Portable jobsite saws represent a more ruggedly built class of portable saws. These are the type of saws that most carpenters, contractors, and tradesman use on the jobsite… which might explain why they’re often incorrectly referred to as “contractor saws”. They’re still small, light, portable, and retain many of the disadvantages inherent to any smaller saw, but are more rugged and generally more accurate than the entry level bench top saws. Most still have direct drive universal motors and lightweight construction compared to a full size stationary saw, but the motors, gears, and underpinnings are made to withstand the rigors and demands of a construction site better than most bench top models. Most have reasonably powerful 115 amp motors that will handle most general cutting needs. Many have standard ¾” miter slots, decent fences, better alignment adjustments, extension tables, larger ripping capacities, and are available with a variety of clever fold-up or rollaway leg stands. There are popular and reasonably capable models from companies such as Bosch, DeWalt, Ridgid, Porter Cable, Makita, Jet, Craftsman, Hitachi, and Ryobi, among others. Prices tend to be in the $300-$600 range, and many are capable of suitable accuracy for fine furniture when put in the hands of a skilled woodworker. All have their fans, but the Bosch, DeWalt, and Ridgid are the perennial top dogs in this class. These saws have modern riving knives, some have dust collection ports, and are an excellent option if you need to move the saw easily from location to location, or need to easily stow them out of the way. When portability is essential, this is the right tool for the task. However, they still don’t offer the sheer size, mass, and performance benefits of a full size stationary saw.
Compact saws are a slightly larger class of saw than the entry level bench models, but are still lighter, smaller, less expensive, and more portable than full size stationary saws. They’re often still considered bench top saws, and still tend to retain direct drive universal motors, and less rugged overall construction, though some do feature a cogged vacuum cleaner style belts, and most will have some sort of a leg stand. Some even feature cast iron tops, and can look remarkably similar to a full size contractor saw from a glance, though the table area is smaller and the construction is significant lighter duty.
Stationary Saws:
Stationary saws include the main categories of contractor saws, hybrid saws, and cabinet saws. They’re considerably heavier, larger, and more robust than the class of portable saws. Though inherently less portable, any of these saws can be placed on a mobile base and rolled easily around a shop. Some even have built in mobile bases. These are typically full size saws with cast iron tops and belt drive induction motors, but there are examples that offer solid granite tops instead of cast iron, and even some with aluminum tops.
Photo Courtesy of: Jeremy