Table saws and circular saws have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to find the right option for your needs. Continue reading for a brief comparison of circular saws vs. table saws.
What Is a Circular Saw?
Before comparing circular and table saws, you need to understand the features and capabilities of each tool. A circular saw is a handheld portable power saw. With the proper blade, a circular saw can cut various materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.
Keep in mind that if you’re unfamiliar with using a circular saw, it can be difficult to cut straight lines. Although circular saws are more affordable than table saws, it’s not as easy to make precise cuts. However, if you’re looking for portability, a circular saw is a great option. If you opt for a cordless option, you can easily move it around your shop. A circular saw is a useful, versatile tool that can make many cuts, but if precision is your primary goal, a table saw will always reign supreme.
What Is a Table Saw?
As the name suggests, a table saw is a much larger piece of equipment than a circular saw. A table saw has a blade in a fixed position that pokes through the table surface. The operator pushes the wood through the blade to make the cut. Due to the stable surface and fixed blade, it’s easy to make accurate, clean cuts with a table saw. However, a table saw can only cut wood, whereas a circular saw can slice through a variety of materials.
You can adjust the blade of a table saw depending on the type of project you’re working on. A table saw can make straight cuts, miter cuts, bevel cuts, and rip cuts. Although a table saw is quite bulky, it’s possible to purchase a portable one that folds up for easy storage. Overall, if you have a large piece of wood you need to precisely cut into smaller pieces, a table saw is the way to go.
Circular Saws vs. Table Saws
Now that you have a clear idea of both tools, you can more easily compare circular saws vs. table saws. In terms of size, circular saws are handheld and easy to move from one location to another. Table saws are stationary and lay flat, so they’ll take up more room in your shop. However, as mentioned above, you can find a folding table saw if you’re short on space and need to store it when not in use.
Circular saws can cut through several materials but make fewer, less precise cuts. Table saws only cut wood, but the cuts are more accurate. Due to its size and capabilities, a table saw will cost more than a budget-friendly circular saw. Lastly, a handheld circular saw can be messy in terms of sawdust output. A table saw also produces sawdust, but you can often find one with an attachment that collects the dust before it makes a mess in your shop.
At Kaka Industrial, we offer a wide variety of professional fabrication equipment, including the perfect industrial circular saws for your needs. Browse our selection to find the best one for your next project.