best cabinet table saw for the money

In this article, we are going to be sharing with you the best cabinet table saw for fine woodworking, along with an informative buyers’ guide to help you with the decision-making process.

To help you figure out what cabinet table saw is best for your workshop, we’ll provide you with all of the key features you should be looking out for from your saw. 

So, without further ado, let’s get into it and see how a cabinet table saw will benefit you!

Comparison Chart

Best Cabinet Table Saw Reviews

1.  SAWSTOP PCS31230-TGP236 36-Inch Cabinet Table Saw 

The Sawstop PCS31230-TGP236 is a high-quality cabinet table saw for professional woodworkers and DIYer’s looking to upgrade the centerpiece of their workshop.

Cabinet Table Saw Review

This cabinet table saw from Sawstop will fit perfectly in smaller workshops and is an excellent choice for anyone looking to make clean, straight cuts with ease.

With a top-of-the-line blade mechanism and Sawstop technology included as standard, it’s hard not to fall in love with this table saw. It’s sturdy yet versatile and even features an integrated mobile-based system for those who need to transport it around the workshop.

At approximately $3000 the PCS31230-TGP236 may be expensive, but it’s worth every penny. It comes complete with Sawstop technology as a standard to prevent accidents, and this technology is guaranteed for life.

If the PCS31230-TGP236 were to accidentally activate there’s no need to fret; Sawstop will pay for the full replacement within a 24-hour time period.

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2. Powermatic 2000B 10-Inch Cabinet Table Saw

This isn’t exactly a budget-friendly model by Powermatic, but it is a great choice for any woodworker looking for a saw to produce smooth, precise cuts. It features a cast-iron work surface with a beveled edge to ensure a smoother operation in whatever you are doing.

Cabinet Table Saw Review

We all know how important it is to reduce vibration where possible, and this cabinet table saw does just that! Their Poly-V Belt system ensures that vibrations are kept to a minimum but that you get just maximum efficiency. The miter gauge pivots 60 degrees both left and right.

This easy adjustment allows you to get a full range of cuts. The arbor lock allows for easy bladed changes that can be done with one hand and minimal tools. The Powermatic also features an exclusive Accu-Fence system.

This system provides rigidity and precision. as much power as if it wasn’t. The miter slot is compatible with any after-market miter gauge and comes with a mobile base so you can move the table saw around with ease.

The powerful 15 Amp motor of this table saw runs on 115 volts of electricity, giving you all the power you need for those larger cuts.

This Powermatic cabinet table saw is a step up from most other models – and actually gives off less noise than most. It has an impressive 4-point gravity rise stand which moves incredibly smoothly and easily to give you access under your table without breaking your back!

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3. Jet 708675PK 3HP Cabinet Table Saw

The cabinet table saw by Jet is a great choice if you are looking for something that operates quietly. This model features a Poly-V drive belt to ensure this quietness, as well as helping to deliver efficient operation.

Cabinet Table Saw Review

You can change blades quickly and easily thanks to the push-button arbor lock system, and be rest assured that the blade will be positioned smoothly. It is left-tilting and has a wide stance heavy-duty trunnion to ensure your saw is safe, stable, and secure.

The trunnion, along with the table is made from cast iron to ensure it is vibration-free. This in turn helps to ensure all cuts are accurate, precise, and predictable. The motor is powerful enough for even the toughest pieces of wood, coming in at an impressive 3HP.

A miter gauge is included with the saw, and there are a number of safety features that also come as standard. The miter gauge slot is accurate to 0.001 inches, and the riving knife helps to ensure a clean cut.

The cabinet table saw weighs 2 tonnes so it’s definitely sturdy—you can be safe in the knowledge that it won’t go toppling over or shaking during your cuts. It measures 23 x 47 x 51 inches (W X H X D), so you know it’s not going to be too much bigger than other models on the market either.

In terms of safety, this model features an anti-kickback pawl, a blade guard, and a dust shroud, keeping you and your fellow workers safe. 

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4.  Delta 36-L552 5-Hp 52-Inch Cabinet Table Saw

This left tilting cabinet saw by Delta is a great choice for wood craftsmanship. The motor is extremely powerful, coming in at 5HP.

Cabinet Table Saw Review

This means that not only can it handle very tough wood, but it can also cut through man-made engineered materials like melamine and MDF. Thanks to the included riving knife you can make adjustments with ease whilst you are using the saw.

Vibration is kept to a minimum thanks to the single cast trunnion. Blade changes are also easy on this model. In terms of safety, the Delta model features a two-level kickback assembly, which is an improved addition over other saws. The riving knife enables risk-free cuts.

The 52″ Biesemeyer fence system provides accuracy and stability for this unit. It also operates smoothly, so you can keep your work consistent throughout the project you are working on.

