Each and everyone of us goes through a beginner phase whenever we try something new and we can all verify that is a highly daunting phase.

Many of us even shy away from taking up a new hobby or job to avoid this awkward phase.

Thus, if you are a beginner wanting to learn the ropes of woodwork, we know how you must be feeling.

However, you do not need to worry as we are here to help you and have things covered.

Below, we have compiled a list of the best table saws for beginners that are most appropriate and safe for those just starting out.

Best Table Saw for Beginners

 

 

1. DEWALT FLEXVOLT7485B Table Saw

 

 

Features

• Brand: DEWALT
• Dimensions:12.9 x 23.8 x 23.8 Inches
• Blade Length: 8 Inches

 

The DEWALT FLEXVOLT is our top pick for beginners. It has everything that a new woodworker would require.

With an eight-inch blade, FLEXVOLT’s battery is the world’s first battery to have the ability to automatically change its voltage as you change tools.

This increases efficiency immensely and makes it ideal for novice woodworkers.

In addition to this, the table saw is highly flexible, easy to use, and ensures accuracy.

Its 8-inch blade has a speed of 5800 RPM and a ripping capacity of 24 inches. It can conveniently cut 4×8 plywood and OSB sheets.

One of its most attractive features, however, is its duality as it has the power of a corded table saw along with the freedom of a battery operation.

Moreover, the operation and construction of the table saw are also very user-friendly.

It comes with a manual that has all instructions clearly explained for beginners (with diagrams) and has onboard storage, allowing easy access to all components.

The compact size and lightweight makes this table saw very portable and mobile.

Along with boasting a 3-year warranty, this table saw is also equipped to protect users from unprecedented disasters.

It has a power reset to prevent accidental restarts after power disruptions.

The only downside to the DEWALT FEXVOLT is that it does not come with a charger for the battery. The charger needs to be purchased separately and thus, increases the cost of purchase.

Nevertheless, FLEXVOLT is still an affordable, lightweight table saw, perfect for beginners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. DeWalt DWE7491RS 10” Table Saw

 

 

Features

• Brand: DEWALT
• Dimensions: 31 x 24.5 x 31 Inches
• Blade Length: 22 Inches

 

DeWalt DWE7491RS table saw is an ideal saw for beginners as well as professionals.

It makes outstanding cuts and helps produce one of the most precise workpieces.

With a weight of only 90 pounds, DeWalt DWE7491RS is a portable piece of machinery that can be easily shifted from one place to another.

The wheels attached to its base further improve the mobility of the table saw while the rolling stand makes it very simple for beginners to set it up perfectly.

An attractive feature of DeWalt DWE7491RS is that with its 15 amp high torque motor running at a speed of 4800 RPM, it can easily cut into any material, including pressure-treated lumber and hardwoods.

It is especially recommended for woodcutting as it cuts through it very smoothly and precisely.

Moreover, with a blade length of 22 inches, it can easily make a maximum cut of 45 inches and allow you to make enormous workpieces.

Another feature that makes this table saw very user-friendly is its Rack and Pinion Telescoping Fence System.

This system allows to adjust the fence and the blade, making cuts faster, smoother and cleaner.

Apart from this, there are numerous other accessories included in the purchase that can come in very handy for beginners.

These include a DeWalt table saw miter gauge, 10-inch 24-tooth carbide blade, push stick, rolling stand, rip fence, 2x blade wrenches, and an assembly manual.

The onboard storage makes it very easy to access all the compartments and accessories.

However, there are downsides to this table saw as well.

The miter gauge on this table saw is not of sound quality, and the blade and fence are complicated to adjust.

Moreover, some users have complained about finding a dip in the tabletop, which can affect the neatness of your work.

Nonetheless, this is a highly recommended table saw for beginners, especially if you are to work with wood.

 

 

 

 

4. NovelLife Mini Hobby Table Saw

 

 

Features

• Brand: NovelLife
• Dimensions: 9.06 x 7.09 x 3.1 Inches
• Blade Length: 4 Inches

 

On the fourth spot on our list is the electric NovelLife Mini Hobby Table Saw.

