Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp 10 In. Table Saw
In A Hurry? Here's A Quick Summary Of The Craftsman Evolv Table Saw Review.
This Craftsman table saw comes with a 15 Amp motor and a boisterous 5,000 RPM blade rev speed. The saw also features the Craftsman Evolv signature Safety Key system. This Craftsman evolv table saw is a lightweight power tool with a high degree of maneuverability and is a low maintenance product that comes with a very well detailed user manual. An ideal table saw for basic level carpentry projects.
Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp table saw easily fills the spaces between ‘not so CHEAP’ and ‘not a high end contractor power tool’. It is the kind of table saw that you’d never go for as long as there were alternatives available. Normally, I don’t take to such extreme measures about confessing my love or hatred for a power tool, but there’s something about this Craftsman table saw which I can’t put a finger on.
In simple words: I wouldn’t use a Craftsman Evolv table saw if I had the choice of choosing between SKIL 3410-02 and this company’s products. Then again, it is a matter of requirements. On any given day, if I am working on basic level carpentry, then this Craftsman Evolv 10 inch table saw would win the bidding easily.
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In summation, this is a medium profile power tool with the ability to cut through wood within a limited scope. Based on a 15 Amp motor and a boisterous 5,000 RPM blade rev speed, you may expect the table saw to perform impeccably.
However, since the overall build quality is inferior to modern popular brands such as Bosch 4100-09 & Makita 2705-10, and not to mention the fact that the heel alignment of the blade with the miter slot is waaaaayyyy off, you can’t get as much “productivity” out of this tool as you would hope for.
Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp 10 Inch Table Saw Miter Gauge and Blade Alignment Issue!
Normally, I start the review with a few highlights of the plus points, but this one is an exception. I feel that it is imperative to state that Craftsman Evolv 10 inch table has a few mechanical issues, which can set your entire project off in the right direction.
Imagine working on a dense, pressure treated slab that came off at above market price. Now, what you don’t want to do is cut it the wrong way with this table saw. Things can go awry if you don’t have enough perception skills. Since some of the units have a faulty miter gauge and the blade alignment is not accurate, you will end up making a doo doo out of that high priced slab. Mind it.
Source:Craftsman
Last January when I purchased this Craftsman table saw, I should have assembled it then and there after bringing it home. For some reason, I put it in my garage for a couple of months because I wasn’t suspecting anything weird from this Craftsman Evolv. Anyhow, the day I assembled it, I noticed that the blade was physically at a weird angle (from back to front), which caused the entire sheet to go to waste.
In the table saw world, a misaligned blade means that you are trying to do the impossible. The only good news about the Craftsman Evolv 10 inch table saw is that it is “perfect” for making small cuts. If you are thinking of running a bigger sheet through it, you might as well be prepared for blade binding, curved cut and what not!
What Happens In Case of Blade Binding?
Blade binding is something I talked about earlier in one of my reviews on other table saws. Technically, it is just a force of habit where you are pressing the wood sheet against the fence. As soon as the blade is 80% through, you end up putting extra pressure on both sides which causes the blade to “bind”. The table saw will emit a lot of noise and if you don’t loosen the hold a little bit, the motor might burn.
Source:Craftsman
However, in Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp case, since the blade itself is physically misaligned, it will automatically bind somewhere down that slab. The only way of dealing with this issue is that you physically insert small sized sheets that don’t require as much effort on either the table saw’s part or yours.
Craftsman Table Saw Is Not Designed for Professionals:
The Evolv table saw is not designed for hardcore professionals. Regardless, the table saw has good visual aesthetics, a nice low profile user friendliness and all the necessary tools to help you get started. They wanted to target entry level wood workers; the pricing makes sense in that context. I have personally tried other table saws and most of them go up north of $200 easily; this model is a little bit cheap.
Portability Factor:
Since the blade diameter is 10 inches, you are looking at a lightweight table saw. It is easily movable; the no fuss design has a striking appeal. If it weren’t for the misalignment issue, I’d have used this power tool as a second priority product on my list. Just remember: small sized slabs, okay?