It isn’t all about aesthetics when it comes to this unit. The inclusion of a steel stand with leveling feet provides you with great stability for the piece.

This heavy-duty cabinet saw is priced competitively considering all that you are getting. It’s definitely one worth considering when budgeting for your next contractor-style table saw purchase. This model also includes a mobile base, which allows dust extraction, making it safe for use in your workshop. 

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5.  Shop Fox W1819 3 HP 10-Inch Cabinet Table Saw

Last but not least we have this cabinet table saw by Shop Fox. This sturdy, durable piece of machinery features cast iron and precision ground table, wings, and trunnions.

Cabinet Table Saw Review

This ensures that the surface will be stable when you are working on it, as well as helps to control the vibration coming off the motor and saw.

The motor is very powerful, running on 3HP. This allows for accurate and efficient cuts. In terms of safety, this model features a flip switch to stop the machine immediately, as well as a study dust port that is 4 inches deep. 

If you are worried about your pets or kids bumping into the machine, this will help to keep them safe. The riving knife is also very useful when it comes to safety, ensuring that you can work securely without worrying about kickbacks.

It comes with a 30-day refund policy. If you aren’t completely satisfied within 30 days, you can send it back for a full refund.

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Best Cabinet Table Saw Buyers’ Guide

Motor power 

When you are buying a cabinet saw, we would assume that you are looking for an extremely powerful tool. Primarily, the cabinet saw is used for cutting through very thick wood and is not the sort of saw used by casual hobbyists.

This is a hardcore, extremely powerful piece of machinery, used for every kind of wood. It is important then you have a powerful motor that can manage these hardwoods.

Cutting woods like maple, cherry, plum, and hickory will mean that power along with a sharp blade, will be your best friend. Of course, blades are bought separately so you first need to ensure that you have the power needed. 

In general, if you have a piece of wood measuring two inches or less then you will get by just fine with a motor that is between 1 to 2 HP (Horse Power).

That being said, for these harder woods, it is likely that you will need something at around 3HP. This will mean it will not struggle when you give it thicker pieces. In relation to the power of the motor, you will also want to ensure that your workshop can support 240V, as this is what you will need for thicker chunks of wood at 3 inches and above. 

Consider dust collection 

Dust is an irritant. It can be a health hazard for your eyes and your respiratory system. It is no secret that sawing wood creates dust, especially when you are sawing as much wood as the typical cabinet saw users – cabinet saws are not for casual woodworkers, they are designed for daily prolonged use!

That is a lot of dust! Don’t make dust collection an afterthought. Look for a cabinet saw that has a large enough dust collection port. Of course, the likelihood is that you will also invest in a sawdust vac, preferably industrial-sized.

However, your first port of call will be a good quality dust collection area, preferably above four inches to withhold all of that dust! 

Accurate and Predictable Cuts 

Precision is important when cutting wood and other materials. Especially if this is your job. There is often no room for error, and so you will want your cabinet table saw to be as accurate as possible.

Generally, the heavier and more sturdy your saw, the more accurate and precise it will cut. If you go for a lighter saw you may well be compromising on the accuracy and predictability of the cuts it can produce. 

Related to accuracy is the problem of vibrations. Naturally, anything with a powerful motor is bound to produce some sort of vibration. However, what a vibration does is reduce accuracy and predictability.

For the casual woodworker, this may not cause a huge issue, but for those who rely on woodwork for a career, perhaps making bespoke pieces, then this is a big deal. Some saws come with features that work to reduce vibrations and lessen the impact of the vibrations on the piece you are cutting. Look out for features like this.

A benefit of these vibration reducers is that your saw will be quieter, too. This is always a welcome feature in a noisy workshop! Cabinet table saws with vibration reduction built-in are not going to be easy on your wallet.

That being said, if you are in the market for a cabinet saw anyway then chances are that you are already aware of their high-cost. A few more dollars on top of this is well worth it for the reassurance that you will be getting a more accurate cut. 

Blades 

Typically, whatever saw you buy will come with a blade included. It is likely to be the case that this blade is not really the blade you need, though.

The majority of buyers will want to purchase their own blade for the saw, one that they are used to working with perhaps, that is tailored to their needs based on the size of the pieces they will be cutting and what type of wood it is.

It is important, therefore, that you ensure that the saw you are buying is going to be compatible with the saw blade you need. It’s no good buying one only to find that the blade doesn’t fit in the saw or doesn’t work properly with it! 

Most users will have multiple blades that they want to use interchangeably depending on what wood they are cutting. For this reason, you may also want to ensure that you can quickly and easily swap out the blades with minimum effort, 

Safety measures 

Any sort of power tool – especially ones with extremely sharp blades – poses a safety risk. It is absolutely essential that they are operated properly according to the manufacturer’s directions.

