The Best Table Saw for a Small Shop: 5 Compact Models

Whether you are a professional or a beginner woodworker, a table saw is a must have tool in your home shop.

This unique tool can help you make straight cuts, crosscuts, and angled cuts. All of which are very important for your woodworking projects at home.

But… how many models in the market will fit your small shop? You will have to do a little research in order to find that lightweight, compact, and portable model.

My top five best table saws for small shops are all compact enough for a garage or basement shop.

OUR TOP PICK

The top pick for this roundup is the Dewalt DCS7485B Compact Table Saw. It has a small footprint, a 24-inch rip capacity and a brushless motor. It runs on DeWalt’s 60V FLEXVOLT batteries, which are sold separately.

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The Best Table Saws For Small Shops Are:

Product	Details
1. Dewalt DCS7485B Compact Table Saw	1. Dewalt DCS7485B Compact Table Saw Top Pick	- 8-1/4-inch blade diameter - Features a brushless motor - Rip capacity of 24 inches - Power loss reset feature - Smart guard system	Check Current Price
2. Tacklife MTS01A Table Saw	2. Tacklife MTS01A Table Saw	- 10-inch blade diameter - 15-amp copper motor - Aluminum extension tabletop - Smart guard system - Strong rip fence	Check Current Price
3. Dewalt DW745 Compact Table Saw	3. Dewalt DW745 Compact Table Saw	- Compact and lightweight design - 10-inch blade diameter - 20-inch maximum rip capacity - 24-tooth carbide blade included - Rack and pinion fence system	Check Current Price
4. Skilsaw 3410-02 Table Saw	4. Skilsaw 3410-02 Table Saw	- 10-inch blade diameter - No load RPM of 5000 - 15-amp high performing motor - Self-aligning rip fence - Rugged, folding table saw stand	Check Current Price
5. Makita 2705 Compact Contractor Table Saw	5. Makita 2705 Compact Contractor Table Saw	- Impressive blade guard assembly - 10-inch blade diameter - Dead-on cam locking rip fence - No-load speed of 4,800 RPM - Bevels from 0° to 45°	Check Current Price

1. Dewalt DCS7485B Compact Table Saw: Best Small Shop Table Saw

The Dewalt DCS7485B is our overall best table saw for a small shop. It is a cordless 8-1/4-inch saw that runs on DeWalt’s 60V FLEXVOLT batteries.

Specs

• 8-1/4-inch blade diameter
• Features a brushless motor
• Rip capacity of 24 inches
• Power loss reset feature
• Smart guard system

The Dewalt DCS7485B is distinguished by its compact and lightweight design, which has a small footprint that will fit perfectly in your small workshop.

The brushless motor has enough power for ripping plywood and common hardwoods at hobby-shop thicknesses.

I really appreciate the onboard storage that’s included on this tool, considering the easy access it offers to the miter gauge, wrenches, fence, and guard.

But what I find most disappointing when buying this table saw is the fact that the battery and charger are sold separately.

Pros

• Portable design with a small footprint
• FLEXVOLT 60V battery provides a reliable runtime
• Telescoping fence adjusts and aligns easily with the saw
• Raise/lower lever for the saw works quickly and smoothly
• Power-loss reset helps prevent unintended restarts

Cons

• Battery and charger are sold separately
• Doesn’t come with a rolling wheel stand

Conclusion

The Dewalt DCS7485B is a portable and high performing table saw that suits beginner to advanced woodworkers with a small shop. Budget for a FLEXVOLT battery and charger if you do not already own them.

Overall Rating – 4.8

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2. Tacklife MTS01A Table Saw: Best Table Saw for Home Shop with a Rugged Stand

The Tacklife MTS01A is a rugged and portable table saw that will take less space in your home shop. The saw is equipped with a heavy-duty and durable stand.

Specs

• 10-inch blade diameter
• 15-amp copper motor
• Aluminum extension tabletop
• Smart guard system
• Strong rip fence

The table saw and the solid iron stand will take very little space of your home shop floor once you have fully assembled the whole unit.

The Tacklife MTS01A has a 15-amp motor that spins the blade at 4,800 RPM for ripping plywood and hardwood.

Tacklife tools have largely disappeared from US retail, so this saw may be hard to find new.

Another great feature is the compact extension tabletop, which measures 25.3 by 28.3 inches and extends by 3.9 inches on both sides without consuming too much space.

But the thing is, the rugged stand that comes with this table saw isn’t mobile because it lacks wheels. You can only reposition the whole setup by lifting.

Pros

• Both the saw and the stand have a small footmark
• Compact extension tabletop doesn’t require a large workspace
• Transparent blade guard keeps you safe from the rotating blade
• Riving knife helps reduce kickback and pinching
• Onboard storage offers quick and easy reach to components for extra convenience

Cons

• Table saw stand doesn’t have rolling wheels for mobility
• Spindle may be too short for dado blades

Conclusion

If it is important to you to find a compact table saw that will take less space in your small shop, the Tacklife MTS01A might be a great choice.

Overall Rating – 4.8

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3. Dewalt DW745 Compact Table Saw: Toughest Tungsten Carbide Blade

The Dewalt DW745 is a lightweight, compact 10-inch table saw that suits a home shop.

Specs

• Compact and lightweight design
• 10-inch blade diameter
• 20-inch maximum rip capacity
• 24-tooth carbide blade included
• Rack and pinion fence system

This tool has a 15-amp motor with enough power for most rip and crosscut jobs in a home shop.

The included 10-inch 24-tooth blade spins at a no-load speed of 3,850 RPM.

