Benchtop portable table saws have been one of the go-to tools for years for contractors who move from job site to job site. They have more than adequate power for most tasks, cut accurately, and are fairly light, an important consideration if you are moving the saw around several times a day. For professional work, it’s easy to see why these portable saws are so popular

These saws are also popular with hobbyist woodworkers, but not necessarily for the same reasons as for contractors. If you are a hobbyist who is considering purchasing a table saw, the choices available to you are a full size cabinet saw, a contractor saw, or a portable saw. What things should you consider before deciding which type of saw to buy?

Cost will be a big factor. Portable table saws will run $500-$700. Contractor saws can run up to $1,500. Cabinet saws can set you back over $3,000, depending on the features. If budget is your primary factor, the portable saw wins, hands down.

What kind of shop space do you have? Do you have a dedicated shop or is your “shop” a garage Monday through Friday and your woodworking space on the weekend? If you are space-limited, a cabinet saw probably won’t fit your needs. It is heavy, and generally speaking, where you put it is where it’s going to stay. A portable would seem to be the obvious winner in this category because it is light and can be easily moved, but many contractor saws can be broken down and moved with minimal effort. This category is a toss up between the portable and the contractor saw.

What type of materials will you be cutting? If 1x and 2x soft woods, plywood, and mouldings will be your primary materials, then a portable saw will have enough power for the job. If you will be routinely cutting large stock and hardwoods, the portable may not be up to the task. In this category, the cabinet saw has the most power and takes the nod.

What size stock will you be using? Portable saws are size-limited, having 16 to 24 inches of rip. Contractor saws and cabinet saws have much more capacity than that. However, most portable saws can take extensions. If you routinely use larger stock but are leaning toward a portable saw, investigate whether or not the saw you are considering has an optional extension.

How important is accuracy of cut? Obviously, you want to cut as accurately as possible, no matter which saw you use. Most portables have surprisingly good fences, that once set up hold their settings without constant fiddling. You will have less frustration with accuracy issues with the contractor saws and the cabinet saws, but if you are turning out bird feeders and patio furniture, for example, it might not be as important to have super accuracy as it would be if you were making fine furniture.

At the end of the day, the portable table saw can do most things well, if not great. It boils down to where you are now as a hobbyist and how you expect your needs and talents to grow and improve. Do you plan to keep the saw for a long time? Will your woodworking tasks remain relatively the same or will they change as your expertise changes? And what is your budget? How much saw can you justify? The answers to these questions will determine whether or not a portable table saw is the right saw for you.

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