Thread: DeWalt DW745-XE vs DCS7485N-XJ

Originally Posted by Furns

I happened to see that Sydney Tools has the DCS7485N-XJ priced at $599, which seems to be the same saw but cordless.

It's not the same saw. I checked:

Home - Products - Powertools - Machinery - Table Saws - 254mm Lightweight Table Saw - DEWALT which is the DW745 and compared it to
DCS7485 XR FLEXVOLT TABLE SAW - DEWALT which is the DCS7485.

The blade on the cordless unit is 8" not 10". This alone will make a difference in what you're able to cut in terms of thickness.

It seems fairly clear, looking at the specifications, that the cordless unit is designed for portability (as you'd expect), and whilst it will act as a table saw, it is less capable than the corded unit. This is fine if you're using it for the portability factor, but from your post, that doesn't seem to be the case.

IMHO I would be looking at the corded version, it seems to be a more capable unit that is likely to outperform the cordless one.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I figured that I was missing something but I'm only new to woodworking so wanted to check. I'll go with the corded version as it was my original preference before seeing the cordless unit.

If you had any help on the thicknessers I would be greatly appreciative.

Furns

Whilst I'm sure the DeWalt table saws are quite useful - as it is remaining stationary (and provided space isn't a concern) have you considered a second-hand cabinet saw.....
If I was in your shoes I would probably try down the second hand route

Having two feed rates is great. The 8m/ min for quick thicknessing to approx. size and 4m/min for the fine finish. It really does show.

I have the 735 with a Wixy digital gauge and I can set it to an accuracy of 0.1 mm

I believe the 735 is well worth the extra $95.

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Whilst I'm sure the DeWalt table saws are quite useful - as it is remaining stationary (and provided space isn't a concern) have you considered a second-hand cabinet saw.....
If I was in your shoes I would probably try down the second hand route

^^ This is also pretty good advice. For not-a-lot-more than the DW745, you could (if you're patient) find a good deal on a decent contractor class cabinet saw here in the marketplace.

Something like this: https://www.carbatec.com.au/machiner...-code-mj2325ct in good condition would probably sell for the same price as the DeWalt unit, but would have more grunt to get through some good Aussie hardwood.

That'll also come down to what you want to use the tablesaw for - if it's cutting down plywood/melamine sheets to make cabinet carcasses, the DeWalt will have enough grunt. Make sure in that case that you spend some good coin on a really high quality blade - it shows when you cut melamine.

As far as thicknessers are concerned, you could also look at the second had market here, or if you're after the "lunchbox" style, the DeWalt continues to get rave reviews. If you buy this unit, increase your purchase price by whatever a really good set of earmuffs cost - or be prepared to go deaf (they are obscenely loud).

If you have neighbours nearby (I do), and you want to use your thicknesser a fair bit, you might want to consider a unit that has a helical head in it. They are considerably more expensive, but considerably more quiet. Or buy the loud one, and trade up later as budget allows - the marketplace here is a good way to move woodworking equipment provided you're asking a reasonable price and it's in reasonable condition for what it is.

Note - I just saw this on the Carbatec site if you're looking for a lunchbox style thicknesser: https://www.carbatec.com.au/machiner...thicknesser-12 At the price it's worth consideration in the mix with the DeWalt (I haven't stacked the specifications beside each other, but it'd be worth doing).

I have the equivalent Makita table saw and have also used the DeWalt one. The DeWalt one has a better fence but this category of saw if fairly limited and not very accurate. Unless you are wanting a lightweight portable saw I would look at something better like suggested. That all depends on what you are wanting to do with a saw though.
i have one of the little thicknessers from Hare and Forbes, I bought that one as it is portable but the main feature was that it has a spiral cutter head over knives.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have been looking into second hand TS locally but there only seems to be cheap units or very expensive ones, nothing really in the 1k-1500 range.

I saw in some other thrteads the positive view people have of Hare and Forbes, and was wondering if the ST-254 (https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W486) would be a good option? It's about $1400 including shipping and a bit more than I wanted to spend, but not really that much more than the DeWalt TS, particularly the 7491-XE.

I had originally looked at the SB-12, but 15V is a deal breaker for me.

Originally Posted by Furns

I saw in some other thrteads the positive view people have of Hare and Forbes, and was wondering if the ST-254 (https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W486) would be a good option? It's about $1400 including shipping and a bit more than I wanted to spend, but not really that much more than the DeWalt TS, particularly the 7491-XE.

I had originally looked at the SB-12, but 15V is a deal breaker for me.

Looking at the specs, it seems to be a good machine - I find it curious that the SB-12 is the same rated motor, yet needs 15A. I like the fact that the ST-254 is 253Kg, a good solid table saw is a good think IMO (though I'd advise putting it on a mobile base).

My *personal* opinion only - if you could get the H&F (or Carbatec equivalent if they have one), it would be a better buy than the DeWalt - it'll have more grunt, more capability.

Yeah I would prefer to have a proper cast iron table and the extra weight as I'm doing small box work for hobby inserts and stuff like that.

I dont want to spend a grand on the dewalt and find that it can't do cuts that are accurate enough for what I'm doing. I'm sure it's a great saw but I imagine I wouldn't have those concerns with a heavier cast iron model like the ST-254

We have an earlier version of the ST-254 at my wood club. It is a pretty good saw for the money with plenty of power and a fairly good fence. Unless you want to outlay big $ for a Sawstop or other high end saw you won't go far wrong.

Can’t comment on the table saw but the DW735 thicknesser was a first class upgrade from a generic 2 blade machine, quieter and better finish. Since then I’ve upgraded the DW735 with a Byrd Shelix Cutterhead and wow; a good machine is now great; so much quieter again & a hand smooth finish every time. Top machine.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I decided to spend a bit more and go with the ST-254. I guess the thicknesser will have to wait a while if I want to keep the boss on side.

Cheers,

Furns

Originally Posted by Furns

I guess the thicknesser will have to wait a while if I want to keep the boss on side.

Buy once, cry once I say. After all, if she now banishes you to your shed, and you have a TS and thicky out there, is that *really* a punishment?

Jokes aside, congrats on the purchase, may you have many happy years of crafting with it ahead!

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Buy once, cry once I say. After all, if she now banishes you to your shed, and you have a TS and thicky out there, is that *really* a punishment?

Jokes aside, congrats on the purchase, may you have many happy years of crafting with it ahead!

I'm sure there is a hole in your logic somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it

Cheers though. Only downside is that Machinery House is out of stock on the ST-254 until the end of the month, but it just give me more time to think of things to do when it arrives!

Cheers again everyone