Today’s comparison is between two serious brands, with the chosen table saw models the SKILSAW SPT99 vs. Dewalt DWE7491RS.
We’ll look at the designs, capabilities, and accessories and select the table saw providing the best value for money while identifying the different uses suited to each.
Frequent readers will know that I owned and enjoyed a DeWalt table saw in my earlier woodworking days, and it would be fair to say I have a soft spot for the brand. Yet, my first circular saw was a SKIL, and I still have it today, so I have the greatest respect for both companies and the quality of their products.
Give me a couple of minutes of your time, and I’ll run you through the advantages and disadvantages of each table saw, giving you the information you need for an informed buying decision.
DEWALT DWE7491RS Vs SKILSAW SPT99
DeWalt DWE7491RS
SKILSAW SPT99
The price difference between these two saws is not huge, with the SKIL table saw slightly more expensive than the DeWalt. However, I think you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with the SKILSAW SPT99-11, and I’ve selected this table saw as providing the best value for money. Those few extra dollars buy you some valuable features, enhancing capability, safety, and convenience.
A point to note. SKIL markets the SPT99 series as either a -11 or -12 model. The difference? It’s the supplied blade, with SKIL using the SPT99-1 to describe the saw model and the last dash number to describe the blade. A 1 signifies a 24-tooth carbide blade, and a 2 is a 30-tooth Diablo blade tipped with titanium cobalt. It’s beyond the range of this article to discuss the difference, but in short? It’s a matter of personal preference.
Yet, there are features on the DeWalt you won’t find on the SKILSAW, and if your use or budget doesn’t justify the SKILSAW’s extra features, you’ll find a solid performer in the DeWalt DWE7491RS.
Key Features Compared
With 10-inch blades and 2.4 horsepower motors, these saws suit the construction site or higher-end home user levels. There are many similarities between these two saws, which we won’t dwell on. Instead, I’d like to focus on the eight differences I feel are worthy of a closer look. Depending on your particular use, such differences may be the points that sway you one way or another.
Worm Drive Versus Direct Drive Motor
SKIL makes a big deal of their worm drive range of power tools, so what’s that all about, and does it provide any benefits over a direct drive motor as used by DeWalt?
A worm drive is a type of gearing where a worm shaft, looking like a large coarsely threaded bolt, drives a worm wheel. This gearing allows you to use a higher rpm motor slowed by the worm drive to give a lower rpm at the blade but with higher torque. Torque is the rotational power or force felt at the cutting tip.
The other benefit of this system is an increased cut depth. With a direct drive motor, the diameter of the motor reduces the cut depth available to you. A worm drive allows the motor to be mounted lower in the table saw body, increasing available cut depth.
So, the SKILSAW SPT 99-1 series has two benefits: a higher torque to cut through harder wood and a deeper cut at 90 degrees. Yet, as in life, all benefits come with disadvantages. The worm drive requires oil in the gearbox, and the gearbox adds complexity and weight.
The direct-drive motor on the DeWalt is lighter and less complex but sacrifices half an inch of cut depth with reduced torque.
For me, the higher torque and cut depth on the SKILSAW win the day on this comparison.
Winner: SKILSAW
SKILSAW SPT99 features a worm drive motor that delivers higher torque.
Fence Width Rip Capacity
The SPT99-11 has a rip capacity of 30-1/2 inches using the fence. The DeWalt gives you an extra 2-inches capacity at 32-1/2. It may not seem much, but believe me, if you’re regularly ripping large sheets, the width capacity on a table saw is a big deal.
If you’re on a job site, the last thing you want to be doing is jury-rigging a makeshift fence to allow you to make one necessary cut. Your productivity and accuracy suffer, or both. Therefore, if you regularly cut large sheets, the DeWalt has the edge on this comparison.
Winner: Dewalt
DEWALT DWE7491RS wins with a 32-½-inch rip capacity compared to the 30-1/2-inch capacity of SKILSAW.
Blade RPM
While there is a difference between the two saws, it’s negligible. The SPT99-11 spins the blade at 5,000 rpm, and the DWE7491RS at 4,800. Two hundred rpm isn’t in it when discussing benefits. Torque at the blade is more important, and as we’ve already discussed, the SKILSAW has the edge there. So it’s a draw regarding blade rpm as far as I’m concerned.
Winner: Tie
SKILSAW SPT99-11 has a slightly higher blade RPM, but it’s not something that should affect your buying decision.
Bevel Capacity
Now, I can’t locate the bevel capacity for the DeWalt other than a statement that the blade goes to 45 degrees. The SKILSAW specifically states adjustment angles from -1 degrees to 47 degrees. Having a buffer of 1 to 2 degrees either way on your bevel capacity is essential when trying to miter joints, and so in the absence of any further data on the DeWalt, I’ll give this one to SKIL.
Winner: SKILSAW
SKILSAW SPT99 has a wider bevel adjustment range from -1 degrees to 47 degrees.
Cut Depth
The DeWalt has a cut depth at 90 degrees of 3-1/8 inches, while the SKILSAW gives an extra 1/2 an inch at 3-5/8. The increased cut capacity of the SPT99-11 is due to the worm-drive gearbox, as discussed earlier. That’s a whopping increase on a measure where small increments count, giving a clear advantage to SKIL.