Purchasing a table saw for your workshop isn’t as simple as choosing the first one that you lay eyes on, unfortunately.
Instead, there are a few factors that you must consider to ensure that you choose the best one for you.
Beginners and professionals are going to have a different preference for their table saw motor types, and choosing the wrong one can really diminish your chances of bettering your craft.
Table saws are an investment, and it’s not always possible to return one model and opt for another. For this reason, it’s incredibly important that you do your research beforehand and get the decision right on the first go.
Luckily for you, we’re here to help you choose the motor drive type that you need for your table saw. Below we’ll be looking at the different types as well as their benefits and drawbacks, as well as how to choose the best option for you.
Different types of motor drives
There are two main configurations for a table saw motor drive, which both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Knowing the difference between the two types can greatly reduce your search for a table saw and ensure that the model that you opt for will be the best possible choice for you.
Belt drive type
Belt-driven motors have a V-shaped belt attached to the end of the motor. The belt turns the blade and keeps a tight hold on the motor and the blade, allowing them to work in perfect harmony. The overall power delivered by belt-driven motors is impressive and won’t let you down in your workshop.
The high power that a belt-driven motor gives you will ensure that your cuts are always accurate and clean. However, the noise is also heightened so you might want to invest in some ear protection. As the belt helps to increase the power of the table saw, you might find that the kickback is rather unexpected and violent.
As the belt is attached to the motor, it creates a bulkier look to the table saw. This means that belt-driven types are more commonly found in larger table saws that are designed to stay put in a workshop rather than being transported around. The added bulkiness of the belt also increases the overall weight of the table saw.
Belt-driven types also often vibrate more than direct-driven motors, which you might find harder to work with. Having said that, the fact that this type is often found in heavier, more permanent table saws means that this vibration is sometimes not felt as much and therefore doesn’t prove to be much of an issue.
Belt-driven types often require more maintenance because the belt won’t last forever. There are some maintenance tasks that you can carry out to prevent the belt from wearing away as quickly, but chances are that you will have to replace the belt sooner or later.
The belt allows the motor to be positioned further away from the blade than the direct-driven motors, and so there is less of a chance that the belt-driven alternative will get clogged with debris and dust. This will prevent you from having to replace the motor due to it being broken from being in the direct line of sawdust.
Belt-driven motors cost more to produce and therefore they’re often found in higher priced table saws.
Benefits
- Belt-driven motors offer more overall power to the table saw and therefore are better for cleaner, crisp cuts.
- They’re best for table saws that don’t need to be carried around.
- The motor is far away from the blade and therefore the motor won’t have such a reduced lifespan due to becoming clogged with dirt.
Drawbacks
- Belt-driven motors are often noisier and produce more vibration, although this cannot always be felt.
- Table saws with belt-driven motors are more expensive and cumbersome.
- The belt will have to be replaced after a certain amount of use.
Direct drive type
The direct-driven motor eliminates the need for a belt turning the blade as the blade is attached directly to the motor. This makes the table saw more efficient because none of the energy produced by the motor is lost while traveling down a belt. However, direct drive types still do have less overall power than belt-driven types.
Direct-driven motors are smaller, lighter, and therefore easier to carry around if you often have to complete tasks on the move. This can be very beneficial for people who have to take their table saws to job sites rather than working in a workshop.
As there is no need for a belt, the direct-driven motor can be smaller and therefore quieter as well. There is also less vibration to manage which can make using it much simpler. There is also no worry about the belt wearing down or snapping misuse; however; you will have to clean the motor more regularly.
This is because if the motor gets clogged up with lots of dust and debris, it could overheat and burn out. Once this happens, chances are that you’ll need to replace the entire motor which can be rather pricey.
So, although direct-driven motors can be less expensive in the long run, reducing the overall price of your table saw, you might find that the saved money has to be spent on replacing the motor.
Benefits
- Direct-driven motors are less expensive and easier to move around.
- They cause fewer vibrations and therefore are easier to use.
- The motor consumes less energy.
- You don’t have to worry about maintaining a belt.
Drawbacks
- Direct-driven motors are less powerful which might make them harder to use on bigger jobs.
- The motor is in a compromising position where sawdust could cause it to burn out.
Who are the different motor drive types for?
The type of motor drive you prefer will depend on a number of different factors. Below we’ll be detailing why we think that the belt types are best suited for each individual, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to choose the type that we suggest.
Everyone is different and you might find that you, as a beginner, get on better with the motor drive type for a professional. We’d advise you to test a table saw out before you commit to the motor drive type.
Either find a manufacturer that allows you to take them for a test run or see if you know anyone that has a belt- or direct-driven motor for you to practice on. But for now, let’s take a look at what we’d suggest for both of the types of table saw motor drives.
Belts are best for professionals
Belt-driven table saws are great for professionals and people who have had a lot of experience with the machinery beforehand.
As we mentioned above, these types of table saws cause more vibration and noise. This can be distracting to a beginner who doesn’t completely know how to control a table saw just yet.
Similarly, belt-driven table saws are heavier and better suited for a permanent position. Beginners might not have a workshop yet or somewhere to house their saw, which is why they might not get along with a belt-driven model.
Direct-driven motors are best for beginners
There’s no saying that professionals cannot use direct-driven table saws if they prefer the portability of them. However, beginners can learn the craft on a direct-driven model thanks to the reduction in vibrations and noise.
They’re also usually cheaper than belt-driven models which are ideal for beginners who don’t necessarily want to spend all of their money on a large and bulky investment. Direct-driven table saws are also very portable which can be perfect for beginners who want to lend their services on multiple different job sites.
Which motor drive type is the best?
There is no set answer to this question, as it all depends on how you want to use your table saw and what you prefer. If you have a permanent home for your table saw and don’t mind a kickback or dealing with vibrations, then the belt-driven motor could be the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you are just getting into the world of table saws and only need a small and cheap option that doesn’t give you as much power, the direct-driven type is a great place to start out.
As we mentioned before, we would advise you to take a look at your situation and use your judgment to see what’s best for you. If you’re still unsure; however, we would suggest either borrowing a friend’s table saw or taking both options for a test drive.
The only way to truly understand what you prefer is to use both a direct-driven and a belt-driven table saw and compare them against each other.
We hope that you have gained some insight into the different motor drive types for table saws and that you feel more confident in choosing the right model for you.
