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Product Reviews
I studied a long time before buying this saw..., February
26, 2005
Reviewer: Scott Pointon "Ex-Marine, Librarian, Woodworker"
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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IT'S NOT A UNISAW...., May 29, 2005
Reviewer: KRASSEL
But I don't think it was suppose to be. It's billed as a
"hybrid" and I think as such it does a pretty good job.
I've had mine for a couple of years now and yep...had to
do some improvements to it. First the miter gauge...its
junk..toss it and get an Osborne EB-3, build a good panel
sled and you've got that problem solved. Toss the throat
plate and get a Tru-Cut, its easier to get level and the
replacable inserts are the cats meow. The blade guard,
splitter and dogs are adequate, haven't seen anything on
the market that would work better, so I have just learned
to live with it. The dust collection part was actually the
easiest to fix, I removed the lower blade "cover" that the
2" dust hose was connected to, enclosed the back of the
saw with a scrap piece of veneer, then enclosed the bottom
of the saw with a piece of 1/4 in ply with a 4" connector
epoxied to it. Once or twice a year I open the plastic
side and with the chip collector running I blow out the
saw to get the little that doesn't go on its own, this is
when I also do the little bit of maintenance that is nec...
lube, oil, etc.
The fence....yeah well the fence...I've actually had very
good luck with my fence. Its pretty solid and the face
doesn't have the cup or deflection that several reviewers
have reported. Once I got it "zeroed" its stayed pretty
much where it belongs. But adding accesories to it is a
pain. Feather boards, stop blocks, etc., have to be custom
built and arn't exactly works of art. This is where a
Biesmeyer really shines, as it is simple to add
attachments to the Biesmeyer. I do 90% of my cutting with
the miter gauge or a sled, so I don't really feel the need
to upgrade the fence.
99% of the cutting I do is Hardwoods. Especially exotics,
vera, quebracho, mesquite, and a lot of burl maple. I've
never had the saw bog down or had the breaker kick out. I
only use Frued thin kerf blades and keep em sharp. I also
use Dri Cote on my blades and cutters and feel this really
makes a differance.
My woodworking buddy has the Jet Supersaw (see review).
Its a good saw, but he's had to make "improvements" also.
We both still enjoy using our saws and of course we both
think we got the best one.
If you buy the Dewalt or the Jet, expecting a UniSaw, you
will be disappointed. But I do think its better than a
contractors saw, I had a Sears and a Delta contractors saw
and I like this one a lot better. More stable, more
surface area on the table (I did add the cast iron wings
to both sides)and the noise level is less than either of
my contractors saws.
I added the Dewalt mobile base (separate review)...in a
small shop its a must...the after markets don't make it,
go with the Dewalt base.
I would recommend the Dewalt 746 or the Jet Supersaw to
anyone looking for a "cabinet" saw with a smaller profile
and a smaller price than the Unisaw.
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Nice Saw, but you may need to do some tweeking, March 7,
2006
Reviewer: H. Cashion "movie fan"
The dewalt 746 table saw is a good saw; however, there are
some things about it that I had to modify and some things
I felt should have been included for this price range. The
big selling point for me was the fact that the motor is
below the table and not sticking out the back.Since I work
in a cluttered garage I need all the space I can get and I
love that I can park this workhorse right up next to the
wall. I got the deal with the mobile base included and it
is excellent. My few issues I have
with this saw are: 1) the miter gauge provided is
worthless, I will be buying an osborne or some other type
of upgrade 2) the dust collection port from the housing
around the saw blade is pointed towards one corner, and I
plan on removing that and closing in the saw in back and
the bottom as another reviewer did. 3) the fence is not
like any other on the market and makes it a challenge to
make jigs for use with it, it will take some
getting used to. I'm keeping my eyes out for a compatible
pgrade or alternative here. If anybody reads this and
knows of a good beismeyer type fence that will fit this
saw please post the info. 4) the stamped extension wings
are just ok, I feel like at this price the cast iron ones
should have been included instead of an extra add-on item.
5) The splitter/blade guard won't allow me to tilt the
blade to 45 degrees. I wonder if anyone else ran
into to this problem. I had to get a leecraft zero
clearance insert and then remove the two metal plates that
hold the splitter/blade guard out along with the screws
and bolts that hold it in place. The bolts were a special
size and the only tool I could find to fit them were the
wrench that came with the
saw that has the punchout for them and a pair of small
channel locks. And it took me hours to get those off, what
a pain. So, I don't use a blade gaurd, but at least I can
now make 45 degree angle cuts. The saw blade that came
with my saw was actually pretty good.I have a forrest wwII
blade and it is comparable to that.I wonder if dewalt
goofed and gave me a good blade, hehe.
For the most part though if space is an issue as it is for
me you can't go wrong with this saw. The saw has plenty of
power at 110v and I'm sure it will be a monster at 220v if
you have that capacity. Overall I am very happy with it.
Just remember you'll have to do some tweeking on it to fit
your situation/liking.
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Workshop building block - excellent saw, March 4, 2006
Reviewer: Edward Silveira "Retired and loving it"
Newly retired, I decided to furnish my home shop with
tools that should last as long as I do. It now contains a
Jet, DeWalt, Delta and Ryobi mix based mostly on the
reviews here on Amazon and what I could find elsewhere.
Regarding this saw:
1. Delivery etc. was excellent with Eagle superb here in
the Richmond, VA area. Guys moved it right into the shop
without being asked.
2. Ensuring the fence was square to the table, and
parallel to the blade using the same set of locking screws
was a challenge, however I found that following the
instructions literally helped. Just a slight release of
the rear screw holds the perpindicular setting while you
align the fence to the miter guide slot.
3. The only problem noted was the cooling fan blade on the
rear of the motor contacted the plastic housing creating
quite a racket. I sheared off some excess plastic on the
inside to fix. This is why 4 instead of 5 stars. Quality
control?
4. Didn't bother with the splitter or guard. As some
others have noted, it takes about 10 minutes to install
and adjust and I realized this would be required every
time I need to remove it (which is frequently for the type
of use the saw will get). So I will be very careful.
5. Replaced the throat immediately with a zero clearance
Leecraft insert. If you use the spltter you have to make a
significant cut in the insert but I solved that with #4
above. Also I had to remove the metal dogs for the
splitter as they contacted the underside of the insert
when the blade was set to 45 degrees. BTW I couldn't get
the DeWalt insert level and solid but didn't try hard
enough to call it a problem.
6. I bought the side wings and they are great. Highly
recommended. Really finishes the saw off. What to do with
the steel ones someone asked? I bolted them together and
routed them into the top of my workbench. Seems there is
always something I do that needs a metal surface vs. wood
for some step. I will include a picture if they let me.
7. What was not highlighted but I find a real plus is that
you can adjust the blade angle EASILY. I used to dread
changing from 90 degrees with previously owned saws. And
the knuckle saving clearances are greatly appreciated.
Summary .. very pleased in all aspects. It is precise,
relatively quiet, powerful, and a real pleasure to use.
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Just got my saw last night.., February 23, 2006
Reviewer: Donald Weisman
Mine came last night and it took me about 3 hours to
assemble with my dog bugging me like crazy to play. The
instructions are pretty clear but could use some refining.
The saw seems to be well built. Getting everything at 90's
is pretty easy. It's heavy so muscle is helpful when
assembling. My throat plate was missing so i called
dewault and they are sending one out asap. It took some
work to get it delivered, setup and get the right pieces
but I think it will be anice addition to my shop.
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