I have the Dewalt portable table saw (DW744). Had it for about 4 years. Yesterday the motor burned out.
I’ve only used this for light duty homeowner use. Probably the harshest I’ve put it through was to rip some PT lumber once and rip a cedar 4×4 another time. Mostly use to work with 1 x.
Anyone have similar problems with this saw? The guy at the service center told me not to use an extension cord with it but that sounds ridiculous. The cord on it is only about 5 feet long if that. When I do use an ext cord, I use a 12 guage one thats 25 feet long. That should be ok no?
If I have to get a new one, should I get the Bosch?
Edited 11/14/2005 6:45 pm ET by Toolsguy
Edited 11/14/2005 6:45 pm ET by Toolsguy
Replies
I bought a ten guage for my equipment. Its worth the money. The cord cost me $50, my table saw cost $500. Yes the cord does matter. Even though the Dewalt table saw is only 13 amps, you need a good supply of electricity. A cord thats too thin will restrict flow.
To answer your last question, I have a Bosch table saw (as do about half the people on this board)and have had no problems with it.
Edited 11/15/2005 6:51 pm ET by MSA1
I don't see anything wrong at all with running a 13 amp saw on 25' of 12 guage. I run a 15 amp wormdrive all day long and sometimes it's on 150' of 12 guage.... ripping and cutting framing from plywood to LVL.
Sounds like a cop-out to me.
If you get a new one..... the top three seem to be the Bosch, the Dewalt, and the Ridgid. I've had the Ridgid for about 4 years and still love it if that matters any. If you're going to buy a new one, search the archives because this comes up about once a month and there's tons of information and opinions on just about all of the portable saws. I seem to recall it being discussed just a few weeks ago.
I've been running the bejeezus out of a DeWalt for over 6 years. I keep it on the shortest run of 10g cord I can...course, most of the houses we're set up in are wired with 14G<G>
So what do you all think, should I have this saw repaired. I think it will run me at least $200 to have it fixed. Is it worth it? I'm worried about it happening again to be honest with ya.
Think I would buy the Bosch if I get down to it.
two hundred bucks is reasonable when you figure you'll basically have a new saw again.
I fixed my 708 (slider) -- cost me $300 and I don't regret it.
by the way, I've used that table saw for about 8 years. mine is still great -- tight and accurate.
If my DeWalt crapped out, I'd buy another one...I can't go a day without a job site table saw.In your case, if DeWalt wasn't willing to help some, guess I'd be pissed, and get the reconed Rigid...that would show DeWalt, wouldn't it?Really though, if the rest of the saw is fine, 200 bucks to fix it is still a lot better than $350 for a reconed Ridgid...or 500 beans for the Bosch...any warranty on the repair? What in the gosh darn golly have you done to Rez?
No warranty on the repair. It has a 3 year limited but its almost 4 years old. We'll see what the repair comes in at. I definitely need a saw again. I'm just pissed that the Dewalt bought the farm like this so I'm almost tempted to get the Bosch and write it off. Maybe sell the Dewalt for parts.
The stand on the Bosch is so deluxe you'll never look at another saw after trying it. One lever fold down and set up, big pneumatic tires roll great, very stable, super easy to load into back of truck singlehanded. On the down side if you have to pass through a door less than 3'0 it has to be turned sideways and lifted, tough to do on your own. Also the frame drags on stair treads so a helper is required if those treads are finished hardwood.
The saw itself has adequate power and will rip 2x material at 45°, especially if it has a good rip blade (the included Bosch blade is nothing to write home about). Freud makes a good thin kerf rip blade designed for 'underpowered' saws for under $50, and all portables fall in this class when compared to 240V shop saws. The fence is very accurate and stable once set up correctly, and the blade tilts left which I prefer for ripping bevels. Ripping full sheets out to 25" is fine, provided you have a helper or auxiliary table system. Unlike DeWalt's very narrow flip-down auxiliary table, Bosch provides about 4" of table next to the blade even at full extension, making it much easier to start a full sheet up against the fence when alone.
Small details are done well. The mitre gauge, cord, spare blades and wrench all store securely on the saw body during transport. Ditto for the fence, which helps prevent it from getting knocked whilst the saw is being moved. Blade changes are easy on the hands because there is a spindle lock provided. A 2.5" dust port is provided and makes for fairly dust-free operation when used with a good vac.
