Skil 3410-02 Table Saw Review: Excellent Features, Accurate Cuts, Self-Aligning Rip Fences
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As you start doing more and making large furniture pieces, you may struggle to find a tool that can give you a variety of cuts. Generally, a table saw is the best way to solve the problem. However, many people don’t have tons of space within the workshop, so you might consider purchasing a job-site table saw.
The Skil 3410-02 is one of many choices on the market currently. We want you to make informed decisions about what to buy, so this review focuses on the power, versatility, and features available from the Skill Saw table saw.
The Review for the Skil 3410-02
The Review for the Skil 3410-02
Good power tools must be able to get the job done fast while giving you versatility. The Skil 3410-02 table saw can give you the solution you require.
To start, Skil table saws allow you to make more consistent cuts when compared to circular saws. For example, when you set a fence, you have to make each cut match its previous. This is also important to think about when building things like a chest of drawers.
Another important factor is the cut types you can make with your table saw. Of course, you can do the rip and crosscuts, but you can also make miter, rabbet, and dado cuts with little effort. Since you can adjust the miter gauge, rip fence, and blade with this table saw, you can make various cuts without having to use different setups and hand tools.
The Skil table saw provides you a variety of advantages over the other designs, including the cabinet-style models. You’ve got more portability here. This is crucial if the shop space is quite limited, or you’ve got to temporarily relocate to the garage. These table saws offer tons of power, which can pose a problem for benchtop saws.
When buying a job-site table saw, consider these factors:
- Space – Ensure you’ve got plenty of room to set up your saw and have enough clearance for panels and boards you’re cutting.
- PowerHouse – outlets are required, but job-site designs don’t need 220 volts. Make sure the cord is rated correctly for that saw.
- Accessories – Consider tracks for the miter gauge, self-aligning rip fences, a blade guard, and dust collection options for versatility.
Presenting the Skil 3410-02 10-inch Table Saw with Folding Stand
- 20×26-inch cast aluminum table extending to 20×32-inch
- 3.5-inch cut height capacity
- Heavy-duty steel folding stand
- Bevel angle range from 0 to 47 degrees
Overview
When focused on Skil 3410-02 vs. Dewalt DW745, the Skil 3410-02 can provide a means of versatility similar to the Dewalt brand and is at a lower price point. Of course, there are earlier models of this portable table skill saw, but this one is lighter weight and has more rip fence control.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
- Knobs and levers are located conveniently
- Silver faceplate and black markings ensure you can read measurements
- Rip fence stays in-line with your blade to give straight cuts
- miter gauge is included
- Heavy-duty steel frame offers stability and height
- Don’t need a lot of table saw skills to use
Cons
- The aluminum table gives off more vibrations than cast iron
- Weak points for the leg joints
- No wheels
Features and Benefits of the Skil 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand
The first thing to notice with this job-site table saw is its lightweight design. The body is made of aluminum. Similar materials are offered for the miter gauge and rip fence components. High-density plastic is utilized on the levers and knobs.
Such elements offer suitable stability and durability so that you can use it for a long time. The body is shaped like a cube and gives you enough room to cover your gear systems and motor while taking up little space when compared to the cabinet table saw. Such considerations are excellent for DIY homeowners and novice woodworkers.
Stand
The Skil 3410-02 includes the stand for the table saw. You don’t get that with the benchtop models and most other job-site table saws. This stand is made using steel tubing, so it’s more rigid while keeping the weight at a minimum. Though there aren’t any wheels with the base, you can still move it fairly easily.
There is a bend at the middle of each leg to allow your table to give more stability as you increase the weight on it. That way, the saw doesn’t lift or tip when you put the wood or sheets or panels on it. The design includes a tapered leg with a thin radius near the saw that keeps everything out of your way while working. Note that the bottom part of the legs doesn’t stick out far, so it’s not a tripping obstacle.
A final consideration here is that the stand can break down into smaller sizes when you’re not using it. This allows for easier storage and ensures that it’s not in the way of your small space. The locking plates ensure that you can connect the saw to the stand with less effort, but it’s still secure. That’s one of the many safety features.
Design
The design is adjustable here with a standard work surface of 20 x 26 inches. This is adequate for cross and rip cuts on small panels and boards. You can extend it to 20 x 36 inches for extra support when working with large materials.
You’re going to find adjustable wings with the table that can be moved outward smoothly. There’s no need to strain while trying to move them. In fact, there is no less stability to your surface when everything is fully extended. Cheaper saws can have this issue. The fully-extended table saw remains flat and ensures that you can make cuts at the same blade angle, even when they are collapsed.
