Best Portable Job Site Table Saw - Head-2-Head

Summary

This video script offers an in-depth head-to-head comparison of 10-inch portable jobsite table saws, excluding cordless models. It evaluates eight table saws from brands like Bosch, Delta, and Dewalt based on assembly, dust collection, precision, performance, price, and ergonomics. The Hitachi emerges as the top choice for its performance and value, with Dewalt and Skill Saw following closely. The SawStop, despite its premium price, stands out for its safety features, emphasizing the importance of considering both functionality and safety in tool selection.

Takeaways

• 🔧 The head-to-head evaluation focused on 10-inch portable jobsite table saws, excluding cordless models which will be covered in a future test.
• 🛠️ The saws evaluated include Bosch, Delta, Dewalt, Hitachi, Makita, Rigid, SawStop, and Skill Saw, all featuring a 15 amp motor and compatibility with a data set.
• 💰 The Ryobi saw was considered for its budget-friendly option but was excluded from results due to testing rig adaptability issues.
• ⏱️ Assembly time for the table saws ranged from 21 to 48 minutes, but this was not considered a significant factor in the overall evaluation.
• 🌪️ Dust collection tests showed negligible differences between saws when a Bosch dust extractor with new fleece bags was attached.
• 📏 The evaluation categories included precision and accuracy, performance, price, and ergonomics, with each category having a winner and an overall ranking.
• 📐 Precision and accuracy testing involved measuring table flatness, 45 and 90-degree stops, blade parallelism to the slot, fence parallelism, and blade run-out.
• 🏗️ Performance testing assessed blade speed under load, motor amp draw, and noise level, with the SawStop showing the lowest average drop in speed and Skill Saw having the best overall performance.
• 💲 Price evaluation highlighted the Hitachi as the best value, with the SawStop being the most expensive but offering unique safety features.
• 🔨 Ergonomics considered factors like weight, power switch location, accessory storage, fence adjustments, stand features, and noise levels, with DeWalt and Makita ranking highest.
• 🏆 The Hitachi emerged as the best portable jobsite table saw overall, with Dewalt and Skill Saw following closely in the rankings.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the head-to-head comparison in the script?

The main focus is on comparing 10-inch courted jobsite table saws, specifically portable ones, excluding cordless models which will be covered in a separate comparison.

Why were cordless table saws not included in this comparison?

Cordless table saws were not included because there are several new models expected to be released later in the year, and the team wants to ensure a good sampling for a dedicated head-to-head comparison.

Which brands of table saws were tested in the comparison?

The brands tested include Bosch, Delta, DeWalt, Hitachi, Makita, Rigid, SawStop, and Skill Saw.

Why was the Ryobi table saw excluded from the testing results?

The Ryobi table saw was excluded because it could not be adapted to the testing rig, despite being considered as a budget-friendly option.

What factors were considered during the assembly evaluation of the table saws?

The assembly evaluation considered how easy it was to assemble each saw out of the box, with the same person assembling each saw and timing the process to identify any significant differences between models.

What was the range of assembly times for the table saws tested?

The assembly times for the table saws ranged from 21 minutes to 48 minutes.

How did the team measure the dust collection capability of the table saws?

The team attached a Bosch dust extractor with new fleece bags to each saw and measured the dust collected over a fixed number of cuts.

What were the key categories used to rank the table saws?

The key categories used to rank the table saws were precision and accuracy, performance, price, and ergonomics.

How was the 'as-built' accuracy of the table saws evaluated?

The 'as-built' accuracy was evaluated by measuring table flatness, accuracy of the 45 and 90 degree stops, blade parallelism to the slot, fence parallelism to the slot, and blade run-out.

What was the performance testing procedure for the table saws?

Performance testing involved cutting three different materials (plywood, mahogany decking, and pressure-treated southern yellow pine) while measuring saw blade RPM and motor amp draw.

What was the final ranking for the best portable jobsite table saw based on the evaluation?

The final ranking placed Hitachi as the best portable jobsite table saw, followed by DeWalt in second place, and Skill Saw in third place.

How did the price factor into the overall evaluation of the table saws?

Price was a significant factor in the overall evaluation, with Hitachi offering an excellent value for its price point. However, if price was removed from the evaluation, the rankings would have been different, with Dewalt and Makita potentially ranking higher.