Whether you just love creating wood projects for yourself, or creating items for sale, you need a table saw.
But having a table saw is one thing, while having the right table saw is another.
According to a report by the United States Consumer Safety Protection Council (CPSC), Table Saws are one of the leading causes of accidents and amputations amongst amateur woodworkers and DIYers.
Professionals are not completely spared from these accidents either because the table saw, though a very useful Power Tool, can be very tricky to work with.
When working with a Table Saw, the wood can sometimes propel backwards without warning and strike the woodworker.
This usually happens when the Saw is being operated at a high speed, and happens very quickly such that the woodworker has no time to protect themselves.
This type of accident is called a ‘Kickback Accident’ and it’s only one of the many causes of Table Saw accidents.
The first way to protect yourself from accidents and injuries when cutting with a table saw is to ensure that you buy a good table saw with the best safety features that can prevent accidents.
For instance, some table saws come with flesh detection system that deactivates the blades when it comes in contact with the human body. The human body has a distinct temperature and texture, and the table saws have inbuilt mechanisms that can easily differentiate between wood and flesh.
When human contact is detected, the blade’s electrical system sends signals to deploy an aluminum brake that clogs the teeth of the blades and deactivate it. All of these happen within a few milliseconds so that the Saw cannot cause any harm even when it accidentally comes in contact with a woodworker’s body.
And no, you don’t have to break the bank to be able to afford a good and safe table saw.
We’ve done the job for you- we’ve selected the best table saws under $300 in the market right now so you can choose from amongst the best options.
But before we get into the best budget table saws on the market right now, let’s quickly talk about how to choose the right table saw for you. This is especially important when trying to buy inexpensive table saw brands because you want to be sure that you don’t just buy some cheap crap but something that can serve the purpose you need it for.
How to Choose the Right Table Saw
#1. Consider The Type of Table Saw That Suits Your Workshop or Project
There are two major types of table saws; the stationery models and the job-site table saws.
Stationery table saws are designed for ripping large pieces of wood, including breaking down sheet ply wood with high performance motors, with aluminum parts to offer the greatest capacity, stability and support during cutting.
If you have a workshop and need a table saw that can stand up to frequent and demanding use, a stationery table saw is ideal for you.
- Jobsite table saws on the other hand, come in two models; compact or contractor models. The compact models are lightweight, generally don’t include a stand (although most of the ones we reviewed in this article come with stands), and are made to be transported easily and carried around on the jobsite.
- Jobsite table saws are great for home renovations and on-the-go jobs.
- Contractor Jobsite table saws give you a larger range of cutting capacity and features, and often have a collapsible scissor or wheeled stand that is attached to the saw.
#2. Check The Fencing System
Make sure you check the fencing system of the table saw. You need one that gives you a reliable parallel alignment with the blade when you lock the rip fencing position. This is the best way to get accurate ripping and clean cuts.
#3. Check Rip and Cut Capacity
Look at the rip and cut capacity that the saw offers to both the left and right side of the blade.
If you’re doing basic work such as trimming decking fence boards, a ripping capacity of 20 inches or lower is sufficient however, if you are venturing into more varied work such as custom carpentry, you’ll need more options.
Look for a saw with a minimum of 24 inches to the right of the blade.
#4. Check for Constant Speed Control
This helps you maintain your speed under an unexpected load like a nut in the wood. This reduces the chances of kickback accidents, and helps you ensure you don’t get a burn in the material.
#5. Check the Bevel Angle Range on the Saw
Generally, you’ll see a range of about -2 degrees to 45 degrees which is sufficient for most jobs but if you want added versatility, look for a saw with a bevel range that exceeds 45 degrees.
6. Dust Collection System
Ensure that the saw has a good dust collection system to keep your job clean and safe, and to protect you from the health hazards that come with constant sawdust exposure.
Dust collection also reduces the amount of dust that collects inside the machine, helping to protect the machine’s life.
7. The Best Table Saws Under $300 in the Market Right Now
There are different brands of Table Saws in the market right now but we selected these ones amongst dozens because they have some upgraded features that are conspicuously absent in other brands.
Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw
The Rockwell Blade Runner Tabletop Saw is one of the most powerful tabletop saws on the market with impressive specifications.
The first thing you’ll like about it is its light and compact design. It weighs only around 15 pound, making it easy for you to move it around.
It also has immense capabilities- this tablesaw doesn’t just cut wood; it can cut aluminum, plastic, tile, steel, and other materials with precision, thanks to its smart blade, the bladerunner X2.
As for cutting capacity, it can handle up to 1-1/2 inch wood, 1-1/4 Inch PVC pipe, 3/8 inch aluminum, 1/8 inch Steel, and 3/8 inch ceramic.
It features a table size of 15-3/4 x 17 inches, with hold-down guard and spitter for cutting wider materials safely, and a larger rip fence for accurate and fine cuts.
The Rockwell Blade Runnner Tablesaw makes blade changing very easy. Its tool-free blade changing system can switch blades in only 3 seconds, and is compatible with any 4-inch t-shank jigsaw blades.
Other features include a vacuum port for collecting saw dust and waste materials, miter gauge, large steel rip fence, and a 5-piece starter blade set.
