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.
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br /Eventually I came up with the following criteria:
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br /- 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.
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br /- 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).
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br /- I wanted a solid fence that was accurate and DID NOT DEFLECT when locked down.
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br /- I wanted some decent dust collection abilities.
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br /- I wanted a quieter saw with less vibration than my old Delta contractor's saw.
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br /- I wanted to spend less than $1000 to get the saw, yet have lots of options for upgrading/outfitting later.
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br /Eventually I chose the DeWalt 746, and here are my observations:
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br /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.
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br /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.
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br /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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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.
br /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.
br /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 Freud thin kerf blades and keep em sharp. I also use Dri Cote on my blades and cutters and feel this really makes a differance.
br /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.
br /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.
br /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.
br /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.
br /UPDATE...I've had this saw over three years now and decided it was time to upgrade the fence. Found that there are only a couple of after market's that will fit on it and Bismeyer ain't one of em. I replaced the aluminum face with apple ply on both sides of the fence body with a strip running down the top. It looks just like a Bismeyer now, (everyone else stole the design, why not me?)and functions just like one. Attaching jigs and featherboards is a snap,and the fence is a lot more rigid. An added bonus is being able to cut on both sides of the fence now. I'm glad I took the time to make it. Great addition to a great saw. If you would like more info on adapting your fence send me an email and I will send you some pic's and a better description on constructing it. My email is on my about me page.
br /Here is another tip..I removed the blade guard from the splitter, laid the splitter on a hard flat surface and pounded the mounting "fingers" flat. Now it only takes a couple of turns of the two nuts to install or remove the splitter and kickback pawls. I use a small air ratchet and a 10mm socket to zap the nuts on and off. Really speeds up the process and the splitter is just as secure as before. The blade guard has been relegated to a dark corner in one of the storage bins.
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I consider myself a weekend warrior just getting into woodworking, so my review will be written from that perspective.
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br /After purchasing a new house I had a new 18x12 foot shop to fill with new toys. A new table saw was at the top of my list. Like everybody else, I studied, went to local stores and spoke to salesmen, went to trade shows, and read just about every review on the internet about table saws I could before I decided which one to buy. Once I decided on my budget, there are not that many different manufactures to chose from. I know there are many out there who would disagree, but I mean there are only 3-4 MAJOR manufactures to choose from. All of them offer one model with a few different options in the $900-$1000 price range. I chose the Dewalt because I have numerous other power tools made by them and they have served me well over the years. I believe the Dewalt nosed out the other saws also because Amazon was offering a free mobile base with the saw.
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br /I gave the saw 4 out of 5 stars because of a few minor problems I feel should be addressed before it deserves a perfect rating. I will list all the things I liked about the saw and all the small problems I had with the saw.
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br /The Good:
br /1) The saw was basically ready to go right out of the box. I did spend about 3-4 hours putting the saw together, but all factory settings were right on. (I did purchase a set up kit to check table flatness, arbor runout, and a few other things and everything was well within tolerences.)
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br /2) The saw has run FLAWLESSLY for about a year now. No major adjustments have had to be made.
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br /The Bad
br /1) The instructions were horrible. A $950 dollar saw and the instructions look like they were a copy of a copy quickly made and taped to the saw. Many of the pictures were in places on the page not next to the section I was following. They were also only a small booklet.
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br /2) The miter gage is not very precise. But to be fair, all models I looked at the miter gages seemed pretty cheap. I believe all manufactures expect them to be replaced rather quickly if you plan on doing any precise cutting.
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br /3) The stock extension wings are pressed steel. I have not had any problems with them, but I think they make the saw look cheap. I hope Dewalt could make the optional cast-iron extension wings standard.
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br /I am very happy with my purchase and I believe I made the right decision for me. I have had the saw for about a year now and it continues to do anything I ask of it. I would gladly purchase the saw again and recomend the saw to any woodworker looking for a great table saw.
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I purchased this saw after realizing that a normal contractor's saw would take up too much storage space in my one-car garage/shop. This is a really nice saw for the money and has done everything I've asked it to. It's smooth, quiet and has all the power I need. The fence is easy to set up and has excellent repeatability. Others have criticized the miter, but I don't think it's any better or worse than any other. If extreme accuracy is required a sliding table is a worthwhile addition and much safer anyway.
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br /The only criticisms I have to date are the cast-alloy insert, which is not as flat as it should be, and the sheetmetal wings that seem cheap when compared to the rest of the saw. I installed cast-iron wings which added mass and stability to the saw while giving me a really flat table, and will install a zero-clearance insert before starting my next project.
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br /I would recommend this saw to anyone looking for something between the contractor's saws and the bigger cabinet saws such as the Powermatic 66. It's easily set up, safe (especially with the large switch), and has enough power and accuracy for most projects. Being able to store it easily is a bonus.

