A table saw is the most common piece of large woodworking equipment found in shops around the world. Table saw are very versatile, and if you can only have one piece of woodworking equipment, a rigid table saw is probably the best one to choose. These more portable types of table saws offer versatility and ease of use with the convenience of portability.
There are four main classes of table saws: contractor saws, benchtop table saws, cabinet saws and hybrid saws. When deciding between portable and floor standing table saws, the main thing you're trying to do is balance durability with portability. Since most portable types of equipment do not have the same durability features, they typically do not last as long as their less portable counterparts.
In the modern table saw, regardless of type, the depth of a cut is changed by adjusting the distance that the blade sticks out above the table surface. The more the blade protrudes from the table, the deeper the cut that is made in the material will be. Conversely, the less a blade protrudes from the table, the more shallow the cut that is made in the material being cut, will be.
In older table saw, altering the angle of the blade was used to increase or decrease the depth of the cut. Nowadays, there is still an adjustable angle control, but this is used merely to adjust the angle at which the material is cut, and is not used to decrease or increase the depth of cut being made.
