SAWSTOP REVIEW: SawStop Table Saws are Awesome, but Which One is Right For You?
After years of development, SawStop sold their first table saw in 2004. Since then, the revolutionary SawStop table saw has saved thousands of fingers, prevented countless injuries and made the workspace a safer, more accessible environment. Owing to SawStop's unparalleled safety system and superior quality construction (also without parallel), SawStop now offers the premier table saw in North America. In fact, SawStop is the number one cabinet saw in the U.S, and each saw is entirely engineered here, too.
Over the last decade, SawStop has changed our expectations of woodworking equipment and how we're able to work and interact with their table saws. With superior safety measures and uncompromising quality, these machines are ideal for any shop environment and, with multiple models and options, there's a SawStop table saw that's ideal for you, your neighbor and your kid's high school shop class. To help you determine which of these revolutionary machines belongs in your shop, here's a breakdown of each model.
SawStop Contractor Table Saw Review
The Contractor Saw offers all-purpose versatility to ensure you can tackle a broad range of projects and it's reliable to deliver consistent, smooth and accurate results. The saw is also built for durability ensuring it will remain the center of your shop for generations to come. Of course, the saw also eatures SawStop's legendary safety system. Like SawStop's other table saws, the brake system in this machine stops a spinning blade within 5-milliseconds of sensing the blade's contact with skin. That's 5 thousandths of one second - faster than a hummingbird's wing flap or the shutter speed on your camera. It's 10x faster than an airbag deploys on impact and 10x faster than your automatic reflexes can react to danger. In other words, that's really freaking fast.
Essentially, Sawstop's brake system ensures that when you have an accident with your table saw (which is almost inevitable if you use one), rather than losing a finger or severely injuring your body, you may not even break skin. You can't put a price on that kind of safety. You can't calculate the value of your flesh or fingers and SawStop ensures you don't have to experience that kind of loss. SawStop ensures you are safe at the helm of a table saw, and that your results are smooth and precise, too. That's the best of both worlds, right? And the SawStop Contractor Saw also offers tool-free quick change and superior dust collection capabilities to ensure you have every feature you need to work safely and successfully.
SawStop Constractor Saw Fence/Rail/Table
The base price for the SawStop contractor saw is $1,599. If you determine this is the right SawStop table saw for your shop, there are a few more customizations you can make to ensure the machine meets each of your working needs. Your next choice, then, is whether or not to upgrade the saw's fence/rail/table specifications. The standard contractor saw includes a 30-inch standard fence. For an additional $200 you can order your saw with a 36-inch T-glide system or for $300 additional dollars, you can enjoy a a roomy 52-inch T-glide system. Each upgrade offers more workspace and a smooth, seamless performance.
SawStop Constractor Saw Mobility and Accessories
To further customize your SawStop, you can add mobility to your table saw with an integrated mobile base ($160) or a jobsite cart ($199, jobsite cart is not compatible with 52-inch T-glide model). You can also choose additional accessories like a dust port adapter ($49), an outfeed table ($99, outfeed table is not compatible with integrated mobile base), dust collection blade guard ($139), cast iron wings ($189) and overarm dust collection ($199, overarm dust collection requires dust port adapter and dust collection blade guard).
Moving on to the next model...
SawStop Professional Table Saw Review
SawStop's Professional Table Saw offers totally superior performance and caters best to small-shop professionals and very dedicated hobbyists. The saw includes each of the features a pro woodworker needs to work better and offers the kind of consistent and clean results a pro can be really proud of. Ultimately, the saw is know for it's high-quality construction, smooth and precise performance and, dadadum!, for that SawStop safety system. You know, that legendary electric brake that keeps your fingers on your hands instead of flung across your shop. This is a good thing. With a table saw related accident occurring every nine minutes (that's more than 159 per day), SawStop has made the table saw a safer machine and the woodshop a safer environment.
One of the coolest things about the SawStop Professional Table Saw is that this safety comes with no compromise to quality or performance. In fact, SawStop has been honored, awarded and accoladed for the meticulous design behind these machines and the superior performance that results from that engineering. A SawStop table saw is built to last, built to deliver and built to protect. You can't find that kind of performance from any other saw and the Professional saw offers that safety plus award winning dust collection and the efficient features that will keep you working faster and more accurately. The saw's tool-free, quick-change blade guard mount makes transitions between blade guard and riving knife fast and simple, and it's quick release, zero-clearance insert allows for fast and toolless access to the saw cavity.
The base price for a SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw is $2,299 and just like the Contractor Saw, there are many customizations you can make to ensure you are investing in the machine that's best suited for the unique needs of you and your shop.
SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw Power
This first step in customizing your Professional Table Saw is selecting the power of the machine. This model is available in two options: 1.75 HP, 1 PH, 110V and 3 HP, 1 PH, 230V. While the 1.75 HP model is the standard, upgrading to a robust 3 HP motor is only $430 more (this price also includes the upgraded blade guard).
SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw Fence/Rail/Table
The standard Professional Cabinet Saw includes a 30-inch Premium fence system. To increase your working space and capabilities, you can upgrade your saw to a 36-inch T-glide system for an additional $170 or to a 52-inch T-glide system for an additional $270.
SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw Mobility and Accessories
If you'd like to get a little more mobility from your table saw, you might also like to customize yours with a SawStop mobility kit. The PCS Mobile Base gives you smooth, easy mobility for an additional $199 and the ICS Mobile Base offers superior, durable mobility for just an additional $328. You can also add a handful of other accessories to your Professional Cabinet saw, like the overarm dust collection system ($199, this requires the dust collection blade guard) or a dado zero clearance insert. With premium accessories, SawStop ensures you have the ability to peruse each project and conquer each application with total confidence.
SawStop Table Saw Accessories Review
In case you're wondering what each of these features/additions can really do for you, here's a bit more information on these SawStop table saw accessories.
SawStop Dust Collection Blade Guard TSG-DC
Putting a dust port directly behind the saw blade, SawStop's dust collection blade guard allows you to collect dust above the table top. It can attach directly to an existing dust collection system and is compatible with SawStop's overarm dust collection system. The guard is also designed with a low profile allowing for super narrow cuts (as narrow as ¾ of an inch) and offers independent lateral sides to minimize blade exposure. These features keep you cleaner and safer on the job while ensuring you remain efficient. The dust collection blade guard comes standard on SawStop table saws with 3HP+ motors and can be purchased as an add-on to smaller saws.
SawStop Overarm Dust Collection TSA-ODC
Offering superior table saw dust control, SawStop's overarm dust collection system is flexible and durable to ensure you can work in the cleanest environment possible. While the system does require SawStop's dust collection blade guard (to which it directly connects), it is compatible with all SawStop table saws and fits all SawStop rail lengths. The system also includes a custom Y-port to connect above and below table dust collection into one 4-inch port. To use this overarm dust collection with SawStop's contractor saw, users must also add a dust collection panel (see below). The system is not compatible with the 30-inch SFA fence/rail.
SawStop Dust Collection Panel CNS-DCP
With a 2.5-inch port and a 4-inch port, SawStop's dust collection panel fits virtually every dust collection system. It's simple to install enabling you to achieve great dust collection without any extra hassle and, with easy-to-use clamps, redirecting the internal tube is simple, too. The panel allows you to work easily with essentially any system you choose.
SawStop Mobile Base MB-CNS-000
Providing simple mobility and more efficient use, SawStop's table saw mobility kit is durable and designed to make you more versatile in the shop. It's fully-welded 1/4-inch steel construction is tough for product longevity and, thanks to a hard-wearing black powder finish on the steel frame, the mobility kit is built to withstand the rigors of use. The kit also features durable polyurethane wheels and two 360-degree casters to ensure your saw is both stable and simple position. The mobile base supports the entire saw table without requiring an extension piece (even with the 52-inch extension table), it's simple to put together and offers smooth, one-foot operation.
SawStop Jobsite Cart CNS-JSC (for use with 30-inch and 36-inch Contractor Saw)
This SawStop jobsite cart allows you to transform your contractor saw from a stationary shop machine to high-precision saw that can travel with you. The mobile cart is designed to traverse the bumps of jobsite life while remaining stable and, thanks to it's sturdy steel construction, powder coating, convenient handle, tough rubber tires, and full ball bearing wheels the cart is easy to maneuver despite inclines or rough conditions.
SawStop 30-Inch Outfeed Table OFT30-CNS-000 (for use with T-Glide Pro Series Fence System)
In addition to offering 30-inches of additional outfeed space, this SawStop outfeed table makes solo work with your saw significantly easier. The table offers machined miter gauge slots and all steel hardware for ease of use and long-term durability. The table is made with a smooth 3/4-inch polyurethane coated MDF and features sturdy, adjustable legs to ensure a stable, level work surface. Note: this outfeed table is not compatible with the mobile base.
SawStop Cast Iron Wings (set of 2) CNS-CIWA (for CNS Contractor Table Table Saws)
These SawStop cast iron wings add both beauty and functionality to your SawStop CNS Table Saw. The wings are sweet to look at with a precision ground top (ground to .001-inch) and adding 80 pounds of weight to your saw, they'll stabilize your machine and dramatically reduce vibration during cuts. These wings are designed to align perfectly with the saw's table rails and extension table to ensure your saw is streamlined and you can work with greater stability.
