The garage still smells faintly of sawdust, even after the third wipe-down. Funny, how a single project – in this case, a bespoke oak bookshelf – can leave such a lasting impression. I’ve been wrestling with table saws since I was barely tall enough to see over them.

This DEWALT DW745. Now, the specs are readily available. Black, of course. High-speed steel blade (though I swap that out pretty quick for something with more teeth). Manual power source. And the item weight – 4.54 grams? Seriously? That must be a typo, unless they’re sending me a miniature, balsa-wood version. Let’s get real here; the weight is closer to 45 pounds. But it feels surprisingly manageable, even to a solo operator.

Setting it up was a breeze. Straightforward, even. Unlike some of the older, clunkier models I’ve used that demand a full afternoon just for assembly. The fence system, a critical component, locks down solid. That’s the kind of feature you appreciate when you’re ripping a long, expensive piece of hardwood. It provides consistently accurate cuts – critical for any project involving precision joints. Speaking of which, the onboard storage for the push stick and blade guard is a thoughtful touch. Saves a lot of fumbling around, trust me.

I did notice, and this is a minor quibble, that the dust collection port could be better. Fine sawdust still escapes, and you’re bound to end up with a layer of grit clinging to everything if you’re not careful. My solution? A shop vac hooked directly up to the port. Problem solved. A little extra vacuum power works wonders.

Compare this to the older Craftsman saw I used to own. Sturdy, yes, but heavy, and the blade adjustment was… let’s just say, less than precise. You’d spend half the morning calibrating it. The DEWALT, on the other hand, is a different beast entirely. It offers a more efficient use of space and cuts with far greater accuracy.

So, who is this saw really for? If you’re a weekend warrior, a DIY enthusiast ready to graduate from a circular saw, or someone who needs a solid, portable saw for light to medium-duty projects, this is your workhorse. If you’re running a full-blown commercial operation, maybe consider something with a larger table and more power. For anyone in between? Buy it. You won’t regret it. You can start crafting that oak bookshelf right away, and that, my friends, is a good feeling.