Portable Table Saws - Bosch vs. Dewalt... Testify!

[mwortman]

So I dont have much room and I need a small table saw I can move in and out of storage. I have been researching and have narrowed it down to the Dewalt 744 and the Bosch 4000. There are ample postive reviews of both (edge goes towards the Bosch). I have literally read hundreds of reviews and each seem to have comprimises that (obviously) set them apart from a stationary saw. And they seem to have faults related to use of plastics/thin metals in some parts (blade riser gear on the bosch, fencing system on dewalt). The bosch gets very high ratings for being quiet and having a "soft start", but negatives that once the motor is blown you can chuck the rest of the saw (integrated electronics, no replacement part available from bosch). The dewalt also gets high ratings for a very accurate fence system and decent power (despite only a 13AMP motor).

So, I am torn. I like the dewalt name but have heard that with each iteration of the 744 they are using cheaper and cheaper parts. I also like a lot of the features on the Bosch but would hate to have to throw out a saw if something goes wrong after a short 1 year warranty.

Portability is important (I will be carrying it around some).

Your thoughts and/or testimonies are most welcome...

[machuca79]

I own the ryobi BTS20 it is good for ocasional use but it is not bosch or dewalt standars but it is only $200, also look at the craftsman portable saw look impresive plus has a built in router table and crosscut sled
<A HREF="http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00921829000">http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00921829000</A>

[unknownuser]

I own the DW744 and have had no problems with it.
The small table can be frustrating, but the motor
is strong. The rack & pinion fence makes for decent
cuts (square).

If you are expecting the performance of a pro table
saw with a large table and a beisenmeyer fence, you
will be disappointed.

If you are a DIYer who wants to build 10 or 15
pairs of speaker cabinets in a year, I think you
will be happy.

Check with other guys though - this saw is very
expensive compared to the competition! Maybe
you can get most of the performance for a lot less
money.

I always like to add: Life is too short to buy
cheap tools...


(Originally posted by: herm)

[johnastockman]

> So I dont have much room and I need a small
> table saw I can move in and out of storage.
> I have been researching and have narrowed it
> down to the Dewalt 744 and the Bosch 4000.
> There are ample postive reviews of both
> (edge goes towards the Bosch). I have
> literally read hundreds of reviews and each
> seem to have comprimises that (obviously)
> set them apart from a stationary saw. And
> they seem to have faults related to use of
> plastics/thin metals in some parts (blade
> riser gear on the bosch, fencing system on
> dewalt). The bosch gets very high ratings
> for being quiet and having a "soft
> start", but negatives that once the
> motor is blown you can chuck the rest of the
> saw (integrated electronics, no replacement
> part available from bosch). The dewalt also
> gets high ratings for a very accurate fence
> system and decent power (despite only a
> 13AMP motor).

> So, I am torn. I like the dewalt name but
> have heard that with each iteration of the
> 744 they are using cheaper and cheaper
> parts. I also like a lot of the features on
> the Bosch but would hate to have to throw
> out a saw if something goes wrong after a
> short 1 year warranty.

> Portability is important (I will be carrying
> it around some).

> Your thoughts and/or testimonies are most
> welcome...

If the DeWalt has the better fence, I would suggest that one. There's nothing more frustrating than a fence that you have to check for square all the time. Once set up, it should stay in alignment every time you clamp it down. I went through this with a Delta contractors 10" saw a few years ago. I didn't pay attention to the quality of the fence, and ended up spending more $ on an aftermarket fence...if I had spent more to begin with for a unit with a nicer fence, I would have saved money.

John A.

[mwortman]

Hi John,
The Dewalt fence is a bit of a novelty in that it is squared once and the fence rides on rails with a rack over a pinion gear (front and back). its seems neat and I hear it is pretty accurate, but can "jump" a gear and get out of square if bouncing around in a truck. Apparently that is very easy to spot and fix (takes seconds).

The fence on the Bosch is excellent as well, maybe more reliable than the Delta. I have played with it extensively and have no reservations about it. The locking mechanism is a conventional design and it slides very smooth, locks with little down-pressure and squares up true each time i have tried it.

I guess i liked it that the dewalt had a little smaller footprint compared to the Bosch.. but I hear that the dewalt blade is a little close to the front of the table so it can be tricky to "square-up" large material to the fence before you start the cut.

Right now I am leaning towards the Bosch

> If the DeWalt has the better fence, I would
> suggest that one. There's nothing more
> frustrating than a fence that you have to
> check for square all the time. Once set up,
> it should stay in alignment every time you
> clamp it down. I went through this with a
> Delta contractors 10" saw a few years
> ago. I didn't pay attention to the quality
> of the fence, and ended up spending more $
> on an aftermarket fence...if I had spent
> more to begin with for a unit with a nicer
> fence, I would have saved money.

