Skilsaw SPT99-11 vs SPT99-12: Which is BETTER & Why?

I was recently looking to add another table saw to my workshop to help me improve my capacity. Since I already had a direct drive saw that was working well, I decided to go for a heavy-duty model to meet the demand. 

This is when I came across the Skilsaw SPT99-11 and Skilsaw SPT99-12 models, both of which were quite impressive. But I also wanted to know what the difference was between these two models?

The SPT99-11 comes with a 24 teeth SKILSAW carbide-tipped blade while the SPT99-12 comes with a 30 teeth Diablo carbide blade. The SPT99-11 is also slightly lighter compared to the SPT99-12.

	Skilsaw SPT99-11	Skilsaw SPT99-12
Blade Arbor Hole Diameter	5/8 inches	5/8 inches
Blade Diameter	10 inches	10 inches
Bevel Angle	-1° to 47°	-1° to 47°
Cutting Depth – 0° Bevel	3-5/8 inches (min. 92mm)	3-5/8 inches (min. 92mm)
Max. Cutting Depth – 45° Bevel	2-3/10 inches (58 mm)	2-3/10 inches (58 mm)
Speed	5000 RPM	5000 RPM
Motor	15 Amp	15 Amp
Weight	52.9 lbs.	52.9 lbs.
Teeth of Blade	24	24
	Check Latest Price	Check Latest Price

In this article, I will be discussing the various differences as well as similarities between these two models manufactured by Skilsaw. Do read on as I then review both these products independently. 

This will give you a better idea of both these products, which will allow you to make a better choice between the two table saws. As a result, you can make a great investment that you will not regret in the future.

Skilsaw SPT99-11 vs SPT99-12

Skilsaw has long been a renowned brand when it comes to manufacturing power tools, especially those meant for cutting. The brand pioneered the use of worm drives in their saws, helping increase the torque output by a huge amount.

Over the years, the brand has released compact versions of its famous table saws. This line of products targets users on a tight budget, allowing them to own a Skilsaw product at an affordable price. It also comes with a few added benefits like portability and improved functionality.

As I was looking for a new table saw with a worm drive option, I was naturally inclined to choose a Skilsaw product thanks to its reputation. 

However, I was confronted with a new challenge when I realized that the brand had two products in the same price range; the Skilsaw SPT99-11 and Skilsaw SPT99-12.

As a result, I decided to test out both these products in detail to help me understand the differences. I have highlighted this in the upcoming section followed by the similarities these two products share.

It also helped me get a better perspective of their individual pros and cons, which I will discuss in a separate review for each table saw. 

Differences

The main difference between the Skilsaw SPT99-11 and Skilsaw SPT99-12 is the choice of the blade provided by the manufacturer in their respective blades.

The SPT99-11 comes with a 24 tooth carbide-tipped blade manufactured by Skilsaw itself. On the other hand, the SPT99-12 comes with a 30 tooth Diablo carbide-tipped blade.

Diablo blades are known for offering great value for money when it comes to blades. They offer great performance and long life, while not being too expensive compared to stock blades provided by the manufacturer.

While it may seem to be a major difference for some customers, I was quite surprised to see that Skilsaw would actually have a separate product with a different blade. 

This is because the blades are replaceable and could have just provided an extra blade as part of the package.

On further investigation, I realized that the SPT99-12 costs slightly more compared to the SPT99-11. Doing the math, I figured that it was just the cost difference between the two blades that made the price difference.

Another slight difference between these two products is the weight of these two portable table saws. The SPT99-11 is the lighter of the two models at 94.3 lbs, while the SPT99-12 weighs around 98.8 lbs.

This is however not much of a problem again, as both these table saws come with a stand and wheels. As a result, you can push the saws with ease, which does not affect the portability in any sense.

Similarities

Except for the above-mentioned points, SPT99-11 and SPT99-12 are pretty much similar. I will highlight a few points below that are the most important common features of these two products manufactured by Skilsaw.

Both these products are marketed as job site table saws and are equipped with a stand and wheels. These saws are amongst the entry-level products from Skilsaw that target customers looking to buy a table saw under the $1000 mark.

Looking at the dimensions, both these models have the same measurements of 52.6” x 29.5” x 35”. They also boast of an attractive silver finish that gives them a very premium feel. 

They also consist of a mainly steel frame and bed, with aluminum and plastic parts helping reduce weight and adding durability to these machines.

Coming to the performance aspect, both these models have the same engine as well as the same worm gear mechanism. These combine to make these models suitable for heavy-duty applications, especially rip cutting through a variety of materials.

In terms of the electrical supply, both these saws have the same amperage of 15A as well as the same wattage of 1800W, which is more than enough for most cutting purposes. The motors also produce the same output.

Skilsaw SPT99-11 Review

The Skilsaw brand has manufactured some of the best worm drive table saws, making them the pioneers in this particular category. 

