We’re always interested in seeing if a new product qualifies as one of the best portable jobsite table saws on the market. The Skilsaw Worm Drive Table Saw gives us plenty of reasons to be excited about it. First and foremost, it’s a worm drive and that means more torque.
Note: Check out our review of the more compact Skilsaw SPT99T-01 8-1/4″ table saw
Skilsaw is really owning their reputation as makers of worm drive saws. Following the Skilsaw re-branding, they really pushed their circular saw line, including the Skilsaw SPT67WM-22 and Skilsaw SPT67WL-01 sidewinders we reviewed. Since then, we’ve seen the push for worm drive circular saws, the table saw that is our guest of honor today, and a new metal cutting saw.
The extra torque from a worm drive is excellent for the higher-stress rip cuts that a table saw has to endure by nature. The trade-off is typically some additional weight and a slower blade speed – but Skilsaw has managed to buck both trends.
Skilsaw SPT70WT-22 First Impressions
Our Skilsaw Worm Drive Table Saw came with a basic stand (SPTA70WT-ST) and Skilsaw gets major kudos for making assembly really easy. All it took to get the stand together was the included eight nuts, bolts, and washers along with a pair of pliers and an impact driver. We’re talking 5-minute assembly, maybe less. The stand uses snap clips to hold the saw in place so you’re ready to go very quickly.
Skilsaw’s stand strays from the idea that a job site stand needs to be wheeled. We can attribute this to its light weight. While it loses points for portability because you have to carry it, Skilsaw’s stand is extremely stable. Another benefit of going with this simple stand design is that it is certainly responsible for dropping the price point. Skilsaw is definitely the table saw you want to go with if you’re having to move your saw in and out of a truck bed rather than being able to wheel it up in a trailer.
Installing the Skilsaw 10-inch Table Saw Hardware
The saw itself requires the typical installation of the anti-kickback pawls and guard assembly to the riving knife. If you’ve done this before, you won’t find any surprises.
The -22 designation in the model number means the Skilsaw SPT70WT-22 comes with a Diablo blade. In this case, it’s a 30 tooth carbide designed for rip cutting.
Digging deeper, you’ll find that the 15 amp Dual-Field motor is the first in the industry to be driven by a brass geared worm drive. It’s capable of making a standard 3-1/2″ cut at 90 degrees. You’ll also find a standard 25-inch rip cutting capacity on the tabletop.
The build quality seems solid on the surface. There are no surprises as all the standard adjustments are in place and are smooth out of the box. The fence and extension both slide easily and lock in place with little reason for doubt in their respective holding abilities. In short, Skilsaw looks to have done a fine job with the design – we just need to make some sawdust to prove it.
Skilsaw Worm Drive Table Saw Specifications
- Model: Skilsaw SPT70WT-22
- Motor: 15 amp, Dual-Field
- Blade Diameter: 10″
- No Load Speed: 5300 RPM
- Included Blade: 30T Diablo Carbide Tip
- Weight: 49 pounds
- Max Cut Depth: 3-1/2″ @ 90 degrees, 2-1/4″ @ 45 degrees
- Warranty: 1 year, 180 money back
- Price: $379
Now That We’ve Made Some Sawdust…
If you’ve been using, well, anyone else’s job site table saw, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by the weight. At 49 pounds, the Skilsaw Worm Drive Table Saw is the lightest we tested in our recent Portable Jobsite Table Saw Shootout – including the traditionally lightweight value brands.
Also bucking the trend of worm drives is the no-load speed. Skilsaw had the highest at 5300 RPM. Did that translate into a better cutting experience?
Yes and no.
Skilsaw’s cutting speed and quality are right in the middle of what we expect from professional brands. So from that perspective, it didn’t really blow us away. On the other hand, when you look at the cutting experience in the weight class, nothing else comes close.
Blade changes are a little easier thanks to a blade lock lever. I don’t particularly care for the two-tool approach to loosening the nut, especially when you consider that a blade lock exists on virtually every other circular bladed saw on the market. This is a feature that should be standard on every table saw and Skilsaw gets bonus points for including it.
Conclusions
The Skilsaw Worm Drive Table Saw gets back to what a job site table saw should be – fully functional while keeping the weight down with a compact design. Cutting performance along with fence and extension quality matches what we expect for a professional-level tool in this class. Where Skilsaw really excels is with its weight, size, and stability. The bonus with all this is the attractive price point.
I can heartily recommend the Skilsaw Worm Drive Table Saw to any professional that needs a truly portable job site table saw. Users that don’t mind trading off a wheeled stand for lighter weight and stability will appreciate it. This model is a must-have for the Pro who needs to load and unload from the bed of a truck rather than a trailer.
