Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I studied a long time before buying this saw..., August 26, 2004
My woodworking hobby outgrew my starter saw a few years ago, but circumstances did not allow me to buy a new saw until this year. Since I really wanted to take my time with this decision, I studied the market, put my hands on every saw I could, and read everything I could find on the web about table saw features. Since I work in a library, I also had access to every table saw review in most of the woodworking magazines.
Eventually I came up with the following criteria:
- I have a one car garage for a workshop, so space was a big issue. I was only looking at saws with 30" capacity to the right of the blade. I also limited my search to saws that could be pushed flat against a wall if need be. This left only hybrids and cabinet saws to consider.
- I wanted the most powerful motor I could get without having to switch to 240 volts, yet have the option to rewire the saw for 240v later if I so choose (thus eliminating 3hp saws).
- I wanted a solid fence that was accurate and DID NOT DEFLECT when locked down.
- I wanted some decent dust collection abilities.
- I wanted a quieter saw with less vibration than my old Delta contractor's saw.
- I wanted to spend less than $1000 to get the saw, yet have lots of options for upgrading/outfitting later.
Eventually I chose the DeWalt 746, and here are my observations:
The saw package arrived in relatively undamaged crating (seven days after I ordered it from Amazon), and the saw was in perfect condition. Here's a tip - I ordered this saw over the phone and was given the option to pay $25 to have the saw delivered on the ground in my shop - well worth it! Assembly was not too bad (3 hrs), but the manual could have been a bit better. In my mind it was a bit too small and the illustrations corresponding to each step of assembly were not always on the same page! This saw is heavy and the cabinet/stand is very stiff and strong. I feel that the base of this saw is a much better design than the open stand of my old Delta. The saw also runs very smoothly - it is A LOT quieter than my last saw and vibration is at a minimum. The motor is about as powerful as you can get while running 120v without popping breakers left and right (which I have read is a common problem with the 2hp motors running 120v). I have not had any problems ripping 8/4 white oak with a good sharp blade... Speaking of blades, the one that came with this saw is inferior. I will keep it just for those instances where I want to cut treated lumber for outside projects or some other such task not requiring precision or smooth cuts. I have always wanted a Biesenmeyer fence, but I read good things about the fence on this saw and was eager to try it for myself. I am pleased to say that it is a very sturdy (and heavy) fence with some ingenious features. Most importantly this fence operates very smoothly, it does not deflect when locked down, it was easy to adjust square to the miter slot and blade, and zeroing the fence scale could not have been easier. I did have to fuss with it a bit to get the fence face set 90 degree to the table, but once I got it there it seems to hold the setting well. Dust collection on this saw is absolutely excellent. I hooked up my Fein Turbo II vacuum and basically no significant sawdust escapes. I couldn't be happier in that department. As for safety features, I like splitters and hate blade guards so I was pleased to find that the splitter/blade guard on this saw is able to be separated (I did just that). The splitter is easily adjustable and works well.
As far as downsides go... Well, as I mentioned earlier the assembly manual could have been way better and the blade that came with the saw is junk. Also (and I read this several places ahead of time) the table is not absolutely flat. Using a straightedge I found a couple of hollows in the surface. I don't think they are significant enough to throw off the accuracy of what I am doing with this saw, but be forwarned that if you use a tablesaw to cut something more intricate than tenons you may have a problem with this. Unlike other reviewers I didn't have too much of a problem with the steel extension wings that came with this saw. When installed properly are they perfectly level to the main table? Yes. Are they perfectly flat? No, but acceptible for what they are. I wanted a good saw that could be upgraded and these are good enough for temporary use. In fact there are a host of great accessories/upgrades available for this saw. I already ordered a cast iron router table wing (made by Bench Dog) and soon I plan to order the DeWalt cast iron wing for the other side of the saw.
When it comes down to it, I am very pleased with this saw. The features all met or exceeded my personal needs. This is important, because I have no doubt I could have gotten a saw that performed nearly as well for a lot less money, but it would have failed to meet one or more of MY criteria. As for the price - I bought mine at a time when the saw was on sale and the mobile base was included (see my separate review of the mobile base). The sale price coupled with Amazon's ongoing deal of 25 dollars off any order over 199 gave me this saw at more than a seventy dollar discount. If your needs are similar to mine, then take a close look at this saw. I highly recommend it!
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Saw, August 6, 2004
Overall this saw is an excellent saw.. there are a few minor things that could have been improved, but every saw is going to have SOMETHING that could be better.
Setup was fairly easy, but still time consuming. A couple of tips on setup: 1.) setup the mobile base first, then the saw on top of that. This is because you have to lift the saw to get it on the mobile base. It's a very heavy saw that only gets heavier when you add the fence rails,etc... 2.) Extension wing setup. The extension wings are bolted to the main table in 3 places. Hand tighten all the nuts, then level the extension to the main table and fully lock down the nuts. If you try and tighten one side first, it will goof up the other side.
This saw is fairly quiet and vibration free, and the motor delivers enough horsepower for anything I have to give it. Do yourself a favor and upgrade the blade though. The stock blade is a general purpose blade that doesn't seem to cut as well as the Combination blade I replaced it with.
The fence is easy to get setup and works great! Some fence tips: 1.) don't overtighten the wing nuts that hold the auxillary fence on. The aux. fence face is aluminum and if you overtighten the wing nuts the fence face will bow.
2.) To set the fence parallel to the miter slots, First loosent the two bolts on the fence (as the instructions tell you), Next, loosen the wing nuts holding the auxillary fence face until the aux. fence face moves freely along the fence. Slide the fence over the miter slots so that the aux. fence face falls into the miter slot. Then push the fence until the aux. fence face is snug with the side of the mitre slot. Finally, tighten the bolts that secure the fence and reposition the aux fence face to the normal position.
3.) To re-install the fence after it's been removed for a miter cut or something, slide it on from the end of the rails.
The on/off switch is nice in that it's very large and easy to bump/kick off if you have trouble.
One major plus is that it's made in the USA.
The Splitter/ guard is a pain to install, but once it's aligned right, it's good. (Perhaps Dewalt could include an alignment tool ?)
One big recommendation is to get a surface protectant so that the table-top won't rust.
Overall this is a great saw with lots of power, good dust collection, and a good fence.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasure to own!, April 30, 2004
I bought this saw in Dec 2003. I was not going to use it until spring, but as usual the day it arrived I just had to set it up. I agree with the other review, Home Depot was rude and my local woodworking shop tried to push a Jet on me. I bought it at Amazon.com. I have the sliding table, 52" fence, both extension tables. My biggest complaint is the rear table is small and being I have it on a mobile base is a pain becuase it does not fold up or down. The saw went together very well and has adjusted perfectly. I had no issues with the fence or arbor alingment even after checking with a dial indicator. Out of the box the fence head slide stop was broken. I called DeWalt and was very impressed with their service. A new head was shipped promptly.
Side note: Don't ever believe Amazon when they say ships in two -three weeks............ I waited 3 months!!!!! If I was in need of a saw due to failure of my present one I would have cancelled the order. Over all this is a wonderfull piece of equipment and I rate it 95 out of 100....
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Bonus: Includes a free mobile base, a $94.99 value,
when you purchase this DeWalt table saw from Amazon.com.