This miniature table saw is designed for efficiently cutting thin wood, bamboo, and acrylic plates.

As it is engineered for thinner laminates and wood no more than 3 cm thick, it is ideal for beginners or people who are hobbyist woodcutters.

Moreover, the compact size and miter gauge with laser scaled panel allows you to make much more precise and accurate cuts compared to other table saws.

One of its most attractive features is its dual-motor providing strong cutting power and complementary blades and measuring tools, making it very easy to use for beginners.

The machinery also allows adjustment of the height of the blades, adding to the ease of comfort of its users.

The blades even have a protective covering which make them very safe for novice woodworkers.

Furthermore, despite the two motors, the table saw has a low noise operation due to the four rubber pads on its bottom.

These pads prevent the table saw from slipping, absorb shock and ensure minimum possible noise.

In addition to this, the table saw has an elegant, steel body with an aluminum covering to prevent deformation and maintain durability along with a clean, cutting performance.

Although this table saw is not very powerful, nor does it cut very deep with a blade of only 4 inches, it is ideal for small crafts and for DIY projects.

With its compact size and low noise, you can easily fit it in a small compartment in your home.

Plus, it is very affordable and offers good value for the money.

 

 

 

 

5. Skilsaw SPT99T-01 Portable Worm Drive Table Saw

 

 

Features

• Brand: SKIL
• Dimensions: 25.2 x 25.75 x 14.88 Inches
• Blade Length: 8 Inches

 

Number six on our list is the Skilsaw Portable Worm Drive Table Saw. With its all-metal body, it is the most durable table saw on our list.

However, the most attractive feature about this table saw is the legendary worm drive gearing.

Despite the beginners not having a great eye for detail as they are in the early stages of woodcutting, this feature ensures accuracy and precision by offering maximum torque for ripping.

With an 8-inch blade and a highly efficient motor, this table saw has a ripping capacity of 25 inches and can tear into very hard sheets effectively, making deep cuts.

Moreover, similar to the DeWalt DWE7491RS, the SKILSAW SPT99T is also equipped with the Rack and Pinion System to make fence adjustments quickly and smoothly for accurate and precise cuts.

The most attractive feature for beginners is that it is lightweight, compact, and very easy to set up and use.

You do not require much experience to properly assemble this table saw and the official website of Skil has a user manual with all the usage instructions explained in detail.

Moreover, the lightweight and small size allow you to easily move this table saw around your job site, making it very portable.

The only downside to it is that it draws a lot of power and can result in hefty electricity bills.

 

 

 

 

6. Milwaukee Electric Tools 2736-21HD Table Saw

 

 

Features

• Brand: Milwaukee
• Dimensions: 15 x 27 x 24 Inches
• Blade Length: 10 Inches

 

The most expensive table saw on our list is the Milwaukee Electric 2736-21HD Table Saw.

It boasts a 5-year warranty and is one of the most unique table saws with a cordless operation and a brushless motor that runs on a lithium battery pack.

These features surely make Milwaukee 2736-21HD stand out from the rest on our list.

The table saw runs with the same power as the 15 amp corded table saw but with a much higher blade speed of a shocking 6300 RPM and up to 600 linear feet of cutting per charge.

With a 10-inch blade and ripping capacity of 24 inches, it can efficiently cut deep into thick plywood and OSB sheets.

Moreover, the standard rack and pinion system maintains accuracy and precision.

A metal bar with a plastic lock and a gauge around the miter gauge also ensures precise cuts and optimal performance.

The bright red all-metal body makes sure that the table saw will have a long lifecycle.

Attractive key features for beginners are that this tool provides overload protection to prevent damage to the battery during heavy cutting and even provides protection against overheating.

This prevents the battery from combusting and thus, ensures safety.

