100% the Delta. Put it on wheels, mobility problem solved. It would kinda suck to move it, but I had a jobsite saw on a cart like that and it really sucked. It was not a proper woodworking table saw. The Delta is.
Edit: the Delta is on wheels, even better. Go Delta.
I have this Delta as I require mobility in my small woodshop. I agree that it is hands down a night and day difference compared to a job site saw like the skill. For the price it has a large stable top and a decent fence. Dust collection is pretty good and it’s easy to find zero clearance inserts for it.
So given your space constraints you’re in a world of compromises regardless.
The Delta is hands down the better tool, but it is bigger and heavier and more annoying to move around. Of course bigger, and heavier means it’s a more stable tool with larger cutting capacity which makes it a more versatile tool.
The wheels on the delta base work fine but aren’t amazing. Plenty of people have come up with their own approaches to this - up to and including building a custom base.
The skill saw (and the very similar Dewalt equivalent) are decent. But not what I’d call “a pleasure to work with”.
I have the skil saw and I really like it. The delta is definitely going to be better for fine wood working but I have serious space constraints so the skil saw is good for my needs. If I have to break down larger pieces or sheet goods I can drag it up my bulkhead stairs into the backyard. The worm drive really helps with harder woods too. Everything was spot on and square when I pulled it out of the box too.
The Delta without a slightest doubt.
While I'm not a fan of those pressed steel wings, the core of the Delta table appears to be cast iron, and therefore heavy. That is important. Heavy tables reduce vibrations while cutting.
I bought the dewalt contractor saw. Put it on a folding stand like that… I hate getting it out. Do wish I sprung for a cabinet saw like SawStop. Likely have one in my near future…
The thing about Delta is that they support their older models. I needed an outfeed roller for a planer that was over 20 years old and they had it to me in a few days. Ditto a bearing for a Delta jointer. That to me is worth a lot....
Is the Delta belt driven?
I much prefer belt driven to direct drive. I believe most direct drive are universal motors which are louder and allegedly don’t last as long.
In my limited experience, every pucker inducing kickback or ejection i have had has been on a direct drive saw. Those were also obviously jobsite saws, so it follows it could be a result of a shittier fence, bad blade alignment, etc.
The delta is also going to be easier to clean, lubricate and adjust/tune.
Man 20 years ago I'd have said Skil (I have the old Bosch version) but their quality is absolute shit these days. Living off their reputation.
I gave my father my original Bosch and still borrow it back from time to time for the rare site work I do these days. That motor is a beast and actually draws harder (by design) if there's any binding during a cut. Great feature if you have a 20 amp circuit to run it.
The gravity rise wheel stand was worth every penny as well.
The worst contractor's saw will be better than the best jobsite saw.
If mobility is the only thing that matters, get the skill. If cut quality matters, get the contractor's saw.
The Delta is a massively better saw. But it's going to take up more space, too. It does have wheels, so you can move it around some, but it's just plain bigger and heavier.
Take it from a person who has a jobsite saw... It will do nothing but fight you. The fence will never be square, the table will not be flat, the miter slots will be inconsistent widths and you will chase your tail trying to get anything precise out of it other than a rip cut. Pony up for the Delta and save yourself some headaches.
100% the Delta. Put it on wheels, mobility problem solved. It would kinda suck to move it, but I had a jobsite saw on a cart like that and it really sucked. It was not a proper woodworking table saw. The Delta is. Edit: the Delta is on wheels, even better. Go Delta.
I have this Delta as I require mobility in my small woodshop. I agree that it is hands down a night and day difference compared to a job site saw like the skill. For the price it has a large stable top and a decent fence. Dust collection is pretty good and it’s easy to find zero clearance inserts for it.
So given your space constraints you’re in a world of compromises regardless. The Delta is hands down the better tool, but it is bigger and heavier and more annoying to move around. Of course bigger, and heavier means it’s a more stable tool with larger cutting capacity which makes it a more versatile tool. The wheels on the delta base work fine but aren’t amazing. Plenty of people have come up with their own approaches to this - up to and including building a custom base. The skill saw (and the very similar Dewalt equivalent) are decent. But not what I’d call “a pleasure to work with”.
Agree with all of this. I'm not sure either would be my top choice, but evening in a shop is a compromise between space, money, and utility.
I have the skil saw and I really like it. The delta is definitely going to be better for fine wood working but I have serious space constraints so the skil saw is good for my needs. If I have to break down larger pieces or sheet goods I can drag it up my bulkhead stairs into the backyard. The worm drive really helps with harder woods too. Everything was spot on and square when I pulled it out of the box too.
The Delta without a slightest doubt. While I'm not a fan of those pressed steel wings, the core of the Delta table appears to be cast iron, and therefore heavy. That is important. Heavy tables reduce vibrations while cutting.
The Delta, skillsaw has their niche in hand tools, but Delta Table saws are precision.
I bought the dewalt contractor saw. Put it on a folding stand like that… I hate getting it out. Do wish I sprung for a cabinet saw like SawStop. Likely have one in my near future…
The thing about Delta is that they support their older models. I needed an outfeed roller for a planer that was over 20 years old and they had it to me in a few days. Ditto a bearing for a Delta jointer. That to me is worth a lot....
Delta
Delta all day
Is the Delta belt driven? I much prefer belt driven to direct drive. I believe most direct drive are universal motors which are louder and allegedly don’t last as long. In my limited experience, every pucker inducing kickback or ejection i have had has been on a direct drive saw. Those were also obviously jobsite saws, so it follows it could be a result of a shittier fence, bad blade alignment, etc. The delta is also going to be easier to clean, lubricate and adjust/tune.
Man 20 years ago I'd have said Skil (I have the old Bosch version) but their quality is absolute shit these days. Living off their reputation. I gave my father my original Bosch and still borrow it back from time to time for the rare site work I do these days. That motor is a beast and actually draws harder (by design) if there's any binding during a cut. Great feature if you have a 20 amp circuit to run it. The gravity rise wheel stand was worth every penny as well.
The worst contractor's saw will be better than the best jobsite saw. If mobility is the only thing that matters, get the skill. If cut quality matters, get the contractor's saw.
The Delta is a massively better saw. But it's going to take up more space, too. It does have wheels, so you can move it around some, but it's just plain bigger and heavier.
Take it from a person who has a jobsite saw... It will do nothing but fight you. The fence will never be square, the table will not be flat, the miter slots will be inconsistent widths and you will chase your tail trying to get anything precise out of it other than a rip cut. Pony up for the Delta and save yourself some headaches.
that skill saw sucks, i do know that much.