Tabitha Babbitt is credited with inventing the circular saw for use in a sawmill. Legend suggests that she observed men struggling to cut wood with a pit saw and, inspired by the motion of a spinning wheel, proposed a circular blade for more efficient cutting. This early circular saw was reportedly attached to a water-powered mill within the Shaker community.

Babbitt is also credited with improving the design of the spinning wheel head, making it more efficient and effective for spinning yarn. This invention would have directly benefited the Shaker community, which relied on textiles for clothing and trade.

Some accounts credit Babbitt with crafting false teeth. The specifics of the materials and techniques she used are not well-documented, but this suggests a level of skill and ingenuity beyond typical household crafts.

Beyond specific inventions, Tabitha Babbitt is remembered for her general aptitude for tool development and adaptation. She likely contributed to numerous small improvements and innovations within the Shaker community that were not formally recorded but nonetheless enhanced their efficiency and productivity.