DeWalt DW745 is junk.

[highland145]

Have any photos?

I have an old craftsman table saw I got for free with a locked up motor. I sourced new bearings, but had to modify them to work (sleeve bearings) and its still going strong 2 years later. I just have to oil them every once and again, but they have felt that soaks up the oil and distributes it.

I'm curious what yours looks like though if you can post a photo or two.

Not mine but the same model.
http://ct-web2.unh.edu/lee/100-series.htm

Definitely not mine because I figure saw dust should clean itself up. But this is how the motor's mounted. On/off switch in on the front of the saw.

 

[BoomerD]

I stopped buying Dewalt power tools and started building Ridgid from Home Depot. Even though they're still made in China, they offer a "lifetime service agreement" for their tools...even the batteries for cordless tools.

 

[highland145]

I stopped buying Dewalt power tools and started building Ridgid from Home Depot. Even though they're still made in China, they offer a "lifetime service agreement" for their tools...even the batteries for cordless tools.

Heh, some years ago, my bro bought the 5 piece battery operated kit with the lifetime on the batteries.....Rigid lost their ass on that deal.

 

[*kjm]

The DW745 is a light duty saw. Sounds like you needed one stronger.

Also use a thin kerf blade if you have not been as that also helps with items like that.

That saw was made for what he is doing sounds like a bad motor, switch or some kind of thermal reset went.

 

[herm0016]

i am also a ridgid fan.

I am not a fan of any of those small "portable" table saws. they all pretty much suck.

get it fixed if that is the kind of saw you want, if you want something better hit up craigs list.

I ended up finding a real table saw on craigslist for $350. the thing works awesome, and must weigh 200 lbs.

 

[Scarpozzi]

The DW745 is a light duty saw. Sounds like you needed one stronger.

Also use a thin kerf blade if you have not been as that also helps with items like that.

It's not a light duty saw. It's a portable table saw, but not a hobby saw like most of the $100 models. The only reason it's not a $500 saw is because it doesn't come with a stand like the other DeWalt models...but one is available. The motor is small, but very strong when it ran. It ripped through 2x8/2x10 treated lumber with ease and never bogged down. I was looking forward to ripping oak flooring with it to see how it compared to the 30+ year old Craftsman I was replacing with it. (the craftsman needed a new motor)

I went with the portable table saw because I needed something that had a stable base, fit well in my truck, and stored well in my garage without taking up too much extra space. It's perfect in every way for my uses, except for the whole cutting wood part.

 

[bradley]

I stopped buying Dewalt power tools and started building Ridgid from Home Depot. Even though they're still made in China, they offer a "lifetime service agreement" for their tools...even the batteries for cordless tools.

Full lifetime warranties usually sound great in theory, though rarely good in practice. From what I've read: a) you need to register the tool with Rigid within the first 90 days or you are SOL b) only the original purchaser is registered c) batteries are only covered for 3 years, like most other tool companies, however they do give a one-time replacement during the tool's lifetime. And it sounds as though Rigid already has an out clause...

Failures due to misuse, abuse or normal wear and tear are not covered by this warranty. Ridge Tool shall not be responsible for any incidental or consequential damages....NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR: Commonly, our tools are used on job sites in the most demanding applications and environments. Under these conditions and over time, the RIDGID product may experience normal wear and tear and require service. While normal wear & tear is not considered a "defect" and is not covered by the RIDGID Lifetime Warranty, it is our goal to get your tool back in service a soon as possible.

DEFECTS IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP: It is our experience that a product that fails prematurely due to a manufacturing defect in materials or workmanship, will generally do so very early in the products life cycle, often the first or second time the product is used. When returned for inspection, these products are generally found to still be in like new condition and show very little signs of use. It is uncommon for a product that was manufactured with a defect, to survive under normal use for any extended period of time. Products that are returned for warranty inspection after months or years of continuous reliable service are rarely found to be defective. The most common demand for service is the result of normal wear and tear issues, which are not considered to be a defect in materials or workmanship.

Therefore, I'll continue buying proven tools like Dewalt and giving them heavy use in the first few weeks.

