Table Saw Vs Chop Saw: Diyers Will Probably Suffice by One of Them

Table Saw Vs Chop Saw: A Toe-To-Toe Comparison

To keep this article nice and tidy, I’ll start comparing both types of saws based on design, features, uses, etc. This way, you should be able to pinpoint the differences and pick the saw that would work the best for you.

Design

It doesn’t take an expert to tell the table and chop saws apart. They come with notably unique builds that are optimized to serve different sets of functions.

Table Saws

Table saws have widely versatile and variable designs that fit different experience levels.

Professional and heavy-duty workers use models that stand by themselves. These models usually have a large working area that accepts longer and wider pieces of wood.

The cutting blade protrudes out of the working area through a slit. Through an auxiliary motor, the blade can be lowered and raised to facilitate the cutting operation.

The models dedicated to amateurs share the same gist and blade functionality. However, they’re usually built as small, compact tabletop units. And as you can tell, it’s not logical to expect them to be that powerful. 

Chop Saws

Chop saws feature a drop-down build with a circular blade. Unlike table saws, you won’t typically see the same versatility with these ones. Brands compete in enlarging their sizes and strength, but they rarely deviate from the tabletop design.

They always have a large handle with which you can lower the cutting blade onto what you’re cutting. And obviously, there’s a large slit in the working area in which the blade enters.

To protect the user, chop saws often have a swiveling guard built over the blade. This ensures that no shrapnel or splinters can reach the user’s eyes. Nevertheless, it’s always mandatory to wear your usual safety gear.

Blade

Analyzing the blade material should tell you everything you need to know about the differences in uses.

It’s important to note that you can find lots of different blades with varying strengths and various applications. But to keep things simple, I’ll base my comparison on the default, most common choices.

Table Saws

Most table saws come with basic circular blades with moderately cutting teeth. They can efficiently cut through different types of wood with all sorts of thicknesses. But they may get severely damaged if you attempt to cut through metal.

Chop Saws

Nearly all chop saws are equipped with large, abrasive discs that can go through almost everything. They may or may not have sharp edges and cutting teeth; this primarily depends on the brand.

Accuracy and Allowable Cuts

Due to their limited adjustability, both table and chop saws can be a bit unsatisfactory for people who want delicate, precise cuts. In this case, you won’t find anything better than miter saws.

But to be fair, table saws are slightly better than chop saws at this point.

In elaborate models, the blade of table saws can tilt inside a limited range to make bevel cuts. And although they’re not capable of making miter cuts by default, you can achieve pretty amazing results by getting a standalone miter gauge. But making compound cuts would be extremely hard, especially when compared to miter saws.

With chop saws, you’re basically limited to 90-degree, straight cuts. Some models can make miter cuts, but the results aren’t that great most of the time. Also, it’s technically impossible to make bevel cuts with this type.

Price

Comparing the size of the two models can be a bit tricky. As I said earlier, table saws can be built as self-standing or tabletop models. And because chop saws are only available in tabletop forms, many people think that table saws are generally pricier.

If you compare the same designs, you’ll find that the price difference isn’t that significant. Tabletop models usually cost about $150. Larger table saws can cost more than $500. Opting for reputable brands, like Bosch, will probably fatten the price tag even more.