DEWALT has been making hand and power tools since Raymond E. DeWalt started the company in 1923. It has built a reputation for quality tools since that time and is also known for many innovations.
This DEWALT DWE7485 review will attempt to determine if the company has continued with the traditions that have made it an industry name. It will provide a closer look so that you can decide if this table saw is right for you.
Presenting the DEWALT DWE7485 Table Saw
OVERVIEW
This compact table saw provides users with the same 15 amp power found on the DEWALT DWE7491RS and DW745. It weighs less than either of those table saws (it is about half the weight of the DWE7491RS package).
The DEWALT DWE7485 Jobsite table saw uses a smaller 8.5-inch blade. A 24.5-inch rip capacity will let you break down four by eight plywood sheets. There are clear markings and easy-to-use controls, providing micro-adjustability.
This table saw is built for small shop hobbyists who need to store the power tool when it is not in use. It is also a design that will benefit the contractor who moves between job sites often.
Your purchase will include the table saw, fence, anti-kickback pawls, miter gauge, push stick, 24-tooth blade, riving knife, blade changing wrenches, and a modular guard system.
PROS
CONS
Review of the main features and benefits
1. Size and weight
This table saw is compact, with dimensions of 26.65 x 14.08 x 27.15 inches. You should be able to store this in spaces that other table saws cannot. The only downside to this is that you sacrifice some table size when compared to other products in this category.
This design is also lightweight. It weighs only 46 pounds. That makes it easier for one person to carry, but it also means that some features and materials were left off the design.
2. Table and rails
DEWALT includes rack and pinion telescoping fence rails on this saw. The design makes these easy to use and provides support beyond the table surface. Keep heavier loads balanced between the table and rails so that the saw will not tip if it is not fastened to the bench.
The table is made from lighter compound metals. That design element helps to reduce the overall weight. It should also provide you with a steady platform as you work.
You can get 24.5 inches of rip capacity to the right of the blade. That can handle four by eight sheets of plywood or OSB. Cabinetry could challenge that capacity if it is large enough in size.
You will only get 12 inches of rip capacity to the left of the blade, however. Keep in mind that shorter left-of-blade capacities are normal for most products that are available. That limits left-handed users from controlling the material with their non-dominate right hand (or cutting boards of 12 inches or less in width while using the dominant left hand for control).
3. Blade and adjustments
This product uses an 8.25-inch blade instead of the larger 10-inch blades that other Jobsite table saws use. Many professionals feel that a smaller blade diameter helps to reduce kickbacks. They also take less energy to spin and reduce waste with a smaller kerf.
The only downside to using a smaller blade is that you will not be able to cut as deeply as you can with a larger blade. This product can reach a depth of cut 2 9/16 inches at 90 degrees and 1 3/4 inch at 45 degrees. That will still allow you to make up to a 45-degree bevel in two-by-four framing lumber.
This table saw will allow you to adjust the angle of the blade from 90 degrees up and down to a maximum angle of 45 degrees. It has blade adjustments that are easy to reach and allow you to make small adjustments to the blade’s height without straining yourself.
The DWE7485 has a 5/8-inch arbor. This is a common size and should not present issues when shopping for blades.
4. Dust collection
It has a dust port that measures 2 1/2 inches. That will fit many shop vacs, and you should be able to source a conversion kit that will fit it if necessary. Keep an eye on the hose as it can interfere with the riving knives if it is pulled too tightly.
A secondary dust port is located under the table saw. This is a larger opening that is designed to handle shop-sized dust extraction hoses. You will probably have less interference from this port than from the one mounted on the top.
5. Safety components
Safety begins with the blade guard. It is clear, and you can see the contact between the blade and your project. You may need to clean it regularly for an unobstructed view, however.
Anti-kickback pawls help to keep the piece secured as you cut. It will help eliminate the majority of loose parts flying back at you, but remember that no system is foolproof. Another non-kickback element is the non-through-cut riving knives.
All of this is designed within DEWALT’s Modular guard system. MGS has been an industry standard for a few years now, and it allows you to disconnect pieces without having to remove the entire system. This system also allows for tool-free adjustments.
A blade brake helps to stop the blade once the power button is no longer pushed. That provides safety and increases work speed.
DEWALT added a power-loss reset. This prevents the saw from turning back on if the power is temporarily lost. You can also interrupt power with a quick stop button.
The power button has a guard that helps to prevent accidental starting, and a push stick is included to help keep your fingers away from the blade as you push the wood through the cut.
6. DEWALT support
The manufacturer provides a 90-day money-back guarantee. That should provide you with consumer confidence as you contemplate buying this table saw.
DEWALT also offers one year of free service on the product, but you will have to pay for shipping if that is needed.
The company maintains a website and several social media platforms that can help answer your questions. They also have a number to call to speak with a representative should the need arise. DEWALT also maintains warranty and owner’s manuals for its products on the main website in the event that you misplace the original.
Finally, the company covers this table saw with a three-year limited warranty. This represents one of the longer power tool coverage packages in the industry.
What Buyers Are Saying
I spent some time online researching what others thought about the DEWALT DWE7485. There were quite a few positive opinions expressed in places like the Reddit community threads.
