Cabinet Saw vs Contractor Saw vs Hybrid Saw - Pros and Cons

The importance of a table Saw to a woodworker cannot be over emphasized; it is an indispensable tool that plays a huge role in determining the kind of output you get. Thus it is of high importance that you make the best choice to suit your need.

Below is a lowdown on the key types of table saws that anybody wanting to work with wood would meet. Anybody serious that is. We’re showing you how each one stack against each other.

Types of Table saw

There are different kinds of table saws available today such as the cabinet saw, contractor saw and the hybrid saw, you will need to know about the individual specifications of this saws to make a right pick.

Contractor Saws

 This tool may look a bit overrated due to its straightforward design but its reliability and efficiency is rather outstanding, it is manufactured for easy lift thus adding portability alongside affordability to its features. It takes up minimal space hence it can not be too far out of your reach. The fact that the saw’s motor hangs off the posterior aspect of the saw contributes to  easier transporting.

These extension wings from the jobsite saw is made up of either of cast iron that’s  “open webbed”  or one that’s stamped metal. It has a solid cast iron table top or stamped metal with a solid cast iron table top. Its trunnions including its gearing and the key arbor assembly makes it appear less bulkier when compared to other pricey saws. A single V belts acts as a mediator connecting the saw’s motor to assembly of the arbor.

The introduction of a top notch fence system and top-of-the-line saw blade that have been conceptualized for a particular cut type has brought the contractor saw a step up in the art of woodwork.

This amazing mastery tool are well suited for the most basic carpentry works and furniture making. Its features are guaranteed to give you a stable, less vibration and overall high performance result.

Cabinet Saws

The first thing this name might bring to your imagination is a cabinet styled saw, well you are not far from the truth as it is indeed designed in a totally-enclosed cabinet-style base. The major advantage it has over the Contractors saw is its durability and incredible performance hence the reason why most professional woodworkers has taken special liking to it.

For starters, note that the motors are more powerful when compared to the contractors saw. This advantages produces a highly satisfactory result as this power tool allows you to cut through very thick wood with ease all day and with little vibrations observed, either from the saw’s settings or its alignment.

There are certain other features that gives this unique tool an upper hand and makes it outstanding, It produces lesser noise because its motor is within the base of the cabinet. It makes your working area neater because the enclosed base makes dust collection a whole lot easier. Unlike other products where you have the motor plus the arbor assembly are bound by well-crafted trunnions that attaches to the table, here they are attached to the base of the cabinet thus making it easier to align the blade of the saw with the fence and slot of the miter

Flatter tables, heavier and bigger bearings and pulleys are examples of the precise standards by which they are manufactured.

An important factor to take into consideration is their immobility, they are not portable, an average topnotch cabinet saw weighs 600 lbs a notable difference from the 250 - 350 lbs weight of the contractor saw. It also needs a 220-V circuit for successful operation. Notwithstanding they are still highly preferred.

Hybrid Saw

From the word ‘hybrid’ you can easily tell that it is a mixture. It is a type of saw manufactured as a mediator between the contractor and the cabinet saw. It demonstrates the superior performance of a cabinet saw coated with the affordability of the contractor saw making them a more comfortable choice.

There are slight variations that distinguishes this ‘mixed breed’ tool, the cabinet saw style base have shorter base, shorter legs, the motors are still enclosed within the cabinet base limiting the noise. More advanced features like the drive belt system, trunnions and arbor bearings and gearing are noted in this wonderful tool. Its saw is mounted to directly unto the base allowing an easier and precise alignment of the powerful blade along with slot of the miter.

An added and welcome difference is its lesser weigh plus the fact that they may be utilized with the usual 110-V service. Serious hobbyist would find this mediator saw of useful importance.

6 Safety Mechanisms Your Table Saw Should Have

Let's face it. The more powerful a table saw, the better. Nobody would want a wimpy motor that can't even get through the flimsiest of woods. But on the down side, the stronger the saw, the more dangerous it becomes.

Not with the right mechanisms. With these features on, you should be as far away to danger as possible. It's paramount therefore you have them.

