< Back to Saws

Table Saws

Table saws are for ripping sheet and timber dead straight, all day, without fighting the cut.

When you're breaking down ply for kitchens, trimming doors, or batching out stud and trim, a decent site saw saves time and keeps edges clean. Look for solid fences that stay square, a proper riving knife, and enough table support for long rips.

What Jobs Are Table Saws Best At?

  • Ripping full sheets of ply, OSB, and MDF down to cabinet and carcass sizes when you need repeatable cuts that actually match on install day.
  • Batch cutting stud, CLS, and trim to width on first fix, where a fence you can trust is quicker than marking every piece and chasing the line.
  • Trimming doors, worktops, and panel products on refurb jobs when you need a straight edge that's ready to finish, not a rough cut that needs planing back.
  • Running long rip saw cuts in hardwood and softwood for joinery work, using the riving knife and guard properly to keep the cut open and the timber under control.

Choosing the Right Table Saws

Sorting the right one is simple: match the saw to what you rip most, and how often you move it.

1. Portable table saws vs bench saws

If you're in and out of jobs and setting up in a garage or on a landing, portable table saws with a folding stand are the sensible choice. If the saw lives in one spot and you want more stability and support, a bench saw is less hassle and usually feels calmer through the cut.

2. Blade size and cut capacity

250mm table saws are a common sweet spot for site saws because they give you useful depth without turning the saw into a lump to move. If you're mainly ripping sheet, fence accuracy and table support matter more than chasing the biggest blade.

3. Fence and table support (the make-or-break)

If the fence doesn't lock square and stay put, you'll be chasing widths all day and burning edges. For rip saw work on long lengths, prioritise a fence that clamps solid, plus side support or outfeed options so the board doesn't dip and pinch.

4. Safety kit you should not skip

Don't buy a saw without a proper riving knife and guard setup you will actually use. If you're ripping wet timber or sheet that wants to close up, that riving knife is what stops the cut grabbing and kicking back.

Who Uses Table Saws on Site?

  • Chippies and joiners breaking down sheet goods for kitchens, wardrobes, and second fix, because a stable fence makes repeat cuts quicker and cleaner.
  • Shopfitters and fit-out teams who need portable table saws for daily ripping and sizing without dragging full boards back to the workshop.
  • Maintenance and facilities lads doing doors, shelving, and repairs, where a compact bench saw is easier to store but still gets accurate rips when set up right.

The Basics: Understanding Table Saws

A table saw is simple on paper, but the results depend on how the cut is controlled. These are the bits that matter when you're choosing and setting one up on site.

1. Ripping vs crosscutting

Most table saws earn their keep on rip cuts, using the fence to keep the board straight and the width consistent. For crosscuts, you want a proper mitre gauge or sled setup, because trying to "freehand" across the blade is where accuracy and safety go out the window.

2. The riving knife (kickback control)

The riving knife sits behind the blade to keep the kerf open as you cut, stopping the timber from pinching the blade and firing back at you. On real site saws, it's one of the main reasons the cut feels controlled, especially in twisty or wet stock.

3. Fence alignment is what makes it "accurate"

Accuracy is not just the motor or the blade, it's whether the fence stays parallel to the blade and locks without shifting. If that's right, portable table saws can turn out clean, repeatable sizes that fit first time.

Shop Table Saws at ITS.co.uk

Whether you need compact site saws for daily fit-outs or larger bench saws for steady workshop ripping, ITS stocks the full spread of table saws, blades, and set-ups for real trade work. It's all held in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery, so you can get the right saw on site without losing a day.

Table Saws FAQs

Are portable table saws accurate enough for fine woodworking?

Yes, they can be, but only if you set them up properly and the fence is genuinely square and repeatable. For fine work, spend your time calibrating the fence and blade, use a sharp quality blade, and support the work properly so it does not sag or twist mid-cut.

What is a riving knife and why is it important?

A riving knife is the thin fin that sits behind the blade and follows it up and down, keeping the cut open as you rip. It massively reduces the chance of the material pinching the blade and kicking back, which is one of the nastiest table saw accidents on site.

Can I use a dado blade on a UK table saw?

Often no, and you should not assume you can. Many UK table saws are not designed or supplied for dado stacks, and you can run into guard, riving knife, arbor length, and compliance issues. If you need dados regularly, check the saw manual and the manufacturer's approved accessories first, otherwise use a router or track saw method instead.

What blade should I run for ripping sheet materials without chipping?

For ply and laminated boards, a higher tooth count blade helps keep the top face cleaner, but it needs to be sharp and suited to the material. If you are mainly ripping thicker timber, a dedicated rip blade cuts faster and runs cooler, but it will not leave as fine an edge on laminates.

Do I actually need dust extraction on a site saw?

Yes, if you want to see your line, keep the motor area clearer, and avoid coating the whole room in MDF dust. Even a decent extractor makes a big difference on portable table saws, especially indoors on refurbs where you cannot just let it fly.

Read more

Table Saws

Table saws are for ripping sheet and timber dead straight, all day, without fighting the cut.