For most manufacturers (certainly for the best manufacturers), safety is the biggest concern. This is in order to make sure their customers are kept safe and accidents are reduced as much as possible. 

You should look out for a kill switch that is easily accessible and allows you to kill the power immediately if something goes wrong. This should be one of the biggest considerations you make when purchasing a cabinet table saw.

There are even options available for saws with a huge hands-free power switch. This is a great option in terms of safety as well as convenience. Other models may have the option for automatic power-off when an injury occurs.

This is yet another great safety feature as it ensures that, even if you physically cannot reach the power off switch, it will still turn off ensuring no further injuries can occur. 

Size 

Lastly, we want to discuss size. Now, just because this is last on our Buyers’ Guide, it does not mean it should be an afterthought. Indeed, it is actually the opposite. Cabinet table saws are not small pieces of machinery.

Before you go ahead and buy one, you should really prepare yourself for the fact that this is going to take up a lot of room in your workshop. Not only that, but you will also want to make sure there is still adequate room left around the saw so that you have enough space to work.

Carefully work out where in your workshop the saw could fit, ensuring you check the measurements of the aw you have in mind carefully, and perhaps even overestimating a little to ensure it is not a tight squeeze, but a safe, roomy fit.

This tool could last you a lifetime, and so you need to really consider whether you want to make that commitment to such a behemoth piece of machinery before you buy one. 

Best Cabinet Table Saw FAQ.

What Is a Cabinet Table Saw?

Cabinet table saws are so-called because of the design of the saw. A cabinet saw has an enclosed base and is typically very heavy due to its use of cast iron and steel. This means that there is less vibration from the saw, and increased accuracy with all of the cuts you make.

They are used because of their ability for cutting through thick pieces of hardwood. They are a little more pricey than other table saws, and for this reason, they are used by professional wood crafters and in busy commercial workshops. They are also used by those running woodwork businesses. Generally, casual woodworkers and hobbyists will not need something of this high quality. 

They are motorized with an induction motor. The typical power is around 3HP but can go up to 5 HP depending on the model. You may also see some slightly lower, but it is recommended that you get a cabinet table saw with at least 3 HP.

If you have a single-phase model then it will likely be around 3 to 5 HP, for sure. Three-phase models (which are more popular on industrial sites rather than in the home of a woodworker) could possibly have up to 7.5HP.

Because of how powerful the motor is, it is common to have a circuit installed in the home or workshop that can handle it. This heavy-duty circuit will ensure the cabinet table saw can run safely at its full power. 

Typically these saws come with a blade, however, it is common for the buyer to use their own choice of blades in the saw, depending on their needs, what they are cutting, and whether the two are compatible. The blade is powered by a heavy-duty motor which enables it to cut through anything with ease. 

The heavier construction and lower vibration that you can get from this type of saw mean that the cabinet table saw is favored over many other types, especially for commercial and industrial use. They do create a lot more dust than others because of how powerful they are, however, they often have excellent dust reduction features and bigger ports for collecting dust. This makes the workshop a safer environment. 

All in all, the cabinet table saw is certainly the best choice if you are looking for something for commercial or industrial use. If you are someone who is going to be using a variety of hardwoods and need very accurate and predictable cuts, then a cabinet table saw is the one for you. 

Are Cabinet Table Saws Obsolete?

Are cabinet table saws obsolete? With all the new, lighter contractor table saws on the market these days, cabinet table saws are starting to look like standard equipment for cabinet-makers.

As cabinet saw prices continue to rise year after year due to rising costs in production, cabinet builders are finding it more feasible to use contractor table saws instead of cabinet table saws in order to keep their costs down.

Although, cabinet table saws are still a great buy for cabinet-makers, cabinet installers, and cabinet restorers.

In addition to cabinet table saws being used in cabinet shops, you can find them at woodworking shows across the United States.

Another example of cabinet table saws being used is in-home workshops where a cabinet-maker has a smaller shop and needs the most versatility they can get from one tool.

Cabinet table saws have cabinet-grade components that provide them with extreme durability and power that make all your projects look professionally done. A feature that cabinet table saws have is cabinet-style rails. These help with dust collection and cabinet-grade bearings that reduce blade wobble.

Contractor table saws are built to be able to be moved from one job site to another which can be very helpful if you need to move your tools often.

One of the main features that cabinet table saws contain is cabinet-style rails, which help with dust collection and cabinet-grade bearings that reduce blade wobble.

Contractor table saws are designed so they can easily be moved from one job site to another, making them convenient for industrial workers who want a quality workstation but aren’t working in the same place day after day.

Should I Get a Table Saw?

