Best Panel Saw Reviews

By Kent M.Cortez
Last Updated: February 22, 2020

Vertical panel saws are an increasingly popular way to sidestep the more regular sliding table models.

Vertical panel saws are also known as wall saws for the way in which the design allows you to position them hard up against a wall. This space-saving aspect makes panel saws great if you have hardcore cutting needs but rather limited workshop space.

Most panel saws have 3 main components:

Frame
Saw beam
Saw head

You support the panels vertically when you’re cutting hence the name of the equipment.

Once used pretty much exclusively for rough-sizing, more and more small shops are now seeing the versatility provided by the best panel saw and they’re becoming increasingly popular.

It’s not just wood you can cut through with a panel saw. You’ll be able to work with plastic and non-ferrous metals assuming you have the right blade in place.

Today, we’ll look at 5 panels saw reviews so you can familiarize yourself with the very best products in a crowded marketplace. After that, we’ll walk you through how to choose a panel saw the easy way.

Editor's Choice

Powermatic Vertical Panel Saw (1510007 511)

435 pounds
Overall dimensions: 120 x 86 inches
3HP worm drive motor
Blade diameter: 8 inches
Maximum rip cut: Unlimited
Maximum cross cut: 50 inches
Maximum thickness of material: 1 ¾ inches
Cut accuracy: 1/64 inch straight and square
Casters + Leg assembly
True counterweight system

Rated as

 4/5

Budget Friendly

Safety Speed Cut C4 Vertical Panel Saw

148 pounds
Overall dimensions: 60 x 36 x 75 inches
1600-watt industrially-rated motor
230 volts
Blade diameter: 5/8 inches
Maximum depth of cut: 1 ¾ inches
Maximum cross cut: 50 inches
Maximum ripping width: 96 inches
Fine-toothed saw blade

Rated as

 3/5

Amazon's Choice

Safety Speed Cut H5 Vertical Panel Saw

220 pounds
Overall dimensions: 84 x 60 x 9 inches
1600-watt commercially-rated motor
230 volts
Blade diameter: 8 inches
Maximum depth of cut: 1 ¾ inches
Maximum cross cut: 64 inches
Maximum rip cut: unlimited
Maximum ripping width: 96 inches

Rated as

 4/5

The Best Panel Saw Reviews 2021 – Comparison Chart By Mitersawjudge.com

If you’re looking for the best panel saw, you might find yourself overwhelmed by possibilities. We’re here to simplify your buying decision every step of the way.

Here’s a snapshot of 5 of the very best panel saws up for grabs…

Powermatic Vertical Panel Saw (1510007 511)

Main Features

435 pounds
Overall dimensions: 120 x 86 inches
3HP worm drive motor
Blade diameter: 8 inches
Maximum rip cut: Unlimited
Maximum cross cut: 50 inches
Maximum thickness of material: 1 ¾ inches
Cut accuracy: 1/64 inch straight and square
Casters + Leg assembly
True counterweight system

Rated as

 4/5

We’ll kick off these panel saw reviews with an incredibly hard hitter from Powermatic. This wall saw is not cheap but the best things in life rarely are.

We’re not here to sell you on a saw like the Powermatic. You’re either in the market for a line-topping panel saw or you’re not. If you see the value a true powerhouse like this wall saw would bring to your business, you’ll appreciate the Powermatic makes a smart investment.

If you regularly need to cut big panels down to size in a commercial setting, you’ll need a panel saw fit for the job. The Powermatic is built to run all day long without intereference so you can put it through quite a challenging workload even with heavier applications.

Check out a snapshot of the main features then we’ll break down how this colossus stands apart from the competition…

The first thing to mention about the Powermatic after you’ve taken that elevated price tag on board is the weight. At a whopping 435 pounds, this is no lightweight for the casual hobbyist. Measuring up at 120 x 86 inches, the design might be space-saving, but you’ll still need plenty of space to house this beast.

Once you’ve got yourself unboxed and your Powermatic is in place, you’ll see that everything about this panel saw reeks of quality.

Kicking off with the highly capable powerplant, the drive motor develops 3 horsepower and is specifically designed to shoulder heavy loads under challenging conditions. The weight of this potent motor is neatly supported on a sturdy one-piece steel carriage.

Although this is an undeniably bulky unit at over 400 pounds and 120 x 86 inches, you’ll get casters so you can move it around when you need to. If you need additional stability for bigger jobs, there’s a fully adjustable leg assembly to help you out.

