Best Panel Saw: Reviews & Buying Guide
Contents
- The Best Panel Saws Are:
- 1. Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw: Best Choice
- 2. Saw Trax 1064 Panel Saw – Runner Up
- 3. Powermatic 1510007 Panel Saw
- 4. Safety Speed H5 Panel Saw
- 5. Milwaukee 6480-20 Panel Saw
- 6. Safety Speed Manufacturing SR5U Vertical Panel Saw
- Buying Guide
- Mobility
- Blade Size
- Cutting Capacity
- Brand
- Safety
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
If you cut a lot of sheet goods, a panel saw can save time and floor space. Panel saws are also called wall saws or vertical saws.
The space-saving design of a panel saw makes it a great option, especially for carpenters with a lot of cutting tasks, but their workshops have limited space.
Panel saws are less common than table saws, so we compared six models on capacity, construction and dust control to help you choose.
OUR TOP PICK
The Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw is our first choice. It has a 74-inch crosscut, unlimited rip capacity and a 3 1/4 HP motor.
The Best Panel Saws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw | 1. Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw Top Pick | - Weight: 359 pounds - Dimensions: 120 x 98.5 x 36 inches - Blade diameter: 8” - Maximum crosscut: 74" - Maximum rip cut: Unlimited | Check Current Price |
| 2. Saw Trax 1064 Panel Saw | 2. Saw Trax 1064 Panel Saw | - Weight: 336 pounds - Dimensions: 122 x 42 x76 inches - Power source: Corded electric - Crosscut capacity: 64” - Rio cut capacity: Unlimited | Check Current Price |
| 3. Powermatic 1510007 Panel Saw | 3. Powermatic 1510007 Panel Saw | - Weight: 435 pounds - Dimensions: 120 x 1 x 86 inches - Power source: Corded electric - Blade diameter: 8 inches - Maximum crosscut capacity: 50 inches - Maximum rip cut: Unlimited | Check Current Price |
| 4. Safety Speed H5 Panel Saw | 4. Safety Speed H5 Panel Saw | - Weight: 220 pounds - Dimensions: 83.5 x 60 x 9 inches - Power source: Corded electric - Maximum rip cut: unlimited - Maximum crosscut: 64 inches | Check Current Price |
| 5. Milwaukee 6480-20 Panel Saw | 5. Milwaukee 6480-20 Panel Saw | - Weight: 175 pounds - Blade diameter: 8 inches - Maximum crosscut: 50 inches - Maximum rip cut: 8 feet | Check Current Price |
| 6. Safety Speed Manufacturing SR5U Vertical Panel Saw | 6. Safety Speed Manufacturing SR5U Vertical Panel Saw | - Weight: 548 pounds - Dimensions: 120 x 36 x 90 inches - Material: Steel - Power source: Corded electric - Blade diameter: 8 inches | Check Current Price |
1. Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw: Best Choice
The Safety Speed Cut H6 runs a 15-amp, 3 1/4 HP motor on a 10-foot frame. It crosscuts panels up to 74 inches and has unlimited rip capacity.
It cuts material up to 1 3/4 inches thick and rides on zinc-plated guide tubes.
Furthermore, it uses a Nylatron bearing system that allows you to move boards accurately along the track. A spring-loaded counterbalance keeps the carriage steady when you raise and lower it.
A dust collection bonnet around the blade connects to a shop vacuum or collector to capture much of the sawdust.
Specs
- Weight: 359 pounds
- Dimensions: 120 x 98.5 x 36 inches
- Blade diameter: 8”
- Maximum crosscut: 74″
- Maximum rip cut: Unlimited
Pros
- Runs on a powerful 3 1/4 HP motor
- Can be used on a wide range of panel cutting
- Comes with a highly efficient dust collection system
- Easy to shift from horizontal to vertical cutting
- Strong and durable
Cons
- Heavy
- Pricey
2. Saw Trax 1064 Panel Saw – Runner Up
If you are interested in a high-performance and low-maintenance panel saw, look no further than the 1064 panel saw from Saw Trax.
It is a full-size panel saw, so it handles full sheets without expansion kits. It makes a 64-inch crosscut and has unlimited rip capacity.
At 336 pounds it is heavy, but the weight keeps it stable when you cut heavy sheets. It folds into a compact unit and rolls on wheels.
Specs
- Weight: 336 pounds
- Dimensions: 122 x 42 x76 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Crosscut capacity: 64”
- Rip cut capacity: Unlimited
Pros
- A great saw for cutting up to 64-inch panels
- The Accu-Square system ensures the system will never go out of square
- Features a stop bar that helps to simplify how you make repetitive cuts
- Made with a foldable design and wheels for enhanced portability
- Designed with easy to use horizontal and vertical measuring system
Cons
- Heavy
3. Powermatic 1510007 Panel Saw
The Powermatic 1510007 (sold as the Powermatic 511) is built for heavy-duty cutting. It weighs 435 pounds and uses an 8-inch blade. It is one of the most expensive models here.