When purchasing tools for your woodworking business or hobby there are many different options to choose from. One of the most common questions that beginners have is should I get a table saw? The answer to this question can depend on what you plan to use it for and the level of skill that you currently possess.

Table saws will cut through thick pieces of lumber in order to create smaller, more manageable pieces for projects like furniture and cabinets. Another advantage of having a table saw is that they come with many safety features such as anti-kickback pawls and blade guards which reduce the likelihood of injury while operating them.

If you are new to woodworking then you might not know much about all the additional tools to make accurate cuts on larger boards. A table saw is a great tool for cutting down large boards into smaller pieces if they need to be cut without ripping them in half.

Some people think that it can only be used to rip lumber but with the blade set at 90° it can also crosscut, which means you can make accurate cuts across the board instead of along the length of the grain. If you have never tried this before it will take a little practice so keep some scrap wood on hand until you feel comfortable with your technique.

If you are trying to decide should I get a table saw then consider what type of projects do you plan on doing and how often? If most of your projects require creating larger panels by using wider boards then a table saw is probably going to be one of your best friends.

If you are not too worried about the capacity of the table saw then it should be relatively affordable to purchase one. Vertical saws can cost considerably more than benchtop models because they offer greater cutting capacities and more advanced features like blade tilt and dado blades.

If you are still wondering should I get a table saw then consider how much space you have in your workshop or garage? It should be very easy to find a table saw that will fit into just about any space comfortably because there are many different sizes, shapes, and brands available on today’s market.

No matter what size table saw you choose it should increase the number of projects that you can complete with ease.

What Is the Best Cabinet Table Saw on the Market?

The award for the best table saw on the market goes to Sawstop. This is not just the opinion of us, but countless other tool websites, builders, big industry names, and hobbyists also agree. The model has racked up an impressive overall score of 5 stars on Amazon, which is pretty rare!

You can check out our review above to find out exactly why it is so well-loved. Of course, we also have four other great choices on our list above. All of the cabinet table saws that we have included are going to do the job you need them to. However, the pick of the bunch just has to be the Saw Stop model. 

Cabinet Table Saw vs Contractor

There is a big difference between cabinet table saw vs contractor table saw. In this article, we will be going over the main features of cabinet saws and contractor saws to help you understand which one is right for you.

If you are looking for a quality cabinet table saw or contractor table saw, make sure you check out Woodworkers Emporium for great prices!

Let’s go over the most important part: the price. cabinet table saw cost around $500-1,000 more than the contractor’s table saw.

That is because cabinet tables have cabinet-grade components that provide it with extreme durability and power that make all your projects look professionally done.

When it comes to a contractor’s or best portable table saws, on the other hand, are built to be portable so they can be moved from one job site to another.

What Is the Best Affordable Table Saw?

Overall, the Best Affordable Table Saw we have found is the PowerMatic Table Saw. this one is continuously priced the lowest (except for when there is a sale on the more expensive models for a short time).

The consistent, low price, and high-quality means that you can still get the quality of our top pick but on a lower budget. You can read all about why it is so popular as a budget choice in our Product Review section above, where we go into details about the PowerMatic Table Saw and tell you all of its key features. 

Are Saw Stops Worth the Money?

The Saw Stop was by far the most impressive model we found on our search for the Best Cabinet Table Saw. its features were endlessly impressive, and it has been tried and tested by thousands of other tool enthusiasts and industry professionals all over the country.

In our opinion, if you are in the market for a cabinet table saw, then it is likely that you are willing to spend a few thousand anyway because even the budget ones are around that price.

We think that it is a worthy investment to make sure the one you buy is going to be of the best quality possible, has the best safety features, and gives you the most accurate and predictable cuts. So, to answer the question – YES! Saw Stops are worth the money. 

FINAL VERDICT

Our final verdict, after considering all of the five products reviewed, and the information we have given you in the Buyers’ Guide, just has to be the Saw Stop model.

Not only was it the best quality in terms of materials used for construction and results, but it was also the product that had the most reassuring safety features thanks to its patented safety system that stops the blades from turning at the slightest contact with skin.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. Check out the abundance of reviews online from other industry professionals and hobbyists alike, and try it out for yourself today. 

In Conclusion

To conclude, when shopping around for a new cabinet table saw or any other saw, it is wise to first consider the features you should be looking out for, as well as taking into account the fact that this will be an expensive commitment.

You can check out our Buyers’ Guide and Frequently Asked Questions section above to find out whether a cabinet saw is the right choice for you.

In our eyes, there was one clear winner when it came to the best cabinet table saw on the market, and that is the model by Sawstop. That being said, if you purchase any of the items on our ‘Best Of’ list, you are sure to be satisfied. Thanks for reading.