Here are the 6 safety measures that your table saw should have before you even try to work the easiest woodworking jobs. Check them so you can rest easy and your work can go smoothly. Read on.

1. Miter gauge 

This is one important feature you should have when using your table saw. And this is because you would most likely cut miters. And cutting miters isn’t something easy.

One problem with cutting miters is that it’s a bit tricky. The miter bar at most times wiggles out of its places. And this in turn makes it a bit difficult for you to get a hold of it. But not to worry a solution has been made available to this problem.

With a miter bar the whole story changes. A miter bar serves a solution to this problem by using disks. These disks help in eliminating the side to side movement of the miter.

The good thing about this miter gauge is that even after you use it over and over again the result still remains the same. You still get the accurate and precise result you desire.

2. Splitter 

This one other safety mechanism your saw should have. Although a splitter sounds simple in its name, its use isn’t that simple.

What a splitter does is to prevent the boards from sliding while you’re working. This is more appreciated if your table saw vibrates a lot. It makes your work a lot easier and comfortable.

Also, a splitter is known for being able to reduce kickback effect. And also eliminates burnt edges of the wood. A splitter does this by not allowing the back edges to squeeze in while you do your work.

If you attach it to zero clearance inserts it makes sure that your cuts are safer.

3. Sawdust collector 

This is one feature that your table saw should have. Not because it wouldn’t function without this but because it makes you work a whole lot easier. At the same time you get to fully maximize the energy you have solely for your work.

Well, some table saws have inbuilt dust collector. While some don’t have this feature. If yours doesn’t have then it’s your duty to improvise. Putting up a dust pouch isn’t something so difficult.

The thing is that a woodworker you can’t escape the fact that there would be a lot of dirt and dust while you work. So you would most likely have to clean up once you’re done with your work. Except if you have someone else who can do that job for you.

Well, most times you end up doing it yourself.

Anyway, why go through the stress of cleaning up after a strenuous job when there’s an alternative? Well, the alternative a lot better. And that’s where a sawdust collector comes in handy.

With this you get to clean as you work. The good thing about inbuilt dust collector is that it’s modified for easier cleaning.

At least once you’re done with the day’s job you wouldn’t have to use the remaining energy you have left for cleaning up.

4. Zero clearance inserts 

Avoiding small chips that stick to the blade is something quite impossible. Especially when the gap space is very large. You can be sure that there would be a lot of small chips you would have to remove once you’re done with your work.

Well, to avoid this that’s why zero clearance inserts have been developed.

When you insert them into your saw they replace the metal plates that you have. And with this they fill in the gap for the large spaces that give in to trapping of chips.

So this way you can be sure that you wouldn’t have a problem using the saw while working. And also there will be no small chips in your saw that will hinder your work in any way.

Similarly, these inserts also help collect dust better. So you can be sure that you wouldn’t have to break a sweat before you will be able to clean your table saw.

5. New blades 

This is the last safety mechanism that you should own as a woodworker but is certainly not the least. When you were buying your table saw it came with a single blade time. But you sure wouldn’t expect that blade to work well for a life time.

You would be deceiving yourself if that’s what you want.

But anyway, a saw would need a change of blade at one point in time. The truth is that the blade might not be so old before you change it. But you just want a change in the style of the blade and also increase accuracy.

When getting new blades it’s advisable to buy thinner blades. The reason is because it doesn’t wear out your motor. And this way your motor lasts for a very long time. At the same time small chips wouldn’t get trapped in the blade.

This way your saw is bit more efficient and accurate when it comes to cutting.

It’s advisable to have at least one extra blade on you for your table saw. Most especially if you move from one jobsite to another. This way in case the one on you starts malfunctioning you know that there’s an alternative you can use.

6. Digital angle gauge 

When working sometimes getting the angle can be a bit difficult. And not to waste your time you need a guide. That’s what a digital angle gauge will do. It helps reduce your cutting needs.

It easily finds the right angle at the very first try.

And the good thing is that you can view the angle on a digital screen. So at least you’re guided on when the gauge is about to meet the angle you want. With that you will just need to adjust and adjust until you reach your goal.