It uses steel guide tubes and roller bearings, so the carriage moves smoothly.
The 10-foot frame supports full 4 x 8 sheets.
A 4-inch dust port connects to a dust collector, and a brush around the blade helps contain chips.
Specs
- Weight: 435 pounds
- Frame length: 120 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Blade diameter: 8 inches
- Maximum crosscut capacity: 50 inches
- Maximum rip cut: Unlimited
Pros
- Comes with a high-efficiency dust management system
- Strong and durable
- Uses solid aluminum rollers for easy movement
- A great tool for smooth and accurate cuts
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
4. Safety Speed H5 Panel Saw
Safety Speed makes our list again with this H5 panel saw, an industrial-rated rig that will cut any wooden workpiece you throw at it.
At about 220 pounds, it is one of the lighter saws here; some models on this list weigh more than 500 pounds.
It uses a 3 1/4 HP, 15-amp motor and crosscuts panels up to 64 inches, with 1/32-inch accuracy.
Changing from vertical to horizontal cutting when using the saw is also simple so that you do not waste a lot of time.
The H5 has an all-metal frame. Check the current warranty terms with the seller before you buy.
Specs
- Weight: 220 pounds
- Dimensions: 83.5 x 60 x 9 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Maximum rip cut: unlimited
- Maximum crosscut: 64 inches
Pros
- Can be used for cutting a wide range of boards
- Strong and durable
- Adjusting between vertical and horizontal cutting is easy
Cons
- Dust collection is limited compared with the H6
- Has no wheels for mobility
5. Milwaukee 6480-20 Panel Saw
The Milwaukee 6480-20 suits lumber yards and small carpentry shops. It has an all-steel frame, a 15-amp motor and an 8-inch blade, and it handles standard 4 x 8-foot sheets.
Rotating the saw between vertical and horizontal cuts is easy, and you can load material from either side.
A welded steel frame resists twisting under heavy sheets. The motor carriage rides on graphite-impregnated rollers that do not need lubrication.
Specs
- Weight: 175 pounds
- Blade diameter: 8 inches
- Maximum crosscut: 50 inches
- Maximum rip cut: 8 feet
Pros
- The lightest saw on this list
- The welded steel frame makes the saw very strong
Cons
- Cannot do unlimited rip cuts
- It lacks a dust collection kit
- To cut longer pieces, you need a separate extension kit
6. Safety Speed Manufacturing SR5U Vertical Panel Saw
The Safety Speed SR5U is an industrial saw and router combination. It pairs a saw motor with a 3.25-HP router motor, so it can cut and rout panels on one frame.
It is expensive and best suited to commercial shops with daily panel work.
The large frame has unlimited rip capacity, and material clamps hold the panel while you cut or rout. At 548 pounds it is the heaviest saw here.
Specs
- Weight: 548 pounds
- Dimensions: 120 x 36 x 90 inches
- Material: Steel
- Power source: Corded electric
- Blade diameter: 8 inches
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Can be used to make unlimited rip cuts
- Cuts and routs on one frame
- The horizontal and vertical rollers are very easy to adjust
Cons
- Very expensive
- Very heavy
Buying Guide
First, you need to answer the question: “Do you need a panel saw?” If you deal with large sheets of materials, a panel saw will be a great addition to your workshop.
It is recommended for professionals who deal with projects such as cutting shelving, cabinet making, sizing tabletops, and designing doors.
A panel saw also takes far less floor space than a sliding table saw.
Mobility
When selecting a panel saw, you should consider a model that is easy to move around. This means that you can easily take it to where the workpieces are as opposed to bringing the materials to it.
Some panel saws come with wheels or a mobile base. Many, like the H5, do not, so plan where the saw will live.
Blade Size
Blade size sets the maximum cut depth. Most panel saws use an 8-inch blade, which handles sheet goods up to about 1 3/4 inches thick.
Cutting Capacity
To crosscut a full 4 x 8-foot sheet, you need at least about 50 inches of crosscut capacity. Unlimited rip capacity lets you rip sheets longer than the frame.
Brand
To avoid getting confused by the number of panel saw models in the market, it is important to consider only buying from the trusted brands.
These are manufacturers that have been in the market for some time, such as Powermatic and Safety Speed.
Safety
Keep the blade guard in place and unplug the saw before changing blades, as OSHA advises for all power tools. Wear eye protection, and use dust collection: OSHA notes that airborne wood dust can cause respiratory symptoms and cancer.
Final Thoughts
Let the work decide: crosscut capacity, rip capacity and dust control matter more than brand. Of the six saws above, the Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw was our favorite because of its powerful motor and efficient dust collection system.
Sources
- Hand and Power Tools (OSHA 3080), OSHA
- Wood Dust, OSHA