> John A.

[thylantyr]

> So I dont have much room and I need a small
> table saw I can move in and out of storage.

A bigger table saw with mobile base is the way
to go, but if you must then buy one of those.

I'd be looking at only two variables in this
case. Fence quality, rip capacity, horsepower.

Soft start, low noise is not a factor in choosing
a saw.

Add a mobile base;
<A HREF="http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0444">http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0444</A>

Interesting considering the cost.
<A HREF="http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0478">http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0478</A>

[mwortman]

I am looking at the upper end of the portable saw range, specifically because I would like to have a quality tool that will last. I hear with the low cost portable delta, skil, etc you get good cuts initially but the more you use it the more "play" is introduced to your cuts. Apparently because too much plastic in critical parts, motors not support enough, blah blah.

I certainly wont build a dozen speaker sets in a year (im not that fast). Maybe a half dozen at most. When I go to "house of tools" the sales guys are pretty knowledgable and think either table would last me a lifetime at that rate (6 projects a year, primarily mdf). But they are pushing the Bosch harder than the dewalt.

There is a deal right now where they give you the bosch saw, metal stand, and a bosch cordless impact wrench with two batteries (claimed value of $250) for 650$ CAN. Its a pretty good deal, but I really have no use for an impact wrench. Anyone need one?

> I own the DW744 and have had no problems
> with it.
> The small table can be frustrating, but the
> motor
> is strong. The rack & pinion fence makes
> for decent
> cuts (square).

> If you are expecting the performance of a
> pro table
> saw with a large table and a beisenmeyer
> fence, you
> will be disappointed.

> If you are a DIYer who wants to build 10 or
> 15
> pairs of speaker cabinets in a year, I think
> you
> will be happy.

> Check with other guys though - this saw is
> very
> expensive compared to the competition! Maybe
> you can get most of the performance for a
> lot less
> money.

> I always like to add: Life is too short to
> buy
> cheap tools...

[mwortman]

Unfortunately, I have to be able to carry the saw in my own two hands because I dont have a work shop. I have to use it outside, and then move it inside the house for storage.

I would love to get a griz, or even a portable general (about $800CAN) but they are just too big and heavy. When I buy a new house with a big garage I will get a sweet cabinet saw but that is years away at the moment.

I think the Bosch fence is the best because it doesnt complicate the matter of squaring a fence with a rack and pinion system as the Dewalt has. It seems very solid and square. Also, it is the more powerful saw.

> A bigger table saw with mobile base is the
> way
> to go, but if you must then buy one of
> those.

> I'd be looking at only two variables in this
> case. Fence quality, rip capacity,
> horsepower.

> Soft start, low noise is not a factor in
> choosing
> a saw.

> Add a mobile base;
> <A HREF="http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0444">http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0444</A>
> Interesting considering the cost.
> <A HREF="http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0478">http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0478</A>

[dragonrr]

Rigid at home depot.

Woodworkers Magazine gave pick that as the better saw.
Comes w/ mobile base.

[DaveBurke]

Just my 2 cents but having used both my choice would be the Bosch....nothing wrong with the DeWalt. The Bosch had more grunt and seemed tighter. Unfortunatly my own saw is a dog for 2 reasons you may consider in choosing any saw. First, although the blade arbor is solid the fence is junk. This means all cuts need to be layed out end to end manually, a chore unworthy of modern man.....Second, the amount of table length extentions is limited and of little use with my Delta. If you want anything over a standard 13" wide cut you better look into extentions and the like. Another cave man feature best avoided. If I wanted another job site style saw I'd probably buy a Bosch, just from what I have used and know. Just good value for a solid saw. You want cabinet making equipment, none of the site saws are going to get you there, just close.

[matg]

for a few bucks more than the portable job site saws, and for less than the box-base cabinet saws withthe full cast iron tops and the fattie besmier fence, why not the saw in the middle with the open base and the cast waffel top or the THICKer sheet metal tops? Then, mount a stiff wood frame/box around the bottom 4-6" of the open leg frame, get a fat hand truck from someplace like harbor freight, the kind with the big knobby wheeles. Use the hand truck to wheele the saw in and out of the garage. This works so long as you don't need to put it in car, but would still work into a pick-up, van or small trailer with a ramp. Then you have a Much nicer fence, wider rip capacity, and still some good mobility. Still to big? with the dolly, you can stuff this thing in a corner still... what ever tool you get, table saws are cool!

