Belt-driven table saws are a serious commitment. These heavy-duty saws cost significantly more than any other saw and require more space and maintenance.
As you can see, It is for only those who are very serious about their woodworking projects.
So when and why did you make that decision to get one?
Are you working on a project that requires more precise and cleaner cuts?
Or do you need something with a cut depth of 3 to 4 inches thick?
Maybe you had enough with the saw that doesn’t provide enough firepower to match your project and want to replace it with something stronger.
If the answer to all these questions is yes, you’ll certainly need a belt-driven table saw.
What exactly is a Belt Driven Table Saw?
Belt-driven table saw are a type of saw driven by a belt instead of a direct connection to the motor. It uses the belt to rotate the blade, driven by an electric motor. These saws are typically more powerful and have a higher speed than other saws.
Belt-driven table saw’s blades rotate at a higher speed than those directly connected to the motor. This can be helpful when making very precise cuts or when working with hardwoods.
Belt driven saw vs. direct drive table saw: what are the major differences?
Table saws can be largely divided into two categories based on their motor types: belt-driven vs. direct drive.
If you are on a tight budget or don’t need a lot of power, a direct drive table saw might be a better choice. Also, these direct drive table saws are typically more affordable and easier to maintain.
The catch here is that they are not as powerful as belt-driven saws.
So, belt-driven table saws are a good fit for you if you need a powerful saw that has more cutting power. However, they are also more expensive and can be more difficult to maintain.
Pros
- Belt driven saw are much quieter than direct-drive saws
- Belt driven saws are Ideal for cutting materials that are thicker than 3 inches
- Belt driven table saws tend to last longer
- Direct drive table saws are less powerful
- Direct drive table saw have a higher risk of kickback
- Belt driven table saw can be controlled easily
- Belt driven table saw produces less dust and debris buildup
Cons
- The belts need to be replaced every few years
- Belt driven table saws can be more expensive to repair and do maintenance
Best belt driven table saw – 5 best Picks of 2022
JET 708674PK 10″ Deluxe XACTA Saw
Do you want a table saw that cuts through any wood lumber as smooth as butter?
This 30-inch belt-driven table saw won’t disappoint you at all. Its three-horsepower motor can slick through any wood, yet your safety won’t be compromised. Its blade guard also includes a side guard, so it doesn’t have any chance of cutting your skin.
The table is made with cast iron, the best material for table saws. So its table will be lasting for quite a long time to come. Also, the fence is easy to adjust and lock, making it possible to get a precise cut every time.
The Poly-V belt JET 708674PK is much more flexible and produces less noise, despite being thinner than a regular V belt.
Pros
Very little dust buildup due to the fully shrouded blade and built-in port
The warranty is up to 5 year
its rotation per minute of 4300 is enough for big woodworking jobs
Excellent safety features for the operator as it includes a high-quality blade guard and overload protection as well
Cons
The parts are expensive to replace
SawStop 10-Inch Professional Cabinet Saw.
This SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw is a must-have if you are looking for a powerful table saw that comes with all necessary safety features.
Being one of the pioneers of woodworking safety, It’s a power saw with a 3 HP motor, and it can handle just about any project you throw at it. The cast-iron tabletop is extremely sturdy, and the fence system is very accurate, making this a great choice for serious woodworkers. Its state-of-the-art skin detection system instantly shuts down the saw as soon as it detects human skin.
Pros
Its mobile base makes it very easy to move around
dust collection blade guard Eliminates even the tiniest of the sawdust particles
It’s lighter than other belt is driven table saw with similar features
High-quality fence system makes it one of the best precision table saw
Cons
It is a bit costly
Bosch Power Tools 4100-10 Table Saw
Are you looking for a Jobsite table saw that doesn’t lag in power or ripping quality? Bosch Power Tools 4100-10 Table Saw is one of the best belt-driven Jobsite table saws you will ever get your hands on.
This Bosch Power Tools 4100-10 Table Saw has a strong motor with a horsepower of 4. With a rotations rate of 3650 per minute, it can cut down 3 to 4 inches of pine or any wood like a knife slicing down your favorite cheesecakes!
With a 10-inch blade and a max rip capacity of 25 inches, this saw can handle various projects. It also has a built-in dust collection system to keep your workspace clean.
Pros
It is very lightweight, and portable
Comes with a stand to set it up and get to work right away.
it is very affordable for all the features it includes
It has an anti-kickback system that eliminates kickbacks quite successfully
Cons
The tabletop is not made with cast iron
comes with a one-year warranty.
SKIL 10 Inch Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw with Stand
The SKIL 10 Inch Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw with Stand is one of the best-rated table saws on the market, and for a good reason. It is quite a powerful, yet portable table saw which comes packed with great cutting power.
