Table Saw vs Circular Saw: Which Should You Get? (And Why)
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Trying to choose between a table saw and a circular saw? Both use a round blade and both can make rip cuts, crosscuts and angled cuts.
The difference is how they work. On a table saw, the blade stays put and you push the wood through it. With a circular saw, the wood stays put and you move the saw.
This article will help you determine which one is the best for you.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick for the table saw is the Delta 36-5052 10-Inch Table Saw. It is a 10-inch contractor saw with a Biesemeyer style fence and a 52-inch rip capacity.
OUR TOP PICK
If you’re considering a circular saw, we recommend the Makita 5007MG Magnesium Circular Saw. It is a 15-amp, 10.6 lb sidewinder with LED lights and a dust blower.
Table Saw vs Circular Saw: Our Reviews
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Delta 36-5052 10-Inch Table Saw | 1. Delta 36-5052 10-Inch Table Saw Top Table Saw | - 15-Amp Induction Motor - 5/8" Arbor - 52" Rip Capacity - 2.5" Dust Collection Port with 4" adapter | Check Current Price |
| 2. Shop Fox W1819 10-Inch Table Saw | 2. Shop Fox W1819 10-Inch Table Saw | - 3 HP motor with a triple belt drive - 5/8" 4300RPM Arbor - 34" Table Height - 4" dust collection port | Check Current Price |
| 3. Makita 5007MG Magnesium Circular Saw | 3. Makita 5007MG Magnesium Circular Saw Top Circular Saw | - 15-Amp motor that delivers 5800 RPM - 56-degree bevel with positive stops at 22.5, 45 and 56 degrees - 10.6 lbs - Built-in LED lights and dust blower | Check Current Price |
| 4. Skil 5280-01 Circular Saw | 4. Skil 5280-01 Circular Saw | - 15-Amp motor that delivers 5300 RPM - 51-degree bevel with a positive stop at 45-degree - 7.25-inch carbide tipped blade - Single Beam Laser | Check Current Price |
1. Delta 36-5052 10-Inch Table Saw
The Delta 36-5052 is a 10-inch belt-drive contractor saw. Delta’s current version, the Delta 36-5052T2 10 in. Contractor Table Saw, has a cast iron top, two steel extension wings and a tubular stand.
The saw features a professional grade fence system designed in the Biesemeyer style with dual rip windows to provide accurate and reliable cuts.
It runs on a 15-amp induction motor at 3,450 RPM. It cuts 3-1/8 inches deep at 90° and 2-1/4 inches at 45°, and the blade tilts left to 45°.
Specs
- 15-amp induction motor, 3,450 RPM
- 52-inch rip right of the blade
- 5/8-inch arbor
- 2.5-inch dust port with 4-inch adapter
Pros
- Extension wings allow for a 52″ RH rip capacity
- Heavy-duty Biesemeyer design fence system
- Quick assembly cabinet style base
- Tool-less assembly for the riving knife and anti-kickback pawls
Cons
- Hard to read owners manual
- Lightweight particle board extension table
The Delta 36-5052 suits a home shop or small pro shop that needs wide rip capacity on a budget. It is not portable.
Rating – 3.9/5
Delta Power Equipment Corporation is a manufacturer of power woodworking tools such as table saws, miter saws, jointers, and other woodworking tools.
Delta’s contractor saw pairs a cast iron table with a Biesemeyer fence system. Delta lists a 5-year warranty for it.
2. Shop Fox W1819 10-Inch Table Saw
The Shop Fox W1819 is a 3 HP, 10-inch cabinet saw with a cast iron table, wings and trunnions. A 3 HP saw like this typically needs a 240-volt circuit, so check the manual before you buy.
It comes with a camlock T-fence and a miter fence with a flip stop that allows for making accurate cuts on longer workpieces.
The weight of the cast iron helps damp vibration.
Specs
- 3 HP motor with a triple belt drive
- 5/8″ 4300RPM Arbor
- 34″ Table Height
- 4″ dust collection port
Pros
- Quick-release riving knife and clear polycarbonate guard to protect against kickback
- Adjustable T-Slot miter gauge with anodized miter fence and flip stop
- Wide-span cast iron T-fence with positive camlock and HDPE face
- Angle adjustable 10″ carbide tipped blade
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Does not come with an arbor lock to assist in changing the blade
- Inefficient dust collection
Rating – 4.2/5
Shop Fox is a brand of Woodstock International that sells woodworking and metalworking machines.
3. Makita 5007MG Magnesium Circular Saw
The Makita 5007MG uses magnesium components to keep weight to 10.6 lbs.
Its 15-amp motor runs at 5,800 RPM and cuts 2-1/2 inches deep at 90°. It bevels to 56° with positive stops at 22.5°, 45° and 56°. LED lights and a dust blower help you see the cut line.
Specs
- 15-Amp motor that delivers 5800 RPM
- 56-degree bevel with positive stops at 22.5, 45 and 56 degrees
- 10.6 lbs
- Built-in LED lights and dust blower
Pros
- Large clearance between the rear handle and blade guard for a better grip with gloves
- Rubberized levers for easy adjustments
- LED lights and dust blower allow for a clear working surface
- Ergonomic hand grips for easy handling with less user fatigue
- Ruler markings on the base to enhance the accuracy
Cons
- The guideline is not clearly visible making it hard to keep the blade aligned to it.
