Tool Review: Mid-Priced Tablesaws

Smack in the middle of the price range--with enough power to cut hardwoods and not break the bank--are the eleven tablesaws we tested for this article. They fall into two basic saw styles: eight are contractor-style (belt-driven stationery tools with open leg stands) and three are lighter portable saws (collapsible-stand saws with direct-drive motors).

Key tests of any tablesaw, regardless of price:

• Power. Ripping thick hardwood with a full-kerf combination blade requires substantial power, and it's a demand you're likely to make of your tablesaw. To test the power of each saw, we timed how long it took the tool to rip a 2' length of hard maple. We used new, identical full-kerf carbide-toothed blades in each saw, and pulled the hardwood through the blade on a sled pulled by 20 pounds of weight.
• Cut quality. We evaluated cut quality using the samples from our power test as well as a series of controlled crosscuts, looking for signs of blade scoring.
• Fence quality. A fence that deflects under pressure can increase the likelihood of dangerous kickback, so we measured fence deflection at the arbor with 20 lbs of sideways pull at the rear of the fence.
• Tabletops. All of the saws in our test were within .004" of perfectly flat across the diagonals and along the blade path. The difference in crosscutting capacities, though, is markedly different.
• Dust collection. 'Nuff said.

For the complete review including performance ratings click here.