This table saw also comes with other safety features including the riving knife and anti-kickback pawls which maintain the one-direction speed of the blade and allow a clear view of the blades while at the same time keeping them a safe distance away from the user.

In addition to this, the Milwaukee Electric table saw is a compact machine with a weight of fewer than 50 pounds, allowing it to be easily carried around the Jobsites.

However, the blade strength of this tool is not that impressive and the absence of an AC power supply is also troublesome for some woodworkers.

Moreover, it is also very expensive.

Nonetheless, Milwaukee Electric 2736-21HD is an excellent choice for beginners if the budget is not tight.

 

 

 

 

7. Worx WX572L BladeRunner Portable Electric Tabletop Saw

 

 

Features

• Brand: Worx
• Dimensions: 15.71 x 16.89 x 7.13 Inches
• Blade Length: 4 Inches

 

Last but not least on our list is the Worx WX572L BladeRunner table saw. This is the cheapest saw on the list.

Weighing less than 15 pounds, this is a truly portable table saw which can be easily carried everywhere and set up within seconds.

In addition to this, it can easily cut into any material including wood, tile, plastic, metal, and aluminum.

Thus, it is perfect if you are a novice worker and are installing wooden flooring, cabinets, racks, and railings, etc. around your house.

Moreover, with a rack and pinion system, the Worx BladeRunner also allows fence adjustments and ensures accuracy and precision.

The steel rip feature and the riving knife system included in this machine allows you to perform a combination of straight, long, and smooth cuts.

One of the most distinguishing features of this table saw is the adjustable miter gauge which allows 0 to 60 degree angled miter cuts from both left and right sides, adding to the comfort of less experienced users.

As safety is a great concern for beginners, this table saw eases their worries with its safety features.

It includes a safety switch and a safety key to prevent accidental starts and a riving knife to prevent workpieces from pinching the backside of the blades and causing kickbacks.

Apart from this, it is equipped with 4 extra blades and also a dust extraction port to maintain cleanliness and prevent dust from getting into the eyes of the woodworker.

However, the instruction manual is not very detailed which might cause some confusion. In addition to this, the quality of the blades is not very impressive.

Thus, the Worx BladeRunner is only suitable for small-scale crafts, making it a good choice for beginners.

 

 

 

 

Buyer’s Guide

As discussed at the beginning of the article, choosing a table saw is hard, especially if you are a beginner.

A table saw has numerous uses and can be used to build a number of crafts which can either be big scale or small scale.

Hence, there are a number of factors you must consider before choosing the one that is most appropriate for you.

Therefore, we have designed a complete guide for you to know what to look for before investing in a table saw.

 

1. Ripping Capacity

Ripping Capacity is basically the distance between the blade and the fence of a table saw.

It is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a table saw.

The question that arises here is how to find out how much ripping capacity you need.

Well, this depends on the type of projects and crafts you plan to work on with your table saw.

If you are a beginner and plan to take on small woodworking projects like DIY or hope to resolve minute carpentry issues in your home, then a ripping capacity of 22 inches is ample.

However, if you need a table saw to work with plywood or OSB sheets, you will require the one with a maximum ripping capacity of 25-30 inches.

 

2. Blade Length

The blade length depends on the depth of the cuts you are to make using your table saw.

The deeper the cuts, the longer the blade of the table saw.

With a 10-inch blade, you can get a 3-inch cut. A 12-inch blade can cut about 4 inches deep and so on.

The depth of your cut will depend on the materials you are using.

A novice worker usually works with thick wood as they are easier to cut in.

Thus, for beginners a blade length of 10 inches is ideal. However, for DIY uses a shorter blade length is also good enough.

 

3. Table Size and Weight

Another very important factor to consider when buying a table saw is the table size.

Small portable or contractor table saws have smaller tabletop sizes.

The ripping capacity depends on the size of the table.

Hence, as mentioned above, smaller tabletops will limit the size of the wood that can be cut efficiently.

On the other hand, on larger tabletops, the fence of the saw can slide away much farther, allowing a greater ripping capacity.