Most of the buyers on Amazon have also left mostly positive reviews for this table saw.
I also discovered many video reviews of the DWE7485. Reviewers are putting this compact table saw through its paces in an attempt to find the good and not-so-good it offers. The general verdict seems to be that customers who bought this table saw were satisfied with it overall.
Alternatives worth considering
DEWALT DWE7491RS Jobsite Table Saw
- Your purchase includes one Dewalt table saw, 10inch 24-tooth carbide blade, rolling stand, push stick, miter gauge, rip fence, 2x blade wrenches, blade guard assembly manual
- Other Specs: Max rip to left of blade – 22inch | Max rip to right of blade – 32-1/2inch | Max width of Dado – 13/16inch | Arbor size – 5/8inch | Amps – 15 | Depth of cut at 45inch –...
- Rolling stand designed for easy set up and breakdown with excellent stability
OVERVIEW
This product is a larger unit when compared to the DWE7485. It uses a 10-inch circular blade instead of the 8.25-inch. That will make a 3 1/8 inch deep cut at 90 degrees and 2 1/4 inch at 45 degrees.
It uses a 15 amp motor as well, but it only generates 4,800 RPMs. You can rip cut 32 1/2 inches from the right of the saw blade, a noticeable increase compared to the 8.25-inch table saw reviewed here. Rip cuts to the left of the blade max out at 22 inches.
PROS
CONS
SKILSAW SPT99-11
- Legendary worm drive gearing with 3-5/8 inch depth of cut and 30-1/2 inch rip capacity
- Precision rack and pinion fence system makes fence adjustments quickly and smoothly for accurate cuts
- Rugged rolling stand with 16 inch Wheels and easy-load handles delivers unsurpassed mobility
OVERVIEW
This table saw uses a worm gear drive instead of the standard gear system found on most table saw products. This feature will provide the saw with more torque. That will allow it to work through harder woods with less strain on the motor.
The worm gear design also means that there are fewer parts that can break down internally. You could have a table saw with a longer lifespan due to these gears.
PROS
CONS
For those who need to work with wider boards with deeper cuts, this table saw might be something you should look further into.
Milwaukee 2736-21HD Cordless Table Saw
- Product is manufactured in China
- This product meets customer requirement
- 5 year warranty on material and workmanship
OVERVIEW
This product differs from the DWE7485 as it is a cordless table saw. It runs on Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel battery system. That gives the same power output as a 15 amp corded motor (under optimal conditions).
Redlink Plus technology helps to maintain proper running levels and protects against overload charges.
PROS
CONS
If you are looking to take advantage of the latest cordless technology, make sure to take a look at this one.
Consider This When Buying A Table Saw
You may be asking yourself, why do you even need a table saw in the first place? Table saws allow you to cut more accurately than circular saws. That makes this power tool a must in both amateur and professional settings. Accurate cuts allow joinery to connect without gaps, something that improves the function and look of your project.
The table saw uses a rip fence to keep lumber aligned and straight during the cut. Both circular and miter saws need alignment with each pass and stop for repeated cuts. Saw guides can be time-consuming to set up for additional cuts, while a table saw can make the same cut again and again.
Accuracy will also save you time. Less time spent cleaning up a cut will give you more time to enjoy other parts of the build. It also means more money saved in a professional setting. Saving time builds the hobbyist’s confidence and the professional’s reputation.
A table saw allows you to make a cross or rip cut on larger boards. Miter saws are limited to the reach provided by their arm, while a circular saw will drift off the line without a guide.
These products also offer users versatility. You can dimension materials ranging from building lumber to plywood sheets. Tight-fitting joints can be cut on these saws as well.
A compact job site table saw that is easy to move would be a great addition to any job site. Accuracy and speed will allow a crew to move from one job to the next more quickly.
Personal woodshops can also benefit from a table saw that is easy to move. Small shops with limited space need to have power tools that can move.
What should you look for with these types of saws?
- Horsepower
- Rip capacity
- Table size
- Macro and micro-adjustability
- Dust collection
- Safety features
These should combine to make the table saw safe and easy to use.
Hobbyists who use hand tools only or those who work on smaller projects may want to contemplate hand saws or circular saws instead. Circular saws and miter saws should also be used instead of table saws on job sites where quick, semi-accurate cuts outweigh other considerations.
Putting It On The Table… Saw
This DEWALT DWE7485 review has provided you with an overview of this compact model. I hope its comparison to other similar table saws helped you decide if this is the tool for you..
If you are looking for a lightweight saw that does not take up room, this is the product for you. It offers 15 amps and 5,800 RPMs in an 8.25-inch blade. The saw is easy to use and offers an array of dust collection and safety features for beginner and intermediate woodworkers alike.
DEWALT DWE7485 is featured in my extensive table saw review, so feel free to see how it measures up with other popular table saws available today.
- Included Components: (1) Dwe7485 8-1/4 In. Table Saw; (1) Fence; (1) Anti-Kickback Pawls; (1) Miter Gauge; (1) Push Stick; (1) 24T 8-1/4 In. Blade; (1) Non-Thru Cut Riving Knife; (2) Blade Change...
