Table Saw
A stationary saw for ripping and repeatable cuts.
A table saw uses a circular blade rising through a table with a fence or miter gauge. It excels at ripping, sheet breakdown with support, dados, grooves, and repeatable dimensioning.
Power tools and machinery
Saws
Woodworking saws cut solid wood, sheet goods, joinery parts, curves, miters, and repeatable lengths with power, accuracy, and support.
What to Know About Saws
A powered saw uses a rotating or reciprocating blade to remove a kerf from wood. Saw type determines whether the blade is stationary or portable, straight or scroll-cutting, sized for panels or curves, and optimized for rough breakdown or finish-ready cuts.
Working principle
The blade teeth sever fibers while the table, fence, track, base, or guide supports the work. Accuracy depends on blade choice, feed direction, stable support, and keeping the work controlled through the full cut.
Major Types
Choose by cut shape, work size, portability, repeatability, and how the work will be supported.
Miter Saw
A pivoting saw for crosscuts and angled cuts.
A miter saw brings a circular blade down through the work. It is fast for trim, frame parts, rough length cuts, and repeated miters when the stock is supported.
Circular Saw
A portable saw for rough and site cuts.
A circular saw carries the blade in a handheld base. It breaks down boards and sheet goods, especially when guided by a straightedge and backed by safe support.
Track Saw
A plunge saw guided by a rail.
A track saw rides on a guide rail for accurate straight cuts in panels, doors, and large stock. The track supports the cut line and reduces the need to wrestle sheet goods over a table saw.
Band Saw
A continuous-loop blade for curves, ripping, and resawing.
A band saw uses a narrow blade running around wheels. It handles curves, thick stock, resawing, and safer rough shaping because the cutting force pushes down into the table.
Scroll Saw
A fine reciprocating saw for intricate curves.
A scroll saw uses a thin up-and-down blade for detailed pierced work, fretwork, and tight curves. It is slow but controlled on thin material.
Jigsaw
A handheld reciprocating saw for curves and openings.
A jigsaw cuts curves, interior openings, and rough shapes with a narrow blade. Blade quality and support affect cut cleanliness and wandering.
Panel Saw
A vertical or horizontal saw for sheet goods.
A panel saw supports large sheets while the saw travels through the panel. It is useful where full sheets are common and shop space or handling is a concern.
Common Woodworking Uses
- Ripping boards and breaking down sheet goods.
- Crosscutting parts to length.
- Cutting curves, templates, and rough shapes.
- Resawing boards into thinner stock.
- Cutting miters, bevels, dados, and grooves with the right setup.
Choosing Saws
- Choose the saw around the cuts you repeat most.
- Plan material support before focusing on motor size.
- Match blade tooth count and grind to rip, crosscut, plywood, or curve work.
- Consider dust collection, blade guards, riving knives, and shop footprint as part of the purchase.
Setup
- Use sharp blades suited to the material.
- Set fences, tracks, and stops from a verified reference.
- Support long stock and sheet goods throughout the cut.
- Make test cuts before cutting final parts.
Accessories and Consumables
- Riving knife
- Miter gauge
- Crosscut sled
- Track clamps
- Outfeed support
- Saw blades
- Blade cleaner
- Zero-clearance inserts
- Splinter guards
Maintenance
- Clean pitch from blades.
- Check alignment of fences, tracks, tables, and miter slots.
- Inspect cords, guards, brakes, and switches.
- Replace dull or damaged blades before they burn or wander.
Safety
- Use guards, riving knives, push sticks, and push blocks where the operation allows.
- Keep hands out of the blade path and never reach over a moving blade.
- Stand clear of likely kickback paths.
- Let blades stop before removing offcuts.
Companies & Brands
Companies are grouped by the products they currently make for this type of woodworking.
AltendorfSliding table saws and panel saw systems.Bosch ToolsTable saws, miter saws, circular saws, jigsaws, and track saws.DEWALTTable saws, miter saws, circular saws, jig saws, and track saws.FelderSliding table saws, band saws, and woodworking machines.FestoolTrack saws, miter saws, jigsaws, and cutting systems.Grizzly IndustrialTable saws, bandsaws, scroll saws, and woodworking saws.JET ToolsTable saws, bandsaws, scroll saws, and shop saws.Laguna ToolsBandsaws and woodworking machinery.MafellPortable woodworking saws and cutting systems.MakitaCircular saws, miter saws, jig saws, and track saws.Metabo HPTMiter saws, table saws, circular saws, and powered saws.Milwaukee ToolCircular saws, miter saws, jigsaws, and band saws.Oliver MachineryTable saws, band saws, and woodworking saw machines.PowermaticCabinet saws, bandsaws, and scroll saws.RIKON Power ToolsBandsaws, scroll saws, and shop machines.SawStopTable saws with blade-brake safety technology.SCMWoodworking saws, panel saws, and production saw systems.