The jobsite I'm at right now has one of these saws and I've seen it take some fearful abuse at the hands of hamfisted operators pushing warped lumber and used form material through. It's been fairly wet this fall by our standards, and the saw doesn't always get covered up properly after use. Despite this it has continued to run very nicely. I also own a Bosch personally and expect that it will provide many years of service. This is the top of the pile right now in portable saws.
Lignum est bonum.
Thanks for all that info. Now that I'm psyched about the Bosch, I'm almost hoping the crappy Dewalt I have is toast.
Skykarma seems to be right on except the fence . Every other feature on the Bosch seems to get the best reviews . Dewalt still has the best rated fence. Users of the other saws have prayed the fence will be copied, but not as yet. Still the ratings put Bosch on top for it does have a good fence , but as far as Ive read still not with DW. You know how accruarate it is since you own one and how easily it adjusts.
There was a guy who I believe owned a rigid that bought the easy ripping fence because his fence was not accurite enough. Ive yet to find a DW owner that felt that way. Of course that was just one case story.
I think you will miss the fence since youve had it .
Tim
Yes I know the fence on my Dewalt is really nice. I'll have to go see the Bosch up close and make the decision. The Bosch has a 15 amp motor whereas the Dewalt only has 12 or 14 not sure.
I'd hate to buy another Dewalt and have the motor go right after warranty again.
I make no reference to your choice . Only information that is in print in the above post.
BTW the DW is 13amp I believe.
From history , you are the first I remember complaining from a burned up motor. How long was the cord?
Everyone seems to speak of problems from one such brand having lemons . Dewalt seems to have more than its share and also common problems such as cracking cords and faulty switches , but the later has not been a problem with their table saw .
However there is somthing under the DW that will break if the undercarriage is not kept clean by blowing it out . It seems to happen when trying to use the 45 degree feature when its in fact clogged. That has been a reacurring problem if not kept clean. I haul mine on a screen floor trailer and it gets cleaned every day I load it .
I think the Dewalt is a little expensive right now since the accessory fences dont come with it and are necesary. I think they are to the tune of another 80 bucks and you dont get them when you buy a new one . You have to look and shop to get the free table but so far that is always available . I like the table becuse its so portable but it doesnt roll.
Tim
The guy whose Ridgid fence was not accurate enough either got a lemon or I got an exceptional one.
I have been using the Ridgid for about 5 years now and have no complaints with the fence. Granted you can't turn a knob to adjust it, but, it is very easy to slide into place with a thumb on either side. Set the indicator once and good till you change blades or somehow slam into the indicator.
Very heavy, solid fence. Dead on accurate and rides in the back of a van all the time.
Ditto on the Ridgid fence... it's a rock. Four years of riding around in a trailer and it's never had to be adjusted and is still dead on.
Hot Stove alert.
Red Sox aquire Josh Beckett, and Mike Lowell from Marlins. Traded away a few prospects.
Stacy's mom has got it going on.
I agree also.
I made an auxillary fence for mine, but that's cause I cut a lot of laminate. Best part of the Ridgid fence is the t-bolt slots.
Stacy's mom has got it going on.
Toolsguy,
Maybe I'm stepping out of bounds here... but this is what I keep hearing...
I want a Bosch
I should get the Bosch
The Bosch looks nice.
This Dewalt might die again anyway.
Do I want to put $200 into this Dewalt?
I like the Bosch
The Bosch is pretty.
The Bosch has big knockers. (All right I made that one up)
Go git yerself a Bosch dude.... you know you want it! Fix the Dewalt and throw it on Ebay to offset some of the cost.
The Bosch has big knockers. (All right I made that one up)
Go git yerself a Bosch dude.... you know you want it!
Youre crackin me up here . LMBO! Quit !
Tim
You crack me up man. Got the Bosch this afternoon. Very glad I did too.
ps - I'm looking in the owners manual for where the big knockers are though.
Thanks man.
Larry
Unless you close your eyes, there is only one way to find them Bosch knockers:
http://autopartswarehouse.com/replacement_sm/bosch~knock_sensor~replacement.html
Billy
nice find Billy!! heheheee
Sad to see someone go to the other team.....DeWalt user & abuser here for many many years.....still buying them!!