 

[BoomerD]

Full lifetime warranties usually sound great in theory, though rarely good in practice. From what I've read: a) you need to register the tool with Rigid within the first 90 days or you are SOL b) only the original purchaser is registered c) batteries are only covered for 3 years, like most other tool companies, however they do give a one-time replacement during the tool's lifetime. And it sounds as though Rigid already has an out clause...





Therefore, I'll continue buying proven tools like Dewalt and giving them heavy use in the first few weeks.

You can spend your money how you want...Once upon a time, I'd have agreed with you. But since being sold to Stanley/Black & Decker, their product quality has gone into the shitter too the point where they're NOT the premier tool company they once were.

 

[Jimzz]

It's not a light duty saw. It's a portable table saw, but not a hobby saw like most of the $100 models. The only reason it's not a $500 saw is because it doesn't come with a stand like the other DeWalt models...but one is available. The motor is small, but very strong when it ran. It ripped through 2x8/2x10 treated lumber with ease and never bogged down. I was looking forward to ripping oak flooring with it to see how it compared to the 30+ year old Craftsman I was replacing with it. (the craftsman needed a new motor)

I went with the portable table saw because I needed something that had a stable base, fit well in my truck, and stored well in my garage without taking up too much extra space. It's perfect in every way for my uses, except for the whole cutting wood part.

Its a standard 15amp low duty motor based saw. Just because it comes in a fancy box and name does not make it heavy duty. Buy based on specs, not name.

I have a 240volt delta table saw with belt and its only a contractor grade but is still leaps and bounds better than what you're using.

Here is the motor in your saw.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-DEW...URE-FIELD-MOTOR-GEAR-5140033-26-/251448310345

Notice how its about the same size as a basic circular saw? Its a basic direct connect light duty one. Use it like a light duty and it will last. Use a thick kerf or dull blade and abuse it and it will die a early death.

 

[bradley]

You can spend your money how you want...Once upon a time, I'd have agreed with you. But since being sold to Stanley/Black & Decker, their product quality has gone into the shitter too the point where they're NOT the premier tool company they once were.

I wasn't telling you how to spend your money. I'm just curious to hear your experiences with their Rigid's lifetime guarantee in a few years. I have read mixed reviews on actually trying to fulfill that guarantee.

Home Depot gave me the Rigid over Dewalt spiel, since they have stock and exclusive rights to the brand, but I didn't buy it. I instead purchased Dewalt's entire 20vMax line early last year and they are extremely well-designed and holding up GREAT. They are just as powerful as my corded tools.

And you don't need to coddle the 20vMax lithium-ion batteries either like most brands. Nobody does better battery management than Dewalt.

 

[UnklSnappy]

I disagree that it is junk. I have that exact saw and have used it just about every day for the past 3 years. I think you were just unlucky and got a bum one.

 

[momeNt]

I skipped benchtop table saws and went straight to contractor style saws. Belt drive induction motors are much more rugged, if you happen to bind them you have a far less chance of burning out the motor compared to a benchtop table saw with a universal brush motor.

If you did not have a good thin kerf ripping blade with deep gullets you run the risk of burning out the motor on thicker stock. For 2x dimensional lumber, that's pretty thick for a universal motor. If you were using a combination blade or a full kerf blade, you were asking for trouble.

 

[bradley]

Though some of Dewalt's accessories have become junky. For instance their reciprocating saw blades now completely blow compared to Milwaukee's Sawzall.

No wonder firefighters and emergency rescue crews use Sawzall blades for their Jaws of Life. These things cut through anything handed them almost like butter.

 

[JulesMaximus]

im going to be buying a table saw pretty soon and just plan on getting the ryobi one at home depot for $130. i won't be using it much, just for little projects, and it has good enough reviews that i think it'll be okay for what i'm going to be using it for.

but according to reviews of your saw, it sounds like you are in the minority with your experience.

Ryobi is garbage. I had one of their cordless drills and it was pure crap.

 

[alkemyst]

You weren't ripping 2x10's into 1x10's or anything crazy, right?

Not only that, but this calls for a 20" max rip capacity.

I am hoping he meant cross-cutting especially with this saw.


Also to the other poster about the motor...many motors have circuit breakers even since the 70's/80's and probably prior.

Not in the same class (I do agree a 'job site' table saw has major value), but I was able to score the Rigid TS3660 for $349 at HD when they were blowing it out. Added a Incra 1000SE and an Infinity 010-060 blade and zero-clearance insert for 90 deg cuts.

