I'm looking to buy a new table saw and I'm struggling with my current one, the Rigid R4512. It's just way too bulky for my small garage, and frankly, I feel limited by how much space I have. I keep hearing people say you need a cabinet saw to really do quality woodworking, but I'm not sure that's true. Is a high-quality job site saw really capable of helping me create good projects, especially considering that my workspace is tight with my chimney taking up space?
6 Answers
I've had a Skil job site saw for about 9 years now. I build theater sets and props in my carport, and it never let me down. My advice? Build a sturdy, mobile stand or outfeed table for it. It'll make handling full sheets of plywood much easier.
I've been using the Bosch 10" saw for hard woods since August 2024, and honestly, it’s been great! I get where you're coming from with those cabinet saw opinions, but I just don’t find them true. The blade really makes a difference, plus it’s 120v, so no extra wiring is necessary.
For years, I made do with a Kobalt saw from Lowe’s. It served me well for my needs. Sure, higher-end job site saws are better in accuracy and power, but honestly, with the right skills, most can get decent results with what they have.
I use an old Delta Shop Master, and it cuts just fine! It's all about the blade you use. Remember, there are tons of opinions online, but in my experience, the so-called 'best' isn’t always needed.
Definitely, all you really need is to keep it flat and your fence true! And yeah, Reddit’s full of snobby opinions about tools.
A bigger saw helps if you're aiming for precision joinery directly on the table saw. But you really don’t need one. A smaller job site saw can handle cutting your parts to size for bulk waste removal. Just refine with a router for better accuracy. If you're working in a small space, try a hybrid method—use power tools for stock preparation and finish up by hand for a smooth result. You'll achieve so much more that way!