So after using this saw for three years, I've finally gotten around to writing a review.
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br /The pros:
br /It has good bones. The cast iron surface is as flat as could be expected. The motor is strong enough to deal with anything I throw at it. Its pretty heavy, and definitely stable. The dust collection works fairly well. Once adjusted properly, things stay locked down. The fence rail system is definitely stiff enough for my needs. These attributes alone make it worth buying, provided you're willing to deal with setting it up properly.
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br /The cons:
br /The fence: Its a complete pain to align. I can't count how many torn up pieces of paper I had to use as shims. The aluminum extrusion used on the face is noodly enough that if the clamps are overtightened, it will deflect locally around each bolt. During use, it can deflect slightly under pressure. Not enough to cause binding, but it will leave burn marks or a rough finish on your cut (just to note, I use a Forrest Woodworker II blade)
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br /The Miter slots:
br /They just arent machined well. I had a lot of trouble getting an aftermarket miter gauge to slide without binding. after checking it with a block of wood and some shims, I noticed that the slot width varies greatly. some careful work with a file corrected the issues, but I shouldn't have had to do that.
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br /The Miter gage:
br /Looked like junk. Feels like junk. Got a Woodhaven around the same time as a gift, so I've never used the one that came with the saw.
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br /The Extension wings:
br /Stamped steel junk slapped on to cut costs. I knew they were junk going in, and as soon as I could afford to, I replaced them with the cast iron ones. Much, much better.
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br /So there you have it. I love the saw, and now that its set up properly, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I find these reviews useful in my purchases, so I decided that it was high time that I contribute.
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br /I bought the DW746 a couple of years ago, having concluded that I was never going to be able to get an 800lb cabinet makers table saw into my basement workshop. Having been completely frustrated by the inaccuracies of my previous table saw, (an old, albeit inexpensive, department store purchase, that didn't even have a T-slot mitre guage slot), I opted to purchase the heavy-duty sliding table and the 48" precision fence rail system as well.
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br /Setup was not easy, and compounded by a factor of 2 due to the accessories I purchased at the same time. Be sure you have both metric and English wrenchs on hand.
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br /I hardly ever used the mitre guage because of the sliding table, which was excellent for cut-off (after hours of alignment). I did end up replacing the mitre guage however, as there was no way to mount an auxiliary fence to it. (If you have a drill press, you can probably remedy that problem). I cannot speak for the accuracy of the stock mitre guage, but apparently it's not the best.
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br /But I was having problems with binding and burning on rip-cuts, and out-of-square cabinets when ripping (not all that long) pieces of plywood against the fence. I'd actually abandon the idea of ripping plywood on the table saw, in favor of the more accurate circular saw.
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br /So I finally purchased a precision guage set. Neither the blade nor the fence were square to the mitre guage slot. I was able to adjust the blade alignment, (and re-adjust the sliding table), but I was never able to solve the problem with the fence.
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br /When I moved the fence and locked it down, I found play, front to rear, of +/- .01 inches, 8"-10"" from the blade. (Minus might be okay, but not plus). The further I got away from the blade, out into the 48" precision fence extension table, the play in the fence appears to get much worse.
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br /So I recently added an Incura TSIII-32 table saw fence system to my inventory, and now I think I'm finally happy with my DW746. Due to the way the the TSIII rails mount to the saw, I lost the use of the sliding table. (Not becuase the rails overlap the sliding table, but because in mounting the rail system, I had to remove the bolts that held the sliding table true to the blade, front and rear. If I had purchased the outfeed table, it would have also been history).
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br /After hours of playing around with the alignment, I've finally concluded that people complaining about bowed fences, may actually be suffering from a bowed mitre guage slot. Against the TSIII, my mitre slot bows inward toward the fence .002 inches just as I approach the blade, then heads back out to zero at the end of the table. I'm hoping that in use, the wobble of the blade will mitigate that safety concern.
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br /Other observations. I threw away the blade guard and splitter, added a ZCI and 3rd party splitter (that I can remove/replace with two fingers). I've also converted it to 230V (which doesn't give it more power, just reduces the AMPs it draws), and added thin-curf blades. I have no complaints about the dust collection port. I'm lucky enough to have a band saw, so I've never tried to re-saw on the DW746. (Up until recently, I think I'd have been afraid of that idea).
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br /In summary, if you have the $$$ and a way to get it into your shop, I think you *might* be better off with a big cabinet makers table saw. If I could do it all over again, I'd still buy the DW746, but not the sliding table nor the precision fence system. Instead, I'd figure the cost of a 3rd party fence system into the budget, and plan on building my own right-hand extension and out-feed tables as a first probject.
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br /And learn from my mistake. Don't even try to set up a shop without an extremely accurate square, *and* a precision guage system. (I use A-LINE IT, but I'm not necessarily endorsing it. The point is, you have to have something like it, or you'll never be happy with accuracy, not to mention the safety issues).

