Pressed for time? Check our best picks
Safety Speed Cut C4
- Quick change of cutting from vertical to horizontal
- Easy to move around
- Vertical design saves floor space
Safety Speed Cut H4
- Adjustable vertical and horizontal rulers
- Durable
- Quick change from vertical to horizontal cutting
Rockwell RK3441K
- Horizontal cutting capacity is unlimited
- Includes a blade
- Vertical design saves you floor space
Our reviews are unbiased, fact-based, and comprehensively researched to help you make the right buying decisions.
Model Analysed
Research Hours
Comments Analysed
If you work at a sign shop and are usually tasked with cutting aluminum sheets, wood, and plastic for your sign blanks, having the right panel saw will make your tasks far easier to execute.
Investing in the right panel saw will save you time and boost the profitability of your business.
Fortunately for you, we analyzed over twenty panel saws and came up with a list of the best for you. Read on to find out more.
Top Panel Saw in the Market Compared
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall - Safety Speed Cut C4 |
| Check Today's Price |
| Best Premium - Safety Speed Cut H4 |
| Check Today's Price |
| Best Budget - Safety Speed Cut H5 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best in Durability - Safety Speed Cut PRO1K |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best in Ease of Setting up - Panel Pro PRO1 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best in Ease of Use - Saw Trax 1064 |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of Best Panel Saw
Best Overall - Safety Speed Cut C4
Key specifications
- Max. Crosscut – 50″/1270mm
- Max. Rip-Cut – 96″/2450mm
- Max. Cut Thickness – 1 3″/4/45mm
- Cut Accuracy – 1/32″/0,8mm
- Saw Blade Diameter – 8″/200mm
Out of all the panel saws we analyzed, the C4 vertical panel saw proved to be on a level of its own. The handling of the sheets is more comfortable with this saw.
You can either permanently fix the saw to the wall or move it around with the folding stand and optional wheels.
Its vertical design helps save floor space. This panel also features a counter-balance saw carriage, which guarantees you a smooth operation.
With it, the handling of sheets, worktops, panels, and boards becomes a walk in the park.
The link below will direct you to a YouTube video showing you the machine in action:
Pros
- Quick change of cutting from vertical to horizontal
- Easy to move around
- Vertical design saves floor space
- It facilitates safer cross-cutting of sheet materials
Cons
- Expensive
The Safety Speed Cut C4 vertical panel saw is a valuable addition to your small or medium-sized workshop. Although it is costlier than the other products in its category, it offers excellent value for money.
Best Premium - Safety Speed Cut H4
Key specifications
- Max. Crosscut – 50”/1270mm
- Max. Rip-Cut – Unlimited
- Max. Cut Thickness – 1 3/4″/45mm
- Cut Accuracy – 1/32″/0,8mm
- Saw Blade Diameter – 8″/200mm
With the H4 panel, you are assured of a full-sized vertical panel saw ideal for industrial tasks.
The machine allows you to change the cutting from vertical to horizontal quickly.
It comes with a powerful 3 1/4 Hp, 15amp saw motor, adjustable horizontal and vertical rulers, a lifetime warranty for the frame, and a one-year warranty for the parts.
Pros
- Adjustable vertical and horizontal rulers
- Durable
- Lifetime frame warranty
- Quick change from vertical to horizontal cutting
Cons
- Does not include a blade
Featuring an integrated dust collection bonnet, this saw ensures your worksite is neat. With a 10′ frame, unlimited rip cut, and 50″ maximum cross-cut, this panel saw is ideal for furniture and cabinet makers.
Best Budget - Safety Speed Cut H5
Key specifications
- Max. Crosscut – 64”/1625mm
- Max. Rip-Cut – Unlimited
- Max. Cut Thickness – 1 3/4″/45mm
- Cut Accuracy – 1/32″/0,8mm
- Saw Blade Diameter – 8″/200mm
The H5 Panel saw assures you of safety and simplicity when it comes to cutting off sheet material. It features rollers on its lower rail, which makes it easy for the sheets to pass through the saw.
To ensure accuracy in repeat length cutting, the machine is fitted with a precision stop on its mid-way fence.
The tool also features adjustable horizontal and vertical rulers.
Pros
- Includes a blade
- Affordable
- Vertical design saves you floor space
- Horizontal cutting capacity is unlimited
Cons
- Does not include wheels
If you are looking for an affordable, efficient saw panel that will ensure you can easily make quick changes of the cutting from vertical to horizontal, the Safety Speed Cut H4 Vertical panel saw is the one for you.
Best in Durability - Safety Speed Cut PRO1K
Key specifications
- Saw blade diameter of 7-1/4-Inch
- 14-amp Ryobi saw motor
- Cut accuracy within 1/32-Inch/0,8mm
The PRO1K Panel was designed to ensure woodworkers, both professional and amateurs, have a machine that would allow a single person to cut large sheets of wood or plastic with ease and accuracy.
For added safety, the saw blade is entirely enclosed and behind the panel when the machine is in use.
Within 30 minutes, you can quickly assemble the machine.
Its vertical design and folding stand give you peace of mind when it comes to storage and floor space. The unit can also cut both horizontally and vertically.
