Best Hybrid Table Saws Reviewed & Tested

Criteria for Evaluation

To put together a list that covered table saws in multiple price ranges and with various capabilities, we had to dig through an enormous amount of competitor saws. Once we picked through the tons of saws to create a grouping of the most reliable and worthy tools, we still had to rank those. In order to conduct these evaluations and eventual rankings, we had to create a sort of criteria which we could reference and work from. Some of these criteria are obvious, like price, while others are more opinion based -like comfort. We did our best to rank and evaluate very different devices for very different niches as fairly as possible.

To help you understand how this was done, we have provided you with the list of criteria and an explanation of how we approached each one.

Keep in mind also, that the final “value” we put on a tool is entirely dependent on our fictional needs. It is your real and actual needs that will be the final decider on whether a tool is of value or not.

Price

Price is a fairly obvious metric and we approached it exactly how you would think we would. If a tool provided a significant amount of value to the work site and was priced low, it gained more points. If the saw only provided a very narrow range of abilities but was expensive- it would lose points.Comparing high-cost niche to low-cost niche tools is difficult and was done in a sort of price to value ratio comparison.

Power & Speed

Having the right RPM and Motor AMPs is of course important if you want to be cutting through the tougher types of materials. Saws that had a generally higher performance or a greater cutting ability were deemed to be of a higher value.

Features / Design

Most table saws are structured around accomplishing a certain task above all others. Others are made to give you a broad range of decent options. Whatever the purpose of the saw, those that were better designed and functioned as they should with minimal user interference gained a significant advantage.

Maneuverability/Weight

Many opt to go with a hybrid saw due to its ability to mesh together cutting ability with reasonable portability. Saws that were somewhat mobile, had attached wheels or were exceptionally light got a higher score in this area- as long as they were still durable enough to make good cuts.

Safety features

A few key features like a riving knife or blade guard can go a long way in preventing injury. There is a worryingly high injury rate for people working with table saws. You may think some feature is silly right up until the moment you need it.

How to Operate a Hybrid Table Saw: Safety Tips

Although the hybrid saw presents several advantages over its counterparts, it is also necessary to remain safe while using the saw.

Safety can be achieved by wearing protective gear while operating the table saw. For instance, safety goggles will prevent wood pecks and chips from getting into your eyes while you are working.

The choice of an appropriate blade for your saw will not only enhance efficiency, but also increase your safety while using the saw. Whenever the operator chooses an inappropriate blade, he or she increases the risk for a kickback. The severity of the kickback will determine the effect it causes. This is dependent upon the velocity with which the kickback occurs. In order to prevent this kind of occurrence, keep the blade sharp and clean and store it with a blade guard whenever it is not in use. The standing position of the operator can also reduce the risk of kickback. A table saw with a dust extractor is also safer as it will not lead to blade jam, dust inhalation, or explosion. The best safety measure is to acquire a saw that can break automatically once an electric charge change is detected. Such a saw is safe to use, as the blade will brake whenever it gets in touch with human flesh, reducing the number of amputation and laceration accidents remarkably.

In brief, the hybrid table saw is a typical saw that helps operators achieve their goal of cutting material, usually wood. The saws offer an added advantage in that they present the advantages of the parent saws combined. The models are different depending on the parent saws as well as the manufacturer. Nevertheless, the hybrid saws are operated as any other table saw, in that they require a saw blade to cut the material. The blade can be held closer to the object to develop a shallow cut, or away from the object to create a deeper cut. Moreover, the angle can be adjusted using a knob available on the saws. The fence can be used to ensure proper alignment as a measure to reduce flex. This ensures that the cut is smooth, straight, and clear.

Taking measures to reduce risk is essential since the hybrid table saw, just like any other power tool, is a dangerous tool to engage. Specific features that reduce the risk, including dust extractors and the ability to break automatically, will go a long way in ensuring that the operator does not regret ever buying the hybrid power saw. Essentially, while the tool is highly effective and faster, it is not risk proof. It is the responsibility of the operator to follow the guidelines in ensuring safety during its usage.