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:
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br /1. Delivery etc. was excellent with Eagle superb here in the Richmond, VA area. Guys moved it right into the shop without being asked.
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br /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.
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br /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?
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br /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.
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br /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.
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br /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.
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br /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.
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br /Summary .. very pleased in all aspects. It is precise, relatively quiet, powerful, and a real pleasure to use.

I guess it's a crapshoot buying power tools these days. The fence on my saw was seriously bowed over the length. I spent an hour or more monkeying around with metal shims to get the thing reasonably straight. The cast iron top is concave by about 2 or 3 thou from corner to corner, but I guess that's reasonable these days. You pretty much expect crappy machining and warped beds unless you're dropping 2 grand or more on a tool so I can't complain. The warped top doesn't matter much though since the stamped steel side wings are so out of whack. Yeah you can upgrade to cast wings and a new fence but with the extra $$$ you're starting to get into cabinet saw price range so why not bite the bullet and get the real thing.
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br /After a lot of tuning, cuts are still mediocre, comparable to a decent portable like the Bosch 4000 jobsite saw.
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br /The plus side - um, the motor's powerful, and it's nice not to have it sticking out the back which is why I bought it.
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br /Bottom line: If you need a portable table saw, get a portable table saw like the Bosch. If you need a cabinet saw, get a cabinet saw.

This is my first table saw, having used a radial arm saw for 25 years. I wired it for 220 (which I recommend) and it has plenty of power. The fence is solid and accurate. I also recommend the mobile base which works flawlessly. In fact, I ordered 2 more of the castor sub-assemblies ($25) to put on other machines in my shop. Put the base on the saw first as it comes out of the box upside down - much easier.
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br /The dust collection system, although not bad, could be better.
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br /The worst design flaw is the hassle of having to take off the guard/riving knife assembly by removing 2 nuts down inside the saw. This takes about 10 minutes and would take only a few seconds if it was a "snap-in-place" design (which should be pretty easy to design, I would think).

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
br /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
br /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
br /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
br /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.
br /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.

This is my first "big" table saw besides portable/contractor types. I investigated several comparable brands from Jet, Delta. Based on price, add-on options, standard features, and other reviews on this site, I purchased the saw. It arrived in reasonable time, and the delivery dude helped me get it into my shop. Not trival it weighs a lot and my shop is at the bottom of a hill. The saw went together surprising well with methodical instructions. Set up and alignment were also smooth. Operation has minimal vibration which I further reduced by adding the cast iron right wing and the sliding table on the left (I don't recommend the sliding table). This is the corner stone of my shop and would recommend it to anyone looking for a top quality saw at a reasonable price. Although pricing seems to have increased since I purchased it. I love using this saw!!!

So many features about this saw impress me but I will try to be brief.
br /- 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.
br /- 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.
br /- The fence: Smooth-sliding as other reviews mention, very accurate, extremely easy to operate and calibrate.
br /- 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.
br /- 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.
br /- 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.
br /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.
br /- 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.
br /- 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.
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I have just spent about 15 hours setting up the DeWalt DW746 table saw, and I still can't use it. The On-Off Switch is defective; the motor starts up regardless of which position the switch is in--not exactly safe. I called DeWalt's help line but received a recorded message that help is available only 8-5 M-F, so I'll have to wait out the weekend. The saw has been set up in my basement workshop for 4 days and so far I've had to clean up about 1/4 cup of oil which has leaked from the motor. I don't know if this means the motor is defective; hopefully the DeWalt help line will clarify what is going on.brI took another owner's advice and bought the two heavy duty cast iron extension tables. One of the tables arrived with dings along the edge which mates with the main table; this edge also seems to be slightly bowed, being high in the middle and low at the edges. brAdjusting the saw blade to 0 and 90 degree bevel angles is straightforward with easily accessible adjustment screws located conveniently in the miter slots. However, adjusting the fence is something else. To square the fence to the table top, you must loosen three torx (T50) screws and make the adjustment. When finished, you are instructed to tighten the three torx screws. In the next setup step, setting the fence parallel to the blade, you are instructed to loosen two of the screws (which you just tightened) and to loosen the third screw just enough to allow setting the fence parallel. Unless you are very lucky, you are going to have to repeat this process several times in order to get everything square and parallel, because every time you get one adjustment right, it seems to throw off the other.brI agree with other reviewers that the supplied stamped left right support tables are junk. Spend the extra money and get the heavy duty cast iron side tables. The supplied miter gauge is also a piece of junk, as are the arbor wrenches for changing blades.brPrepare to lay out even more money for a good combination or crosscut saw blade, because the one supplied with this saw is a ripping blade suitable only for "occasional cross cuts."brIf you get the mobile base, assemble and install it as one of the first steps: don't wait until last, because this saw is awfully heavy to lift, especially with the heavy duty extension table attached.brAll in all, I have high hopes for this saw--the main table seems sturdy enough, and the supplied motor is a high quality two capacitor induction type which should give years of faithful service. The defective On-Off switch is a big disappointment but I hope DeWalt's help epresentative will solve this to mutual satisfaction.

