Photo: Skilsaw
What We Like
- High torque worm drive system
- Soft starting 15-amp dual-field motor
- Onboard tool storage
- Self-aligning rip fence
- Durable heavy-duty construction
What We Don’t Like
- No stand
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a powerful table saw to work on very demanding ripping projects, Skilsaw’s SPT70WT-01 is the best one to buy.
Introduction
While table saws are primarily designed for ripping, some are better at this task than others. Skilsaw’s SPT70WT-01 certainly has an edge over other table saws because it is fitted with worm drive gearing, which makes it extremely powerful.
This enables it to cut thick boards like butter. The tool also has other key features that make it the ultimate ripping machine and these are described in detail below.
SKIL SPT70WT-01 Review
Photo: Skilsaw
Performance: Powerful Rip Cutting
The defining characteristic of this table saw is its extreme ripping power. This is provided by a powerful 15-amp dual-field motor, which has dual copper windings that increase the copper’s surface area by 40%.
The result is a cool running motor that is more dependable and gives a better cutting performance. Additionally, this motor has a soft start feature that makes it run more smoothly and reduces the chances of tripping the circuit breaker.
This engine does not run the blade directly. Instead, it powers a brass worm drive gear system, which ramps up the power and torque to spin the blade through thick boards with ease.
According to the manufacturer, this gearing system was sourced from the brand’s circular saws, which had this system built-in and were characterized by unsurpassed torque and ripping power.
The combined motor and worm drive gear system produces a no-load speed of 5300 RPM, which is extremely fast by table-saw standards. This enables you to rip quickly through full sheets of plywood, provided the width is within the table’s 25-inch right side rip capacity.
Additionally, the tool uses a 10-inch blade that cuts at a maximum depth of 3.5 inches, and this allows you to cut through stacked boards or 4×3’s in no time.
In my opinion, this powerful motor and gearing combination is very important because it enables you to tackle difficult cuts without bogging down the saw.
Design: Rugged Durability
Skilsaw’s SPT70WT-01 has a tough rugged design that is very durable. This is due to solidly built components, which include a tough all-steel roll cage that hold all the components together and a firm die-cast aluminum top.
Additionally, the handwheel and internal mechanisms used for raising and lowering the blade are made using highly durable metal that can withstand extreme temperatures without breaking. Therefore, you can use it during summer or winter without any worries.
Portability: Compact and Lightweight
For a Jobsite table saw, this SPT70WT-01 is quite lightweight because it weighs 49 lbs. Coupled with a compact frame (19.9 x 23.4 x 13.4 inches), the saw can easily fit at the back of your truck for transportation to any job site.
Additionally, a rubberized padded handle is built-in to the saw’s frame, and this allows you to carry it using one hand, leaving the other to carry another power tool or the stand.
Safety Features: Guard with Kickback Prevention
Skilsaw’s SPT70WT-01 the biggest asset when it comes to safety is its blade guard. The main barrier guard is made of clear plastic and apart from covering the blade to prevent accidents, it gives you a clear view of the cutting process for easy monitoring.
A riving knife is included as part of this smart guard system, and it acts as the main attachment point for the plastic barrier guard and anti-kickback device. The knife’s main function is material splitting, and it prevents the slit material from sliding back toward the spinning blade.
This knife can be adjusted to 3 positions, which are high, medium, and low. The high position is best for through cuts, the medium for non-through cuts, and low for dado cuts.
The last components of this system are pawls and these prevent kickbacks by biting into the wood to catch it in case it jumps back.
Accessories: Full Set
One of the benefits that this table saw has to offer is its full set of accessories and one of the most important pieces is the self-aligning rip fence. This telescopes out of the tabletop and maintains its distance parallel across its length from the spinning blade.
As a result, the accuracy of the cut is maintained when the fence is extended to any length.
You get a push stick that helps you to keep your fingers far from the blade when making narrow rip cuts while a miter gauge slides into the tabletop slots to help you make accurate angled miter cuts.
The saw has on-board storage slots that enable you to safely store all the included accessories within close reach.
Price: Mid-Range
Skilsaw’s SPT70WT-01 neither cheap nor expensive; it sits somewhere in the middle of the price range. In my opinion, this gives you a very good deal because you get the powerful worm drive gear system that is very effective at ripping at a reasonable price.
The other similar table saw that can compare to this one is the SPT99-RT, but this comes at a higher cost. However, it does have a larger rip capacity of 30.5 inches.
Verdict
A relatively compact but powerful table saw that is ideal for very demanding ripping projects.
Coming in a relatively compact size, Skilsaw’s SPT70WT packs in a lot of power due to the combination of a powerful motor and high torque worm drive gearing. This gives it the strength to cut through full plywood sheets with ease.
That said, being in a mid-range price and with a maximum rip capacity of 25 inches makes the saw ideal for both home and workshop use and therefore, it is ideal for both beginners and professionals.
Specs
- Product Name: Skilsaw SPT70WT-01
- Product Brand: Skilsaw
- Power: 15 Amps
- Max Speed: 5300 RPM
- Blade Diameter: 10 inches
- Max Rip to the Right of the Blade: 25 inches
- Max Depth of Cut at 90º: 3.5 inches
- Max Depth of Cut at 45º: 2.3 inches
- Max Dado Width: 0.5 inches
- Bevel Angle Range: -1º to 46°
- Product Dimensions: 19.9 x 23.4 x 13.4 inches
- Weight: 49 lbs.
- Warranty: 1-year limited (180-day money-back guarantee)
Key Features
- High torque worm drive gear system.
- Powerful 15-amp dual-field motor.
- Accurate self-aligning rip fence.
- Onboard tool storage.
- Die-cast aluminum tabletop.
- Tough and durable steel roll cage.
- 10-inch 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade.
- Compact and relatively lightweight (49 lbs.).