As someone who spent three years with a contractor table saw before upgrading, I learned everything there is to know about what this class of saw does well and where it falls short. Today, I will share it all with you. Contractor saws are the middle ground between benchtop junk and full cabinet saw investment — and for a lot of woodworkers, they’re exactly right.
What Makes It a “Contractor” Saw
Open base, often with legs or wheels. Motor hangs off the back on a pivot. Belt drives the arbor. Typically 1.5 to 2 HP. Most run on a regular 120V outlet, though some models need 240V.
Contractor saw selection has gotten complicated with all the hybrid models flying around, but the basics haven’t changed much.
Brands Worth Looking At
Delta is the classic. Used ones are everywhere and parts are still available, which matters when you’re buying secondhand. Ridgid from Home Depot offers good value and that lifetime service agreement thing they do. DeWalt and Bosch lean more toward jobsite portability but work fine in a shop setting.
What Actually Matters
The fence is everything. Seriously. Upgrade the fence even if the saw itself is great. A T-square style fence that stays parallel to the blade is worth more than extra horsepower. I put a Vega fence on my contractor saw and it transformed the machine.
Table flatness matters too. Cast iron beats aluminum every time. If you’re buying used, bring a straightedge and check the table before handing over cash.
Arbor runout — wobble in the blade — means bad cuts. That’s harder to fix than just replacing the saw. Check for it.
The Honest Drawbacks
Dust collection is genuinely terrible. The open motor mounting blocks the cabinet bottom, so dust goes everywhere. Probably should have led with this section, honestly, because it’s the biggest daily annoyance.
Less mass means more vibration than a cabinet saw. Cabinet saws are smoother, period. You adjust your expectations and your workflow accordingly.
Modifications That Help
Enclose the base for better dust control. Build a simple cabinet around the legs and hook it up to a dust collector. It’s a weekend project that makes a huge difference.
Extension wings increase your material capacity. Aftermarket options exist, or build your own from plywood. Either works.
Who Should Buy One
Serious hobbyists. People with space but not unlimited budget. Anyone upgrading from a benchtop saw who isn’t ready to drop $2,000+ on a cabinet model. That’s what makes contractor saws endearing to us practical woodworkers — they’re good enough for the vast majority of projects without the premium price tag.
