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Made by: DEWALT
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Product Description
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The heart of any table saw is the fence, and DeWalt's smooth-sliding, unique double-cam action fence locks down tight and always travels parallel to the blade. The fence face shifts forward, too, giving you the option--if a cut requires it--of extra fence area in front of the blade. The fence can also drop flush to the table for ripping laminates.
In fact, this saw is loaded with great, user-friendly features. There's an oversize, left-side on/off switch that lets you bump the saw off with your knee if you run into trouble while making a cut. It's exactly this sort of attention to detail that wins a lot of people over to DeWalt products. The blade-elevation crank is also set lower on this saw than most, so there's plenty of hand clearance for making blade-height adjustments. Again, this might seem like a minor touch, but think about how frustrating it is to bang your knuckles on a table bottom every time you want to change the blade height. This table's sturdy metal bevel scale is nice, too; it's easy to read and much burlier than the mere stickers found on a lot of other saws.
The saw's inboard 1-3/4-horsepower induction motor is quiet, cuts down on vibration, and makes this saw considerably more space-efficient than outboard motor saws, a feature you'll appreciate if you work in a small shop or have to take your saw through doorways. And at 254 pounds, this saw has plenty of heft, a big cast-iron trunnion, and a sturdy steel base. There's also an integrated dust port if you want to hook the saw up to a dust collector. Available in a few different configurations, this model--the DW746XB, with its 30-inch fence and free mobile base--is a smart buy for a woodworker with a small shop.
From the Manufacturer -- DeWalt worked closely with woodworker's and woodworking industry experts to deliver a saw with all the power, precision and features desired by woodworkers. The DW746 offers innovative features such as an in-board induction motor, precision rip fence, dust collection port and a full range of accessories including a unique sliding table. The DW746 features several innovations that are new to this category of saw. For example, the saw offers the only in-board induction motor in its class. This feature is more space efficient than its out-board counterparts and delivers lower vibration. The DW746 is also equipped with a 1-3/4 HP motor as opposed to the 1-1/2 HP motors that are standard in this class of saw today. Designed with convenience and ease of use in mind, the saw features an easy access switch that allows you to shut the saw off with your knee, enabling you to keep your eyes focused on the work at hand. The DW746 also features a lowered blade elevation crank for more hand clearance and a graduated blade-beveling crank. Each revolution of the bevel crank equals 2 degrees of bevel, allowing for more precise bevel cuts. Another innovative feature for the category is the integrated dust collection system. The blade is shrouded to channel sawdust to a dust collection port, facilitating the use of dust collecting systems. The DW746 also features a new DeWalt fence design that delivers high accuracy, smooth operation, versatility and is more space efficient than the leading stationary saw fence designs. The DeWalt fence remains parallel to the saw blade along its full range of travel, locks down securely and slides with "glass-smooth" action. Includes table saw and 30-inch fence. One year warranty, one year service contract, mobile base, and 30 day no-risk trial.
I studied a long time before buying this saw... -- 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!
Reviews:
A pleasure to own! -- 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....
Great Table Saw -- I just got back into woodworking recently and purchased this table saw. I have a friend who is a contractor and he said it is very important to have a solid table saw with a good fence for accurate cuts. I did a lot of research and found this to be the best saw. It has a wide arbor mouth that makes it easy to change the blade. It is left tilt which is more stable, and the motor is induction type, which is the safest and least likely to burn out, and the on/off switch is right next to your left knee so you can turn off the table saw easily after a cut.
I've used this saw for miter projects by adjusting the blade to 45 degrees and they've been dead accurate. You really don't need an expensive Biesmeyer fence or other aftermarket fence. The one that comes with this saw is more than sufficient. You should get a different miter for cross-cuts. I recommend the Rockler adjustable miter. It's more than good enough for a hobbyist (no need for sliding tables or expensive Incra miter). You will need to get some decent saw blades. I picked up a Freud ripping blade and cross-cut blade and they've been fantastic. You'll also need a set of dado heads. I got a nice set for about $80. With this I would strongly suggest the dado head arbor plate, or you can use a zero clearance plate - I did this and used 1/2" dado head setup which is the one I use the most. This makes for extremely smooth dados and rabbets.
I also highly recommend the mobile base that is available. I did not find it necessary to purchase the cast iron extensions. The sheet metal extensions are fine for me. I'm just a hobbyist and don't have the extra space anyway.
Nice Saw but not very Portable -- I have owned my DeWalt Woodworkers Saw for about two years now. If you plan on moving this saw from job to job like a contractors saw then think again. It may be called a hybrid but it is heavy enough to require at least two people to move it with all the rails and wings removed. It is lighter than a Unisaw that takes four people to move.
I replaced my old Delta Contractor saw that the roofer broke by throwing a 10' 2x6 off the roof endo. It broke the cast iron table in half.
That saw was old and tired anyway. I had been using a Unisaw for the past three years for a job saw doing fine woodworking on high end homes. When I first used the DeWalt I noticed that it did not have the power of the Unisaw but it did have a precision fence and a smooth vibration free feel similar to the Unisaw.
I had to shim the fence a hair to make it flat. Squaring the fence to the table was an odd procedure but seemed to work and the fence has remained square since then. The fence locks down securely without deflection at least as good as the Biesenmeyer fence. A nice feature is that the face of the fence can drop down to the table for ripping thin sheet goods so the sheets won't slip under the fence. I have been using the saw for all my finish carpentry in several fine new homes. I also use it for heavy ripping of salvaged wood that I use for exterior trim. I am very happy with this saw. Considering that I have to move it occasionally to a job it is a good comprimise between a heavy cabinet saw and a contractors saw. It can be hooked up to a vacuum for dust collection with success and that is not an option with a contractors saw. I think DeWalt has listened to woodworkers and came up with a lot of innovative features that make this saw a pleasure to use.