However, with the release of the SPT99-11, the company aimed to give customers two very important additions; affordability and portability.

There was no doubt in my mind that this was a great innovation from the company. I was quite pleased to finally be able to move around the table saw when I needed to, without having to inconvenience too many people. 

I was also happy that loading this job site saw onto my truck was a much easier process.

The worm drive helped me meet my requirements for higher torque, which helped me cut through materials without having to burn them. 

Features

• Quality materials

Despite its affordable price tag, I was glad that the Skilsaw brand did not compromise on the quality of materials used to make this product. 

I was surprised by the amount of steel used, which is more expensive and heavier than aluminum. However, this gave the bed a much better finish and ensured better precision while making long rip cuts.

On the other hand, I also noticed how quiet this particular saw ran. I was able to have a decent conversation with a coworker without having to scream at the top of my voice. 

This reduced noise level was a big boon for the workshop, especially considering the number of tools that run simultaneously.

• Powerful motor performance

At first glance, I was quite impressed by the 15 amp dual field motor that was provided with this motor. With a good amount of speed that combined well with the high torque of the worm drive, this made the process of rip cutting much easier process.

I was also glad by the increase in capacity of my workshop, which gave me the chance to cut through heavier and longer materials without too much of a hassle. 

The slower speeds ensured that the wood did not get burnt. This also allowed me to handle more expensive woods with more confidence. 

It also gave younger apprentices working with me the opportunity to work with a table saw without posing too much of a safety risk.

• Accessories

The Skilsaw SPT99-11 comes with a dust port that can be connected to the shop vac. As a result, I was able to maintain a cleaner working area, which improved the hygiene of my surroundings. 

I also avoided spending extra time removing too many chips and dust around me, which made it a safer environment to work in.

The addition of an extension arm to deal with the longer cutting capacity was another feature that benefitted me quite a bit. 

A couple of outdoor applications using this saw were made easier as I did not have to worry about the wood hanging at one end while the cuts were being made.

PROs & CONs

Skilsaw SPT99-12 Review

The Skilsaw SPT99-12 shares numerous features with its twin model, the SPT99-11. However, it boasts of a better cutting blade, while retaining elements of performance and affordability from its predecessor. 

This is what makes Skilsaw one of the most trusted brands offering worm drive table saws in the market.

The company’s aim to offer a product that offers maximum convenience to its users is evident in the design of this model as well. It has a highly portable design and parts that can be interchanged with other brands for better performance. 

This gave me the choice to customize the saw to meet my exact needs, which varied from job to job.

It also came with a number of accessories like a push stick, smart guard system, and others that helped me justify the slightly higher price. It convinced me that I was in possession of a product that was going to give me great returns in the future.

Features

• Convenient portable design

Having wheels on a table saw can be a lifesaver when it comes to transporting a jobsite saw. The 16” wheels on this model are of very high quality, which makes it much easier to move around on any type of surface. 

I was able to move this saw up and down a flight of steps, and all it took was five minutes and two of us to get the job done.

A number of elements on the saw are foldable, making it as compact as possible. This further makes it easier to transport and load onto trucks. While the weight was a bit on the higher side, it was still a trade-off I was willing to make considering the quality of materials used.

• High cutting capacity

The powerful motor churning out 4 ⅖ HP of power was a lot of power to have. That combined with the high cutting speed and the worm drive allowed me to cut through some tougher woods with ease.

The provision of an extension arm for the table gave me the proper support to hold longer pieces. This helped operate the saw individually in remote locations where it was just me and the saw.

• Accuracy

I was quite surprised at just how accurate this saw was compared to other job site saws I had tried. The stand and locks for the wheels offered a stable base which prevented the saw from moving around even at high speeds. 

Another advantage is the rack and pinion fence that can be adjusted finely for better accuracy. The steel bed ensures that the workpiece can move smoothly, preventing any bumps from ruining the precision required to complete the job.

PROs & CONs

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here we are at the end of our Skilsaw SPT99-11 vs SPT99-12 comparison, after reviewing both these products thoroughly, I was convinced that the Skilsaw SPT99-11 was the better product of the two, but only for a couple of reasons.

Despite both of them being similar in most aspects, the major difference was only in the blade. I personally felt that one could buy the same Diablo blade online or look for better options according to their choice and budget. 

This would allow for you to have the stock blade as well as an additional blade for the same price point. This helps you drive a better bargain than just the Skilsaw SPT99-12 with its single Diablo blade. 

I hope you found this Skilsaw SPT99-12 vs SPT99-11 comparison useful and informative, especially about the worm drive-driven table saw models manufactured from Skilsaw.

If you want to know some of the common queries asked by most customers, do head to the next section where I have answered the FAQs, or you can drop your questions in the comments below.