I’ve decided to take a closer look and bring the results to you. Read on and let’s get an in-depth Skilsaw table saw review and what it brings to the table.
Job site table saws are a must for any framer and a welcome companion in any workshop short on space. The SPT99-11 is a great example from Skilsaw, having most of the qualities necessary to get the job done on time.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Job Site Table Saw
Table saws are simple, but small changes can make a huge difference in actual use. Job site table saws are frequently used in construction, where you need to move them through doorways and over the normal debris buildup that happens.
A stationary table saw is usually mounted on steel legs, making them a bad choice for anyone who needs to stay mobile while working. They’re also a pain to load in a truck even if you can keep them in one spot.
An ideal job site saw will have the following qualities:
- Easily mobile with some kind of folding stand and wheels
- Onboard storage for easy access to accessories
- Lightweight for mobility
- Enough power for the task at hand
- Easy-to-use during a long workday
- Durable enough to take a bit of a beating
If the saw meets the above, you have a winner on your hands, at least so far as a portable table saw goes.
That said, this style of table saw isn’t the best for every use. Stationary saws in the same price range tend to be more precise, and often have a fence with less play since they don’t have to withstand the rigors of working.
Cabinetmakers, for instance, will be better served with a traditional table saw. While a job site saw is plenty precise for ripping boards and 2x4s for construction, they’re not perfect. I’d also suggest going for a standard table saw if you’re an at-home DIYer and have room for it.
Keep in mind the above when looking for one of these saws and you’ll be well served in the end.
Presenting the Skilsaw SPT99-11 10″ Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw
The SPT99-11 is a professional grade job site table saw. Skilsaw is a different line of tools than the consumer-grade SKIL tools which most people are familiar with. It’s an important distinction to make.
The components included in the kit are the following:
- The SPT99-11
- Skilsaw carbide blade
- Smart Guard System
- Push Stick
- Blade Wrench
- Rip fence
Essentially, the saw comes ready to go right out of the box. The stand is considered integral since you’ll be bolting the saw to the stand during the assembly process.
The Skilsaw SPT99-11 is a bit more expensive than many brands, but it’s often on sale for roughly the same price as the equivalent tools from companies like Bosch and DeWalt. It’s precise for its class, but the Skilsaw does have a unique draw that makes it worth a second glance from any professional.
That feature? The worm drive motor utilizes a different gearing system from a normal circular saw. The payoff from the gearing is more torque than you’ll find with a standard motor, keeping the speed even through tougher wood. The end effect is that the SPT99-11 should perform better in tough materials than a saw with the same input power.
Pros
- Worm drive motor
- Durable
- Stand with rubberized wheels
- Precise rack-and-pinion rip fence
- Easy to use
Cons
- Often needs adjustment out of the box
- Bad assembly instructions
- High cost for those working regular woods
Features and Benefits
At-a-Glance
- Blade Size: 10”
- Cutting Depth: 3 5/8” @ 90°
- Motor Power: 15A(~2.2 HP)
- RPM: 5000 no load
- Input Voltage: 110V
- Footprint: 52 ½” x 29.5”
- Weight: 94.3lbs
Blade Size and Cutting Capacity
The saw comes with a standard 10” sized blade, but actually has a bit more cutting capacity than a lot of the competition. Most 10” saws I looked at were able to cut a respectable 3 ⅛” straight across, while the SPT99-11 is able to cut 3 ⅝”. That extra half-inch can come in handy on unconventional lumber but still isn’t enough to cut down a 4×4 in a single pass.
The rip capacity sits at 30 ½” which is just a hair more than average, not enough to really make a difference in most applications.
You should carefully consider what you’ll be cutting regularly, but the SPT99-11 is geared towards construction use and has adequate capacity in all dimensions.
Power, Speed & Torque
This is where Skilsaw shines, the addition of the worm drive motor configuration gives it extra torque. It also has a higher RPM than most similar saws, running at 5,000 RPM.
It’s powered by a 15A motor, which seems to be the gold standard for 10” table saws. Skil have fitted out this table saw with it’s patented dual-field motor technology. This allows the motor to run cooler, enabling it to work harder for longer. It puts down approximately 2.2HP when you do the math, but the extra torque and RPM leads to higher performance in the field than saws with similarly sized motors.
Being able to cut through hardwood and different laminate materials without slowing down is a big plus in our book. It makes the saw especially suitable for heavy applications, and it makes short work of the 2x4s that make up most framing materials.
If there’s one thing to take away about this table saw it’s this: the SPT99-11 has significantly more power than similarly sized and priced saws.
Precision
Once adjusted, the Skilsaw SPT99-11 seems to have more than reasonable tolerances for framing, flooring, and other construction tasks. You can expect your cuts to stay within about 1/16” of each other according to most users.
While the tolerances are acceptable, one thing that’s a bit concerning is calibration when the saw arrives. You should expect to spend a bit of time aligning everything properly, but once you’ve done that it’s one of the more precise job site table saws available.
The miter gauge is also a bit cheap, but that seems to be standard with job site saws out of the box. Serious professionals may want to look into picking up another one ASAP.
Ease of Use
The saw cuts through most material easily, but that’s not the only thing that makes a table saw easy to use.