I have had this saw for about 18 months now, and am pretty
br /satisfied with it.
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br /Plusses: everything worked out of the box; solid saw, a lot
br /better than a portable; blade aligned with miter slots; has
br /worked solidly for 18 months.
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br /Minuses: the fence was not perpendicular to the table (vertical)
br /and needed shimming; I think the fence is pretty accurate, but
br /it doesn't lend itself to sacrificial add-ons or using the
br /back (right) side of the fence; the 2 1/4 inch dust collection
br /port is "fair" at best; the included miter gauge is useless;
br /the stamped metal wings are cheesy; the motor is not strong
br /enough to push a blade that isn't pretty sharp through thicker
br /woods; the splitter is ok but is a *pain* to install and take off.
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br /All in all, this sits right in the middle between a portable
br /and a good Unisaw. I think you get your money's worth, but
br /this is not a *great* product, i.e. where you get more than
br /what you paid for.

I have used this saw for over 4 years now and it still works great! I'm happy with my purchase and am glad i made the decision to buy this saw.
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br /MOTOR:
br /The motor is plenty powerful enough to cut everything I've thrown at it over the years. In fact, I just completed laying 1000 sq. feet of 3/4" thick Brazillian Walnut hardwood flooring and used this saw to do the rip cuts where I needed thinner pieces near the walls. This saw cut through it like a hot knife through butter. I was surprised at how easy this saw plowed through it as Brazillian Walnut is almost 3 times harder than oak, so I know that I put this saw through its paces.
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br /The trick is to use a good quality thin kerf blade. The blade that came with the saw is junk - get something better. I recommend the Rigid blade sold at home depot (excellent blade that stays really sharp).
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br /FENCE:
br /The fence is easy to get parallel to the miter slots once you figure out the trick. The trick is to let the auxillary aluminum fence fall into the miter slot and then snug the auxillary fence face up to the edge of the slots and then tighten down the fence adjustment nuts (the three bolts on top of the fence). This gets the fence almost exactly parallel to the miter slots.
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br /Once you get the fence parallel - just don't overtighten the bolts holding the auxillary fence on - its just aluminum and can warp if you apply too much pressure via. the bolts. Just snug it tight.
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br /The fence locks down as solid as I've ever seen - never had it move on me even a little. It's easy to get it set accurately so that you can rely on reading the fence setting and not having to use a tape measure to set the fence.
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br /Dust control is adequate, but not stunning. The miter gauge is satisfactory. pretty generic miter gauge.
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br /The stamped steel wings were not hard to level to the table. The wings are held onto the main table by five bolts. Hand tighten all of these bolts so that the wing is stable, but still adjustable. Then you can get the wing perfectly level and then tighten it down so it cannot move. The steel wings are adequate and help increase the table size. That being said I did upgrade one of them to the cast iron wing.
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br /The Cons:
br /1.) the blade guard is disgustingly hard to attach and remove. Once its on it works fine, but it takes 10 minutes to get the thing on/off.
br /2.) throat plate that is standard seems flimsy. The dado insert that I bought seems beefier and thicker steel than the standard throat plate - a little weird.
br /3.) The blade included is junk - get a better blade.
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br /all in all an excellent saw. Mine was Made in USA as well - a bonus for me.
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I didn't know much about saws in this range. I bought it based on the DeWalt name and the reviews I read here. I am extremely glad I got this saw! It makes cuts that are more like a machine shop puts on an piece of flat steel than a saw cut. Absolutely perfect flat and smooth. I had no idea these types of cuts were even possible. I got the mobile base too and it works well. This saw is no fun at all to tip over and install the base on, but once you get it on, it is a dream come true. I highly recommend this saw.

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.