In workshop hierarchy, table saws holds a special position. On one hand, they are too expensive for most casual hobbyists to buy. They are also too dangerous to underestimate and too big to just overlook.
The market had been divided for years between the pros, with their thousand dollar plus cabinet saw and novices with their bargain basement portable saws. In recent years, however, the prosumer market have emerged, with brands aiming squarely at the sweet spot: providing features similar than the professional tools at a lower price point. In this mix, we have the Porter Cable PCX362010.
Its marketing focuses on its compact design and promises of portability and value. They’re trying to fill space between shop accuracy and jobsite convenience. At this price point, many woodworkers question whether you’re getting a compromise or something that will cut cleanly.
Turns out, there’s less about the machine and much more about how you intend to use it. Knowing the compromises are essential to determining if this is your next addition to the bench. So what do you get?
Reviewing The Porter Cable Table Saw Features
Motor Power and Performance
Most of us start by looking at the motor spec and there is a good reason for that. It’s a beefy little motor rated to cut up to two and a half inches in maple. It sounds great on paper, but how does it run in practice?
It holds its speed under load better than a lot of other budget models. And that matters. A bogging down motor can cause the saw to bind and cause the dreaded kickback.
The induction motor design gives the power more smoothly then some universal motors found in less expensive saws. It’s no cabinet saw, but it runs nicely for its size. The compromises show up in table size.
Table Size and Fence System
While the table are made of cast iron, it isn’t huge. It won’t glide big sheets of plywood around easily. Tracks for miter gauges is normal sized.
You can continue using your current miter gauge guides and jigs. That’s one of the nice things about upgrading shops. You don’t have to purchase an entire new set of tools if you have accessories on your old saw.
The fence system have mixed reviews here. Most folks say that it do lock down tight enough for precise cross cuts. But it takes some patience to make fine tuning adjustments.
These adjustments will hold true once set. The most talked about feature is mobility. This saw definitely lives up to that hype.
Mobility and Stability Considerations
Weighing significantly less than a traditional contractor saw, this saw is far more mobile than your typical contractor’s saw. You can easily wheel it from one side of your workshop to another, or even transport it to a job site in the back of your truck. And the handles offers a solid hold while you’re moving it.
But now there’s a bit of a caveat with the lightness. When you want to make long rip cuts, stability is something to be concerned about. Make sure the saw is well supported and sitting level on the ground.
Any uneven surfaces, any wobbly stands will directly impact the quality of your cut. If possible, use it with an anchor or sit it on a heavy duty stand for best results. The dust collection isn’t usually something to get excited about on budget tools, but I think Porter Cable does pretty goodly with this one.
Dust Collection and Visibility
There’s enough of a shroud that it catches a reasonable amount of chips and the ports matches standard shop vacs. That means you won’t have a clean benchtop after each cut, but you certainly aren’t going to be picking sawdust off of a mountain. Less cleanup = faster cleanup + safer work environment.
Again, it’s not a huge deal, but it will make using this thing a lot more convenient day-to-day. Visibility matters for safety and having clear access around the blade helps too. The standard safety features works.
Safety Features and Electric Brake
Both the riving knife and the blade guard is included and installed properly. While some folks like to take the guard off when making angled cuts, it’s up to you with each cut on any table saw. I really like the quick stop action of the electric brake, which engages immediately upon letting go of the trigger button to avoid any unnecesary contact with the blade.
That can be especially nice if you have a bit of distraction going on in a busy shop. It provides another level of security missing from older machines. Is the Porter Cable PCX362010 a value buy?
Value and Ideal User Profile
If you’re the right user, yes. It’s a great secondary saw for pros on the move. It is also a good entry level option for someone who’s serious but hasn’t invested in a higher end cabinet saw yet.
It won’t do production work like a high end cabinet saw would. But if you’re doing some remodeling, furniture making or other kinds of woodworking it has great performance at this price. Power and precision without the heavy price tag.
Keep in mind though that the tool isn’t the whole thing. The set up around it is what makes the tool. Get a good stand and some decent accessories and this saw will provide years of service to you.
Turns out value isn’t just about price at the outset. Value is also how much use and joy you get from each cut.