When you're breaking down ply for kitchens, trimming doors, or batching out stud and trim, a decent site saw saves time and keeps edges clean. Look for solid fences that stay square, a proper riving knife, and enough table support for long rips.

What Jobs Are Table Saws Best At?

  • Ripping full sheets of ply, OSB, and MDF down to cabinet and carcass sizes when you need repeatable cuts that actually match on install day.
  • Batch cutting stud, CLS, and trim to width on first fix, where a fence you can trust is quicker than marking every piece and chasing the line.
  • Trimming doors, worktops, and panel products on refurb jobs when you need a straight edge that's ready to finish, not a rough cut that needs planing back.
  • Running long rip saw cuts in hardwood and softwood for joinery work, using the riving knife and guard properly to keep the cut open and the timber under control.

Choosing the Right Table Saws

Sorting the right one is simple: match the saw to what you rip most, and how often you move it.

1. Portable table saws vs bench saws

If you're in and out of jobs and setting up in a garage or on a landing, portable table saws with a folding stand are the sensible choice. If the saw lives in one spot and you want more stability and support, a bench saw is less hassle and usually feels calmer through the cut.

2. Blade size and cut capacity

250mm table saws are a common sweet spot for site saws because they give you useful depth without turning the saw into a lump to move. If you're mainly ripping sheet, fence accuracy and table support matter more than chasing the biggest blade.

3. Fence and table support (the make-or-break)

If the fence doesn't lock square and stay put, you'll be chasing widths all day and burning edges. For rip saw work on long lengths, prioritise a fence that clamps solid, plus side support or outfeed options so the board doesn't dip and pinch.

4. Safety kit you should not skip

Don't buy a saw without a proper riving knife and guard setup you will actually use. If you're ripping wet timber or sheet that wants to close up, that riving knife is what stops the cut grabbing and kicking back.

Who Uses Table Saws on Site?

  • Chippies and joiners breaking down sheet goods for kitchens, wardrobes, and second fix, because a stable fence makes repeat cuts quicker and cleaner.
  • Shopfitters and fit-out teams who need portable table saws for daily ripping and sizing without dragging full boards back to the workshop.
  • Maintenance and facilities lads doing doors, shelving, and repairs, where a compact bench saw is easier to store but still gets accurate rips when set up right.

The Basics: Understanding Table Saws

A table saw is simple on paper, but the results depend on how the cut is controlled. These are the bits that matter when you're choosing and setting one up on site.

1. Ripping vs crosscutting

Most table saws earn their keep on rip cuts, using the fence to keep the board straight and the width consistent. For crosscuts, you want a proper mitre gauge or sled setup, because trying to "freehand" across the blade is where accuracy and safety go out the window.

2. The riving knife (kickback control)

The riving knife sits behind the blade to keep the kerf open as you cut, stopping the timber from pinching the blade and firing back at you. On real site saws, it's one of the main reasons the cut feels controlled, especially in twisty or wet stock.

3. Fence alignment is what makes it "accurate"

Accuracy is not just the motor or the blade, it's whether the fence stays parallel to the blade and locks without shifting. If that's right, portable table saws can turn out clean, repeatable sizes that fit first time.

Shop Table Saws at ITS.co.uk

Whether you need compact site saws for daily fit-outs or larger bench saws for steady workshop ripping, ITS stocks the full spread of table saws, blades, and set-ups for real trade work. It's all held in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery, so you can get the right saw on site without losing a day.

Table Saws FAQs

Are portable table saws accurate enough for fine woodworking?

Yes, they can be, but only if you set them up properly and the fence is genuinely square and repeatable. For fine work, spend your time calibrating the fence and blade, use a sharp quality blade, and support the work properly so it does not sag or twist mid-cut.

What is a riving knife and why is it important?

A riving knife is the thin fin that sits behind the blade and follows it up and down, keeping the cut open as you rip. It massively reduces the chance of the material pinching the blade and kicking back, which is one of the nastiest table saw accidents on site.

Can I use a dado blade on a UK table saw?

Often no, and you should not assume you can. Many UK table saws are not designed or supplied for dado stacks, and you can run into guard, riving knife, arbor length, and compliance issues. If you need dados regularly, check the saw manual and the manufacturer's approved accessories first, otherwise use a router or track saw method instead.

What blade should I run for ripping sheet materials without chipping?

For ply and laminated boards, a higher tooth count blade helps keep the top face cleaner, but it needs to be sharp and suited to the material. If you are mainly ripping thicker timber, a dedicated rip blade cuts faster and runs cooler, but it will not leave as fine an edge on laminates.

Do I actually need dust extraction on a site saw?

Yes, if you want to see your line, keep the motor area clearer, and avoid coating the whole room in MDF dust. Even a decent extractor makes a big difference on portable table saws, especially indoors on refurbs where you cannot just let it fly.

View Basket

View Basket
ITS Click and Collect Icon
What3Words:
Get Directions
Store Opening Hours
Opening times