A good jobsite table saw is one of the first things a new professional in the construction industry needs to find. They don’t just bring a lot to the table… they’re essential for getting the job done in a timely manner. It’s just a matter of finding a saw that fits.
The Delta 36-6023 is a professional-grade construction saw, with its own set of quirks but it may be just right for some. Let’s dive in and we’ll show you the ins-and-outs, and compare it to some other saws in the same class.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Jobsite Table Saw
The most important consideration when you’re looking to buy a jobsite table saw is simple: you should be sure it’s the right kind of table saw for what you’re doing.
They’re intended for use on a jobsite, with tasks like cutting 2x4s and ripping plywood being the most frequent. In those cases, you don’t need as tight of tolerances as you would for highly precise work. The trade-off between a jobsite and stationary saw is mostly in precision.
Hobbyists who are looking to make high-end furniture, for instance, would be best served with a stationary saw. At the same price point, the jobsite saw will be less accurate in most cases.
Those with a smaller workshop or garage may opt to make the trade-off to save space but should be aware of the limitations.
On the other hand, a good jobsite table saw needs to have the following qualities:
- Lightweight
- A stand with wheels to maneuver the saw easily
- Enough power to handle common construction timber
- Durable enough to last a workday and take the occasional ding or fall
- Enough precision for construction tasks
As long as the above qualities are present, you’re looking at a saw that will work for most construction tasks.
From there it’s a matter of balancing the rest of a saw’s qualities to see if it meets your needs and budget.
In general, a jobsite table saw will be moved a few times a day as it becomes more convenient. In addition, most construction sites have a good bit of debris around, so you need robust wheels to bounce over the occasional bit here and there.
One factor some people forget is going uphill and stairs. Great wheels and maneuverability are nice, but weight becomes a serious issue if you’re constantly moving upwards regardless.
Think about the situations you’ll be using the saw in before you commit to one or the other. Small differences in convenience can mean more than a bit of extra power or a shiny new feature when you’re actually working with the saw in the wild.
Presenting the Delta 36-6023
The Delta 36-6023 is a budget contractor’s jobsite saw. In the box you’ll find the following:
- The 36-6023
- Wheeled stand
- Carbide blade
- Rip fence
- Push stick
While a bit bare-bones on accessories, the saw is perfectly usable as it comes. You’ll just need to assemble the tool and align the fence before you can get to cutting. You can find instructions on aligning a table saw fence online.
The Delta 36-6023 varies wildly in price, but can usually be found for a significantly lower price than much of the competition. While it has some flaws that account for the lower price, it’s also a great buy for someone who doesn’t need a perfect saw on a day-to-day basis. That makes it ideal for handymen and at-home DIYers.
For precision work, you’ll want to give the Delta a skip, but it’s extremely durable and up to par for construction work. Just be aware that some parts are plastic and the tolerances on the fence aren’t overly tight and you may find it a good companion in the field.
Pros
- Can be found at a lower price than most professional-grade saws
- Very durable, especially the stand
- Easy assembly
- Capable of handling most common construction timber with no problems
Cons
- Less precision than most jobsite saws
- More plastic parts than many saws
- A little heavier than the average jobsite saw
Features and Benefits
At-a-Glance
- Blade Size: 10”
- Cutting Depth: 3 1/2” @ 90°
- Motor Power: 15A(~2.2 HP)
- RPM: 5000 no load
- Input Voltage: 110V
- Footprint: 39.1″ x 30″
- Weight: 77lbs
Blade Size and Cutting Capacity
The 36-6023 has a standard 10” blade and cuts through 3 ½” at 90°. That’s marginally more than the majority of saws in this class, which usually sit around 3 ⅛” standing straight up.
The rip fence is capable of handling up to 32 ½” on the right-hand side of the blade and 25” on the left. It’s enough capacity to rip plywood sheets, which is what the rip fence is primarily designed for.
For the most part, this is an adequate saw for construction needs and it performs well when compared to others in its class.
Power, Speed & Torque
The Delta 36-6023 is powered by a 15A standard motor, laying down a touch over 2HP. While it boasts higher unloaded RPM than average, at 5000HP, it does lack the advanced circuitry that’s used by companies like Bosch to maintain that speed.
Don’t take that to mean it’s underpowered. The 36-6023 will rip through the majority of construction lumber and it’s perfectly capable of taking down hardwoods. You’ll just have to move slower on the latter.
Torque is about average for this size of motor. It will slow down when you bring in the workpiece, but not incredibly so. Just don’t expect it to compete with something like a worm-drive motor and you’ll be fine.
My overall impression in this area is that it’s about average. You’re not going to be disappointed, but you may not be wowed either.
Precision
Precision is the primary failing of this saw. With adjustments, it can get within 1/16”, which is decent tolerances for construction, but I’d avoid it if you need to be very precise.
There’s also a bit more blade wobble than I’d like. Not to an unsafe degree by any margins, but you’d be well served to replace the included blade and add stabilizers early in the saw’s lifespan.
