There is always a perfect saw for making any cut that you might want in your workshop. And while it is a great idea to have different power saws in your tools arsenal, having all of them is nearly impossible.
Selecting the right saw for your workshop depends on the type of cut you want to make and the material. However, choosing between certain types of saws, such as table saw and track saw, can be harder than you think.
Although both table saws and track saws are indeed designed for different situations, their applications sometimes overlap. And this is what makes it hard for contractors, woodworkers, and DIY (do-it-yourself) persons to select between the two.
Now it is time to get the confusion off your mind. Read our track saw vs table saw comparison to understand their differences, and select the perfect piece for your workshop.
Our Top Track Saw Vs Table Saws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Makita SP6000J Track Saw |  Top Track Saw |
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| 2. Festool TS 55 REQ Track Saw |  |
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| 3. SHOP FOX W1835 Track Saw |  |
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| 4. DEWALT DWE7491RS |  Top Table Saw |
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| 5. Makita 2705 Table Saw |  |
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| 6. Bosch 4100-09 Track Saw |  |
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1. Makita SP6000J Track Saw – First Choice
The Makita SPJ1 is our favorite track saw in this review. Running on a powerful 12 AMP motor with a maximum speed of 5,300 revolutions per minute (RPM), the saw will rip through even the hardest workpieces easily.
What we liked most about this saw is its performance. The saw is powerful and produces smooth and splinter-free cuts. Furthermore, it comes with a variable speed control dial that allows you to select the preferred speed between 2,000 RPM and 5,300 RPM depending on the nature of the application.
Another notable attribute of the saw is that it is very effective for cutting angles. The saw comes with a depth adjustment feature that allows you to make both partial and preliminary cuts.
You can use the saw to make cuts of up to 2-3/16” at 90 degrees or 1-9/16″ at angles of up to 48 degrees. This flexibility makes the power saw a brilliant choice for both trim and finish work when doing contract or remodeling your home.
Specs
- Weight: 28 pounds
- Dimensions: 75 x 14.8 x 24.2 inches
- Guard rail length: 55”
- Blade: 6-1/2″ 48T Carbide-Tipped Saw Blade
Pros
- Suitable for both professional and DIY kind of tasks
- Designed with rich features for top performance
- Electronic speed control makes it easy and fun to use
- Comes with a 55″ guide rail guide
Cons
- Expensive
2. Festool TS 55 REQ Track Saw
Coming in the second position is this Festool TS 55 REQ Track Saw, another tested and proven power cutting rig designed for high accuracy and precision. The track saw runs on a 10 AMP motor, which we found powerful enough for cutting both softwood and hardwood workpieces.
The saw comes with a Guide Rail Splinterguard, and a replaceable splinter guard that allows you to get zero-tear cuts and minimal material waste. Furthermore, the saw comes with a spring-loaded riving knife (splitter) designed to make the cuts smooth and accurate. The splitter keeps the cut kerf open so that saw dust does not pinch the blade when cutting your workpiece.
Another notable thing about the saw is its high-efficiency dust management system. It comes with a dust port that evacuates most dust created by the rotating blade.
You will also like the positioning of the dust port in the rear, which means it does not get into your way when making cuts. Furthermore, the port allows you to connect with a vacuum cleaner for more efficient cleaning.
Specs
- Weight: 19.56 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.5 x 15.5 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
Pros
- Comes with a FastFix system that makes changing the blade easy and fast
- A great tool for making straight and splinter-free cuts
- Designed with a highly effective dust evacuation system
- Uses hardened carbide blade
Cons
- Does not come with track clamps
3. SHOP FOX W1835 Track Saw
If you are looking for a high-performance yet affordable track saw, this SHOP FOX W1835 Track Saw could be your answer. Apart from its motor of 9 AMP, most of its features and performance put it at par with our first top two models.
The most conspicuous thing about the saw is that it allows you to make both straight and angle cuts. Using the saw, you can make deep cuts of up to 2-5/32 inches when cutting at 90 degrees, and 1-⅝ inch when cutting at 45 degrees.
Using this SHOP FOX W1835, we noted that it was also very smooth. The saw is designed with a riving knife that automatically extends and retracts to prevent kickbacks.
The track saw also comes with a 1 ½” dust port that is capable of rotating 360 degrees, which implies you can point it to the direction it will not get into your way when working. You can also hook it to a 1 ½-inch tube and connect to a vacuum cleaner for faster dust evaluation.
Specs
- Weight: 12.79 pounds
- Dimensions: 10.6 x 13.4 x 9.5 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
Pros
- Makes clean and splinter-free cuts
- Good for making angle-cuts
- Operates smoothly without kickbacks
- A good dust collection system
- Designed to last
- Affordable
Cons
- Noisy
4. DEWALT DWE7491RS – First Choice
The DEWALT DWE7491RS takes the first position in the table saw category because of its outstanding features that make cutting, even the toughest workpieces, easy. But this did not surprise us because the saw comes from DeWalt, a respected brand that spares no effort when it comes to making quality tools.
This table saw was designed with the construction user in mind. It comes with a 15 AMP high-torque motor that pulls a maximum no-load speed of 4800 RPM.