There is a large power switch at the front of your table saw. This allows you to easily reach it and shut off the power when necessary. If you have to do this quickly, it’s simple to do. You can also find a bevel lock lever, which is close to the height-adjustment wheel. Since the wheel has a large diameter, it’s easy to turn, and you don’t have to manipulate it as much to get blade adjustments when needed.
Power
The Skil 3410-02 features a motor design for durability and power. It has a 15-amp electric motor, which produces about 2.41 HP without a load. This level of energy powers through thick pieces and hardwood without getting bogged down. With this 15-amp motor, you can generate 5,000 RPM with no load. This allows the saw blade teeth to cut easily through the wood grain for rip and crosscuts.
There are plenty of advanced features here, such as the soft-start circuitry. The purpose of it is to ensure that the motor can go from off to its running speed without issue. This helps to prevent wear and tear or tripped breakers. Constant-response circuits ensure that the blade speed is maintained, which is one of the many safety features provided.
Blade
With this table saw, you get a blade bevel scale on the front, which includes permanent markings. They aren’t going to wear with heavy use, either. Plus, they’re easy to read so you can make adjustments as necessary. The pointer arrow is highly accurate and gives the right readings while you’re setting the blade. Of course, the blade guard is clear in color, which makes it easy to see what you’re doing.
The adjustment wheel features a large diameter, so you can turn it easily without having to work hard to adjust the blade. This also means blade height can be changed – up to 3.5 inches. If you’re cutting into four wood planks at a time, this is ideal.
Your blade can also be adjusted for beveled cuts of up to 47 degrees. When you combine it with the angles from the miter gauge, you get highly versatile cuts along the edges and corners of your project.
A table insert plate is also included with the Skil 3410-02 table saw. This component is standard and can be removed to change the blade as needed. The piece is quite easy to release on the 3410-02, but it also stays in place when the blade is locked.
Safety
Safety features for the Skil 3410-02 include a hole with the power button, where you can add a padlock. This is used to prevent it from being turned on if you accidentally hit the button. You also get a riving knife, which is incorporated into the table saw design.
The riving knife helps you prevent kickbacks while you’re cutting.
With a clear blade guard with an EZ view, you can see the point where the blade makes contact with the wood. There is also a quick-disconnect feature for easier removal when you’re not using the table saw.
Another great feature on the 10-inch Skil 3410-02 is the on-board storage option so you can store accessories. This includes the miter gauge, rip fence, wrench holding, and blade. The cord wrap ensures that you can keep any extra cords out of the way while you’re operating it.
Accessories
In our review, we are talking primarily about the Skil table saw. To do that effectively, we need to focus on the accessories included with your purchase.
You get a rip fence scale, which is found at the top lip from the front of the table saw. You can read measurements to 18 inches from its upper portion. After that, it’s found toward the lower part of the scale.
The fence is also self-aligning, which means you keep its face in line with your blade while making adjustments. Of course, this self-aligning rip fence design element makes your table saw much easier to use and ensures a quick process. With the smooth table surface, the wood rests against this fence and can go smoothly while the material gets fed into the blades.
Table saws should always have a miter gauge included. The one with the 3410-02 features an adjustable head that can lock into position. That way, you keep the angle through the full cut. There are also tracks on the sides of your table saw to help you position the gauge on the left or right side.
Of course, we like the large power switch because it’s in easy reach and is a significant target. If you’ve got to shut down the table saw for any reason, you can do so quickly. There’s also a bevel lock lever available.
What Others Say
No review is complete without finding out what other customers think. When it comes to the Skil brand, there have been plenty of positive comments.
For example, most exclaim about the price because it is relatively inexpensive and still gets the job done. For the price, you get excellent quality.
Of course, this Skil model is quite easy to use and mobile. Its heavy-duty structure makes it a popular table saw all around.
Alternatives
While we think you’re going to like the Skil 3410-02 saw, we do feel that you should have a few other alternatives for comparison. As far as table saws go, we also like the Dewalt DWE7485. With it, you can easily adjust the fence rales to make adjustments faster, accurately, and smoothly. There’s a rip capacity of 24 inches, allowing you to cut larger materials. Of course, tool-free adjustments are essential for a table saw, and this one has this.
Bosch is another option, and the 4100-10 is powerful, with 15 amps of power to help with fine or rough materials. It does well and also has wheels, which is something the Skil brand doesn’t offer. It also has a great cut depth, and you can expect to get the maximum amount of years out of it.
Conclusion
This review has focused primarily on the Skil 3410-02, which is a table saw that works for you. Generally, table saws let the user make many different cuts and can be better than miter saws and circular saws. This job-site table saw allows you to reduce how many power tools you require and gives more mobility than a cabinet saw.
Choose the Skil 3410 saw and get a budget-friendly option. Though it is at a lower price point, it’s still very adjustable. You also get the accessories required with the Skil brand of saw.
