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Make fence adjustments fast and with accurate precision. The fence runs smoothly on dual tracks, and the rack and pinion system also moves well. There’s a bright yellow measuring tape that you can also see easily. The solid locking mechanism is another big plus. And when it’s rolled back in you’ve got a compact tool that’s about the size of a paper cutter, but this thing is cutting much fatter stacks.
Adjusting the height of the blade is simple with this hand crank that’s smooth and precise.
Shoe bevels from 0 degrees to 45 degrees for beveled cuts
This feature allows for tool-free adjustments of the guarding components. It is a huge timesaver and an advanced feature that’s becoming more common.
Tilt one or both blade guards so that you can measure from your blade to your fence, you can move it out of the way. It locks in place while you’re measuring, and then it smoothly slides back down into place.
A nice touch that’s more durable than the cheap plastic bases found on other products.
At a manufacturer-confirmed weight of just 45 pounds, you can easily move this on and off the job.
Being able to store tools and accessories on the apparatus is quickly becoming the standard as it’s a necessity, not a luxury, to have a singular spot for everything, especially on a job site. The only shortcoming here is there’s no dedicated storage spot for the miter gauge.
All you have to do is snap on the fence and install the guard. The only tool you’ll need to accomplish this task is a wrench for the blade. Being able to get this machine up and running quickly while you’re on a site is a big plus.
If you want something compact to save space or take on the road, then this DeWalt DW745 is a top contender. Granted it does have limitations in rip capacity, but if you’re doing quick or small cuts on site and need to go from one place to the next, you’re not going to find anything better at this price.
At first, we were put off by the lack of an included stand, but you’re probably better off coming up with another solution. At a height of just 33 inches for the total assembly, anyone who is an average height or taller is going to be bending awkwardly to get the job done. We get back pain just looking at the pictures of people stooped over it during operation.
Not having dado capability will likely be a big deal to some, but if it doesn’t matter to you, then you’ll have no regrets with this saw.
The DW745 is a lighter weight version of a similar saw. Weighing in at just 45 pounds it’s one of the most portable and easy to carry options out there that still has high-performance functionality. Because of its more compact size, it doesn’t have quite the same ripping capacity. Ripping large sheets requires a stand and a partner. If that type of work is what you plan on doing regularly, opt for the DWE7491S instead or the DWE7480.
No, a 10” dado set would require a more powerful motor than what’s available on this model. But, there are some other workarounds if you’re looking to cut ¼” or 3/8” grooves:
Yes, but exercise caution. Because the fence is smaller than you’d find on a full-size table saw, you’ll have to be careful in guiding the piece along to avoid binding and kickback.
Yes, but you’ll first need to get a zero-clearance blade insert. You would likely also need a different blade than what comes stock. We recommend getting a fine-tooth blade like a very thin kerf blade.
The overall height is about 33 inches, which is slightly shorter than the industry standard of 36 inches. This is also an awkward height for taller individuals, though likely not a deal breaker. Also, the DW745 doesn’t come with a stand, but the DW745S does.
The DW745 use to be made in the USA, but now they’re made in China. However, DeWalt does still make several of their products domestically, including their new cordless cable tool and stapler kit, as well as reciprocating saws, drills, and more. At the time of publication, DeWalt produces 91 products SKUs in the USA.
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