> So I dont have much room and I need a small
> table saw I can move in and out of storage.
> I have been researching and have narrowed it
> down to the Dewalt 744 and the Bosch 4000.
> There are ample postive reviews of both
> (edge goes towards the Bosch). I have
> literally read hundreds of reviews and each
> seem to have comprimises that (obviously)
> set them apart from a stationary saw. And
> they seem to have faults related to use of
> plastics/thin metals in some parts (blade
> riser gear on the bosch, fencing system on
> dewalt). The bosch gets very high ratings
> for being quiet and having a "soft
> start", but negatives that once the
> motor is blown you can chuck the rest of the
> saw (integrated electronics, no replacement
> part available from bosch). The dewalt also
> gets high ratings for a very accurate fence
> system and decent power (despite only a
> 13AMP motor).

> So, I am torn. I like the dewalt name but
> have heard that with each iteration of the
> 744 they are using cheaper and cheaper
> parts. I also like a lot of the features on
> the Bosch but would hate to have to throw
> out a saw if something goes wrong after a
> short 1 year warranty.

> Portability is important (I will be carrying
> it around some).

> Your thoughts and/or testimonies are most
> welcome...

[cjd]

Superb saw, but the fence is what makes a table saw IMHO, and the Ridgid is one of the best in this category I think.

YMMV

C

[mikec]

I really have no use
> for an impact wrench. Anyone need one?

Is it the wrench (1/2" or 3/8" square male output, uses sockets) or the driver (1/4" hex female output, uses screwdriver tips)?

If it's the driver you'll love it if you drive many screws, especially into hardwood.

If it's the wrench I bet you could sell it quick -- maybe not here -- but local car parts places, etc. might have a place you could post it.

If it's a wrench


________
WASHINGTON MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

[kduggan]

> I have used both saws you mention as well sa the delta. In my opnion the Dewalt Finishes thrd. The bosch is a great saw and the cheaper delta is made very similar to the bosch. Nothing light weight will provide the blade damping a two houndred pound trunion gives you. The bosch also comes with a much better blade than the dewalt, on portable saws blade quialty is extreamly important.
So I dont have much room and I need a small
> table saw I can move in and out of storage.
> I have been researching and have narrowed it
> down to the Dewalt 744 and the Bosch 4000.
> There are ample postive reviews of both
> (edge goes towards the Bosch). I have
> literally read hundreds of reviews and each
> seem to have comprimises that (obviously)
> set them apart from a stationary saw. And
> they seem to have faults related to use of
> plastics/thin metals in some parts (blade
> riser gear on the bosch, fencing system on
> dewalt). The bosch gets very high ratings
> for being quiet and having a "soft
> start", but negatives that once the
> motor is blown you can chuck the rest of the
> saw (integrated electronics, no replacement
> part available from bosch). The dewalt also
> gets high ratings for a very accurate fence
> system and decent power (despite only a
> 13AMP motor).

> So, I am torn. I like the dewalt name but
> have heard that with each iteration of the
> 744 they are using cheaper and cheaper
> parts. I also like a lot of the features on
> the Bosch but would hate to have to throw
> out a saw if something goes wrong after a
> short 1 year warranty.

> Portability is important (I will be carrying
> it around some).

> Your thoughts and/or testimonies are most
> welcome...

[kduggan]

> A fence you can check and align, but a circular saw motor in a bracket will always wabble and flop the blade.
I have a 40-60 year old delta saw and have to set the fence with a tape measure but it cuts great. True I like the exacta fence on my 5 year old jet cabinet saw much better because of the speed but a fence is a small part of a table saw.

Superb saw, but the fence is what makes a
> table saw IMHO, and the Ridgid is one of the
> best in this category I think.

> YMMV

> C

[mwortman]

its an impact wrench and i dont drive many screws into hardwood so i would look to sell it to recover some saw cost.

> I really have no use

> Is it the wrench (1/2" or 3/8"
> square male output, uses sockets) or the
> driver (1/4" hex female output, uses
> screwdriver tips)?

> If it's the driver you'll love it if you
> drive many screws, especially into hardwood.

> If it's the wrench I bet you could sell it
> quick -- maybe not here -- but local car
> parts places, etc. might have a place you
> could post it.

> If it's a wrench

[brianwalter]

buying one of these <A HREF="http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDet...&prodid=561174">http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDet...&prodid=561174</A> I know it is not a table saw, but from the reports I seen on the woodworking forums, they work excellent. It also has an excellent dust collection system built in.

The nice part about buying one of these is that when you do have room, and buy a full sized table saw, the festool will still be a usefull addition to the table saw. Where as if you start with a bench top table saw, it will become obsolite.

This is just a thought, there are other similar products available as well, I think EZGuide or something like that is one of them. I tried the Festool out at a woodworking show once and it really did work great.

Brian Walter