Our table saw beginner’s guide will cover:

• What is a Table Saw?
• Table Saw vs. Other Saws: Choosing the Right Tool
• Table Saw Key Features
• What Is a Table Saw Good For?
• Table Saw Safety Tips

• Why Choose the Evolution TBL+ Table Saw?

What is a Table Saw?

A table saw is a versatile woodworking tool used primarily for cutting large boards and making precise joints. Unlike a miter or circular saw, you move the material to the blade, which offers more control, - especially for larger workpieces.

Table saws have adjustable blade heights so you can set different cut heights for both full and partial depth (trench) cuts. You can also angle the blade to provide accurate bevel cuts and include mitre guides/sliding bed inserts that allow for compound cuts.

Are Table Saws Worth It?

A table saw is considered a staple in the workshop. They are an excellent addition where accuracy and versatility are needed, especially if you are working on larger projects or using them for repetitive cutting. We cover some of the main pros and cons below.

Advantages:

• Excellent control for long straight cuts that require a high degree of accuracy Supports a wide range of joints and cuts.
• Efficient and powerful. Can handle high levels of cuts of varying depths with both accuracy and speed.
• Can be paired with accessories for enhanced performance.

Limitations:

• Heavy and less mobile - you need a dedicated space to store and use.
• Can require a second person to operate for large boards.
• Accuracy depends on the quality of the rip fence and the flatness of your table.

Table Saw vs. Other Saws: Choosing the Right Tool

Choosing the correct saw for the job can have a huge impact on the efficiency and standard it’s completed to. A table saw is often compared to a miter saw, circular (track) saw or band saw. When selecting the right saw, understanding the differences is essential. Here's a quick comparison:

Tool	Best For	Key Advantages	Limitations
Table Saw	Long rip cuts in large materials Creating joints	Controlled material movement & repetitive accuracy	Less portable. Risk of kickback
Miter Saw	Accurate angle cross cuts and bevel cuts	Easy to use for angled cuts, accurate and safe	Limited board size and cut capacity
Track Saw	Long straight cuts on large pieces of wood	Portable, accurate rip cuts. Normally the cheapest option	Slower for repeat cuts. Track or guide is required for accurate straight line cuts
Band Saw	Curves, irregular shapes in large boards	Cuts curves and resaws well. Less kickback than table saws	Not ideal for long rips or straight lines. Blade change is time consuming

Table Saw Key Features

Table Saw terminology can be confusing for the beginner. Here we break down the key features of a table saw and demystify some of the jargon you will commonly come across.

Sled

A sled is designed to support the workpiece and guide it smoothly through the blade. It is used to make accurate, consistent and repeatable cuts. It’s especially useful on cross cuts (cutting across the wood grain), and to reduce the risk of tear-out (wood splitting across the cut line).

Miter Gauge

A miter gauge allows a table saw to make cuts at a variety of different angles. This generally works alongside a rip fence and often a top clamp that secures the piece being cut.

Push stick

A push stick is used to push your work piece over the blade. It replaces the need to put your hand near the blade, reducing the risk of any accidents.

Table (or Outfeed) Support

When the piece you’re cutting is larger than the table, it can bend, especially if the material is thin. This could cause the workpiece to fall, catch or fly off. A table support extends beyond the saws main table. These are often adjustable and allow for better control when cutting large or wide boards. It helps the piece stay flat which makes the cut more accurate and the saw safer to use.

Riving Knife

A riving knife is a safety device that is designed to prevent the workpiece jamming which could cause a kickback. It sits behind the blade and creates a constant kerf (the space created by the saw blade).

Blade Guard

A blade guard is another table saw safety device. It’s normally a plastic cover that fixes to the riving knife and covers the majority of the blade. They are often clear, so the user can still see the blade while operating the saw. The blade guards purpose is to prevent fingers (and other foreign objects) from getting too close to the rotating blade.

Throat Plate

The throat plate is an insert that covers the blade opening on the table. This allows the blade to pass up and through the table, while also leaving enough room for it to bevel. The gap in the plate is small to prevent small pieces of debris making 2nd contact with the blade. It’s removable to allow you to clear out the blade housing of any small pieces of debris that do fall down.

Rip Fence

The rip fence is a cutting guide when using the saw. Its purpose is to help keep your material straight which will improve cutting accuracy. Ensuring the fence is securely fixed to the rails before use will help prevent your wood from moving, which could trap the blade and cause kickback.

Rip Fence Adjustment Systems

Different table saws come with different rip fence adjustment systems. Our TBL range all have a Rack & Pinion system, which are considered by many experienced woodworkers to be preferable to alternative slide systems. Rack and Pinion systems are known for durability, precision and ease of adjustment.

What Is a Table Saw Good For?

While a table saw isn’t the most mobile of saws, it is versatile. Being able to move the material to the blade rather than taking the blade to the material, and having practically no size restrictions, means you can complete lots of different cuts, and create lots of different joints.

 

Common Table Saw Joints and Cuts

Tongue and Groove

A popular technique used to create a flush finish, commonly found in flooring, cladding and wall panelling.

Advantages:

• Strong and stable, interlocked panels provide good structural strength when using wood glue.
• Self-aligning, minimal gaps creating a clean and finished look .
• Great for flooring as it provides a degree of insulation and weather resistance.

Disadvantages:

• Weak without glue.
• Multiple passes will be needed.
• Difficult to disassemble, especially with the use of glue.

Mortise and Tenon

Known for its exceptional structural integrity, mortise and tenon joints are used in furniture making, typically tables, chairs and beds. Using a right angle to join two pieces of wood together, this woodworking method has been used for thousands of years.

Advantages:

• Reliable and strong.
• Resistant to contortion.
• Perfect for furniture, like chair arms and table legs.