Using the saw, we found it pretty easy to cut through pressure treated lumber in construction sites and other tough hardwoods. It also features a rolling stand that makes moving to and from the workshop convenient.
And now, to our most favorite feature, the dust collection system. The saw sucks dust and debris generated when cutting workpieces and spits them out through a 2-1/2″ dust collection port. You can also go ahead and connect it to a vacuum cleaner for faster and more efficient dust collection.
Specs
- Weight: 110 pounds
- Dimensions: 31 x 24.5 x 31 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Warranty Description: Three years
Pros
- Designed with an efficient dust collection system
- The saw is sold with a long warranty of three years
- Comes with rack & pinion telescoping fence system for easy adjustments
- Strong and durable
Cons
- Heavy
5. Makita 2705 Table Saw
Our second favorite table saw is this Makita 2705, a powerful and versatile cutting beast that works well for both in-workshop and on-site tasks. The saw operates on a powerful 15 AMP motor that delivers breathtaking 4800 RPM, which is enough for most cutting tasks. Particularly, we liked its large cutting capacity of 3-5/8 inches at 90 degrees and 2-1/2 inches at 45 degrees.
Another notable thing about the table saw is its high accuracy when cutting workpieces. The saw comes with a precision machined table-top that always remains flat for accurate cuts. Furthermore, its 3/8 x 3/4 inch T-slot miter gauge features special grooves that allow you to make diverse angle cuts.
We must also mention the outstanding modular blade guard system that allows for tool-less blade adjustment to the rip fence. The guard system works with the riving knife/spreader that allows you to easily change the blade into three main positions for dado cuts, through cuts and non-through cuts.
Since you do not need to remove the throat or use any tool, you can make the adjustments pretty fast without incurring significant downtime.
Specs
- Weight: 82 pounds
- Dimensions: 32 x 36 x 15.3 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
Pros
- Good for both on and off-workshop cutting tasks
- Allows for greater cutting capacity
- Uses a tool-less blade adjustment system
- Designed to last
Cons
- The warranty is short
6. Bosch 4100-09 Track Saw
The Bosch 4100-09 is another top-rated table saw designed for high-performance. Crafted carefully in line with Bosch’s tradition of commitment to quality, this saw rocks excellent features that have made it very popular with most carpenters.
The table saw runs on a strong motor that pulls a maximum of 3,650 revolutions per minute (RPM), which is powerful enough to cut every workpiece that you throw at it.
Carpenters also like its innovative SquareLock rip fence that allows you to work comfortably, even with one hand, by sliding the workpiece on the rail for high accuracy.
Although heavy, Bosch did a commendable thing to add portability features that make it easy to move the saw to your worksite. Indeed, it is the innovative design that easily steals the show when you first set your eyes on it.
The gravity stand makes it easy to set the saw at different heights for greater working convenience. Further, it comes with pneumatic wheels that allow you to move the table saw easily on any surface.
Specs
- Weight: 124.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 39 x 29.8 x 21 inches
- Power source: corded electric
- Warranty Description: One-year warranty
Pros
- Easy to set up using its innovative stand
- Can be used for a wide range of cutting tasks
- Designed with a mitering gauge for angle cuts
- Strong and durable
Cons
- Expensive
Buying Guide
Now that you know the best track saws and table saws on the market, it is time to pick the perfect piece for your work. Here, we are going to take a closer look at the two types of saws to differentiate them and tell you the key features to help you pick the best.
The Difference Between Track Saw And Table Saw
Track saws are designed with circular blades that are mounted on arbors and driven by motors. They are preferred for making accurate and clean cuts. They are preferred for making cutting wood easy, fast and convenient.
A track saw, just like a table saw, uses a circular blade, but that is where the similarities end. With a track saw, you can make long straight cuts promptly and with high precision. This makes it a highly reliable power saw in a workshop or worksite.
Unlike table saws, track saws are smaller and light, so you can easily move them from one worksite to another. Although some table saws are mounted on wheels for easy movement, we agree with most carpenters they are still too bulky.
Things To Consider When Buying A Track Saw Or Table Saw
Power
The work you can do with a track saw or table saw depends on the strength of its motor. So, if you have a lot of wood to cut with your table saw or track saw, you better go for the one with more power and high revolutions per minute (RPM).
Brand
If you listen to carpenters who have used table saws and track saws, some of them have sad stories of how they got confused by sellers and bought the wrong models.
Ease Of Blade Adjustments
When working on a job in the workshop or worksite, extended downtime can result in unnecessary delays. Therefore, consider only the models with tool-less adjustment systems.
Final Thoughts
While having both a table saw and track saw in your workshop might sound good, it is not always necessary. Track saws are powerful, lightweight, and portable saws that can be used to make most of the cuts that you can do with a table saw.
Therefore, if you want something that is mobile and that can be easily deployed in most worksites, a track saw will be a great option. However, if you want something that is more powerful, more versatile, and do not mind spending more cash, a table saw will be a good option.
While we stand with the pieces that we reviewed in this track saw vs table saw comparison, the Makita SP6000J Track Saw was the best of them all. It is powerful, versatile, and comes with features that no carpenter would want to miss.
