Whether you are a contractor who needs a portable table saw to take from job site to job site, or a hobbyist woodworker on a limited budget, you know there are a lot of portable bench top table saws to choose from. Most of them are quite good. Some are exceptional values. What makes the DW745 by DEWALT stand out in this field?

For a contractor, one noteworthy feature is its size. It is a true portable table saw. At 45 pounds it’s easy to move around. With some saws, you can’t take them into tight spaces because their stands might damage stair risers or you might ding a wall when attempting to move them. Not so the DW745. It is small enough to maneuver into small areas, so you can use the saw where you are actually working.

Its size is also a plus for the hobbyist with limited work space. You don’t need a permanent space for this saw like you would for a contractor saw or a cabinet saw. You can move the car out of the garage, set up the saw, work on your project, and then at the end of the day, put the saw in a corner and put the car back in the garage.

Just because the DW745 is small doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have good power. It has a 15 amp, high-torque motor, giving it plenty of power to rip treated lumber and hardwoods. Coupled with a 3 1/8 inch maximum cut depth, it easily powers through 2 inch thick pieces of cherry. Ripping laminate flooring and counter tops, structural lumber, and trim molding is a snap.

It has a rather unique rack and pinion fence rail. This is what gives this relatively small saw the ability to offer 16 inches of rip. Even though this fence arrangement isn’t "typical" it’s still extremely accurate. The vast majority of users praise the accuracy of the fence and the fact that once set, it remains true, not creeping out of adjustment.

If there is a downside to this DEWALT, it’s the miter gauge. It’s made of plastic and not very accurate. If you don’t make miter cuts then this won’t be an issue for you. Otherwise, you might want to purchase a sturdier, more accurate after market miter gauge.

Finally, there is the cost. Depending on where you shop, you can get the DW745 for as little as $300. This is a great price for a saw that delivers performance comparable to saws costing up to five times as much. You can see why this is such a stand out saw.