Some are integrated into the structure of the saw, while others are assembled and bolted on after setup. Table saws with leg kits usually have legs that lock with a ball catch or similar positive stop. For example, if a user is set up on a driveway and must crouch down to cut, that’s a safety problem. Using a table saw on the floor is neither practical, safe, nor productive.

Their main drawback is that they need some kind of safe, stable bench to be used correctly. Table saws without a base are the most compact and easy to store in a shop or truck. With that in mind, it’s important to balance saw power and size needs with portability needs. In some cases, moving it up a flight of stairs, getting it on and off a truck, or storing it out of the way in a home workshop or work truck can be tough. While some table saws are heavy, some stands can also be quite large and heavy without the saw, making the saw with stand even heavier and harder to handle. Some models combine both legs and wheels. Portable table saws can be divided into three main types: saws only, saws with leg kits, and saws with collapsible stands. Photo: Mark Clement Types of Portable Table Saws ALSO CONSIDER: Metabo HPT 10-Inch Table Saw with Fold and Roll Stand.BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Skilsaw 10-Inch Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw.BEST COMPACT: DeWalt 8¼-Inch Compact Jobsite Table Saw.

BEST WORKSHOP: Ridgid 10-Inch Pro Jobsite Table Saw with Stand.

BEST JOBSITE: DeWalt 10-Inch Table Saw, 32½-Inch Rip Capacity.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Craftsman 10-Inch Table Saw.

BEST OVERALL: Skil 15-Amp 10-Inch Table Saw.Keep reading to learn about the technical aspects of these versatile tools and find out how some of the best portable table saws currently on the market fared in our hands-on testing. There are a lot of great choices out there, so it’s very likely that you can find a table saw that’s right for you and how you work. While track saws are increasingly used for some traditional table-saw work (like breaking down sheet goods), the table saw is the best-suited tool for making wide boards thinner. Portable models are the go-to tool for everything from deck building to DIY tasks, from remodeling to woodworking, and from trimming a house to home repairs. Table saws are a baseline necessity in many homes and professional workshops.

Dewalt portable table saw