A few gripes, but I would still buy it again! -- As with most woodworkers, I thought long and hard before buying this saw. I have owned mine now for about 4 months, and have been using it frequently, so I feel I can make a credible review.
My saw arrived quickly and packaged perfectly. Everything was intact and went together quickly and easily. The instructions leave a bit to be desired, but they are adequate. The fence was tough to adjust, more on that later. The table is flat, and the stamped steel extensions do their job, but I am going to upgrade to the cast wings soon.
The fence. And here's the rub. As noted by other negative reviewer's, a saw is only as good as its fence. Apparently Dewalt made some of these with bum fences, so if you call dewalt with a fence complaint, they will immediately offer to send you a replacement for free, which I did. The first fence had a slight bow in it with the middle pushing in toward the blade slightly. I'm talking about maybe 1/64th over the full 31" length. Also, the way the fence is designed, you are supposed to square the fence to the table by pushing it sideways and tightening the torx screws. Well, in order to get mine square, I had to push pretty hard, but I did eventually get it squared to the table...at least when I checked beside the torx screws. At the far end of the fence, it was still out of square about 1/32. Square at one end, not at the other...yep. It's twisted slightly. "How do you fix that?" I thought, and called dewalt. My new fence arrived quickly, and...exactly the same. Still slightly bowed and twisted when aligned. Bah! I was frustrated with Dewalt for a few days there.
Then it occurred to me as I was building a custom fence for my miter saw. In order to get the fence perfectly aligned I was shimming it with playing cards and paper to get it perfect. "That's how you fix it. You shim it!" Duh. I went to the saw, loosened the 3 T-knobs that hold the fence face on (not the torx screws, this doesn't change the parallel to the blade), and with a single playing card torn a few times and some paper, I had the fence dead perfect in 5 minutes. Perfectly straight, perfectly square. Ahhh, bliss.
Sure, it isn't fun to have to shim your equipment to get it right, but there are very few saws out there that are truly perfect, especially in this price range. It's an easy fix, so shim it and shaddup. Most folks will want to build a sacrificial fence anyway, so just shim it when you put it on. Dewalt is kind enough to use a piece of MDF in the packaging that you can use... (and I did!)
Last thing on the fence. Except for the above issues, this is really an excellent fence. Mine stays parallel to the blade dead on. I don't even have to use my tape measure, I just set the fence and cut, the results are perfect and completely repeatable. Now that I have the face aligned, it truly is a dream to use.
Dust collection. Comes standard with a 90 degree elbow on the dust port that a few people have commented on. If you take this off, dust shoots a few feet out of the back of the saw making a huge mess. If you leave it on, it stacks up on the floor under the saw in a relatively neat pile. Hence the elbow. If you want to hook to a dust collector, remove the elbow and replace it with any 2" to 4" adapter. It fits perfectly, takes literally seconds to install, and works great. No complaints on the dust collection.
Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase, and would do it again today. I am replacing the standard throat insert with a zero clearance. Do NOT buy the dewalt dado insert, as it rattles and is basically a waste of money. The miter gauge isn't great, but decent. I don't trust it for miters anyway, because that's what the miter saw is for. Mine came with a free mobile base from amazon, which is super high quality, tough as nails, and a breeze to install and use.
Why four stars? The fence, of course. It has its problems, but they aren't fatal flaws. If there wasn't a reasonable fix for it, I would have to go 1 or 2 stars, because I agree; A saw is only as good as its fence. Well, with this saw, a few shims and a little patience, you'll be chuckling every time you hit the start button.
The heart of my workshop -- So many features about this saw impress me but I will try to be brief.
- Power: This saw has all the power you need in a small shop and more to spare. Nothing seems to slow it down, not even for a brief moment.
- Smooth: This goes for the saw itself (no vibration) and for the cuts it makes. I use the blade that came with it for most of my cuts and I never have to sand or plane any of the cut faces. I made a zero clearance insert for it and now it even cuts the cheapest, thin plyood without chipping or noticable marks. I bought a Freud blade for the cross cuts but have not had to use it yet.
- The fence: Smooth-sliding as other reviews mention, very accurate, extremely easy to operate and calibrate.
- The table: Solid and smooth table. The wings should probably be upgraded since they are not as smooth as the main table (made out of sheet steel rather than the cast iron as the rest of the table.
- The controls: just what you need and right where you need them. Large power switch that is easy to bump off with your knee in an emergency. Smooth solid controls for the blade height and angle.
- Solid machine: This is a very solid and heavy machine that will serve you for a long time if you take care of it. Make sure you get the deal with the mobile base (see heavy above) which is so smooth and easy to operate.
There are some features that I would like to see improved. These are few and none of them diminish the value of this saw but I wanted to include them for completeness.
- The splitter and guard assembly is one piece that has to be removed by using wrenches. This is inconvenient and time consuming when you need to remove them for dado cuts (or other non through cuts.) There are splitters that you can buy which do not require tools for removal and installation and DeWalt should learn fron them. Also, the splitter should be seperate from the blade guard so the latter can remain in place for non-through cuts.
- The wings that come with the saw are made of sheet steel and not cast. There are optional ones that you can buy from DeWalt but they should be part of the saw to begin with.