Every woodworking tool has a respective job in the shop. While they are all useful in their own ways, there are tools that do a certain job best. In this circular saw vs table saw our team will assess the differences between circular saws and table saws to see which is the better choice for your tasks and which tool you should get.
Circular Saw vs Table Saw
What is a Table Saw
A table saw or a saw bench is a circular saw attached to a table. It has a circular blade that’s placed on an arbor. This blade cuts through a slot in the table, a position that facilitates straight, precise cuts.
The purpose of the table or bench is to add more stability which leads to more accurate cuts. The table allows you to move the wood along its surface as you work, which is great for handling large planks or bulk projects.
To use this power tool, start by placing the wood against the blade and push it forward to make a precise cut. Good table saws must have one miter gauge that will help you make angled cuts, cross cuts, and miter cuts like a miter saw to further enhance accuracy. There’s also a rip fence that keeps the material in place as you work. This part is important because the rip capacity’s size is directly equivalent to how big your workpiece can be.
Because of this stability, the table saw is great for making perfectly straight cuts regularly. In the hands of an expert, you can use it to make almost any cut. However, curved cuts are still quite tricky to handle.
Unfortunately, this stability also means that table saws can’t be moved flexibly. Most of these power tools weigh well over 200 pounds and cannot be maneuvered easily.
Table saws can be divided into three types: cabinet, contractor, and hybrid saws. Cabinet saws are the heaviest with the most powerful motors, followed by hybrid and then contractor saws.
Pros
- Can be used to make a wide range of cuts
- Makes precise cuts because of the fence guide
- Works well for bulk projects
- Can add on a variety of accessories like dado blades or jigs
- Usually comes with a dust port for efficient sawdust disposal
- Fairly easy to master
Cons
- Table saws aren't portable
- Expensive compared to other types of saws
Purpose of a Table Saw
Table saws work best for making long, straight rip cuts. Because most table saws have a wide rip capacity, they work great for huge workpieces. Just hold your material up with stable hands and let your machine work. These tools win when it comes to ease of use.
There are high-quality models that allow you to adjust height and cutting depth of the blade for uniform cuts which is great for bulk projects. You can also use this powerful tool to apply basic shapes to the edges of wood stock.
Though table saws work best for large projects, they are capable of handling smaller tasks. However, they cannot be used to make detailed designs when cutting wood.
What is a Circular Saw
Circular saws can be categorized as hand held power tools. They have a saw blade and can make cross-cuts, miter cuts, and rip cuts.
This tool is famous because it’s portable just like the extra lightweight Rotorazer circular saw. When comparing the circular saw with the table saw, the former may not have the guided accuracy of table saws because they are much lighter and extremely maneuverable. They are more commonly used on job sites for this reason.
Circular saws come in several sizes and types. There are mini circular saws and worm drive circular saws. And there are also corded and cordless circular saws. Cordless saws run on batteries and aren’t as powerful as corded versions.
These saws have a nearly limitless capability because they’re portable and easy to handle. To cut with this saw, you have to pass the blade through the material. You can make curved cuts and even create designs if you wish.
However, this could also be a disadvantage. Because these saws require your strength to handle the cutting, the cut’s accuracy depends on your skill. If you do not have a steady, skilled hand, you may be unable to use it properly.
It also means that it’s almost impossible to duplicate cuts. However, you can use a good circular saw to make complicated, accurate cuts with accessories like speed squares or a jig.
This tool does have an advantage in versatility, though. They can cut through many different materials, including metal and plastic.
Pros
- Extremely portable
- Versatile – can cut through different materials
- Very affordable
- Requires set up
- Works well for smaller jobs
- Easy to transport
Cons
- Needs some skill to operate
- Cutting depth might be too small for large projects
Purpose of a Circular Saw
According to our experts, the circular saw is considered one of the most versatile tools for various everyday purposes. It is particularly well-suited for repairs, DIY tasks, and small projects.
The biggest advantage of a circular saw is mobility. This makes it the obvious choice for making cuts that you cannot make with a table saw. Also, as long as you get the right type of blade, you can cut through many materials.
However, tables are needed to make accurate cuts. This means that beginners might have a tough time handling a power saw that doesn’t have one. This saw should only be used for complicated work when the person handling it is an expert.
Main Differences Between a Table Saw and a Circular Saw
Now that you’re aware of the pros and cons of both power tools, let’s take a look at the major differences between table saws and circular saws.
The first difference is fairly obvious: size and portability.
Table saws are huge. One model can weigh up to 600 pounds and take up several meters in your workshop. They also commonly possess 10-inch blades.
On the other hand, circular saws are much smaller. Corded saws weigh around 6 to 20 pounds and have smaller blades. Plus, you can even get a cordless cutting tool if you need extra mobility.
When comparing table saw with the circular saw as a cutting tool, the former might be slightly superior when it comes to making precise cuts. This is also true when comparing table saws to bandsaws for making precise cuts. If you want to get a straight cut while minimizing your contribution, a table saw works great. Most table saws have miter slots for the gauge and a rip fence to make your cut more accurate every time.
But for people who need to get a certain type of cut done, it’s much better to go the hand held route of the circular saw. For example, if you wanted to saw circular designs, you’d need to get a hand held power saw for that.
However, you should note that although a certain level of skill is required to use a circular saw, there is almost no type of cut that you cannot make with it.
Table saws are mostly used for cutting wood. Most of the time, their manufacturers don’t make provisions for cutting other materials unless the product was specifically made to cut such material.
Good circular saws come with blades for cutting materials other than wood like metal, plastic, concrete, brick, and tile. This makes them more versatile, and the best option for people who need a saw around the house but aren’t woodworking hobbyists.
Both saws require set-up, but the circular saw needs considerably less work before it is ready to go.
When it comes to pricing, circular saws have a huge advantage. You can get one of these power tools for less than $100. In contrast, you really shouldn’t be looking for a table saw if you don’t have at least $350 (minus shipping).
But, with proper maintenance, one good table saw might last until you’re too old to press the wood against the blade. A circular saw can’t last that long; they usually wear down within a few years.
For accessories and safety features, our experts couldn’t choose between these two saws. While the table saw does have more space to add accessories and features, it’s also more dangerous compared to a circular saw. The possibility of kickbacks, slips, and other workplace accidents[1] is higher with a table saw.
A circular saw might have less space for accessories, but in the hands of a skilled worker, there’s no need for accessories. With the blade guard on, your fingers are mostly protected.
Recommended blades for circular saw:
FAQ
Which is better circular saw or table saw?
Circular saws are better than table saws when you want to cut small pieces or a certain shapes. Circular saws have this advantage over skilsaws as well. But, if you’re working with a huge slab of wood, or you need to get out several accurate, identical cuts quickly, a table saw is suitable at any day.
Can I use a circular saw as a table saw?
Yes, you can use a circular saw as a table saw. Or, to be more precise, you can turn a circular saw into a table saw. It is basically a saw without a table attached, so it’s possible to attach a table.
However, possible doesn’t mean easy. Doing this means that you’ll have to disassemble your circular saw before assembling it on top of a table. This risks injury, and our experts do not recommend attempting it unless you are a professional.
Conclusion
The result of comparing table saw vs circular saw is that there are no winners. Each power saw has its use, which is why saw manufacturers that make both still sell well. Just ensure that you choose a branded saw (DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, etc.) that fits your needs.
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