What size table saw do I need?

10-inch compact/job site saws handle 95% of woodworking tasks. They cut through 3-inch-thick material at 90 degrees. Full-size cabinet saws are for dedicated workshops with heavy daily use. 8-1/4 inch saws are lighter but limit max cut depth. For most people, a 10-inch compact saw is the right choice.

How accurate should a table saw fence be?

A good fence should maintain parallelism to the blade within 1/64 inch over its full length. At 1/32 inch deviation, cuts will show visible taper. At 1/16 inch, the work is unusable for fine woodworking. Check fence alignment with a dial indicator or by measuring from the blade at the front and back of the fence.

Best Compact Table Saws 2026