Sad to see someone go to the other team.....DeWalt user & abuser here for many many years.....still buying them!!
Me too, Im a man of yellow all four seasons.
Tim
Years & Years ago this cool colored company came out with a 18v cordless circular saw/drill kit the same week as my generator crapped out on me. It's been sucking me in ever since.........I have had my problems & have seen some problems with them too. One of our carpenters had some issues with his table saw. He paid for the repairs & it's out every day for about 2 years since.
That bosch saw is real nice though......I don't think I could do without the DeWalt fence though. I handed my Makita to one of my friend the day I got my DeWalt. Never again will I need a tape measure to make sure the fence is even with the blade
Erik
I think you have been seduced by the adjustment knob on the DeWalt and overlook all else. Once the Bosch fence is correctly adjusted (detailed instructions in owners manual), it is consistently parallel to the fence. (Not so the Makita in my experience).
Sure it's nice to turn a knob and get small adjustments in the fence, but it's not "more accurate". Lignum est bonum.
C'mon now, the Makita fences have always been dead on accurate.......+/- 1/4" :)Live by the sword, die by the sword....but choose your sword wisely.
cute.
My DW 774 died last week . $10 in brushes and 5 min.work it's like a new saw. love the fence hate the color.
Chardo, you are lucky. The brushes in mine were fine. I think a bearing got all ground up in there or something. If you spun the blad it sounded like gravel.
Best of luck with the fixed one. I do sort of miss the fence on the DW but I like the Bosch now.
You checked the brushes ?The gravelly sound could be pieces of the brushes.Or even dirt or bugs or something that made it's way inside.I wouldn't give up on it without at least pulling it apart to have a look. I have gotten replacement bearings for everything from automotive water pumps and power steering pumps, to drills, sawa, washing machine motors, etc... as cheaply as 50 cents at a bearings supply house before. Even when the tool mfgr or other manufacturer said the bearings were not available.Just take out the old bearing/s and carry them in to the supply house.
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon. - Napoleon Boneparte
Bosch saw vs. the Makita
Toolsguy, I have the Bosch and am happy with it. I have the old stand, not the newer on with wheels, but I have no problem carrying it around.Slykarma, (pardon the brief hijack, Toolsguy) my Bosch has a rubber gromet on the left side of the cabinet near where the fence is stored. It would seem that there should be something there to hold the fence in place during transport, but mine came with nothing. Am I missing a part? I see nothing in the manual about anything to hold the fence in place there.
Overnigth, that rubber grommet is there to hold the alan wrench that should have come with the saw. The fence stashes right next to it. Just press down on the fence and it snaps into place in two places. You'll see.
Well, golly gee, you're right, Toolsguy. I never pressed down on the fence, but when you do, it securely snaps in.
...If all else fails, use a heavier hammer.
Thanks, and pardon the hijack.
Overnight, no prob on the hijack. Glad I could help.
So what are you going to do with the dead dewalt??? You could send it to Luka, let him bring it back to life....Live by the sword, die by the sword....but choose your sword wisely.
Well, I worked out a deal with my local tool store. The Dewalt is history.
That's where the allen wrench for should live. You can clean, service or adjust the fence with it.Lignum est bonum.
I guess I got gipped out of an allen wrench when I bought it last year...No big deal. There's a more secure place for one in the blade case, where I keep one.Thanks.
15A devices get run off extension cords all the time all over the industry and give years of service. I think this is a premature failure.
The Bosch with the new folding wheeled stand is superb. It's a step up from the DW. All the accessories and a the cord store on the saw body.
Figures that it is just 6 months out of warranty too. Oh well. I emailed Dewalt just for kicks but I'm guessing that there won't be much they can do for me.
I'm going to get the Bosch if this is an expensive fix.
That's sad. I doubt the cord arguement, though you could have bad voltage drop at a distant outlet. Still, a saw only draws a lot upon start and under load, and table saws do not normally go under much load (like a drill or a sawsall).
I have a hate/hate relationship with Black and Decker, so Dewalt by extension. I really do like that fence mechanism with the gears though.
Consider rebuilding motor. Parts are available.
Assuming you have a "type 1", entire armature & bearing assembly is $60, brushes are like $10 each.
http://www.toolpartsdirect.com/cgi-bin/schematic.cgi/dewalt/DW744_TYPE_1