With any panel saw, you’ll end up with a serious dust issue if you haven’t got the proper precautions in place. Powermatic takes care of everything so you can enjoy a safe and debris-free workplace. Firstly, you can hook up this saw to a regular 4-inch collection port. There’s some extra dust collection built into the base of the machine. This takes care of the dust kicked up while the nylon brush means there’s less created in the first place.

The saw head sits on top of a base you can rotate. This lets you spin the power head through 90 degrees if you need to rip cut and cross cut at the same time.

As far as those all-important stats go, there’s no boundary to the maximum rip cut you can make with the Powermatic while you’ll be able to cross cut up to an impressive 50 inches. You’ll be able to work with materials up to 1-¾ inches thick.

One of the key selling points of this panel saw is the fact you’ll be able to work with unerring accuracy not just incredible pace. Obviously not a piece of kit for beginners, skilled woodworkers will bring out the best in this saw with very little effort.

Although this is a massive unit, it comes all enclosed in a single crate streamlining delivery for you.

Before we round out with our verdict, take a glimpse at the chief advantages and very limited drawbacks of this superb vertical wall saw…

Why we like it

The ideal combination of build quality, accuracy and raw performance in a range-topping industrial panel saw from an industry giant
Heavy steel box tubing so you’ll enjoy incredible structural stability along with unrivalled accuracy
Extremely powerful 3HP worm drive motor delivering all the grunt and torque you need whatever the application
8 precision rollers riding on stainless steel shafts for a very smooth and effortless cutting experience
Steel shroud encloses the cutting assembly and motor and you can hook up the saw to a standard 4-inch dust collection port keeping you and your machinery debris-free
Additional dust collection at the base of the machine to make sure your workspace remains spotless
Impeccably balanced saw head with the nifty counterweight eliminating any movement when the saw head is stationary
Dual gauges to either side of blade enable you to cut quickly without sacrificing precision
14 adjustable aluminum rollers help you maneuver your material with ease
Nylon brush around the blade leads to improved visibility and less dust kicked up

Conclusion

The first thing you should do when you’re considering a panel saw like this mighty Powermatic is to flip your thinking…

Do not start looking at the price tag and thinking of that as an expense. A saw like this is an investment. All that counts is what return you’ll get on that investment and with this beast installed, you’ll be powering through far more work in far less time generating a potentially enormous ROI.

If you’re looking for the best panel saw in its class, the Powermatic with the clumsy name 1510007

Safety Speed Cut C4 Vertical Panel Saw

Main Features

148 pounds
Overall dimensions: 60 x 36 x 75 inches
1600-watt industrially-rated motor
230 volts
Blade diameter: 5/8 inches
Maximum depth of cut: 1 ¾ inches
Maximum cross cut: 50 inches
Maximum ripping width: 96 inches
Fine-toothed saw blade

Rated as

 3/5

While we seldom allot more than a single slot per manufacturer when we look at any selection of the best products, it’s impossible to escape the way Safety Speed dominate the vertical panel saw space.

Next up in our panel saw reviews is the first of a pair of Safety Speed, the classic C4. While panel saw and wall saw are often used interchangeably, you should know straight off the bat the C4 is in no way a wall saw and is not suitable for sign work.

If you’ve got a small or mid-sized workshop and you need to regular process high volumes of sheet material, read on to see how this panel saw delivers in fine style.

First, though, we’ll list out the core features on this mighty saw…

You can fix the C4 to a wall if you want a permanent set-up in your workshop. If you invest in the wheel set and use either the fixed stand or folding stand, this is also a highly portable saw suitable for use out on site if needed.

This is a far lighter proposition than the Powermatic tipping the scales at less than 150 pounds. It’s a compact unit as well considering the exceptional performance so it makes sense if space is too tight to mention.

The motor is extremely poky and rated at 1600 watts. You’ll need a 230-volt supply for this saw.

All the requisite stats are impressive from the 50-inch cross cutting capacity through to 96 inches maximum ripping width. You’ll get exactly what you need if you want to break down lots of larger sheets in a hurry without a bead of sweat.

You’ll get a fine-toothed blade thrown in with the C4. You can also get a blade tailored to slicing through non-ferrous materials. You can easily burn through cash with add-ons so you need to think clearly about your needs and budget accurately so you don’t end up overspending.

The midway fence comes as standard. Quick-release clamps hold a pair of horizontal supports in place and there’s a precision stop to speed up repeat length cutting. There’s an optional multi-position length stop with 8 presets if your intended scope of work would make this useful.

