DEWALT DW745 10-Inch Compact Job-Site Table Saw with 16-Inch Max Rip Capacity Review
Posted by
Kellie M Norris
on 7/08/2011
/
Labels:
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Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)A friend got this six months ago for job-site use. It cut pretty well right from the box. The fence has a rack-and-pinion system that is clever, but not quite perfect. We measured the alignment error and have two fixes. If you want to know about them so you can save some money, read on...
Using a TS Aligner, we checked the alignment of the fence. The fence was near-perfect when we backed up to the mark, (going right) but it skewed by as much as four or five-thousandths when we moved the fence to the left. That's because the connecting rod between the two gears flexes and there is some "slop" or "play" in the gears. This is more noticeable when approaching the mark from the right. Sometimes this is referred to "lash-back or back-lash."
The easy work-around was to always go past the mark (an inch or so to the left) , then roll the knob back slowly right to the mark and try not to overshoot. That works OK, and it is free, but it is a time-wasting nuisance and won't provide the consistent accuracy that good woodworking requires.
SO... we replaced the flimsy metal rod that connects the two rack-gears. Instead of the stock rod, we used hardened O1 tool rod, which doesn't twist or flex as easily. The rod costs $12 bucks. We also adjusted the two gears to remove the slop. (loosen set screw, twist gears forward together, then re-tighten) Now we had fair fence parallelism in both directions. Not bad for a twelve-dollar fix... but there is more.
After using the saw a while, several of us noticed it made burns marks even with reasonable feed-rates and a new blade. One rainy day, we got out the TS aligner again and checked all the critical alignments. Dewalt uses decent bearings, so the runout was not too bad. But there were a number of other small inaccuracies that added up: arbor run-out, slot-parallelism, fence alignment, blade-alignment etc.
It took about an hour of measuring, but the Dial indicator with the TS Aligner helped us get everything literally "dialed-in." Now this thing cuts as smoothly and accurately as our five-thousand dollar cabinet saws.
The secret is to choose a saw with good bearings and a design that allows adjustments.
Dewalt and Bosch contractor saws both qualify.
Use a dial indicator with a TS Aligner to accurately measure and adjust EVERYTHING. It takes an hour, but it is worth the effort MANY times over. If you buy a new saw in the box, you have to assemble it anyway, so that isn't much more work. ... You can get professional precision at a fraction of the cost of a cabinet saw. If you don't have a TS aligner, you can use a dial indicator with a magnetic base and a 1-2-3 block set.
We cut all kinds of mitered molding and trim. We make custom installations and complex speaker cabinets that require EXACT cuts. After we adjusted this with the TS Aligner, the noise-level was lower and blades stay sharp much longer. That's always a good sign!
The beautiful thing about this saw is that we can take it to a site, make measurements on a story-pole and cut exactly to the mark, repeatably and reliably. The saw's design allows you to adjust it, assuming you have the right adjustment tools. Those tools are inexpensive and pay for themselves very quickly. You get your money back fast because you waste less wood, blades last longer and the motor runs cooler when everything on the saw is tuned up.
This is a good saw because you can adjust it and it has accurate bearings. It takes some tweaking, but with a TS Aligner and a cheap dial indicator, you can get many times your money's worth! (About FIVE times in fact!) Highly recommended!
Click Here to see more reviews about: DEWALT DW745 10-Inch Compact Job-Site Table Saw with 16-Inch Max Rip Capacity
The DEWALT versatile 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw features the Site-Pro Modular Guarding System for application-specific setups that result in quick, accurate cuts. It pairs a portable design with a powerful 15 amp motor and large16-inch rip capacity. This saw comes with blade guards, a miter gauge, a push stick, and a dependable 10-inch, 24-tooth carbide blade to get your project started right away.
Consistent, Powerful PerformanceThanks to a 15 amp, high-torque motor, this DEWALT table saw delivers the power you need for tough jobs like cutting hardwood and pressure-treated lumber. The saw's 10-inch blade spins at a no-load speed of 3,850 rpm for quick, clean cuts--no matter what the application.
Convenient Site-Pro Modular Guarding SystemThe DEWALT versatile Site-Pro Modular Guarding System makes it easy to set up for a variety of applications by allowing tool-free adjustment of application-specific guarding components.
The saw's exclusive fence configuration enables a huge 16-inch rip capacity. Rack and pinion fence rails make fence adjustments fast, smooth, and accurate. The fence's telescoping design allows the rails to move out to 16 inches to rip full sheets of materials or be retracted for a compact design that's easy to transport.
In addition to offering large rip capacity, this saw features a maximum cut depth of 3-1/8 inches at 90 degrees and 2-1/4 inches at 45 degrees. Its table surface is coated to reduce friction for improved cut quality across the board, while a metal roll cage base provides a sturdy setup and improved durability when compared with plastic bases.
Portable Design for Use AnywhereThis DEWALT table saw weighs just 45 pounds which, along with the folding table saw stand makes for easy setup and tear down. You can move it from your workshop to the worksite with ease.
For added convenience, on-board storage provides easy access to the Site-Pro Guarding components and the push stick when they're not in use. A handy 2-1/2-inch dust collection port allows you to connect the saw to a Shop-Vac for efficient dust extraction and a cleaner work area.
This 10-inch jobsite table saw with Site-Pro Modular Guarding System also comes with a DEWALT warranty package that includes a three-year limited warranty, a one-year free service contract, and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
What's in the BoxDW745 DEWALT 10-Inch Job Site Table Saw, 10-inch 24-tooth carbide blades, miter gauge, push stick, blade guard.
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