Technically this gives you the idea that Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp 10 Inch Table is a home workshop product. Transportation is easy whenever you are looking to unload, disassemble and re assemble this table saw. Evolv also approached the minimalistic design style in an attempt to keep the entire unit as a “whole”, hence eliminating the need of cumbersome disassembly etc.
Biscuit joints came out super clean and accurate. I also noticed that the individual slab cut quality didn’t deter no matter how low the clearance area was maintained. Regardless of the total 3,650 RPM output, the blade was able to chew across bigger pieces of wood with dense depth core.
Compatibility Factor:
Good news for everyone who desired a table saw’s compatibility with extension cords; Evolv’s stock power cable can be extended easily. Either you can purchase a separate extension cord and connect it from the main power port where the stock cable is connected, or you can make a connection by stripping the wires in the middle with a plier set.
Please bear in mind that you need to use a high resistance wire as an extension cord. Since this is a 15-amp table saw, you will need at least a 20 AMP resistance cable. If that’s not an option, then make sure that you are using a good quality circuit breaker to prevent any electric damage to the Craftsman Evolv saw. In latter case, the warranty will be automatically voided.
I haven’t personally used an extension cord with this Craftsman table saw because the model was returned back to Amazon. I did read at different forums that some people had success with using an extension cord without any hitches. Normally users refrain from using extension cords because a table saw is supposed to be set up at one particular location in your work space. You don’t move it around a lot, and most of the cutting is performed within that specific location at your job site.
Craftsman Evolv Blade Rip Capacity Vs. Fence Power:
Since this is a mini table saw, the overall output capacity is limited. You start off with a smaller table space – and even if you are able to slide in a bigger plank, the blade’s misalignment will cause imprecise cuts. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the entire table saw is faulty; you just need to improvise a little bit to get things done.
Source:Craftsman
Moving on, rip fence has a sturdy build alongside a locking mechanism. It helps to keep the material locked up while you are busy with making a straight line or angled cut.
Unfortunately, there are no rollers on this fence, so there is a bit of a manual labor aspect involved in there. Rollers are not necessarily important, but they make a wood worker’s work a lot more easier than in the case of conventional table saw fences.
Dust Collection Port:
Nope, nada; there is no proper system for sawdust emission or collection. Since Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp 10 Inch Table Saw is a budget oriented power tool, the absence of a dust collection system shouldn’t come to you as a surprise.
Many users don’t mind having a dust collection compartment within the table saw assembly. However, if it is not there, it shouldn’t be a big deal. You can always swipe your workshop after the project is complete. The more pressing matter is the fact that you need to wear protective headgear whenever you are operating this table saw.
Since the dust collection system is not installed in this model, the blade will throw up sawdust particles towards your face. This can cause a serious injury to your eyes.
Product Specifications Craftsman Evolv 15 Amp 10 In. Table Saw
Craftsman Table Saw Specifications | Craftsman Evolv |
|---|---|
Evolv Blade Diameter | 10 Inch |
No Load Speed | 5000 RPM |
Arbor | 5/8 Inch |
Craftsman Table Saw Model | 28461 |
Max. Cutting Capacity at 45° | 2.5 inch |
Max. Cutting Capacity at 90° | 3 inch |
Craftsman Evolv Dimensions | 26.9 x 19.8 x 12.9 inches |
Craftsman Warranty | 1 year |
Evolv Table Saw Voltage | 120 V |
Craftsman Evolv Saw Weight | 50.4 lbs. |
Whats In The Box:
Craftsman Table Saw Pros:
Cons:
Conclusion:
To be fair, I wouldn’t recommend Craftsman Evolv table saw to anyone who is looking to buy a power tool for the first time. There are a lot of low priced alternatives available in the market, but the only advantage this model seems to have is that it’s available at bargain rates.
Craftsman Evolv has a solid grip over the concept of table saws; they just need to improve on production quality and speed. This Craftsman table saw model is only recommended to entry level enthusiasts. Worst-case scenario: the blade in some units is physically misaligned. If you were unlucky, you should contact the company for a replacement or a full refund.
Make sure to also read our table saws comparison post and our complete in depth table saw buying guide right here at Powertoolbuzz.