Its worm drive motor provides way more torque than table saws with similar power. This enables you to cut down woods that are otherwise impossible with its 2.2 HP motor. It’s not just the horsepower; its 5000 RPM is the highest amongst its counterparts.
Pros
Great for home wood shops and can be used for professional use.
Very lightweight and portable
Provides the most torque and cutting power compared to other saws of its category
Comes with a rack and pinion style fence for many precise cuts
Quite affordable despite such high-quality cutting power
Cons
The cord should be a bit longer.
Powermatic PM1000
The Powermatic PM1000 is designed for serious woodworkers. It is built to last and will provide the user with years of reliable service.
It has a cast iron table that is well made for providing precise cuts machined and a powerful motor that makes it easy to cut through even the hardest woods. Some woodworkers may feel slightly concerned as it has a 1.75 horsepower, but its 4200 rpm rate certainly makes up for it.
The saw also has a great quality dust collection system that keeps the work area clean and a blade guard that protects the operator from the blade. Most importantly, it is designed so you can change the blade with just one hand!
Pros
Very easy to adjust
Excellent rpm rate of 4200
One of the best table saw for home woodshop owners
Does not overheat
built-in bevel angle adjustment makes it effortless to find the angle
Cons
It is a bit costly
Things to consider when choosing a belt-driven table saw
Belt-driven table saws are designed for heavy-duty use and can handle a variety of materials. But as not all of them are made equal, Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the best belt-driven table saw.
- Blade
Blade Size:
The blade size is the most important factor when choosing a belt-driven table saw. There are typically three sizes available; these are 15-inch, 12-inch and lastly, the 10-inch blades.
If you are cutting thick materials, you will need a powerful saw with a large blade. If you only need to make small cuts, then a smaller saw blade will be fine. But do keep in mind that larger blades do not necessarily provide precise cuts.
Blade type and Teeth
Another thing to consider is the type of blade you need and the teeth of the blade. It will depend on whether your project requires a crosscutting, ripping or combination blade if you need both. Astable saws are mostly used for cutting thicker and stronger panels and wood sheets; you will need a combination blade as it requires both cross-cutting and ripping.
As for the teeth, if you are getting a 10-inch blade, then get a blade that has 50 teeth. If your project requires a 12-inch blade, 60 teeth blades are a better option.
Motor power:
Horsepower
Are you working on a project in which you are likely to work on thick woods, probably thicker than 3 inches or more? Then you need a table saw that has a horsepower of a minimum of 3. But if you need to cut through wood that is not more than 2 inches thick, then a motor that has a horsepower of 2 will be plenty.
Rotation per minute
Your table saw needs to have enough RPM to match your project’s needs. Generally, a belt-driven saw with 3000 to 4000 RPM can handle most professional woodworking projects. You can also go for a higher RPM, but a higher RPM will reduce your saw’s lifespan due to overheating.
Voltage
Many belt-driven table saw models might require a different type of power outlet as they run on 240V current.
Table
Make sure the table of the saw you are getting is durable and does not warp after prolonged use. Table saws that are made with cast iron are less likely to warp.
Safety
Losing a finger or getting a nasty injury is very common in the woodworking community. Each year there are over 30000 table saw-related injuries get reported. So, always check that your belt-driven table saw includes safety features like a blade guard or doesn’t have strong kickbacks before purchasing.
FAQ:
Is a direct drive table saw better than a belt drive?
These two motor types are built and used for different purposes. Direct drives are better equipped to handle smaller projects as they are made with less horsepower than a belt drive.
What is the best table saw to purchase?
It will depend on what woodworking task you are doing. If you are working at a job site, you need a portable Jobsite table saw like the Bosch 4100-10 Table Saw or SKIL Worm Drive Table Saw. However, if you have a woodworking shop at home or need to cut woods that are quite tough, you should pick any belt-driven table saw from what I have recommended here. But if you are ready to spare some extra money, JET 708674PK is the best belt-driven table saw for the money.
Is the Delta 36 725t2 BELT DRIVEN?
Yes, Delta 36 725t2 comes equipped with an adjustable belt drive table saw.
Is a worm drive table saw better?
A worm drive table saw is certainly more powerful than a standard table saw. So it can handle tougher cuts and larger pieces of wood. These saws are also more compact. This makes it easier to transport and store. A worm drive table saw is more durable and won’t need to be replaced as often either.
Most importantly, a worm drive table saw is more affordable than a standard table saw. So this makes it a great option for anyone on a budget.
Conclusion
All the belt-driven table saws I have listed here are trusted by professional woodworkers who have been in this industry for decades. These belt-driven table saws can be a very good investment for someone who wants to be in the woodworking game for a long time.
It’s not just because these heavy-duty saws can cut down much more and cut through tougher woods. Like any best belt-driven table saw, they will ensure that you don’t lose your finger or skin and be safe for a long time to come.
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