The SKIL 3410-02 portable table saw is considered a model for beginners and is designed for use on light construction jobs. While not a model you can reliably use at the jobsite, it’s perfect for working on small projects at home in your workshop or garage. But don’t let the small size of this saw fool you, it still has a lot of power to offer and comes equipped with a solid stand, lightweight design and easy portability.
If you want to check out other top models on the market and see their pros and cons, head over to our full Buyer’s Guide on some of the best portable table saws today.
Overview & Features
This model features an aluminum table, which is significantly lighter than the tables made of cast iron. This can make it easier to move and transport. The stand also features built-in carry grips. Because of the lightweight table, you’ll definitely experience more vibration and less sturdiness and because of the table size, it won’t be able to handle substantial pieces of lumber. Another issue involves the miter gauge. This model uses a non-standard size of miter gauge, which means it won’t be easy to find an upgrade for this component. The gauge can also become loose in the slot. The saw also tends to jump a bit because it doesn’t feature a soft start, which you can commonly find on more expensive models.
Product Rating:
- Great bang for the buck
- Surprisingly sturdy
- 3 and a half inches cut height capacity
- Large cast aluminum table
- The heavy-duty stand is really supportive
- Comes with the EZ view measurement system
Aluminum Table
Many people would argue the important of a cast-iron table for your saw. However, they are forgetting one major factor – weight. In a portable saw, weight is crucial since you will most likely move the tool from place to place often and will need it to be as portable as possible. This is why almost all portable saws come with an aluminum table.
The dimensions of this particular one are 20×26 inches although it can extend to 20×32 inches if you are working with longer pieces of wood. That is quite a lot, especially for the price. For a simple comparison, the much more expensive Bosch GTS1031 Portable Table Saw has only 20×22 and a half inches table and costs almost twice as that. Of course, there are other factors at play but this just goes to show you how good of a deal the Skilsaw table is relative to what it presents as features.
Cutting Properties
In terms of cutting, this portable saw has a 3 and a half inch cut height capacity, which again is higher than most other portable saws out there. This is the theme of the whole model – you pay less but get more. Now, the quality might not be quite on par with all other competitor models but you definitely get your money’s worth.
The saw can bevel from 2 to 47 degrees and has a maximum cut depth of 2.5 inches (at 45 degrees) and 3.5 inches (at 90 degrees). The maximum dado width is 15 inches.
The motor here really makes cutting easy as it is quite powerful. It continues the theme of surprisingly strong attributes to a surprisingly budget model. It has one of the highest no-load RPMs on the market, clocking in at 5000.
Material Quality
As I mentioned, the quality here is decent but not quite on par with the rest of the competition. The table itself is rigid and the stand is quite supportive but you will notice a lot of moving around of different elements when you start working, which isn’t typical for a DeWalt saw, for example.
The assembly by itself is a pretty straight forward process and can be done in less than 30 minutes.
The one thing I cannot fault here, though, is the miter gauge. The rip fence is also quite rigid and easy to work with. Another quality part is the carbide tooth saw blade which can last you quite some time with the proper care.
A Few Extra Words
The low price for this saw does come with some downsides. It’s very small compared to most models, so if you need to rip large stock, this definitely isn’t the model for you. While considered a portable model, it doesn’t feature wheels and can be awkward to carry. This can be an even bigger problem on job sites.
Some parts of the saw that should be made out of steel have been made of plastic, which means, if you’re rough with this model, it won’t last more than a couple of years. Using a cross cut sled can be problematic because the gutter depth isn’t standard and some of the model’s runner slots are also non-standard. Because of this you’ll be forced to make your own accessories or you’ll have to purchase accessories from SKIL only. The included user’s manual is considered vague at best and it can be hard to decipher some of the information.
If you want to learn some of the best saw safety tips, head over to my detailed article on the topic. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most important pros and cons of this model…
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Great bang for the buck
- Surprisingly sturdy
- 3 and a half inches cut height capacity
- Large cast aluminum table
- The heavy-duty stand is really supportive
- Comes with the EZ view measurement system
Cons
- Some parts don’t feel as premium as the ones on some competitor models
- Some users complain about the blade misaligning itself to the point where it stops working and couldn’t be fixed further
If you are new to woodworking and want to get to know the tools required for this line of work, head over to my full article on the woodworking tools for beginners.
Conclusion and Rating
Product Rating:
This portable table saw is best described as a tool designed for the beginner, for weekend use only and not a model you should purchase for everyday use. Still, if you are on a tight budget and want something that will get the job done on an occasional DIY project, you should seriously consider it. Thanks to its low price, good amount of features and functionality, we gave it a solid four and a half out of five stars rating.
