A portable table saw or a benchtop saw as it is commonly called, is an absolutely essential tool to have if you are working with wood. It makes your life a whole lot easier when you know you can rip wood so easily and accurately at will. It doesn't matter if you are a professional cabinetmaker, a handyman or a contractor, the portable table saw is an indispensable ally.
Portable table saws are ideal for the handyman as they don't take up a lot of storage space like the big table saws. For contractors, these saws are very versatile as they can be carried on the back of a work truck from site to site without much effort. Some of them come with attached legs and wheels for easy transport.
If you are thinking of buying one of these saws, then my advice would be to buy a decent one. You want a tool to match your needs in terms of power, durability, portability, accuracy and dust control and safety features. A decent portable table saw will cost you between 0 to 0.
There are some great portable table saws on the market nowadays and it is not always easy to choose which one to buy. As a professional carpenter I would say that the Bosch 4100DG-09 has to be one of the best on the market with a 15 amp slow start universal motor, the gravity rise stand, the new tool free blade guard system that allows you to carry out most tasks without taking the guard off. The digital rip fence with auxiliary fence slots and a t miter guage ensures precision.
The DewaltDW744X is another exceptional saw with it's rack and pinion fence being the best on the market, telescoping fence with a 24 1/2 inch rip capacity, a 15 amp soft start high torque motor that gives you 3,650 rpm. The soft start motor unlike the hard start ones give you a smooth run and which enhances the life of your motor. It also has a modular safety guard system just like the Bosch.
The Ridgid R4510 is another favourite saw, it may not have the star features of the Bosch and the Dewalt but it performs most tasks needed by a saw of it's class and it is considerably cheaper than them. Makita 2705 has to be mentioned in the top league as it is one of the most powerful of the portable table saws with it's 15amp motor that delivers 4,800 rpm. Then there's the ever reliable Dewalt DW745 for sheer versatility. There are many other fine saws but the Bosch 4100DG-09 and the Dewalt DW744X remain in my opinion and the opinions of many of my colleagues, the best of their kind.