A spring-loaded counterbalance system allows you to flit rapidly between horizontal and vertical cutting. You make vertical cuts by placing the sheet on the frame and running the saw blade down through it. To cut horizontally, you rotate the saw unit through 90 degrees, lock it into place the move the sheet through the blade.

Take a look now at a summary of the pros and cons of this enduringly popular vertical panel saw then we’ll serve up our verdict…

Why we like it

Powerful and agile commercially-rated motor gives you all the grunt you need at 1600 watts and runs on 230 volts so you’ll be able to take the most demanding applications in your stride
Optional wheels and stand gives you the complete panel saw package
C4 offers a generous bundled package including a midway fence tailor-made for narrow boards, a wheel kit, fixed stand and dust extraction kit so get going directly out the box
Horizontal cutting nicely simplified thanks to rollers on the lower guide rails
Midway fence helps you to handle narrower boards with ease
Space-saving design means you’ll get all the functionality you’d expect from a full-sized panel saw in an extremely portable 5-foot frame
Non-marring rollers are perfect if you’re working with thinner and more vulnerable material
Although the support boards are fitted, you can remove them fuss-free if required
Works equally well in shops with more limited interior real estate or out on the worksite
Unbeatable value for a commercial panel saw of this quality

Conclusion

If you want to buy into a brand you can trust when it comes to panel saw, Safety Speed makes a very safe bet.

Although it’s a touch awkward to get up and running, once you’re fired up this panel saw will save you time and money to a degree you didn’t think possible. When you factor in how much you could pay for a saw like this, the price tag seems reasonable even if it’s still a stiff proposition. Look beyond the bottom line and the C4 is a very smart investment.

We would urge you once again to consider exactly what you’ll need from this panel saw and how much you’ll need to spend on the extras not included.

Check out the Safety Speed C4 and think seriously about the folding stand and the wheel set.

Safety Speed Cut H5 Vertical Panel Saw

Main Features

220 pounds
Overall dimensions: 84 x 60 x 9 inches
1600-watt commercially-rated motor
230 volts
Blade diameter: 8 inches
Maximum depth of cut: 1 ¾ inches
Maximum cross cut: 64 inches
Maximum rip cut: unlimited
Maximum ripping width: 96 inches

Rated as

 4/5

Next in our panel saw reviews is the second superb Safety Speed wall saw, this time the pricier and slightly bulkier H5, another industry classics and a staple in small workshops across the world.

If you’re looking for everything that a full-sized panel saw has to bring to your business without bankrupting yourself, although not cheap, the H5 represents outstanding value and brings an industrial panel saw into the sights of even smaller businesses.

You can enjoy the productivity gains you’d expect from a hulking Goliath while still staying within budget. Then all that remains is to watch that modest investment keep on saving you time and money for years to come.

Check out the features at a glance. They’re broadly similar to the C4…

As with all Safety Speed kit, don’t be fooled by the marketing pictures including every available optional extra. Price up what you’re interested in, whether it’s the folding stand or the wheels, and factor this into your budget before you get started. The alternative is to end up wildly overspending or going without so make sure you can get what you need without going into the red.

If you’re happy, the H5 packs the same powerhouse engine as its smaller brother, the C4. The 1600-watt unit allows you to work at full clip without ever losing out in terms of accuracy or finish. The primary purpose of any panel saw is to get more work done in less time and the Safety Speed H5 will help you accomplish this goal in spades.

Like with the C4, all the vital stats are as you’d expect from a commercial panel saw. Unlimited rip cuts and generous cross cuts up to 64 inches give you plenty of latitude whatever the application. You’ll get 96-inch maximum ripping width from this 8-inch blade so you’ve got all main bases covered.

Thinking of the blade, Safety Speed includes a fine-toothed blade with this panel saw. If you intend to work with non-ferrous workpieces, you’ll need to buy a dedicated blade separately.

If you’re looking for an even cleaner, safer workshop – and let’s face it, who isn’t? – you can purchase a kit featuring a lengthy hose that slips over the rollers. The saw itself hooks up to a dust collection port so you should be perfectly braced alongside whatever dust extraction system you use.

Build quality throughout is rock-solid despite the relatively lightweight nature of this wall saw.

