Best Panel Saw: The Ultimate Reviews & Guide
If you are going to be cutting a lot of panels, then, it only makes sense to go for the investment that will save you time, money and guarantee the best results. One of the best options is a panel saw, also known as wall saws.
Vertical saws are named from the way in which they allow you to position boards vertically when ripping them. The space-saving design of this saw makes it a great option, especially for carpenters with a lot of cutting tasks, but their workshops are limited.
Since panel saws are not very common in many workshops, buying one can be challenging. But we are here to simplify the process. We picked the best panel saw options out there and analyzed them. So, check our reviews closely to learn about them and identify the perfect piece for your facility.
Top Pick
The Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw is our first choice. It is strongly built and comes with inspiring features that make cutting panels easy and professional.
Our Best Panel Saw Review
Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw – Best Choice
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000224ST?tag=thesawguyus-20&th=1&psc=1
Coming in the first position on our list is this Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw, a 15 amp 3 ¼ horsepower cutting beast that packages everything a carpenter would want, from simplicity to performance. The H6 panel saw offers crosscuts of up to 74 inches and unlimited rip cutting, which we found very impressive.
Another remarkable thing about the track saw is that it comes with 1¾” zinc-plated guided tubes. Furthermore, it uses a Nylatron bearing system that makes it easy to move your boards smoothly and accurately along the track. We also liked the spring-loaded counterbalance system that gives you a grounded and stable feel when cutting.
To make using this saw mess-free, it comes with a dust collection bonnet that removes most of the dust generated by the rotating blade. This helps to protect the moving parts from dust and also reduces the post-project cleaning work.
Specs
- Weight: 359 pounds
- Dimensions: 120 x 98.5 x 36 inches
- Blade diameter: 8”
- Maximum crosscut: 74″
- Maximum rip cut: Unlimited
Pros
- Runs on a powerful 3 1/4 HP motor
- Can be used on a wide range of panel cutting
- Comes with a highly efficient dust collection system
- Easy to shift from horizontal to vertical cutting
- Strong and durable
- Sold with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Heavy
- Pricey
Saw Trax 1064 Panel Saw – Runner Up
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DTNNUHA?tag=tools1st-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1
If you are looking for a high-performance and low-maintenance panel saw, look no further than the 1064 panel saw from Saw Trax. It is a full-size panel saw, which means that you can comfortably use it to make all cuts without requiring expansion kits or other adapters.
The most remarkable thing about this saw is its performance. Saw Trax used Makita circular saw that allows you to enjoy the oomph of top worm drive motor without requiring tedious oil changes. Furthermore, the saw can make a healthy 64” crosscut and unlimited rip cutting.
Weighing 336 pounds, this panel saw is really heavy. But from the bright end, the heavy construction provides you with a solid working rig for extra stability even when working on heavy boards. But even with the heavy construction, the Pane saw folds into a pretty compact unit. Furthermore, it comes with wheels that make moving it from one point to another easy.
Specs
- Weight: 336 pounds
- Dimensions: 122 x 42 x76 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Crosscut capacity: 64”
- Rio cut capacity: Unlimited
Pros
- A great cutting panels of up to 1 ¾ inches
- The Accu-Square system ensures the system will never go out of square
- Features a stop bar that helps to simplify making repetitive cuts
- Made with a foldable design and wheels for enhanced portability
- An effective dust collection system
- Designed with easy to use a horizontal and vertical measuring system
- Designed to last
Cons
- Heavy
Powermatic 1510007 Panel Saw
https://www.amazon.com/Powermatic-1510007-511-Vertical-Panel/dp/B0007DHHFG?
The next on our list is this Powermatic 1510007 panel saw, which is designed for top performance. Weighing 435 pounds and rocking a big blade of 8 inches, this rip saw is another monster that will rip any board you throw at it. Although one of the most expensive models in our list, we liked the panel saw because it is strong, easy to maintain, and durable.
When designing this panel saw, Powermatic put a lot of effort into enhancing its performance. It features stainless steel guide and roller bearings that make positioning the saw pretty easy. Furthermore, the saw comes with a large 10-foot-long frame that provides ample support, allowing you to work even on the largest projects.
The saw’s dust management system is also fascinating. It features 4-inch dust ports that help to gather almost all the sawdust escaping from the machine. When we tested the machine, the work area was mess-free and took a short time for cleaning. The dust port also works with a nylon brush that helps to optimize sawdust clearance from the blade, reducing the danger of clogging.
Specs
- Weight: 435 pounds
- Dimensions: 120 x 1 x 86 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Blade diameter: 8 inches
- Maximum crosscut capacity: 50 inches
- Maximum rip cut: Unlimited
Pros
- Comes with a high-efficiency dust management system
- Strong and durable
- Uses solid aluminum rollers for easy movement
- A great tool for smooth and accurate cuts
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
Safety Speed H5 Panel Saw
https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Speed-Cut-H5-Vertical/dp/B00004Y2ML?
Safety Speed makes our list again with this H5 panel saw, an industrial-rated rig that will cut any wooden workpiece you throw at it. Weighing 298 pounds, this panel saw is pretty light compared to others in this list, which are as heavy as 450 pounds. And although not as long as the first three models, it is enough for the most industrial-level type of work.
When it comes to performance, H5 was remarkable. It uses a 3 ¼ HP, 15-AMP motor and allows you to work on 64-inch panes and delivers high accuracy of 1/32″. Changing from vertical to horizontal cutting when using the saw is also simple so that you do not waste a lot of time.
