement refers to the size of the blade that is used on the saw (just in case you didn’t know).

For cutting sheet goods and thin workpieces, an 8-1/4-inch blade is sufficient. But if you require cutting thicker materials like 4x4s, a 10-inch to 12-inch saw is necessary to achieve a deeper cutting depth of up to 3-1/2 inches.

6. Dust Collection

Any saw worth your money must have a dust collection port. The best size of the dust port is 2-1/2 inches because it is compatible with most shop vacs.

Most job site table saws have a single dust port (which is ok) but some have two dust collection ports: at the bottom of the saw and on the blade guard.

Top 3 Picks – Detailed Reviews

1) SKIL Portable Jobsite Table Saw TS6307-00 – Best value for money

The Skil TS6307-00 is perhaps the most compact job site table saw for a beginner. It features an integrated foldable stand that is easy to fold and set up. The foldable stand makes the saw easy to store

This saw has a reasonable working height that is ideal for a short person. I am 5’4″ and the height is perfect for me. If you are a tall person (above 6ft) you might find the working height of this saw quite low.

However, the height might not be a big deal if you intend to use the saw occasionally. But if you want to make it your daily at the workshop, you might have back pains.

Overall, the SKIL TS6307-00 is a perfect choice for DIYers and hobbyists. It is powerful and very compact. This unit is also light enough to carry with one hand, but strong and sturdy enough to rip thick full-size plywood. It comes with accessories such as a riving knife, push stick, miter slide, and a blade guard.

2) DeWalt Table Saw (DWE7491RS) – Best job site table saw for contractor

If you are a tall person (above 5’9″) and need a job site saw that offers a great working height, the DeWalt DWE7491RS might be your best bet. This saw stands 36-5/8 inches tall, allowing you to push stock without bending so much.

The saw has great features including a dialable fence, numerous safety mechanisms, and a foldable stand with wheels. The stand is also removable. You can disassemble it when you want to mount the table saw on a custom work bench in your workshop.

This DeWalt table saw has fantastic onboard storage for accessories such as the push stick and blade change tools. The push stick sits nicely on the side of the fence so that you can pick it up conveniently whenever you are ripping stock.

The DeWalt DWE7491RS has two major drawbacks: a high price tag and heavy weight. Its price is nearly twice as much as other job site saws in its class, and its weight of approximately 90 lbs makes it impractical to mount on the wall.

Overall, the DeWalt is the most versatile job site saw. It can do anything that a DIYer/Hobbyist or a professional job site contract needs it to do including making shims from 2x4s for flooring jobs and other remodel projects. It also offers a great working height for everyday use. Unfortunately, its price is quite prohibitive and might be out of reach for most woodworking beginners and hobbyists.

3) Metabo HPT Multivolt cordless table saw – Most versatile job site table saw

If you are looking for a job site table saw that you can use in the shop and on the job site without worrying about an AC power source, the Metabo HPT C3610DRJ is the real deal.

It is the only hybrid job site table saw on the market. It runs off of a 36V battery and can also be connected directly to an AC outlet through an adapter.

This 10″ table saw from Metabo (formerly Hitachi) has great features including the rack and pinion fence, large rip capacity (35″), and a unique corded and cordless system. It is compact in size and just like other table saws, you can use it on a bench top or on its rolling stand.

Unfortunately, the battery, battery adapter, and rolling stand come separately. The unit is also quite expensive. The tool alone costs above $500 and with the battery and battery adapter, the total cost is slightly shy of $1000.

So, the Metabo C3610DRJ might be the most versatile job site table saw but the most expensive. It is ideal for professional contractors who want reliability and ruggedness.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

And there you have it.

Those are my top 3 corded table saws for beginners/DIYers. They are all beginner friendly and perform all the basic functions of a job site table saw including rip cutting, cross-cutting, and angle cutting. Each saw uses a 10-inch blade and offers a cutting depth of at least 3-1/4 at 90 degrees.

Among them, the Skil table saw offers exceptional value for money. It stands out as the most compact and lightweight option while still delivering impressive power comparable to its competitors.

On the other hand, the DeWalt DWE7491RS table saw is an ideal choice for contractors working on job sites. It boasts a sturdy build and features a wheeled stand for easy mobility.

Lastly, the Metabo HPT multivolt table saw stands out for its versatility and durability. It offers the unique advantage of operating both corded and cordless, making it a one-of-a-kind hybrid table saw in the market.