The blade bevels from 0 to 45 degrees, and the included miter gauge handles crosscuts.

But there is one significant flaw in the design, only a certain amount of sawdust is actually removed through the dust port, while the rest accumulates inside the tool.

Pros

• Carbide-tipped blade holds its edge well
• Rack and pinion fence rails allow for accurate, smooth, and fast adjustments
• Quick bevel lock is equipped with a large scale for accurate adjustments

Cons

• Sawdust may accumulate inside the saw
• Raising and lowering mechanism of the blade may start grinding

Conclusion

Apart from a few design flaws that you may experience, the compact design of the Dewalt DW745 is a great choice for a small shop.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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4. Skilsaw 3410-02 Table Saw: Best Folding Stand

If you are looking for a compact table saw for home DIY projects, consider the 3410-02, which is sold under the SKIL brand. It is a standard direct-drive saw, not a worm drive.

Specs

• 10-inch blade diameter
• No load RPM of 5000
• 15-amp high performing motor
• Self-aligning rip fence
• Rugged, folding table saw stand

The compact design fits well in a home workshop.

I really admired the self-aligning rip fence system, considering how accurate and consistent it is when making repeated cuts.

It handles rip cuts, crosscuts with the miter gauge, and bevel cuts. Check the manual before trying a dado stack, since many portable saws do not accept one.

This is a compact model with a small footprint, but its plastic construction is questionable and its blade stability is less than perfect.

Pros

• Compact design makes it perfect for your home shop
• Knobs and levers are conveniently located for ease of operation
• Self-aligning fence guarantees accurate measurements and cuts
• Delivers enough power for cutting 3-1/2-inch thick workpieces with ease
• Steel folding stand makes the saw easy to use and store in your shop

Cons

• Has a questionable plastic construction
• May not have the best blade stability

Conclusion

What makes the Skilsaw 3410-02 Table Saw a great choice for small workshops is the compact design. But it also offers additional impressive features for woodworking at a good price point.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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5. Makita 2705 Compact Contractor Table Saw: Best Blade Guard Assembly

The Makita 2705 is a lightweight, portable, and compact table saw that will meet the requirements of your home shop in terms of space, power, as well as functionality.

Specs

• Impressive blade guard assembly
• 10-inch blade diameter
• Dead-on cam locking rip fence
• No-load speed of 4,800 RPM
• Bevels from 0° to 45°

The saw has a very compact design, which is great because you can conveniently position it on top of your home workshop table or mount it to a rolling wheel stand to save space.

In addition to the small footprint design, the Makita 2705 offers quick and easy adjustments, making alignment of the cam locking rip fence super easy.

Another good feature that comes with this table saw is the two-pole slide system, which allows you to quickly and effectively lower or raise the blade.

But the thing is, this model doesn’t have a soft start. The braking system may run smoothly, but the start of this tool isn’t soft by any means.

Pros

• Design is compact and perfect for home shops
• Has a large on/off switch for easy operation
• Transparent blade guard improves visibility and safety
• Easy to read scale allows for quick adjustments
• Versatile table saw for most DIY applications

Cons

• Does not have a soft start
• It’s easy for the tool to get clogged with sawdust

Conclusion

The Makita 2705 compact structure is appropriate for your small shop. Not to mention that it is engineered for ultimate accuracy and consistent performance.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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Buying Guide

Table saws aren’t just engineered for jobsite use. If you are a hobbyist or a professional who likes to bring your work home, you can do so with the best table saw for a small shop.

But there are a few things you have to consider to find a suitable choice, such as:

Compact and Portable Design

For small shops, compact and portable models are more suitable. Most compact models can be placed on a bench, on the floor, or attached to a compatible stand.

Most are light enough for one person to carry and store against a wall.

Which Is Better? Benchtop Or Portable Designs

There are two styles of table saws you can buy for your small shop: Benchtop and portable designs (compact or contractor).

Benchtop models are the most lightweight, compact, and easy to carry around by hands. They are perfect for tackling light to medium-duty cutting jobs.

Most Benchtop models nowadays have aluminum tabletops. They are also integrated with extension wings. They have lightweight components and smaller table dimensions.

Portable models; on the other hand, give you a slightly larger rip capacity range. They provide an optimal combination of features you would want in your small shop.

They come with portable stands that will not take too much of your floor space. Some table saws are advertised as jobsite models, but they are also compact and portable.

Easy Adjustments

Not long ago, some Benchtop models came with low-quality rip fences that were difficult to adjust and align. Miter gauges were fitted with flimsy heads and crude protractor scales.

Look for a rip fence that locks parallel to the blade, such as a rack and pinion design, and a miter gauge without slop in the slot.

Safety Features

Table saws cause serious hand injuries. The CPSC estimated about 26,500 emergency-room blade-contact injuries in 2017, and the blade guard was not in use in most of them.

Keep the guard, riving knife and anti-kickback pawls installed. OSHA lists dull blades, wrong blade height and poor stock as common causes of kickback, so stand to the side of the blade and use a push stick for narrow rips.

Final Thoughts

The winner of this roundup is the Dewalt DCS7485B Compact Table Saw. It has an optimized footprint that makes it compact and portable for use in your small shop.

Another reason it is the best small shop table saw is the cordless design, which removes a power cord from a crowded floor.

It also includes a blade guard system and power-loss reset, which keeps the saw from restarting after a power interruption.

Overall, this model is compact and portable, with a good fence and miter gauge. Remember that the battery and charger are sold separately.

Sources

• Table Saw Update 2019 (briefing package), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Woodworking eTool: Kickbacks, OSHA
• eTool: Woodworking, Table Saws, OSHA