FAQs

While most people looking for hybrid table saws have a pretty good idea of what they are doing and what they are looking for, a number of people who are just starting to learn about these tools will often read these guides and ask us questions. These are some of the most common questions regarding table saws and saws in general.

What are the Different Types of Table Saws?

There are plenty of different tables saw types, and many tools that fall somewhere in between the basic types, there are also different ways to classify them.The portability of a saw is a common classification method.

The portable saws are the job site and compact table saws.These usually come with either wheels or some folding action for increased portability. Benchtop saws are not standalone, rather they require a bench or table from which to be mounted, they are smaller for this reason and also considered portable. Stationary saws like the big cabinet saw and the hybrid saw are made to stay in a single area. Some hybrid saws features some portable functions.

Benchtop Saws

Small, low cost and easy to move around. These are the smallest of the table saws. This small size means that they are made from lighter materials, and are not capable of making some of the more difficult cuts.Good for garages and small workshops. Used by Pros and hobbyists alike.

Compact table saws

These are generally slightly larger bench top saws– and will typically contain a few more features and functions. Compact table saws are an attempt to meet in the middle between a benchtop saw and a full stand alone saw.

“Jobsite saws” / “Contractor table saws”

Tougher than the other portable saws, these are the high-end portable work saws, made to be light enough to move around but powerful enough to make some serious cuts. These saws usually come with a host of features and add-ons.

Contractor saws

These are the standard professional saw utilizing a belt drive and large outboard induction motors. These are much less common due to the advancements in other areas of table saw production.

Hybrid Saw

Somewhere between the old style contractor saws and the large hefty cabinet saws, are the hybrid table saws. These are hard to pin down in terms of universal features, and two hybrid saws can be very different from one another.

Cabinet Saws

Large, powerful and made to last. Cabinet saws are the biggest and baddest table saws around.

What Should I consider in Saw Blade Selection?

Once you know a blade that’s the right size for your saw, you are going to want to check the teeth configuration as well as either the material of the blade or the material the teeth are tipped with.The teeth work by chipping away at the target material, these chips cause buildup called chip load. The wrong tooth configuration on your blade could create a bad chip load and can lead to serious issues.

What is the Relevance of the AMP of a Saw?

AMP is short for amplifier and is relates to the overall power of the the saw. The higher the AMP, the more power the saw can put into each rotation.

The horsepower of a saw is directly correlated with the AMPs. A two-horsepower table saw will draw anywhere between 18 and 24 amps. 2 horsepower is enough to get through wood about 2” thick.

What is a _____ object?

Blade Guard.

While many woodworkers don’t like to use a blade guard since it gets in the way of measurements and making accurate cuts, using one is the best way to preserve your fingers.

A blade guard sits over the blade and helps keep you fingers and extremities at a safe distance.

Riving Knife.

A metal plate that moves with your saw blade to help eliminate kickback.

It is a splitter that lays behind the table saw blade to prevent kickback from stock distortion — a relatively common occurrence during ripping operations.

Dust Collection

Running a saw can kick up a huge amount of dust that can quickly clog up your tool or create unsafe working conditions. Most saws try and help you deal with the dust in one way or another. Some saws collect dust very well, others seem to just be able to help you pile it up a bit better at the outset.

The Fence

The fence lies along the rails and allows you to make horizontal and vertical adjustments. Usually you will be using a commercial “T-square” fence, which is easy to use and tweak.

Making Your Decision

Okay, so between the list of table saws, the criteria from which we examined them, the breakdown of the major features, and the frequently asked questions we should have covered enough ground to help you begin to understand what table saw will be right for your needs. Buying expensive power tools can be a frustrating task and we hope to have simplified it as much as possible.

So whether you are looking for a smaller garage saw, or something that can help you churn out dozens of beautiful cuts in a short period – there is something here to fit your needs. Good luck – and remember – build smart, build safe, and build big.