I'd love a better-than contractor saw, but this was one of the last of the bests from Rigid and a steal at the price. It's one that has been proven to cut over what it's specs recommend and do it all day every day.

My dad has one of the better craftsman table saws from the 80's and my saw performs way better, with less vibrations, and quieter (probably mostly due to blade).

Ripping real wood is something most portable table saws really can't do.

 

[alkemyst]

I disagree that it is junk. I have that exact saw and have used it just about every day for the past 3 years. I think you were just unlucky and got a bum one.

I am thinking it may be that or if he is talking of actually ripping material beyond it's intended rating.

One of the things is if you are doing long rips and binding the blade at the same time (very possible with such a small table saw like this) you have great leverage against that motor.

 

[RagingBITCH]

im going to be buying a table saw pretty soon and just plan on getting the ryobi one at home depot for $130. i won't be using it much, just for little projects, and it has good enough reviews that i think it'll be okay for what i'm going to be using it for.

but according to reviews of your saw, it sounds like you are in the minority with your experience.

The light duty stuff is fine for home use. I've cut plenty of baseboards, 2x4's, and some other stuff for projects around the house. (Bought the Skilsaw base level one, pretty much the same thing as the Ryobi entry level)

 

[momeNt]

You weren't ripping 2x10's into 1x10's or anything crazy, right?

That's not a rip, that's a resaw, and you would need a 20" bandsaw to accomplish that.

 

[feralkid]

That's not a rip, that's a resaw, and you would need a 20" bandsaw to accomplish that.

People do it, nonetheless.
That's why I called it crazy.

 

[momeNt]

Not only that, but this calls for a 20" max rip capacity.

Rip capacity how WIDE the rip based off of the rip fence either left or right of the blade.

I don't think I've ever seen rip length specified unless you talk about using the sliding function on a sliding table saw or a straight line rip saw.

The current Ridgid R4512 is not all that highly regarded because of apparently a fatal flaw alignment issue, if you have it, return the saw, if you don't, you have a decent saw. It also has table mounted trunnions though which the R4511 previous generations (including your saw) have cabinet mounted trunnions and thus much easier to align, and they stay in alignment pretty much for life.

As far as specs go, any 1.5hp contractor saw will be able to handle any 8/4 or 2x dimensional ripping, and 3/4" dado stacks. If you want to work with thicker material or want faster feed speeds on hard 8/4 material, you'll want 3HP 220v saw, or go the 5 or 7hp route.

 

[momeNt]

People do it, nonetheless.
That's why I called it crazy.

You literally cannot do it on a table saw. I challenge you to find a youtube of someone resawing a 10" nominal lumber on a table saw. A 10" table saw won't do it as the blade only goes 4-1/2" tall, and 2x10 is 9-1/4" wide. So they'd need a 12" or 14" table saw and have to flip it over to do a full resaw. And anybody who owns a 12 or 14" TS wouldn't be dumb enough to try it.

 

[UnklSnappy]

One of the things is if you are doing long rips and binding the blade at the same time (very possible with such a small table saw like this) you have great leverage against that motor.

It shouldn't be binding up on him since it comes with a riving knife.
Unless he removed it or he's incapable of running board through straight.

 

[feralkid]

You literally cannot do it on a table saw. I challenge you to find a youtube of someone resawing a 10" nominal lumber on a table saw. A 10" table saw won't do it as the blade only goes 4-1/2" tall, and 2x10 is 9-1/4" wide. So they'd need a 12" or 14" table saw and have to flip it over to do a full resaw. And anybody who owns a 12 or 14" TS wouldn't be dumb enough to try it.

Exactly.

Crazy isn't it?

 

[HeXen]

They don't build them like they used to. I had a very old Craftsman jigsaw made entirely out of metal. No plastic BS, even the trigger was metal. Now that's a power tool.

 

[bradley]

People always say, "they don't make 'em like that anymore," however place your all-metal finely-crafted 60/70s era tools on Craigslist and nobody even wants them for free.

My only regret is selling my dad's old Craftsman 70's table saw, they really don't make 'em like that anymore. The blades are definitely better, but not the saws.