If you don’t know the brand SKILSAW, you should acquaint yourself. The company is known in general for their quality power tools and today we will be examining how their reputation stacks up to the reality of the SKILSAW SPT70WT-01.
The SPT70WT-01 is a portable worm drive table saw that features revolutionary technology in the world of woodworking. Those looking for the opportunity to rip powerfully while still maintaining its portability. It’s durable, it’s powerful, and it is portable. These are all attributes that woodworker’s value so when you see them all offered together in one package it’s certainly worth taking a closer look at. Let’s do that now. Let’s know that the table saw buying guide, is essential before buying a table saw.
Table of Contents
What’s in the box?
Power tools are never a small purchase so it is nice to know what you’re getting. Here’s what you can expect to find in the box of this product.
- Portable Worm Drive Table Saw
- Rip Fence
- Table Insert
- Barrier Guard Assembly
- Miter Gauge
- Push Stick
- 10-Inch Carbide 24-Tooth Rip Cutting Blade
- Blade Wrench
- Hex Wrench
No surprises here. The package is pretty comprehensive and it is more or less exactly what you can expect to get from comparable sets. Additional blades will, of course, cost you extra (though they are relatively affordable) and aside from that you are pretty much set!
Specifications of SPT70WT-01
- Weight: 49 Pounds
- Dimensions: 19.9 x 23.4 x 13.4
- Power Source: Corded-Electric
- Voltage: 120 Volts
- Wattage: 1800 watts
- Cord Length: 72 Inches
Pros & Cons
Now that you have some surface-level information on this product, let’s dive a little bit deeper and take a look at some of the pros and cons.
Why We Like It
Legendary Gearing
Legendary gearing is their phrase, not mine, and it is a little more editorialized than I care for but perhaps it is an apt description. Here is a better way to explain it: this model features a powerful, 25-inch rip capacity and 3 ½ inch depth of cut.
The 15-amp motor and RPM rate of 5300 all equates to a tool with more than enough power to allow you to confidently approach any job.
Durable
You really need a durable piece of equipment if you are going to seriously approach woodworking, and that is exactly what you are getting with this model.
If you are going to be utilizing the portability component of this saw, the durability will come in handy. Job sites can be grueling on equipment so you definitely want something that is up for the challenge.
Accessory Protection
Accessories like your rip-fence and miter gauge are crucial components of any table saw. They are crucial to the function of the tool and in fact, it would even be fair to say that the best table saw in the world is nothing without an equally high-quality fence and miter gauge.
Both are of particularly high-quality on this model, and that is something worth protecting. To do that, SKILSAW has crafted an attachment system that allows them to function as highly as possible while staying safe from the regular wear and tear of woodwork.
Portable
Portability is one of the defining characteristics of this saw. Many table saws are cast iron, which by definition makes them not very portable, but this product offers a welcomed departure from that trend without sacrificing any portability in the process.
This saw is very literally designed to be portable. It weighs 49 pounds, which is theoretically light enough to be carried with one hand, and it even features agronomic rubber grips to make transportation comfortable and easy.
Who is going to benefit from this feature? Well, it is certainly a game-changer for the contractor that frequently finds themselves transporting tools. Really though, it is good for anyone who ever needs to move their table saw around. I have a feeling that is most people.
Whether you are doing it yourself somewhere on your property, and need your table saw nearby, or you just appreciate the ability to move this ordinarily heavy piece of equipment with minimal effort, this handy feature is enough to change the way that many people do woodworking.
Why We Don’t Like It
Blade Quality
This is not a universal complaint but it is common enough to make it worth noting. Many users have regrettably reported dissatisfaction with the blade that comes with the saw, reporting that it is wobbly and largely ineffective.
Now, to be fair, user reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt as there is no way to know what they are basing their claims on.
For example, you have no way to know if they are dissatisfied with the quality of the blade because they are not conducting their craft properly, or if they are just used to using contractor-grade equipment.
Still, given how common this complaint is, it’s worth mentioning. Chances are you won’t have any problems, but just in case you may want to budget for a replacement blade.
Adjustments
This second con isn’t quite as big of a deal as the first. People have complained that out of the box, the attachments, like the fence, were set in a way that was not optimal for use. The solution to this problem is, of course, to adjust the settings. It’s a drag, but it’s certainly no reason to dismiss this product as a buying option.
Conclusion
My personal opinion of the SPT70WT-01 is that it is a very interesting development that will benefit a lot of hobbyists and do it yourselfers. In the world of power tools, power meeting portability is always a really excellent opportunity and that is exactly what you are getting here.
Yes, the SPT70WT-01 does have a few complaints, but if you can look past a few mild hiccups, you will end up with a great tool that will have a positive impact on the way you do your woodworking.