We’ll underscore the leading benefits and very few downsides of this hard-hitting saw before pushing on with our panel saw reviews…

Why we like it

A winning combination of performance, affordability and exceptional brand heritage
Works well in a fixed position or used out on site with the wheels and folding stand available separately
Precise, nimble saw cutting within a tolerance of 1/32 inch on all types of panel materials up to 1 ¾ inches thick
Zinc-plated steel guide tubes offering a lightweight solution that doesn’t compromise durability
Very user-friendly even if you’re not the most experienced operator
Extremely strong and dependable motor cut out to be punished for extended spells without letting you down
Class-leading depth of cut along with unlimited rip cuts giving you a great deal of flexibility
Cuts aluminum with a backboard and holding bar in place
A great price to performance ratio from a brand you can rely on
Parts guaranteed for 1-year and the frame is covered for life so you can buy with complete peace of mind

Conclusion

No power tool is perfect. You should simply look for those tools that best mesh with your needs, tools that will turn out to be wise investments returning many happy years of service.

The Safety Speed H5 might be costly and you might need to pay more for extras like a folding stand or wheels. The thing is, if you’re cutting great volumes of larger pieces down to size, it’s both time-consuming and, ultimately, expensive anyway. Throw your hand in with the H5 and you’ll soon be saving plenty of time and money and wondering why you didn’t take the plunge years back.

Saw Trax Full-Size Varsity Package Panel Saw (1064)

Main Features

Rated as

 4/5

As we near the end of our panel saw reviews, we’ve got a hard-hitting and novel take on the tool from Saw Trax. You’ll get a full-sized frame along with a heavy-duty Makita saw on a spinning insert. This will give you the power a worm drive motor would provide without the need for tasky oil changes.

If you’re cutting down 50 or more sheets every week, you’d certainly benefit from adding this panel saw to your workshop. With a strong base package and a very wide-reaching series of accessories, you can make this panel saw work in most production settings.

Check out a breakdown of the core features then we’ll explore this top-notch panel saw in a little more depth…

This kit comes with the option of a wide range of add-ons and accessories to ramp up functionality as needed. Choose from the following…

Wheels
Folding stand
Full midfence
Spinning saw insert
Extensions
Wall Mounting
Laser pointer

If you’re after a panel saw calling out for very little by the way of maintenance, the design of this unit is tailor-made. By using the raw power of a Makita circular saw, you can get oomph to rival a worm drive motor without all those tedious oil changes.

With a healthy 64-inch cross cut capacity and rip cutting unlimited, this saw is a solid choice for most applications. As long as the sheets you’re working with are lighter weight and thinner than 1-¾ inches, you’ll be powering through piece after piece and wondering why you didn’t throw your hat in with Saw Trax years back. We cannot emphasise often enough when looking at panel saws that you need to look firmly at the tangible benefits this equipment will bring rather than obsessing about the stiff price tag.

Transport wheels allow you to maneuver what’s actually a pretty bulky piece of kit should you need to.

From the powder-coated frame through to the robust and precision-engineered componentry, you’ll know where the money went if you treat yourself and your business to this magnificent panel saw set-up.

Much like all the best panel saws, we’ll now outline the shower of benefits served up by the Saw Trax Varsity Package along with very few drawbacks.

Why we like it

Designed for anyone needing precision cuts on thinner sheet goods less than 1 ¾ inches thick
Outstanding overall value considering the brand heritage and exceptional performance
Innovative Accu-Square alignment system means this panel won’t go out of square
Extremely slick carriage action and tight tolerances made possible by sealed roller bearing system
Pair of carriage locks ensure you won’t get any play when routing or ripping
Class-leading number of material support rollers so you can focus on the job art hand without worrying about stability
A very generous spread of accessories is available if you really want to max out
Unlimited rip cut in either direction twinned with 64-inch crosscut capacity
Stop bar speeds up and simplifies making repetitive cuts
Horizontal and vertical measuring systems in place so accuracy remains uppermost

Conclusion

Not all panel saws are created equal and if you’re looking for a flexible solution to breaking down large sheets of material double-quick, the Saw Trax Varsity Package is the obvious choice.

Once you’re in the situation of needing to cut down scores of panels week in, week out, you really need a good panel saw or you’ll end up breaking your back. As with any worthwhile model, you’ll need to commit to a considerable investment but you’ll never regret the decision if you roll with a Saw Trax.

Check out this Varsity Package at your earliest convenience and you’ll be slashing costs and saving labor time before you know it.