Pros
- Durable
- Portable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Dust collection system sold separately
The PRO1K Panel saw can be used for home projects, cabinet making, building construction, and remodeling. Its portability, ease of use, light weight, and precision make this saw ideal for job sites and your shop.
Best in Ease of Setting up - Panel Pro PRO1
Key specification
- Motor 15 amp;120 volts
- Maximum Rip-Cut 96″/2450mm
- Accuracy within 1/32″/0.8mm
- Saw Blade Diameter 7 1/4″ included /184mm
- Maximum Cross Cut 50″/1270mm
- Maximum Board Thickness 1 1/2″/38mm
This saw is safe and easy to use while guaranteeing precision when cutting large sheets.
The PRO1 Vertical Panel Saw allows quick change from cross-cuts to rip cuts. It takes you less than 15 minutes to assemble this machine.
The panel, which encloses the saw blade is firmly supported by a vertical frame, thus enhancing safety when in use.
Its handle is designed to ensure comfort and efficiency. The machine features both a horizontal and a vertical ruler.
The upper extension brackets have instructions on building wood extensions. For enhanced portability, this product comes with wheels.
Pros
- Easy and quick to assemble
- Quick-change
- Portable
Cons
- Expensive
For an accurate and safe panel saw that is easy to set up and ideal for one-person operation and can handle cutting big sheets, you should consider the PRO1 Vertical Panel Saw.
Best in Ease of Use - Saw Trax 1064
Key specifications
- 10′ wide compact frame
- Zinc-plated, 1/8″ wall, steel guide tubes
- Weighs 336 lbs.
With a cross cut capacity of 64 inches and a 10-foot frame, the Saw Trax 1064 is a remarkably easy-to-use, and portable panel saw. This full-size panel is ideal for woodworking and cabinet making.
The saw has two carriage locks for optimal performance when routing or ripping. It is accurate and has an exclusive sealed bearing system that enables precise and easy carriage movement.
The company’s patented Accu-Square alignment system ensures your machine never goes out of square. The folding stand is easy to open and close and provides firm stability while in use.
Pros
- Precise
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Transport wheels included
Cons
- Expensive
Interested in a safe, easy to use, and accurate panel for cabinet making or woodwork? Look no further, the Saw Trax 1064 Full-Size Varsity Package Panel Saw is just what you need.
Best Panel Saw for Small Workshop
For any small workshop where it is common for sheet material to be processed, the Safety Speed Cut C4 Vertical Panel Saw is a valuable investment.
With this machine, you can enjoy all the features of a full-sized vertical panel saw in the form of a 5′ frame. The tool assures you of safety and simplicity when cross-cutting sheet material.
This product has a vertical design that allows it to fit in small floor spaces and can easily be moved from one place to another. Its mid-way fence is designed to allow convenient handling of narrower width boards.
For quick removal when cutting full depth sheets, the horizontal timber supports found on the mid-way fence are held in place by quick-release cam clamps.
A precision stop is attached to the mid-way fence to enhance accuracy during repeat length cutting.
Its vertical design, portability, and precision combine to make this machine ideal for small workshops.
Panel Saw for Sale
With the right maintenance, a second-hand saw can serve you for many years. However, the previous owner should have taken good care of it as well.
You should not purchase a second-hand panel saw if you notice it has severe corrosion, rust, or it misses more than four teeth.
In most cases, you will have to sharpen the saw since they usually arrive dull. Avoid purchasing hardpoint saws since you cannot resharpen them. These saws are referred to as disposable.
A plastic handle is another sign of a disposable saw. Another factor to consider before purchasing a panel saw is cutting power.
Ensure it is enough to execute your projects. Frame size is also crucial to consider. Larger panels like the 4x8s begin to warp if the frame is not wide enough.
Similarly, you must consider the portability of the saw. You can easily find quality second-hand panel saws on ‘Machines4u.com’.
Best Panel Saw Brands
Safety Speed is the best brand for panel saws.
The company’s founder, Gene Olson (Deceased), invented the vertical panel saw in his suburban Minneapolis garage in 1958.
His experience in construction enabled him to identify the need for a tool capable of cutting large panels of wood more accurately, efficiently, and easier than a table saw.
Safety Speed has sold over 70000 machines and has been the leader for American manufacturing companies when it comes to vertical panel saws and panel routers since 1958.
FAQs
If you want to cut big sheet materials to smaller rectangular pieces or sections, a panel saw is an ideal tool. The panel saw comprises a circular saw, an upright framework supporting the workpiece, and a track which the circular saw travels along.
In general, a panel saw is used to cut large sheets of softwood, hardwood, soft plastic, hard plastic, cardboard, chipboard, rigid foam, and plywood into smaller workable pieces. You cannot cut metal using a panel saw.
Always wear safety glasses every time you operate your panel saw. For extended sessions, you are advised to wear ear protection. Another safety precaution to take when using your panel saw is you should always turn off and unplug your saw when you are adjusting the material being cut.
Also called panel saw, a hand panel saw is a tool used to cut wooden pieces into different shapes. These shapes are usually intended to be joined together to build a wooden structure like a closet.
Summary
Panel saws are handy tools when it comes to cutting large boards into smaller workable pieces.
Shopping for the right one online may prove to be a hustle since the product description in most of these sites is usually too shallow.
We have taken our time to provide you with factual information about these tools to make it easier for you to choose the right one.