While the majority of the adjustments are easy, there are a few things that could be better. The main one is the power switch, which definitely requires some getting used to. It feels a bit recessed, in a bad way.
It also has a rather short cord, which isn’t a big deal on-site since most construction workers have an extension cord, but it can be a pain when you’re in a smaller workshop or garage.
The biggest failing here is assembly. The manual is great for everything but putting the stand together, so it takes more time than I’d like. Thankfully, there are videos of it being assembled readily available if you’re having trouble.
Portability
The stand and wheels are great. They make it easy to move the saw around the job site, and the wheels track well over small bits of debris.
The problem lies in the fact that it’s one of the heaviest job site saws I’ve seen. The whole thing comes in at just over 94lbs, which beats out even the equivalent DeWalt saw. It’s heavy and may be hard to move for smaller people.
While a relatively minor problem, you may want to rethink things if your jobs have you going up and down stairs frequently. Even steep inclines can be problematic.
If this saw truly has a weak point, it lies in the additional weight. Fortunately, the stand itself is awesome, so there aren’t any other problems with portability. Just make sure you’re strong enough to move the saw.
Extra Features
Table saws are generally light on features, and the SPT99-11 is on par with most of the competition.
It has a dust collection port elbow, thankfully, which you can hook up to a vacuum in order to clean up as you cut. It’s not perfect but it does the trick.
The rack-and-pinion system on the fence is a nice touch, creating a solid structure to keep the wood against when ripping.
It would be nice to have on-board storage for more tools, but it’s got room for accessories and a couple of other blades. It works well in that regard, and you probably won’t want the extra weight added on top of the saw.
Warranty and Support
Unfortunately, Skilsaw offers only a 1-year limited warranty on the SPT99-11. It’s a bit less than the industry average but it will cover you if something breaks due to a manufacturing fault on their end.
There isn’t much information on how well their customer service works, but you can assume it’s middle-of-the-line like their parent company Bosch.
Alternative Picks
While SPT99-11 is a solid choice for a job site saw, it may not be the right saw for everyone. The following are good alternatives if you’re headed down that route. If none of my alternative picks are what you’re looking for take a look at my run down of what I believe are the best table saws on the market in 2023.
DEWALT 10-Inch Table Saw, 32-1/2-Inch Rip Capacity (DWE7491RS)
The DWE7491RS is DeWalt’s 10” job site table saw. It’s at a similar weight to the SPT99-11, weighing in at 90lbs. The biggest difference of note is that it’s a direct drive saw with lower RPMs, so it may not perform as well in woods like oak.
Despite the lower weight, the wheels aren’t as well designed as the SPT99-11 either. The DeWalt option will usually cost less than this saw, however, and it’s just as rugged and capable on the job site. It’s a good option for those who don’t need the extra power given by the worm drive.
- Weighs a bit less, but it’s also a bit less maneuverable due to wheel design
- Has ½” less cutting depth at 90°
- Less torque, leading to lower performance in hardwood and other dense materials
Even if the SPT99-11 looks about right, I’d suggest taking a look to see if it doesn’t fit your needs better. For more details take a look at my Dewalt table saw review or click to link below.
Bosch Power Tools 4100-10 Tablesaw – 10 Inch Job site Table Saw
Bosch produces the excellent 4100 in the same class as the SPT99-11. Oddly enough, the costs are about equivalent most of the time, with a few key differences that may make it more suitable. The biggest difference is the overall weight since the Bosch comes in at a spritely 60lbs.
The 4100 is less precise, as a general rule than the SPT99-11 but both require calibration by the end-user and are within acceptable tolerances for construction. It’s also a smaller saw overall by a bit, and more maneuverable by a good margin.
- Much lighter and more maneuverable than the SPT99-11
- A bit less precise, but not appreciably so
- A better option for those who can’t easily handle the 94lbs of the SPT99-11
For those who need a lightweight, professional saw without the extra power it may be just right. Get a closer look and see for yourself. For more details take a look at my Bosch table saw review or click to link below.
Delta 36-6023 10 Inch Table Saw with 32.5 Inch Rip Capacity
The Delta 36-6023 is a respectable, professional-grade saw with a few flaws and a high price tag. On average it’s less precise than our other picks, but it is much lighter than the SPT99-11. The main drawing point here is durability, and it stands high in that regard.
The cost on this one varies a lot depending on your vendor, but in general, it’s a cheaper saw than the others on this list. It’s a lot of saw for the money, and you’ll also get a 5-year warranty on it from the manufacturer.
- Cheaper on average, and exceptionally durable
- Lightweight in comparison to the SPT99-11
- Much longer warranty, again making it a good optin for those hard on tools
While you may need to shop around to find a good price, I recommend the Delta 36-6023 for those who are hard on tools. Why not see if it fits for you? For more details take a look at my Delta table saw review or click to link below.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my Skilsaw table saw review and found it useful in helping you to make the right buying decision.
In the end, the Skilsaw SPT99-11 is an excellent choice for anyone who’s looking for a job site table saw. Its precision and power are hard to match within the same class of saw, but it can be prohibitively heavy for those with a smaller frame. Still, if you’re regularly working with very dense material it’s one of the best around.
Don’t take our word for it, check it out yourself!
