Good Choice? SKIL Table Saw, Yes or No

[Motorman55]

Considering buying this SKIL 8-1/4" Table Saw. It will be mainly used for pine trim and thin panelling under 3/4". Anyone have one and what has been your exprience with it. Would you buy it again or something else. I already have an older Craftsman 10" cast iron table saw for larger 2X and 3/4+ Ply .

 

[finn]

The Tool Bear likes Skil, for whatever that’s worth.

He’s generally a Harbor Freight shill, though.

 

[david3921]

I have the older model 10" with the stand. The model you are looking at has the better fence system. You make the fence adjustments with the knob. I think that I've had mine for 10 years or so. Never had any issues and that worm drive plows through anything. At $500 it seems to be overkill for what you want to do with it, though.

 

[dnschmidt]

The 10" model that Amazon has for $279 at the moment is the way to go. The selection of 10" blades available is far greater than what 8 1/4" provides. Since they are both plugged models there is nothing be be gained from the smaller blade diameter which is used on all of the cordless tablesaws on the market.

 

[tarbellb]

This is a ripoff of the best tabletop TS- Dewalt. Thats a good thing!

Its a good saw, mainly due to the rack n pinion fence and extending table top. Grab the 10". HF also sells basically the exact same thing. Pick your poison.

 

[Motorman55]

The 10" model that Amazon has for $279 at the moment is the way to go. The selection of 10" blades available is far greater than what 8 1/4" provides. Since they are both plugged models there is nothing be be gained from the smaller blade diameter which is used on all of the cordless tablesaws on the market.

Thanks, I'm currently comparing different saws, options and prices.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I bought the dewalt cordless ts & I love how well it cuts & it's a pleasure moving around with no cord. Add the cordless miter saw & trim nailer & you'll be all set.

 

[M635_Guy]

I have the 15AMP 10" (TS6307) and it's pretty great for the $$$ - darn flat and completely square out of the box.

 

[AEAdam]

Hate to sound like a broken record. I do a lot of trim and tons of plywood (maybe literally) and use a track saw. I think it’s a better choice. Especially since you a.ready have a larger table saw.

 

[JohnC1957]

Dewalt for the win. i wore out one and bought another. I cut a lot of wood to wear it out

 

[Motorman55]

Thanks for the suggestions/comments.

 

[lund]

Hate to sound like a broken record. I do a lot of trim and tons of plywood (maybe literally) and use a track saw. I think it’s a better choice. Especially since you a.ready have a larger table saw.

I agree with this. Track saws with some good clamps and a sawhorses are very flexible and accurate. You already have a larger table saw too. So it might better fill in needs. Track saws can be battery powered too if you want that. Dust collection may be important too if you are lugging these around to job sites. Some of the track saws (example: Festool) connected to shop vacs do surprisingly well with dust pickup. I would not recommend cutting large sheet goods on a compact tablesaw. I have done enough of that to know it is not a good idea in terms of accuracy or safety. The table surfaces are just too small. If you lug in a lot of outfeed tables and setup landings it mostly defeats the whole purpose of portability too.

 

[Motorman55]

All things considered and after listening to suggestions/recomendations comparing other like model table saws and taking into account the types and thickness of the lumber/panel woods I'll be cutting and the ability to use a 1/2" Dado stack as well a myriad of other features, I made my decision and decided to go with my original choice the SKIL 8-1/4" table saw.

It arrived today and after unboxing and initial lookover I'm even more convinced I made the right choice for my needs. A quick eyeballing inspection shows the blade, track, indicators and fence to be good. However, after the holidays I will do a total measurement check and fine tuning everything as needed before I cut the first test board.

Meanwhile, it goes under the X-Mas tree because the wife made it one of her gifts to me. WIN WIN!

Finally, tomorrow I'm going to HD and pick up the 3 pack, Diablo 8-1/4" 24-Tooth Framing, 40-Tooth and 60-Tooth Fine Circular Saw Blade Set. PLUS a Diablo 8" x 12 Teeth Carbide Stacked Dado Saw Blade Set. Which should set me up well for everything I'll need to cut for the upcoming 2026 projects.

 

[nadogail]

My table saw was purchased used, 50 years ago. Good saws can be found on the used market.

 

[Motorman55]

My table saw was purchased used, 50 years ago. Good saws can be found on the used market.

Yes that's true. I wanted to treat myself to something new, smaller with a trac type fence to fit into a custom multi-tool work bench I will be building. This meets all my requirements.

 

[tarbellb]

I think that Skil TS will be a good small footprint mobile saw.