H5 also rocks an all-metal construction, which Safety Speed used to make the saw durable. It is because of this commitment that quality that the panel saw is sold with a one-year parts warranty and lifetime frame warranty. Well, when you buy this panel saw, you can expect to use it for many years to come.
Specs
- Weight: 220 pounds
- Dimensions: 83.5 x 60 x 9 inches
- Power source: Corded electric
- Maximum rip cut: unlimited
- Maximum crosscut: 64 inches
Pros
- Comes with a highly effective dust management system
- Can be used for cutting a wide range of panes
- Strong and durable
- Adjusting between vertical and horizontal cutting is easy
Cons
- The panel does not have a dust collection system
- Have no wheel for mobility
Milwaukee 6480-20 Panel Saw
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-6480-20-Complete-50-Inch-Crosscut/dp/B0009H57JS/ref=sr_1_4?
The Milwaukee 6480-20 is another high-performance panel saw that works very well, especially for lumber yards and small carpentry workshops. You will like the saw’s all-steel construction that makes it firm, strong, and durable. Well, if you select this saw, you are sure of enjoying it for a very long period.
This saw uses a 15-AMP motor and an 8-inch blade that allows you to work on boards of up to 4X8 inches. Furthermore, rotating the saw for vertical to horizontal cutting is pretty easy, so that you do not waste a lot of time when working on different projects. Note that you can also load the materials to cut from either left or right.
One common challenge that carpenters face when using panel saws is warping. To address the solution, this Milwaukee used an electrically welded steel frame that helps to prevent twisting even with continued use. Still on strength, the panel saw’s motor is mounted on a carriage that moves on graphite impregnated roller bearings that do not require lubrication.
Specs
- Weight: 175 pounds
- Blade diameter: 8 inches
- Maximum crosscut: 50 inches
- Maximum rip cut: 8 feet
Pros
- The panel saw is incredibly light
- The electrically welded steel frame makes the saw very tough
- Sold with a long warranty of five years
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Cannot do unlimited rip cuts
- It lacks a dust collection kit
- To cut longer pieces, you need a separate extension kit
Safety Speed Manufacturing SR5U Vertical Panel Saw
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016BGP1U?tag=tools1st-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1
The last panel saw on our list is this industrial grade Safety Speed Manufacturing SR5U, which is strong, tough, and durable. Designed with a strong 3.0-HP worm motor and 3.25-HP router motor, this panel saw will cut even the toughest workpieces easily. Although expensive, this panel saw is firmly constructed and will be a great option for commercial workshops with a lot of work every day.
The performance of the saw is outstanding. It is designed with a big frame that allows you to work with bigger workpieces. With a maximum crosscut capacity of 62 inches and unlimited rip cutting capacity, this saw allows you to handle mist workpieces.
Although heavy, we liked the strong construction of the saw because it provides a sturdy working rig when cutting panels. Using its four material clamps, your workpiece is held firmly, so that cutting is pretty easy, even for newbies.
If you need to move this saw around your facility, it comes with innovative wheels that easily roll n most surfaces. So, no need to carry all those panels to the machine; take the machine there and complete the task faster.
Specs
- Weight: 548 pounds
- Dimensions: 120 x 36 x 90 inches
- Material: Steel
- Power source: Corded electric
- Blade diameter: 8 inches
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Can be used to make unlimited rip cuts
- Designed with innovative wheels for easy movement
- The horizontal and vertical rollers are very easy to adjust
Cons
- Very expensive
Buying Guide
Now that you have read through our reviews, we will now take a closer look at the crucial things that you need to factor before selecting the ideal one.
First, you need to answer the question: “Do you need a panel saw?” If you deal with large sheets of materials, a panel saw will be a great addition to your workshop. It is recommended for professionals who deal with projects such as cutting shelving, cabinet making, sizing tabletops, and designing doors. For commercial shops that use sliding table saws and want to upgrade, a panel saw will be a great option. So, let us now turn to the things you need to factor when selecting a panel saw.
Mobility
When selecting a panel saw, you should consider a mode that is easy to move around. This means that you can easily take it to where the panels are as opposed to bringing the materials to it. Most of the panel saws that we have reviewed in this post come with wheels that allow you to easily move them around.
Blade Size
The blade size is another important thing because it determines the depth of the cut that you can make. If you are a hobbyist with occasional panel cutting tasks on weekends, a panel saw with a seven to eight-inch blade should be okay. But if you want a panel saw for commercial purposes, a bigger blade will be a better option.
Cutting Capacity
If you are looking for a commercial panel saw, go for the model with large cutting capacity. Most models that can make crosscuts of up to 50 inches and unlimited rip cuts should be okay. However, if you only want a panel saw for DIY (do-it-yourself) panel cutting, a model that can handle 4 x feet blocks of wood should be okay.
Brand
To avoid getting confused by the large number of panel saw models in the market, it is important to consider only picking from the trusted brands. These are manufacturers that have been in the market for some time, and their focus on quality is known. We are talking about brands such as Powermatic and Safety Speed.
Final Thoughts
When looking for a panel saw to add to your workshop, you should be guided by the nature of the task that it will handle. This panel saw review has brought out the best that the market has to offer. The models that we have reviewed are strong, durable, and are made by respected manufacturers. So, you can rest assured of enjoying using them and high value for money.
While we stand with all the six panel saws in our review above (we loved, really loved them), the Safety Speed Cut H6 Vertical Panel Saw was our favorite because of its outstanding design and futuristic features.
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