Customer Reviews

Leecraft DW-2 Zero-Clearance Table Saw Insert for DeWalt Model DW744 and DW746

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this insert to use in my DeWalt 746 tablesaw and have found it to be a very high quality accessory. When my insert plate arrived I was pleased to note that it was dead flat! Installation was very easy - using the four leveling screws I was able to bring this insert perfectly level with my saw table all the way around. Once adjusted, the side-to-side and front-to-back adjustment screws took all of the play out of this insert. I also appreciate the smooth surface which allows my stock to glide across it with little effort. The finger hole allows easy and quick removal for blade changes, etc. My only complaint is that I wish it were yellow. Mine is bright orange, but I can live with that!

Several people have complained about losing the ability to use their splitter with this insert. I noted in the instructions that if you are installing this on a DW746 saw, all you need to do is bandsaw a small kerf in the rear edge of the plate (in line with the table saw blade kerf) and you will have a slot to mount your splitter through. This should not be too difficult to accomplish for a woodworker...

All in all I was thrilled with the performance and level of quality found in this design and I would highly recommend it to anyone with the DeWalt 746 saw.

Once a woodworker gets tired of all the chip outs that happen during crosscuts and ripping, he soon decides to invest some money in a zero clearance table saw insert. The manufacturers directions for cutting the slot are very clear and simple. The product is well made and fits every expectation that I had for it.

You can't go wrong with it.

Wow, this Zero Clearance insert is more than I dreamed, it even has side and end screws to assure a snug vibration free fit! No rough edges, nice yellow surface for excellent visibility and it's not some laninated particle board but instead a solid Phenolic board. there is a smooth edged finger hole for quick change out without tools too! I have ordered three more for different sized Dado's and am so happy with the clean splinter free cuts. Some complain about the lack of a splitter slot but using the splitter is not neccessary if you set the fence square with the blade and in fact the splitter is a liability used mostly by amateurs. Leecraft has gone above and beyond here at 1/2 the price of a lesser unit from others.

I purchased several of these a couple years ago, they fit well, but as noted by other reviewers you can't use your splitter and gaurd when using these inserts. Plus if you cut a lot of dadoes, you need one for each size. About 6-8 months ago I discovered Betterly Tru Cut inserts. These are made from high quality machined aluminum, made to fit your saw. The blade section has a removable phenolic insert. While the main insert cost's twice what the Leecraft does, you only buy it once. The phenolic inserts come two to a pkg and cost half what the Leecraft does, so if you need a lot of inserts, I do, then you come out money ahead with this system. The winning part of this system for me, was that you can still use your blade gaurd and splitter, as the insert is milled to fit your specific saw. Therefor it is grooved to accept the factory guard and splitter. It has enough adjustments on it to keep even the most [...] level nut happy and locks into the saw table with compression. It is very solid. The fit and finish are excellent. Changing inserts is a breeze and you don't have to go thru the leveling routine every time you change an insert. If you only need one insert then the Leecraft is probably a good deal, but if ya need more go with the Tru Cut.

Bye bye homemade inserts! This is a top of the line insert. The picture of the product does not do it justice. This phenolic insert is heavy duty and dead on flat. It fit my dewalt table saw perfectly with the set screw adjustments and without any sanding or filing like I read in some of the other reviews. It fits snugly but is easy to take out if needed with the convenient hole at the front of insert. There is almost no flex in the insert when pressure is applied. There is almost no blowout when crosscutting plywood and wood with a forrest (combo) WWII blade. I put a freud plywood/melamine blade and got absolutely perfect crosscuts with this insert. The milling and finish are nice, alot better than some other brand inserts I have bought in the past. If you are looking for the perfect insert then this is it!

P.S. The only negative is you dont get to pick your own color. Mine came with a tan marble looking finish. Also it makes a little noise when the blade is engaged in the insert. But, who cares when you get the performance.

A nice insert, BUT you CANNOT use it with the factory supplied splitter and blade guard on your DW744. Leecraft only offers that you fashion yourself a riving knife and epoxy it behind the blade. Hmm? Caveat emptor.

Most quality products rate at something around 4.5 stars - IMO this is a 5 Star product. For years I have used shop made wooden inserts, but when I bought a new table saw I decided to try ready made inserts. These Leecraft inserts have made a believer out of me. With the two adjustment screws and tabs, they fit my Dewalt DW 744 precisely and snugly. Add to that the nice finger size hole in the insert, and you have an insert that fits right and is easy to swap in and out. True, you can't use them with the rive knife, but I don't use it anyway. I bought 2 to begin with, one for a thin kerf blade and one for dado use. Now that I see how well they work, I'll buy more for all the common dado widths I use. On most products I find myself thinking "if only they would have..." Can't think of anything I wish they had done on these inserts - simply put, "Buy it, you'll like it!" Makes me wonder why Dewalt doesn't offer a comparable, but if they did that, then they would have to offer a decent miter - not going to happen!

Worked great, instructions easy to follow. Would not want to go back to the standard insert that came with my table saw.

After trying a couple of different brands of ZC inserts i tried these and was amazed at the diffence in quality and ease of setup. Some of the other brands do NOT have a pre-cut bottom, so starting the setup cut is a rigged up mess. These inserts drop in and they are FLAT. Clamping down and then raising the blade to make your initial cut takes almost no time.
I am ording more for my other blades.

Nice insert. Well worth the money.

Pros
- Laminate is very flat and stiff (not like the typical warped OEM castings).
- Leveling screws are at just the right positions, very tight (don't move once set).
- Has side-to-side and front-to-back set screws to tighten insert in the hole
- Orange color is nice warning to keep fingers away from danger area. Doesn't match the "Dewalt Yellow", but contrasting color is a better warning reminder.
- Detailed instructions are written clearly. Very safe method of cutting the blade slot into the insert.
- Greatly reduces chipping, especially on cross cuts.
- I now have the ability to make veneer thin slices on short stock on the tablesaw (before they would sometimes get sucked into or jambed in the opening between the blade and insert)

Cons
- (very minor) Insert might be a little better if there were two side-to-side adjustment screws instead of one. My insert slot is not milled perfectly and allows insert to pivot VERY slightly.

Notes
- Does not compensate for a worn, dull blade, or the wrong blade for the application.
- Obviously does not allow tilting the blade or arbor mounted splitter/guard without increasing clearance or modifications to the insert.