! was pretty set on either the portable Bosch or Rigid. I had ruled out the Dewalt since, given the relative prices, the Bosch and Rigid had the portability, larger tables, and wider rip capacity and therefore more value. They’re a little big for my garage but the folding stands would allow me to put them away neatly.
Well, Lowes threw a monkey wrench in that plan. They have the Dewalt on sale for $317. I have a 10% off coupon. If I can get Home Depot to match and beat by 10% more, the Dewalt will be ~$260. That’s a big price difference between its regular price and the cost of the Bosch and Rigid.
I have a Craftsman but wanted a better tablesaw to build custom bookshelves for my home office. If my work is limited to simple furniture construction such as bookshelves and small console tables, would the Dewalt more than suffice?
Could the Dewalt run a dado blade?
Is the table size big enough to use a crosscut sled?
Has anyone used the Dewalt for this type of work? Anything you find limiting? My concern is the lack of a 24″ rip ability (which would more than meet my needs. )
I would most likely build a rolling stand for it and would add extension supports. I could have HD or the lumberyard rip any 4×8 sheets down to rough dimensions and I could then fine tune them on the saw.
Replies
I think you are talking about the smaller DeWalt model 745. no dadoe allowed. I'm interested in this saw also, because of how light it is. But would only buy it because I already have the Bosch 4000.
In my opinion you need one of the bigger saws 1st. The DeWalt 744 is also known to be a nice saw. I have tried it and enjoyed the rack and pinion system which the 745 also boasts. I really love using my Bosch ( with folding stand)
from what you are describing as your needs I think you will find the smaller saw limiting.
I'm always wishing my Bosch saw ripped more than 24"..., as nice and light as the Small Dewalt is, for general use, a 16" rip capacity would suck.Might keep your eye out for the older 744 (24" rip) - probably find refurbs for closer to $300 with full warranty.JT
it does...
reset the stops and take it to 27"
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
it does like 25" out of the box
I'm interested in the 745 for floor and trim jobs where it would be perfect. Anything beyond that and you need the bigger saws.
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Edited 3/24/2008 1:41 am by alrightythen
25.5"....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Home Depot has the Dewalt on sale for $317 as well. BTW, when they do price matching they give you an additional 10% of the difference, not another 10% off the price. So, if Lowes has something for $90 and HD is $100, HD will price match to $89 ($90 to match, and 10% of the $10 price difference).
Actually, that is incorrect. Their offer is to beat the other price by ten percent. That is what the sign says, and that is how I have received the competitive discount many times.
On the other hand, I don't know if they will add the extra 10% discount.
Interesting that Home Depot does it that way. Every other place I have been doesn't, for example, Sears:
"If you find a lower price on an identical branded item with the same features currently available for sale at another local competitor retail store, Sears will match that price plus, give you 10% of the difference. Just bring in the original advertisement to a sales associate at the time of, or within 30 days after, your purchase."
Actually, Lowe's does the 10% competitive discount too. Whenever I see something I want for a lower price at either store, I use the discount.
Recently, I found a handi-grabber litter pickup type of tool for sale for $14.99 at Lehrmann's, a local farm store. HD sells it for 19.99. They ended up giving it to me for $13.50.
In the last few days in the news, it seems store employees are also being given some leeway in negotiating prices with customers. In other words, haggling is being encouraged in some stores. This was a common practice until the advent of the big department stores with their fixed prices. I guess the economy is making them desperate.
I think it is still a good time to buy tools if you need them. Inflation has to hit before this is all over, and then prices are going to have to go up. In addition, the Chinese are having to charge more because the pressure is on over there to improve the lot of the laborer. Of course shipping has gotten much more expensive. The cost of fuel will never go down again. Up until now, big business has been sucking up some of the losses, but eventually they will have to raise prices.
Interesting. I had seen the price match, but thought it was 10% of the difference (like Sears and Circuit City). I wonder how much of a difference it has to be to give you another 10%? It seems hard to argue for another $30 off if the HD price is $0.10 less, you know?
It's never been that close for me, but it shouldn't matter since that is their offer and it is posted in every store. If you had a $100 item on sale somewhere else for $99.90, you should get it for $89.91. The reality is that they make sure most of the prices are the same unless they want to move some stock. In that case it does not make sense to drop the price by a dime.
Good luck. The saw is definitely worth the effort. On one side of my garage I have my wife's car. On the other, I have my motorcycle, a scaffold, my 12"SCMS, a weight bench, two table saws, a metal brake, a tire changer, a shop vac, a large trash can, some scrap wood, my bicycle, and a bunch of regular garage things. It takes great skill just to walk around in there.
Must be different in the States. Here in Canada they have always given 10% off competitors price. Been that way for years. View Image View Image
I have the 744. It does the dado blades and has the 24" rip too.
I keep it mainly for those reasons and for the fence. It is too small for a sled to do most cabinet work, but you can make a smaller sled for smaller projects. The big problem is that the sled can fall off the end of the table if you are not careful. That would negate some of the safety benefits of the sled.
The 745 should be your choice only if portability is your main concern. I'd almost buy one just to keep it in my truck tool box.
Having said all that, if I had to buy again, I would go for the Ridgid portable. I think it is mechanically an all-around better-designed saw.
I almost bought it and then decided on the TS3650 instead for building cabinets. I don't think there is a better saw out there for the money, if you take the time to adjust it properly before first use. Mine didn't take much work to set up. The saw is heavy and takes up more room than the others, but it can be moved around the garage easily with the included Herc-u-lift. It will also give you a reliable 36" rip capacity.
I've considered spending the extra money for the larger Rigid. The added capacity would be worth the relatively small additional $'s. My one concern is that it is too big for storage in my garage (which actually houses a car in the winter.) Maybe I'll just remeasure and see where I can move things around.
TS2400LS 428-833 10†Portable Table Saw $ 449.00 sale $ 404.00
This is good only through Mar 31 at HD. I think you have to ask for it because it is not advertised - special mailing only.
In my mind, unless you go for the TS3650, it is better than the DeWalt and Bosch portables.
I saw the $404 price at HD last night. I'm going to see if I can negotiate an additional 10% off of that. I have a 10% Lowes coupon and will tell HD that I can get an additional 10% off the Bosch if I open a credit card.
I like the Bosch only because there are more add-on accessories available (although I can live w/o them.) I would love the bigger Rigid but it's just too big for my garage.
Edited 3/26/2008 5:46 pm ET by emaxxman00