Milwaukee Complete Panel Saw System (6480-20)

Main Features

175 pounds
15-amp motor
3 ½ HP
Circular saw blade
Blade wrench
Blade diameter: 8 inches
Cutting accuracy: 1/32 inch
Maximum depth of cut: 1 ¾ inches

Rated as

 4/5

Last but absolutely not least in our panel saw reviews is a beast of a workhorse from the legendary Milwaukee. As with all panel saws, it’s blessed with the pedestrianly technical name 6480-20.

As with most of the best panel saws, the information you can unearth online about the Milwaukee is pretty skimpy. The product listing leaves plenty to be desired but this returns us to our original point…

You don’t need to be sold on a product like the Milwaukee 6480-20. You either want one or you don’t and you’re unlikely to purchase a saw like this on a whim.

Assuming you are in the market for the optimum way to cut down piece after piece of large sheeting, you’re in safe hands as always with Milwaukee. Price should always be secondary in a purchasing decision of this magnitude. Without brand quality, build quality and performance, an attractive price is useless. And while the Milwaukee is not cheap, it’s an incredibly efficient saw from an industry titan so look at the overall picture.

The 15-amp, 3 ½ HP motor gives you more than enough firepower. You’ll be able to cut comfortably and widely in either direction.

With a tight tolerance of 1/32 inches, you won’t end up getting stiffed for accuracy just to get the job done quickly. This panel saw rolls out pace and precision in one enticing package.

You might want to work with particularly long pieces over 6 feet. If so, you can pay a little more for an extension table so you’ll be able to confidently lengthy workpieces without any stability or support issues. That said, the manufacturer suggests adhering to an upper limit of 4 x 8 feet.

Sometimes it’s the small things that count. The horizontal handle allows for very simple on/off operation so safety remains at the forefront when you’re sawing away at speed.

Since the bearings don’t need any oiling whatsoever, the Milwaukee is mercifully maintenance-free so you can spend more time on your business and less time tinkering with your tools.

Everything about this saw is rock solid from the intelligently engineered and incredibly durable frame through to the commercial-grade paddle switch. If you plan to undertake sustained, heavy-duty cutting, you’ll need to pay out for the privilege. With the Milwaukee, you’re getting a hard hitter that will just keep on hitting.

Check out where this awesome panel saw stands and falls before we move onto our panel saw buying guide…

Why we like it

A quick and easy way to cut down 4 x 8 sheet material without compromising accuracy
Super-tough frame made from electrically-welded steel means you’ll get no twisting or warping at all
Flip the saw through 90 degrees then fix to make vertical cuts as well as cutting horizontally
If you need to work with even larger pieces of material over 6 foot long, there’s an extension table available separately
Nylon roller bearings maintenance-free and need no lubrication at all
20-amp paddle switch meant for use in an industrial setting and robust enough to stay the distance
Whether cross cutting or ripping, you’ll enjoy a close tolerance of 1/32 inch so you won’t be stiffed for precision in the pursuit of speed
5-year limited warranty lets you buy without a headache

Conclusion

The Milwaukee is absolutely not a panel saw for everyone. It goes unsaid a giant like this is not designed for the casual home woodworker. If, however, you need a labor-saving device to streamline your shop setting and cut down large volumes of sheeting super-quickly, this saw makes perfect sense.

Put the 6480-20 and you’ll be itching to add it to your arsenal.

best panel saw: Looking for more information?

Interested to learn more in-depth details about selecting the right tool for your needs? Read our Informational Buyer Guide and Frequently Asked Questions sections on this topic for more details.

PANEL SAW – The Buying Guide

What type of panel saws are there at your disposal? Vertical Panel Saws The focus of our panel saw reviews

FAQ BEST PANEL SAW

Final Words...

We very much hope you’ve enjoyed these industrial panel saw reviews.

If you’re on the point of adding a beast like this to your business, it might be the smartest investment you made all year. The best panel saws are by no mean cheap but if you consider the ROI that make perfect sense for anyone needing to chop down large panels in a hurry without undue physical effort.

Come back next week as we dive down into the world of drill presses!

Before we close for today, we assembled a list of the 10 most frequently asked questions about panel saws so you have all the information you need at a glance…

Best Panel Saw Reviews

The Best Panel Saw Reviews 2021 – Comparison Chart By Mitersawjudge.com

Why we like it

Conclusion

Why we like it

Conclusion

Why we like it

Conclusion

Why we like it

Conclusion

Why we like it

Conclusion

best panel saw: Looking for more information?

Final Words...

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