Skil 10 IN. Table Saw

Portability rarely plays nicely with accuracy, but this Skil table saw balances both better than I expected. After several weeks ripping sheet goods, breaking down 4x stock, and dialing in joinery cuts, I came away impressed by how much saw you get in a compact, easy-to-stow package.

Setup, calibration, and first impressions

Out of the box, assembly is straightforward. The integrated folding legs swing into place quickly and lock solidly, so you’re not wrestling with a separate cart. At 32 inches working height, the saw sits a bit lower than a typical contractor saw; I ended up placing it on a low platform so it matched my bench and outfeed support.

Initial calibration was encouraging. The rack-and-pinion fence arrived close to parallel with the blade, and small tweaks brought it in dead-on. Skil includes micro-adjust hardware for blade-to-miter-slot alignment, which lets you nudge the assembly into parallel without disassembling half the saw. The bevel stops needed minor adjustment to hit a true 90° and 45°. Expect a few minutes with a square and hex key to get everything right.

One minor gripe: a couple of stamped edges on the fence track were sharper than I’d like. Five minutes with a deburring tool resolved it, but out of the box it’s worth checking and smoothing any burrs.

Fence and accuracy

The fence is the star feature here. Rack-and-pinion rails keep it parallel through the full travel, and the geared knob makes sneaking up on a cut width painless. Once locked, mine stayed put. It’s not the broad, heavy extrusion you’d see on a cabinet saw, but for a portable unit it’s confident and consistent. The rip capacity to the right is 25-1/2 inches, enough to rip a 4x8 sheet in half with careful support.

I also appreciated that the fence’s measuring tape held calibration after a few fence removals and reinstallations, which isn’t always the case with budget jobsite saws. The lock lever is tucked under the right edge; it’s not a deal breaker, just a small reach-around compared to front-mounted levers on higher-end stands.

The included miter gauge is serviceable for rough crosscuts, but it’s light on precision. The bar has some play in the slot and the head doesn’t inspire confidence for repeatable angles. If you plan to cut miters or small parts regularly, an aftermarket gauge or a crosscut sled will make a big difference.

Power and cutting performance

A 15-amp motor turning a 10-inch blade at 4,600 RPM is typical for this class, and this one pulls its weight. It handled kiln-dried hardwoods and dense sheet goods without choking when I fed at a reasonable pace. At 90°, you get a full 3-1/2-inch cutting depth, which means true 4x4 material is a one-pass operation; at 45°, depth drops to 2-1/2 inches as expected.

There’s no soft start, so the saw jumps to full speed with a noticeable surge. On a lightly loaded 15-amp circuit it was fine, but on older circuits with other tools or lights running, you might pop a breaker at startup. If you can, plug it into a dedicated 20-amp circuit and use a heavy-gauge cord.

For general construction cuts, the stock 24-tooth carbide blade is adequate. If you’re chasing cleaner edges on plywood or hardwood, swapping to a 40T–50T combination blade improved cut quality dramatically.

Noise-wise, it’s loud—right in line with most universal-motor jobsite saws. Ear protection is a must, and your neighbors will appreciate closed doors.

Bevels, capacity, and dados

Bevel adjustment is quick with the lever, and there are positive stops for common angles. The carriage on my unit tilts slightly past 45° in either direction, which is useful for sneaking up on odd miters. Once set, the angle lock holds well.

Dado capability is a welcome addition in this price range. With the proper dado insert and an 8-inch stack, it will cut up to a 5/8-inch-wide groove. Power is sufficient for shallow to moderate dados in hardwoods if you take sensible passes. As with any portable saw, keep your expectations realistic—this isn’t a cabinet saw with a 3-hp motor—but it will absolutely handle cabinet backs, shelving dados, and half-lap joints with a good stack and patient feed.

Dust collection

Skil’s dust-port elbow is genuinely useful. It directs chips toward a bin or connects cleanly to a standard 2-1/2-inch shop-vac hose. With a vac attached, containment is better than average for an open-base design, keeping most of the mess out of the air and off the floor. Without suction, expect a healthy pile under the saw; channeling into a bucket works but is less effective than a vac.

Up top, the guard helps, but like most guard setups, some fines escape. For indoor work, a vac or dust collector should be considered part of the system.

Portability and stand

The integrated folding stand is the right call for a saw like this. It’s quick to deploy, stable on level ground, and folds down small enough to slide under a bench. Onboard storage for the fence, wrenches, miter gauge, guard, and pawls means fewer trips back to the toolbox and less chance of losing small parts.

Because the saw is relatively light, long rips in heavy sheet stock can shift the saw on smooth concrete. A rubber mat under the feet or anti-slip pads solved it for me. If you plan on ripping a lot of full sheets alone, an outfeed table or rolling support is essential—the table itself is compact.

Safety and ergonomics

Skil includes the right safety hardware: a riving knife, tool-less guard, and anti-kickback pawls that are quick to install and remove. The anti-restart feature adds peace of mind after a power interruption. Controls are intuitive, and the large power switch is easy to hit with a knee in a pinch.

Blade changes are straightforward with the included wrenches and standard 5/8-inch arbor. The blade storage and accessory cubbies onboard keep the essentials at hand.

Weak points and workarounds

• Miter gauge: Replace it if you need precision, or shim the bar to reduce slop in a pinch.
• Startup surge: Use a dedicated circuit and a short, heavy-gauge cord.
• Height: If 32 inches feels low, build a platform or integrate the saw into a bench with outfeed support.
• Sharp edges: Inspect and lightly deburr the fence track and stamped parts before first use.
• Noise: It’s loud; good hearing protection is non-negotiable.

None of these issues are unusual for this class, but it’s worth knowing what you’re getting and how to get the best from it.

Who it’s for

This saw shines for DIYers, hobbyists, and pros who need a reliable, portable jobsite cutter without a bulky rolling stand. The 25-1/2-inch rip capacity is generous for its footprint, the fence system builds confidence, and the stand makes storage in tight shops simple. If you primarily build cabinets or demand furniture-grade precision every day, a heavier saw with a cast-iron top and a premium fence will save you time in the long run. But for general carpentry, home projects, and small-shop workflows where floor space matters, this is a very capable option.

Recommendation

I recommend this Skil saw. It delivers accurate, repeatable cuts with a rack-and-pinion fence, real portability with a compact folding stand, and thoughtful touches like micro-adjust alignment and an anti-restart switch. Power is ample for its size, dado capacity expands its utility, and dust collection is effective with a shop vac. You’ll want to budget for a better blade and consider upgrading the miter gauge, and you should plan on outfeed support for larger workpieces. With those expectations in place, it’s an excellent value that earns its spot in a small shop or on a jobsite where space and speed matter.