DEWALT DW745 10-Inch Compact Job-Site Table Saw with 20-Inch Max Rip Capacity – 120V
This is my personal favorite and this is because it comes with the anti-kickback pause system that protects you from kickback accidents.
Featuring a lightweight and compact design, this saw is designed to be easily transported.
The saw has a width capacity of 32.5 inches to the right side of the blade, provided by a Rack and Pinion telescoping grid system that allows you to cut larger materials better than previous Dewalt tablesaws, and without sacrificing portability too.
The design also provides convenient on-board storage for accessories, making your tools and accessories easily accessible while working on projects.
It also features overload protection system that guarantees optimal performance when working with wet, hard, or frozen woods.
There’s a quick bevel lock with large scale for easy and accurate adjustments, and a steel roll cage to protect the saw in case of drops and impacts when working on job sites.
This 22 kg table saw unit works with a powerful 1850 watt motor and comes with 2 blade spanners, 24 tooth series 30 saw blades, parallel fence, mitre fence, and a push stick.
SKIL 3410-02 10-Inch Table Saw with Folding Stand
This saw is a perfect choice for taking on small or mid-sized woodworking projects thanks to its 20 x 26 inch cast aluminum folding table that can be extended to 20 x 32 inch when you need to work on longer work pieces.
Built with strong steel that guarantees durability and stability while you work, this table saw features one of the fastest blades amongst its budget table saw peers.
The 5,000 RPM fast blade allows you to cut different qualities, sizes, and textures of wood without delay or obstructions.
Although this unit doesn’t have a dust extraction system which is its major downside, it still has a lot of impressive features that make it worth investing in like its self-aligning rip fence and EZ view measurement system to help you ensure your measurements are accurate, its 3 ½ inch cut height capacity that makes cutting through 4X materials a breeze, and a 6ft long electric cord so you can plug it into electric outlets especially on jobsites where electric outlets may be far from where you work.
The SKiL 3410-02 budget table saw also has a bevel angle range of 0” to 47” and is very easy to set up and transport from place to place.
When you purchase this unit, you get a 30-day money back guarantee and a 1 year full warranty.
Delta Power Tools 36-6010 10″ Portable Table Saw
Delta Power Tools is an industry leader when it comes to making machines with excellent quality and functionality.
The Delta Power Tools 36-6010 10″ Portable Table Saw is no exception. A high-grade aluminum table saw that is not only strong and durable, but lightweight and easy to move around too.
Transporting this tool to your jobsite is even easier because of the push around wheels at the bottom of the unit.
If fast and precise woodcutting is what you’re looking for, this saw doesn’t disappoint with its 36-6010 top-of-the-range motor blade with optimal rip right of 30inches, making bulky and large cutting easy.
It comes with a storage compartment where you can store your tools for easy access while working, and a folding storage that can be used to elevate the saw to standing position just by unlocking it with your foot.
One impressive safety feature of this table saw is the power cord wrap on the rear, which helps to prevent dangerous tangling of the cord while working.
It also comes with a 10-inch saw blade with retractable blade.
Although this table saw may not be best suited for professionals, it’s a good start for beginners and DIYers looking for budget table saws under $300 that can still do an impressive job.
Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp 10 In. Table Saw 28461
Built with a 15 AMP motor that can rip through tough materials with ease, the Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp 10 In. Table Saw 28461 is a table saw that gives you value for money.
It’s a 10-inch table saw with a shear table top that makes cutting smooth and accurate.
It comes with an adjustable miter gauge that allows for precise and fast control of the toughest bevels and corners.
There’s a highly versatile advanced guarding system too with good blade coverage. The upper guarding assembly sets up through a clamp, and comes with a latching function.
The saw features a quick-release fence for rip adjustment and a readily accessible push -table mount to keep your workspace clutter-free.
The table is made of Die-cast aluminum with table tilt range of 0 – 45 degrees, and a surface area of 25” X 17 “.
It also comes with a 24“T carbide blade with blade guard.
WORX WX572L BladeRunner x2 Portable Tabletop Saw
The last but certainly not the least excellent on our list of the best table saws under $300 is the WORX WX572L BladeRunner x2 Portable Tabletop Saw.
It features a traditional guard and riving knife system with 5 different blades for cutting different types of materials.
There’s a blade for cutting different types of materials. There’s a blade for aluminum, steel, wood, scrolling, and ceramic tiles. The knife system also allows for unlimited cross and rip cuts.
Speaking of safety, this saw comes with a safety switch that helps prevent accidental starts.
There’s an adjustable miter gauge for angled cuts of up to 60” right or left, and there’s a rip fence, blade grip, and a vacuum adapter.
It has the best warranty program of all the table saws mentioned on this list, offering a 3-year warranty to buyers.
This table saw is lightweight and easy to transport, very easy to setup, and is very ideal for home improvement projects.
Finally
With so many table saws on the list, knowing the best one to choose can become difficult but if you can afford it, we would recommend the DEWALT DW745 10-Inch Compact Job-Site Table Saw with 20-Inch Max Rip Capacity – 120V as it has most of the features you will need for most woodworking projects.
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