Oddly enough, it actually has one of the better miter gauges seen on a contractor saw. While it may be off by a degree or two out of the box, it performs well once calibrated. The only problem is that it’s a bit stiff, which may be why it performs well under real-world usage.
Ease of Use
The Delta 36-6023 is relatively newbie-friendly. For most people, it’s easy enough to assemble, and the controls are intuitive if a little bit stiff.
The fence operates off of a rack-and-pinion system as well, which allows you to quickly change the length when you’re ripping boards. There are also three quick adjustment tabs.
Aligning a fence is never a fun task, and I’d be doubly certain to align it on this one before using it. However, other than that it’s an easy-to-use saw that most people will quickly be comfortable with.
Portability
Fortunately, the Delta 36-6023 is rather portable. It stands up like a hand truck and is easy to move around the job site. The wheels are a bit lacking compared to other professional saws, but they’re not terrible either.
The Delta 36-6023 is middling in weight for a jobsite saw, sitting at a bit under 80lbs. The lightest saws in this class sit around 60lbs, so it’s not ultra light-weight, but heavier ones can near 100lbs.
I’d rate it as completely usable in this area, without needing to put much thought into whether you’re strong enough to move it around the jobsite.
Extra Features
The saw lacks any exceptional features, which is to be expected considering it’s a budget-priced table saw.
It still has a 2 ½” dust port, thankfully. Hooking up a vacuum will help you keep dust to a minimum, although it won’t completely eliminate airborne sawdust.
The main gripe is a lack of onboard storage. It’s not a serious downfall, but it’s always a nice touch when you’re moving around on the job.
As a bare-bones saw, it’s perfectly utilitarian but it lacks some quality of life features that are routine to find on professional-grade saws.
Warranty and Support
Fortunately, Delta has a 5-year limited warranty to cover anything that breaks under normal use. It’s longer than most, but it comes with some caveats you may not like. The worst is that you’ll have to return the saw at your cost, and shipping a table saw isn’t exactly cheap.
While it appears that Delta does honor their warranties, they do have a decent BBB rating despite not being accredited and the complaints listed seem to be the usual problems that come up whenever you’re in business.
Don’t expect their service to be any better or worse than most companies, but the stipulation of shipping at your expense isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for their customer service skills either.
Alternatives
The Delta 36-6023 is a functional table saw, and a bargain if you shop around, but there are many others in the same class. The following three are all good alternatives if you don’t mind the increase in cost. 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)
DeWalt produces the DWE7491RS, which is a great professional-grade jobsite saw. It’s powerful, has a great stand, and is generally more than adequate for professional use in the real world. It holds an edge in precision as well.
The DWE7491RS is generally more expensive than the 36-6023, and a good bit heavier. That said, it’s a better saw when it comes to overall quality and a standout option for those who can afford it.
- Heavier saw by comparison, but better wheels make it easier to maneuver for most
- Excellent build quality
- More expensive than the 36-6023 by a significant amount
For a high-end professional quality saw, this DeWalt fits. Take a look! 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 Jobsite Table Saw
While Bosch owns DeWalt, there are some significant differences between these two saws. The big one that most people will notice is the advanced circuitry. With response circuitry to keep stable RPMs while cutting and soft start, it provides a very smooth cutting experience. With proper calibration, it more than meets the standard for cutting tolerances.
It’s also very lightweight for a jobsite table saw. On average it’s about the same price as the DeWalt above, but either may cost more depending on the vendor. It’s an excellent option for a professional, especially those who like the smooth cutting the advanced circuits provide.
- Advanced circuitry makes it a very smooth cutting saw
- Lightweight saw with great precision
- More expensive than the 36-6023 by quite a bit
If lighter and more precise is what you’re looking for, then get a closer look online. For more details take a look at my Bosch table saw review or click to link below.
SKILSAW SPT99-11 10″ Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw
The SPT99-11 is the most expensive of these saws, but it’s also a great option for work involving hardwoods. It meets minimum tolerances for construction work easily, but it’s the worm-drive that’s the most compelling reason for its inclusion here.
The altered motor provides a lot of torque, allowing it to eat through hardwood or dense laminates without slowing down. That said, it’s almost 100lbs and may not be the best for those who have to move frequently around the jobsite.
- The worm-drive motor provides extra high torque for denser material
- Very solid overall, but also quite heavy
- Expensive compared to most jobsite table saws, not just the 36-6023
Sometimes it pays off to look for extra quality and power, if that’s what you’re looking for then take a peek. For more details take a look at my Skilsaw table saw review or click to link below.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, the Delta 36-6023 is a budget-priced table saw, perfect for entry-level professionals or handymen who just need a saw with a small footprint on their truck. It’s not perfect and has some problems with precision, but in the end, it’ll work on a construction site with little fuss and isn’t a bank-breaker. It’ll make the cut in most cases.
So, is a budget-priced table saw what you’re looking for? Take a closer look.