- Some blade guards get snagged and don’t ride up as you cut
Some users report the lower guard hanging up on narrow cuts. Otherwise, it is a well-balanced corded saw.
Rating – 4.8/5
Makita Corporation began as an electric motor sales and repair business in Japan and now sells power tools and outdoor power equipment worldwide.
4. Skil 5280-01 Circular Saw
The Skil 5280-01 Circular Saw is a lightweight corded saw that features a laser beam guide to help you make straight and accurate cuts.
It has a 15-amp motor rated at 5,300 RPM and a built-in dust blower.
The 5280-01 is designed to use a 7.25-inch carbide tipped blade that is attached to a spindle lock system for easy replacement. It has a 51-degree bevel with a positive lock at 45-degrees.
Although it doesn’t feature an electric brake to stop the blade instantly, it does feature a guarded trigger that reduces the risk of the saw turning on by accident.
Specs
- 15-Amp motor that delivers 5300 RPM
- 51-degree bevel with a positive stop at 45-degree
- 7-1/4-inch carbide tipped blade
- Single Beam Laser
Pros
- Spindle lock for easy blade changing
- Reasonably priced for DIY projects
- Has a laser guide beam to guide straight cuts
- Features a guarded trigger to minimize accidental startup
- Features a wide footplate for stability while cutting
Cons
- Lacks an electric brake
- Performs only light-duty work
The 5280-01 is a light-duty saw for occasional DIY projects. Rating 4.6/5
Skil makes power tools aimed mainly at DIY users. The brand traces its roots to the original Skilsaw of the 1920s.
Table Saw vs Circular Saw Overview
Let’s break it down and look at the differences, uses, and advantages that each type of saw has to offer.
What Is A Table Saw
A table saw is a woodworking tool that features a circular blade mounted underneath a table. The blade is held by an arbor which is fixed on a gear system that raises and lowers the blade through a slot on the table.
A table saw makes rip cuts, crosscuts and miter cuts. Jigs add more options, such as tapers and tenons.
Key Features to Look Out For
- Contractor, hybrid and cabinet saws use induction motors, roughly 1-1/2 to 5 HP. Portable jobsite saws use louder universal motors.
- A flat, ground cast iron table is preferable for precision. Table extension wings increase the working surface area and can be made of cast iron to increase the table mass for greater stability.
- An accurate rip fence for better quality and precision of the cut.
- A base mounted trunnion allows for easier alignment of the blade to the miter slot and the fence.
Pros
- Makes accurate, repeatable cuts because the blade is fixed and the fence guides the work
- Fast for ripping many boards to the same width
- Connects to dust collection
Cons
- Non-portable and requires workshop space to set up.
- It requires you to lift the material to be cut on to the table
- Costs more to buy, and kickback and blade contact are serious risks
OSHA’s woodworking guide on kickbacks explains that the saw can seize the stock and throw it back at the operator, especially when ripping. Use the spreader or riving knife and anti-kickback fingers, keep blades sharp, and stand to the side of the blade.
Here is a video that shows the basics of how to use a table saw.
What is a Circular Saw?
A circular saw is a handheld electric saw that features a circular blade attached to an arbor. It is used in DIY and construction to cut lumber, plywood, MDF and other materials with the right blade.
Apart from rip cuts, crosscuts, miter, and bevel cuts, circular saws work with jigs and other attachments to make precise cuts for joinery and notching. The base adjusts for depth and tilts for bevel cuts, usually to at least 45 degrees.
There are generally two types of circular saws; the Worm Drive circular saw and the Sidewinder circular saw. The main difference between them is the placement of the motor relative to the blade.
Key Features to Look Out For
- Corded 7-1/4-inch saws are usually rated around 15 amps. For cordless saws, look at the battery platform and voltage.
- An electric brake stops the blade within a few seconds of releasing the trigger. Saws without one let the blade coast to a stop, so wait for it before setting the saw down.
- Check that the retractable lower guard snaps back on its own. OSHA requires portable circular saws to have a lower guard that returns automatically.
- The type of blade depends on the material to be cut. The commonly used blades are tungsten carbide tipped.
Pros
- Allows for easy mobility to cut the material away from the workshop
- Can make a variety of cuts on a wider range of materials
- More affordable to buy and maintain than the table saw
Cons
- The accuracy of the cuts is dependent on the experience of the user
- Takes practice to cut straight without a guide or track
- Dust collection is limited; some saws have a port for a shop vacuum
Check out this video for some basic tips on how to use a circular saw.
Final Thoughts
The final decision comes down to one thing. Are you working out of a workshop or do you have various job sites that require a mobile saw? If you have a workshop you would probably have space to set up a table saw and if you don’t, a circular saw would be a better choice.
Our favorite table saw is the Delta 36-5052 10-Inch Table Saw. Its 52-inch rip capacity and Biesemeyer style fence make it a good fit for cutting large panels in a shop.
The Makita 5007MG Magnesium Circular Saw is our pick if you need a portable saw that you can take to the job.
Sources
- Delta 36-5052T2 10 in. Contractor Table Saw, Delta Machinery
- 5007MG 7-1/4" Magnesium Circular Saw, Makita USA
- Woodworking eTool: Kickbacks, OSHA
- Hand and Power Tools (OSHA 3080), OSHA