In addition to this, larger table tops allow crosscutting wide boards.

Therefore, the size of the tabletop will depend on the size of the wood boards and the types of cuts and details you want to add to your woodwork.

Moreover, table size and weight are also the deciding factors if you do not have a workstation and wish to set it up in your home and with limited space available.

The light weighted table saws are much more portable and easy to carry around.

 

4. Motor Power

Motor power is an essential consideration for a table saw.

The motor power is what determines the strength of your table saw and how quickly and effectively it can cut through different materials.

Amperage or HP (Horse Power) of the motor is usually used to determine how powerful they are.

Horsepower of 2HP for contractor table saws that are not for industrial uses is good enough.

Similarly, for beginners, a table saw with a motor of 15 amp is ideal.

 

5. Safety Features

For beginners, the most important factor to look out for is safety features.

The safer your table saw is, the more comfortable it is for novice workers.

Accidents involving table saws can be severe. Therefore, remember to make sure your table saw is equipped with maximum safety features.

One of the best safety features in table saws is the riving knife – a metal plate to prevent kickbacks.

Similarly, anti-kickback pawls are also useful as they allow beginners to have a clear view of the blade cutting into the wood for accuracy without the risk of the blade getting close to your eyes.

Remember, to also look for safety keys and switches on your table saw to prevent automatic restarts in case of a power disruption.

 

6. Ease of Use

Being a beginner, you wish to buy a table saw that is easy to use and adjustable. Without ease, you can get confused very quickly resulting in frustrations.

Therefore, make sure the table saw you purchase has an easy-to-understand instruction manual and can be set up without any complications.

Table saws with adjustable features increase the ease for beginners.

Being able to adjust the miter gauge, height of the blade, and tilt the tabletop makes it much easier for less experienced workers to operate them smoothly.

Other features to look out for include the miter gauge, dust extraction port, and blade guards.

 

7. How it Handles

The best beginner table saws are quick and efficient. If their operation is long and requires too much time and energy, beginners will get annoyed.

Thus, it is important that the table saw is user-friendly.

 

8. Warranty

When buying machines, especially those as complicated as table saws, remember to check the warranty.

Always go for table saws with at least one year of warranty and availability of spare parts.

These table saws, like most machinery, require a lot of maintenance. Thus, having a warranty is beneficial.

 

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between Contractor and Cabinet Table saws?

A: Contactor table saws are designed to be more portable so that they can easily be transported from one job site to another.

They are comparatively lightweight and less pricey, making them ideal for hobbyists, homeowners, and small shop workers.

On the other hand, cabinet table saws are much more appropriate for professional and industrial uses. They are heavy with an iron body and have extraordinary durability.

In addition to this, their motors are much more powerful and are thus, ideal for large scale works.

 

Q: As I beginner, should I get a portable table saw or a cabinet table saw?

A: Portable table saws are lightweight, easy to carry around, and much more user-friendly.

They have all the functionalities of a powerful cabinet table saw but on a small scale. Thus, they are ideal for novice workers.

Although they are not very powerful and are not really engineered for fine details and precision, portable table saws are ideal for beginners who are just starting to learn the ropes of carpentry and woodworking.

 

Conclusion

Table saws are one of the most complicated and dangerous machines to learn and master.

Therefore, it is always a daunting task for beginners to choose the perfect table saw to start with.

In the above list, we have reviewed the best beginner table saws available in the market.

Each comes with its own set of qualities, pros, and cons. It is now up to you to pick one that meets your requirements and suits you the best.

Our top choices are the DeWalt FLEXVOLT DCS7485B and the DeWalt DWE7491RS 10” Table Saw due to the renowned brand name, portability, strength, and expert woodcutting capabilities.

In addition to this, both are extremely user friendly and are equipped with numerous safety features which are a top priority for beginners.

However, if you have a tight budget and only require a table saw as a hobbyist, for small DIY projects, the NovelLife Mini Table Saw is a great option.