The Bosh GTS1031 portable table saw features a design that allows it to stand out from the competition. The powerful motor, portability and lightweight design make this model easy to transport and use from worksite to worksite. While lightweight, it still features a solid construction and a sturdy base that promotes stability as you cut, with minimal vibration. A consumer favorite, this table saw has a lot to offer at a more reasonable price.
If you want to check out other top models on today’s market, or maybe even learn more about table saws in general, head over to my detailed Buyer’s Guide.
Table of Contents
Overview & Features
The ten inch portable table saw by Bosch is considered one of the best onsite saws on the market. The strongest selling point is the saw’s portability. Weighing in at a little over fifty pounds, you’ll still be able to lug it around to and from work without any issues. This saw’s single handle carry design makes it easy to tote around. The handles are positioned just right, making it a breeze to just pick up and go. The table saw’s base and stand is made out of steel. You can also store it on your truck vertically, saving a ton of space. This model also comes equipped with under the table storage, allowing you to keep all the tools you need close by and accounted for.
Product Rating:
- Extremely durable
- Versatile
- Can be easily carried around
- Components are made out of quality materials
- Motor requires little to no maintenance
- Easily outlasts its competition in terms of longevity
- Comes with a lot of useful accessories
Cutting Properties
This table saw comes with a 10 inch 24-tooth carbide saw which has a total of 18 inches rip capacity. That, combined with the 5000 no-load RPMs creates a powerful combination that will cut right through almost anything you throw at it. That motor and blade combo also adds to the versatility of this saw, making it useful for almost any type of job site work.
The bevel angle range here is from minus 2 degrees to 47 degrees which is normal for most saws. It has a cut depth of 2 and 1/4 inches at 45 degrees and 3 and 1/8 inches at 90 degrees. Now that isn’t great, since some cheaper models have greater depths of cut but the precision and power here is what counts, not how many stacked pieces of wood will you be able to cut at once.
The square lock rip fence is self-aligning which helps with repeatability and accuracy as you saw your way through the day. Something that adds to this control and accuracy is the anti-kickback pawl, the riving knife system, and the smart guard system. That rip fence also decreases waste and maximizes your tool’s output.
One very great feature for the smart guard system (the modular blade guard) is that it detaches and re-attaches in seconds. The pawls and riving knife give you a good amount of control over the material you are cutting.
The only thing which is slightly inconvenient here is the small table sizes. It measures 20 by 22 and a half inches, while some other tables on the market reach up to 32 inches.
Durability
Durability is one of the strong features of this particular model. It is truly built to last and honestly, that is where most of your money will go. You can easily opt for a cheaper model like the Skil 3410-02 portable table saw, but you aren’t going to experience the same level of rigidity and quality there.
This is one of the main reasons people opt for brands like Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, and other big names in the industry. It might cost you a little more upfront but it will save you money in the long run.
The base is entirely made out of steel and that will add unprecedented durability but you will need to take care of it if you work in humid environments. One way to maintain your saw is by waxing it and keeping the steel surfaces unexposed to air and humidity. The same goes for the table of the saw and its other exposed components.
Want to learn about table saw safety? Head over to my detailed article to find out more on the topic.
Portability & Accessories
In terms of portability this saw is surprisingly agile. It isn’t too heavy, has a one-handed carry handle on the side which is well balanced and will easily allow you to transport the tool from one work site to another. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a stand, which is a really weird downside since this particular model is far more expensive than normal table saws but doesn’t come with a stand. Luckily, it more than makes up for that by coming with other useful accessories such as:
- Rip Fence
- Smart Guard
- Miter Gauge
- Wrenches
- Tool-free dust chute
- Tool storage compartment under the table
These additional features really help it cement its name as a worker’s saw and if you already have a workshop with a sturdy table, you won’t really need the stand either way.
If you want to learn which tools does it take to begin working as a woodworker, check out my full article on the topic! Now, let’s see some of the major pros and cons of this portable table saw…
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Versatile
- Can be easily carried around
- Components are made out of quality materials
- Motor requires little to no maintenance
- Easily outlasts its competition in terms of longevity
- Comes with a lot of useful accessories
Cons
- One of the downsides for this model is that the miter gauge is the cheap kind that is often found on lower quality models. However, this issue is not major enough to effect the overall rating for this product.
- Too expensive for most people who are looking for a weekend table saw
Conclusion and Rating
Product Rating:
This popular saw features a motor with four HP, capacity of eighteen inch rip and an innovative steel base design. It also includes a miter gauge, rip fence, I-wrench, twenty-four tooth blade, smart guard and blade wrenches. Consumers love this model because it gives them what they want; storage, power and easy portability. Consumers also liked the sturdy, high quality construction of this model, the reasonable price and the saw’s consistent cutting performance. The model’s rip fence was designed for maximum accuracy and the fence will glide along the rails into place, offering precision with every use. Consumers gave this model five out of five stars for its performance, durability, ease of use and portability. Consumers had no complaints regarding the saw’s design, performance or reliability. This is also a very affordable option for the woodworker on a budget.
