An Introduction to Portable Table Saws

Author: JT Miller

| Posted: 24-07-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 6 | Rating: (240)

(?)

There comes a time in every amateur handyman's life when he realizes he needs a table saw. There are four types of tables saws to choose from, though for the beginner there is really only one choice. There are cabinet saws, contractor saws, hybrid saws and portable, sometimes called "benchtop" saws.

The portable table saw is often the best table saw for the beginner woodworker who does not have a large work area and will only use the table saw for small projects at first.

A portable table saw is designed to be light enough to be moved from one spot to another and is often placed on a bench or counter. Many portable table saws have extra bases available for an additional fee and few come with the base, though most are light enough to be carried if needed.

Bench top table saws usually weigh anywhere from forty to eight pounds, so you can't exactly carry them around like a hammer, but you can easily move them in and out of storage as needed. Most portable table saws can use standard sized blades like other table saws, but there are still some drawbacks you should be aware of.

Because portable table saws are lighter in weight they aren't often as sturdy and steady as their bigger brothers, the contractor or cabinet table saws. Portable table saws usually have some size limitations to cuts due to support issues and most don't have the most sophisticated measurement and metering systems available.

Most portable table saws are made with the amateur handyman in mind, though in recent years several of the more established tool companies have come out with some very strong and durable bench top table saws which are being used by more and more contractors and professional wood workers in a pinch.

When trying to choose the best portable table saw for your needs, consider what kinds of blades you think you'll want to use, whether you'll need to change the blade angle or blade height and whether you'll need to disassemble the unit or want to upgrade the table saw fence and rail system. When looking at specifications you'll want to compare weight, rip capacity, portability and base configuration and the size of the motor. Also consider the ease at which various adjustments and blade changes can be made. For some people this is important, but for some the basic features of a low-end portable table saw are just fine.

The advantages to starting out with a portable table saw are many. Portable table saws can do the standard ripping and cutting but may be harder to use for more complex cutting and may be lacking the ability to use things like a dado blade or advanced fence and rail system. If you're just starting out then a benchtop table saw is the way to go because they are by far the least expensive of all the table saw types and they can be moved and stored out of the way fairly easily.

Not all portable table saws are the same. Features and price vary widely from one table saw manufacturer to the next, so compare prices and features closely and try to pick out the table saw that will best fit your present and future needs.

Rate this Article:

Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: Table Saw, Portable Table Saw, Benchtop Able Saw, Portable Table Saw Primer, Beginner Table Saw

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/an-introduction-to-portable-table-saws-495305.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:

Visit the TableSawSite.com for dependable table saw reviews, information and accessories!

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

How To Choose the Right Table Saw
By: JT Miller | 20/08/2008 | Home Improvement
There are lots of factors to consider before purchasing a table saw.

The Right Table Saw Will Make The Job Easier
By: Kurt J Schefken | 13/02/2007 | Home Improvement
If you have or are considering setting up a woodworking shop, you will have to have some basic power tools. If you are looking to get the best quality for the money, Jet power tools are an excellent choice. They have a full line of power tools for anyone to...

Sliding Table Saws Are Useful
By: Vince J. Paxton | 12/04/2007 | Home Improvement
If you work in a workshop or woodworking shop then you know that table saws are a vital part of the tools in any shop. If you want to get a good set of tools it is a real investment and you should know something about the right table...

How to Find the Table Saw Which is Best Suited for the your Work
By: Muna wa Wanjiru | 15/01/2008 | Tools and Equipment
When you want to cut wood to various sizes and shapes it is necessary to use a saw. The many different saws that are possible to use can make this choice difficult. One of the more versatile saws which are used is that of the table saw.

How To Choose A Table Saw
By: Bill Miller | 29/02/2008 | Home Improvement
Choosing the right table saw can get confusing with all the models out there. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right table saw for you.