That 3 pack of Diablo blades at HD is a killer deal, ive purchased several of the 7.25" framing sets and the 6.5" (for my tracksaw) sets.
It got me thinking tho, how much does the tooth Rake factor in for the table saw choice.....

Has anyone used the circ saw / miter saw rake profile in their table saw? Is it noticeable?

 

[whateg01]

My son bought the 10-in version and is happy with it. He likes it better than the Craftsman benchtop saw that it replaced. In particular he likes the fence

 

[whateg01]

I think that Skil TS will be a good small footprint mobile saw.


That 3 pack of Diablo blades at HD is a killer deal, ive purchased several of the 7.25" framing sets and the 6.5" (for my tracksaw) sets.
It got me thinking tho, how much does the tooth Rake factor in for the table saw choice.....

Has anyone used the circ saw / miter saw rake profile in their table saw? Is it noticeable?

Right angle should be more dependent on what you're cutting than what you're cutting it on. Negative rake was always desirable on a radial arm saw because it reduces the tendency to self feed. Negative rake is also desirable on some materials that tend to tear out. Similarly, tooth count depends on what you are cutting as well. Although, a high tooth count will tend to bog a low horsepower saw down.

 

[tarbellb]

Right angle should be more dependent on what you're cutting than what you're cutting it on. Negative rake was always desirable on a radial arm saw because it reduces the tendency to self feed. Negative rake is also desirable on some materials that tend to tear out. Similarly, tooth count depends on what you are cutting as well. Although, a high tooth count will tend to bog a low horsepower saw down.

I dont claim to be a true woodworker, I pay attention to tooth count, kerf, speed- but rake has always been a bit more mysterious to me. I have found a few blades that want to grab or pull, but over the years I just havent noticed rake having a pronounced effect on my work?

Those cordless thin kerf blades will cut through just about anything, theyve really figured out how to reduce friction on that design.

 

[Motorman55]

Went over to HD yesterday to pick up the Diablo blades for the SKIL Saw. Unfortunately they didn't have the 3 pc set in stock, so today I ordered them along with the DADO Stack.

Also added a set of SKYSHALO Aluminum Adjustment Bars, a Milescraft Safety Bundle PRO-Push Block Set with a double Featherboard Set and a separate Milescraft Push Stick. The last three items will set me up good for both my Table Saws, Router Table and Jointer Table.

 

[Motorman55]

Partial deliveries have begun to arrive from HD. Yesterday the Diablo DADO set was delivered and today I received the Diablo 3 pc 8-1/4 blades. (Interesting that they delivered 3 seperate packaged blades rather then the 3pc set shown on their website. ( No matter because they were the same price. Saved several dollars by ordering them as the 3pc set rather then individually. Go figure ). Also received the Milescraft grabber type push stick ( I have a larger Milescraft specialty grabber set coming which should get here before or right after X-Mas ).

 

[RTM]

last three items will set me up good for both my Table Saws, Router Table and Jointer Table

My table saw and bandsaw are opposite hand. I got two feather boards rather than **** with reversing the one. Fiddly little screws not something I enjoyed dealing with.

 

[BlackJack10]

Considering buying this SKIL 8-1/4" Table Saw. It will be mainly used for pine trim and thin panelling under 3/4". Anyone have one and what has been your exprience with it. Would you buy it again or something else. I already have an older Craftsman 10" cast iron table saw for larger 2X and 3/4+ Ply .

For trim and thin paneling, yes, it makes sense. That SKIL is light, accurate enough, and easy to move around, which is where it shines. With a good blade it cuts pine clean and setup is quick.

I would not use it for heavy ripping or long hardwood cuts, but you already have the old Craftsman for that. As a second saw for small, clean work, it fills the gap well and saves wear on the big cast iron saw.

 

[tyyost]

I’d be interested to see how it does with the 8” Dado stack. I have always run 6” sets on smaller saws, or when that was all I could afford. That said, unless you need really deep dados or rabbets, a smaller diameter cutter saves load on the bearings and motor. I have a Bosch 4100 and have run a 6” stack up to 3/4 wide, and it did ok in plywood, oak was more of a chore.

 

[Hakeem]

I have the DeWalt compact table saw and like it a lot. It was great back when I was remodeling full time and I’d often have to lug it up and down stairs. I never bothered with the 8-1/2” blades, they were more expensive and less options available. I just ran 7-1/4” blades. The thickest stuff I’d ever rip was 2x material so the reduced depth of cut wasn’t an issue.