Disadvantages

• May require other tools to make the mortise.
• Can be quite heavy.
• Vulnerable to wood expansion/retraction.

Miter Joints

Miter joints are a common joint where two pieces of wood are cut at an angle (usually 45 degrees) and joined together to create a clean finish. Typically used to create picture frames, door trims and molding giving a seamless finish.

Advantages:

• Easy and fast to make.
• Can create corners of multiple angles.
• Ideal for non-load bearing applications like frames.

Disadvantages:

• Slight imperfections can cause gaps to form
• Prone to splitting at the corners
• Not good at holding weight

Finger Joint

A finger joint, also known as a box joint or comb joint is a woodworking method that interlocks two pieces of wood together. Typically this woodworking technique is used to create boxes, cabinets and drawers and is even used to create longer pieces of material.

Advantages:

• Consistent depth due to blade height control
• Strong, lots of places to apply glue
• Resistant to shear

Disadvantages:

• Poor weather resistance
• Weaker than dovetail joints
• Not good at handling tension

Popular Cuts You Can Make With a Table Saw

Rip Cuts

A rip cut is a straight cut along the grain for narrowing boards.

Cross Cuts

A crosscut is when you cut across the grain. Mainly for shortening boards.

Both cuts are mainly used for narrowing boards.

To make these joints, you’ll need to use a rip fence, a miter gauge, and maybe additional accessories. It’s critical that these pieces of equipment are used for accuracy, as well as safety.

Table Saw Health and Safety Tips

For many woodworkers, the table saw is at the heart of the workshop, but it’s also the tool that causes the most injuries. Cuts and amputations are a real risk, as is kickback - which is when a piece of wood gets thrown back towards the user's side of the saw.

So, whether you are thinking of buying a table saw, or are an experienced table saw user, make sure you read our separate blog called Table Saw Safety Tips.

We’ve summarised and listed our Top 10 health and safety tips below:

1. Always support your material & keep it flat while making the cut
2. Always use the blade guard or riving knife
3. Always use a push stick
4. Always Apply 3 Pressures to your material: Forward, Down, and Inward
5. Always make sure the blade is set to the appropriate height
6. Connect a dust extractor
7. Always wear personal protection equipment (PPE ) including eye protection
8. Use the rip fence for any board that’s longer than it is wide
9. Never start the saw while the material you’re cutting is touching the blade
10. Never stand directly in the path of the blade

Setting Up and Calibrating Your Table Saw

Accurate setup is essential for safe, high-quality work. A properly aligned table saw is one of the most accurate machines you will ever operate. If your saw’s components aren’t accurately aligned your cuts won’t be accurate.

All table saws will need an element of set up and calibration before first use.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Square or digital angle reader
• Ruler
• Allen keys or screwdrivers (unless using Evolution's TBL+)

Steps:

1. Align the blade to 90° and 45° using a square or angle reader. Align the blade parallel to the T-slot (Evolutions TBL+ models use a tool-free patented alignment knob)
2. Align the rip fence with the blade
3. Adjust the throat plate so it's flush to the table
4. To get the best out of your Evo saw watch the Evolution setup and calibration video

Why Choose the Evolution R255TBL+ Table Saw?

The R255TBL+ stands out as one of the top-rated jobsite table saws on the market, blending precision, power, portability, and safety at a price point well under that of the big brands. Here’s why it’s a compelling choice for both pros and serious DIYers:

Precision & Calibration

• Dual rack & pinion rip fence ensures parallel, repeatable cuts with zero drift
• Patented blade-to-fence parallelism knob allows tool-free fine-tuning to maintain perfect alignment
• Geared micro-adjustable bevel mechanism delivers accurate bevel cuts up to 45° (±2° fine-tuning)

Power & Versatility

• Powerful 1,800W hi-torque motor with softstart and overload protection for both wood and metal cutting
• Supplied with a 255 mm, 28 tooth multimaterial blade capable of cutting wood, metals, plastics, composites and more
• General wood and fine wood specific blades are available for finer cuts and premium performance, whatever your project
• Quickly switch between bench-mounted or stand-mounted in minutes with only 4 bolts

Portability & Design

• Compact metal roll-cage chassis with built-in handles, weighing just 21kg, light enough for one person carry it across the workshop
• Optional wheeled stand that fits through a 32″ doorway, ideal for on-site mobility

Safety & Dust Management

• Lockable paddle-style On/Off switch with emergency stop
• Soft start and blade brake and Active Overload System (AOS) protect you and the saw
• Patented Blade-to-Rip-Fence Parallelism Adjustment for perfectly aligned cuts in full-size sheets without binding or kickback
• Transparent blade guard improves visibility and dust port alignment
• Dual-port active dust extraction removes debris from both above the blade and under the table

Build Quality & Accessories

• Heavy-duty cast-aluminium table accommodates big-format panels yet remains easy to handle
• Includes integrated cross-cut sled, mitre gauge with clamp, push stick, wrench set, and onboard tool storage
• Backed by a 3 year limited warranty and full UK support

User Reviews & Industry Praise

• “This is an amazing saw, don’t even hesitate if you’re thinking of buying a one. 10 out of 10 Evolution you knocked it out the park” Anthony T (UK)
• “This saw is probably the best I have used. All the recent upgrades have lifted it to new level of performance. Once set up its is super accurate. The rack and pinion fence is a dream to use. All in all ...... brilliant” David C (UK)
• “30 mins to assemble and working a treat, great price what more is needed to say” Neil M (UK)
• Picked as ‘the best table saw - editors pick’ in an independent comparison .
• See James Dean Designs R255TBL+ overview and product review on YouTube
• See Woodworking 731 R255TBL+ product review on YouTube