The Five Most Important Table Saw Safety Tips
By: JT Miller | 05/08/2008 | Home Improvement
Table saws are very useful but also very dangerous tools. There are hundreds of ways to be safe, but here are the five most important ways to stay safe with a table saw.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Home Improvement Articles

Flueless Gas Fires
By: Finley Bradfield | 20/08/2008
Modern houses do not usually have a flue or chimney and many people think that this means that they can only have electric fires. The downside of using an electric fire is that they can be slow to heat up and don't give the same heat as gas fires. The...

Why Now Is the Perfect Time To Improve Your Home
By: JT Miller | 20/08/2008
The bursting of the housing bubble is creating favorable opportunities for people who have been putting off those large home improvement projects.

Home Décor Tips For Bare Wall
By: Kritthaphat N. | 20/08/2008
We oftentimes have a wall section in our home that is bare. We end up simply staring at it while brainstorming of some ideas to spice it up without really deviating from your decoration theme. To solve your worries, we have great ideas on how to dress up your bare...

Home Décor Ideas For Boys
By: Kritthaphat N. | 20/08/2008
It is a great idea to decorate the rooms of your children. Apart from it looks appealing, it will also in a way spark the creative sense of your children. Get rid of those basic and generic ideas such as decorative cars. Why not go beyond the typical decorative thoughts...

Modern Home Décor
By: Kritthaphat N. | 20/08/2008
People who live in the cosmopolitan area surrounded with high residential buildings are keener on setting up a modern concept of home décor. It suits to their lifestyle and the home space itself that they currently live. Also, most of the working force these days prefers to have an office at...

Spring Home Décor Ideas
By: Kritthaphat N. | 20/08/2008
Spring is one of the most welcome seasons in our life. It signifies new life, new beginning and new hope. Spring colors are warmth and very refreshing. We don't need to wait for the spring season to enjoy spring. We can give our home a twist by setting up...

Vastu Consultancy
By: Ravi A | 20/08/2008
Love dwells at our homes and all of us expect to experience the fruits of our success, with peace and happiness mostly expected along with health & wealth, faith & spiritual development, progress and prosperity from our home. If we experience a poor surrounding or construction, the minds of people...

Vastu Compass
By: Ravi A | 20/08/2008
Vastu Shastra is highly ranked and is important from the sensuous point of view within the creation of human beings. In fact, Vastu Shastra is most amorous, pleasant and charming and is owned by its enduring value and most appealing components of human civilization. There are many devices which are...

More from JT Miller

Why Now Is the Perfect Time To Improve Your Home
By: JT Miller | 20/08/2008 | Home Improvement
The bursting of the housing bubble is creating favorable opportunities for people who have been putting off those large home improvement projects.

How To Choose the Right Table Saw
By: JT Miller | 20/08/2008 | Home Improvement
There are lots of factors to consider before purchasing a table saw.

Top 5 Home Improvement Projects to Increase Your Home Value
By: JT Miller | 15/08/2008 | Home Improvement
A few affordable home improvements can help you sell your home for more money that you might think.

Get Paid for Home Improvements with a Reverse Mortgage
By: JT Miller | 09/08/2008 | Mortgage
A reverse mortgage will pay you for the equity value in your house which can be used to increase its selling value

Surprising Plastic Surgery Trends
By: JT Miller | 07/08/2008 | Health
Over the past seven years some plastic surgery procedures have become surprisingly more popular for a variety of remarkable reasons.

Four Types of Table Saws
By: JT Miller | 07/08/2008 | Home Improvement
Here is a brief description of each type of table saw and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Cheap Ways to Cool Your Home
By: JT Miller | 31/07/2008 | Home Improvement
Here are some inexpensive things you can do around your house to keep it cool in the heat.

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Follow ArticlesBase at http://twitter.com

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.26, 14)

An Introduction to Portable Table Saws

Article Comments

Related Articles

Got a Question? Ask.

Latest Home Improvement Articles

More from JT Miller

Need Help?

Site Links

Webmasters

Business Info

Sign up for our email newsletter