The Table Saw is the most versatile machine and is the most common piece of large woodworking equipment. The table saw consists of a circular saw blade, mounted on an arbor, that is driven by an electric motor (directly, by belt, or by gears). The blade protrudes through the surface of a table, which provides support for the wood being cut. A quality table saw will make completing nearly any woodworking project easier and is generally used to rip, square, miter, groove, shape and join pieces.
There are four general classes of table saws: benchtop table saws, contractor table saws, cabinet table saws and hybrid table saws.
Benchtop Table Saws
Benchtop table saws are lightweight and are designed to operate while sitting on a table or other support. They commonly have direct drive (no v-belt or pulleys) from a universal type motor.
Contractor Table Saws
Contractor table saws are heavier, larger and have an attached stand or base, often with wheels.
Cabinet Table Saws
Cabinet table saws are heavy (using large amounts of cast iron and steel) to minimize vibration and increase accuracy.
Hybrid Table Saws
Hybrid table saws are designed to compete in the market with high-end contractor table saws. They offer some of the advantages of cabinet saws at a lower price than traditional cabinet saws.