SawStop Standard Zero Clearance Insert TSI-SLD
This SawStop zero clearance insert is the standard insert for 10-inch blades. To ensure it offers the best performance, the insert is precision machined from a high-quality, ultra-strong phenolic core and coated (top and bottom) with a low-friction, wear resistant melamine surface. The insert features pre-formed clearance slots for the table saw's blade guard and riving knife and includes positioning screws to facilitate a secure, exact fit into the saw table. SawStop has also outfitted the standard zero clearance insert with dual metal wear plates for anti-kickback pawls and a positive locking latch for tool-free operation.
SawStop Dado Zero Clearance Insert TSI-DLD
Like the standard zero clearance insert, the SawStop dado zero clearance insert, made for 8-inch dado sets, is made with a high-endurance phenolic core and coated with melamine to ensure long-lasting, wear-resistant and low-friction use. It also includes the positioning screws to keep the insert tight and the positive locking latch for toolless use.
SawStop Standard Brake Cartridge TSBC-10R2
This SawStop brake cartridge is the standard brake for 10-inch saw blades and is truly the grandest mechanism behind SawStop's revolutionary safety system. It offers unparallelled protection against accidents with your table saw blade and works with all wood products and other non-conductive materials. For more information about how the SawStop safety system works, please visit the linked page.
SawStop Dado Brake Cartridge TSBC-10R2
Like the standard brake system, the SawStop dado brake cartridge offers the same revolutionary protection from table saw accidents while being designed for use with 8-inch dado sets (up to 13/16-inch thick). Also like the standard brake, the dado cartridge is compatible with any non-conductive materials.
SawStop 10-Inch 40-Tooth Blade BTS-R-40ATB
This SawStop Titanium Series 10-inch saw blade features 40 extra-large teeth that, made with the highest grade tungsten carbide available, can be sharpened and re-sharpend multiple times. This metal alloy is also super resistant to dulling or breakage ensuring the blade will last throughout more tough cuts. The blade is quality engineered to offer a long life of professional and heavy-duty cutting. Precision balanced, fully tensioned and heat-treated, the blade is ideal for cutting and ripping both soft and hard woods and it's titanium coating and laser-cut expansion slots make cutting smoother, cooler, more accurate, more stable and less noisy. Great, right? Here are some additional specs for the BTS-R-40ATB saw blade.
ATB 5/8-inch arbor
1/8-inch kerf
rake angle 15-degrees
top angle 10-degrees
plate thickness 0.087-inch
tooth thickness 0.106-inches
SawStop Integrated Mobile Base MB-PCS-000
SawStop's integrated mobile base is built with fully-welded 1/4-inch steel to provide a rigid, durable construction and super reliable support. The base is coated with hard-wearing powder coat finish to best the abuse of shop life and with durable polyurethane wheels, two fixed direction wheels and two 360-degree casters, the base is sturdy and simple to position. The base also operates with a simple and ergonomic one-foot operation system which mechanically lifts the saw in a single motion. The integrated mobile base supports the entire table and doesn't require an extension piece even when used with the 52-inch extension table. The base also features a smooth release pedal to help guide the saw back into it's stationary position. When the base is not engaged, the saw cabinet rests directly on the floor.
SawStop Industrial Mobile Base MB-PCS-IND
Supporting the whole saw and extension table, SawStop's industrial mobile base is masterfully durable and boasts a 1,000-lb capacity. It's built with solid, fully-welded 1/4-inch steel and features a black powder finish to offer protection against the bangs of working. The base also features four full ball bearing, 360-degree, high-performance casters to offer smooth movement and mobility in any direction. The wheels on the base are tough and made with a no-marring polyurethane so they won't scuff your floors as you move the saw. When not engaged, the base allows the saw the rest entirely on the floor keeping weight off the wheels when they’re unneeded. The industrial mobile base is easy to use, it's simple to set up and requires no additional extension hardware. A smooth foot-pedal raises the saw and a button-release lowers the saw safely back to the floor. Overall the base is super-strong and super-smooth to offer powerful support and total ease of use.
SawStop
Altogether, SawStop makes an exceptional and accomodating table saw and they make exceptional accessories to match. The brand focuses on keeping you safe and ensuring your results are second to none. Both expectations are reflected in the performance of their award winning table saws, the SawStop Contractor Table Saw and the SawStop Professional Table Saw. Build your own SawStop table saw here at our SawStop shop where all table saws ship for free and additional accessories purchased with your table saw ship for free, too. Start getting better results from a safer table saw!
*This article was produced and published in April 2014. Pricing in this article is subject to change and may not be accurately reflected in the above text. Please verify costs online or with a representative.