Alton wrote in a couple of days ago, asking about whether Dewalt upgraded the rip capacity on their popular DW745 table saw. He saw a user review on Amazon that claimed a new version of the saw features an expanded 20-inch rip capacity, but every online source still describes the saw as having a 16-inch rip capacity.
We asked Dewalt about this, but they have yet to respond. That’s okay, because Alton did a little investigative work and confirmed that his local Home Depot was in fact carrying upgraded saws with the new rip capacity.
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Why would you want a 20-inch rip capacity? Maybe you don’t. But the extra capacity would still come in handy should you want to make rip cuts any larger than the maximum 16″ width the previous version can handle.
The point is, Dewalt’s DW745 table saw – already extremely popular – received a subtle upgrade that is sure to make it even more appealing. Now all it needs is dado blade compatibility like the Bosch GTS1031 we reviewed.
It also looks like the max rip cut to left of blade was also increased, from 12″ to 12-1/2″.
Thanks to Alton for the inquiry and follow-up with photographic evidence!
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AJ from AZO
Secret Upgrade on DW745
It’s true. Bought mine at HD on Veteran’s day and it has 20″.
Was going to buy DW744X for the larger capacity, but went with the DW745 because it’s easier to move.
AJ
AJ from AZO
Garrick,
My table and rail measurements are the same (22-1/2).
The Fence Scale goes to 20.5″ (52mm) and the Fence does go to at least 20″.
When I move the end of the rails flush to the end of the saw table the face of the fence lines up with 15″ on the scale.
Don’t know what the setup was on the older model.
AJ
Garrick
AJ
I was looking over the new saw (I think it was the new one), and couldn’t see any difference. Did they make the table larger, or just extend the fence rails somehow. My table being only 22 1/2 inches wide means that to have the rails tuck in to the width of the table, without being in the way when moving the saw, then some modification to the fence attachment would be necessary.
Is your table and fence rails also 22 1/2 inches?
Richard Lavigne
I discovered that on this saw if you just reverse both tracks it will give you over 20” of cut no drilling necessary and then adjust the screws at the end and it will cut 24” that’s what I did on mine and it works fine.
Garrick
Thanks AJ
I figured it out. They must have moved the stops (and extended the scale), so that the fence travels farther. There IS room for an extra 4 inches on the fixed rail. As long as not too heavy a load gets put on the extended rails, it should be fine.
I think I can make the modifications without much trouble. I wonder if Dewalt will issue a “modification” release.
Thanks again
Garrick
Addendumb…
Should have looked closer.
What they did (I’m sure) was move the fence to the extreme end of the sliding rails, which added 3 and a bit inches, and narrowed the fence a bit as well to get the full 20 inch capacity. I don’t see how the new fence is aligned (mine has stops) as there is no room left, but I can work that out.
It looks like I can get 3 more inches with my present fence… to 19 inches. I will aslo have to redrill and tap new holes for the indicator of course.
PS The DeWalt rail system is the easiest of all table saws to adjust, and accurate enough for any on site work. I threw away the mitre gauge that came with the saw, and got a better one. And while I greatly appreciate the riving knife, the guard got accidentally broken, when I put my foot down on it.
AndrewC
I see this as a big deal. I have the old 16in rip capacity model, and that was my biggest complaint (along with not being able to use a dado), and the reason why I have considered replacing it with the Bosch table saw.
Anthony V
just checked out the one i bought for a gift from lowes anf YES it is 20 inches….thanks toolguyd for a cool bit of info i would never have known about
Candi
Thanks for posting this. I’m a woman and about to make my first table saw purchase, I was torn between the 744x with it’s longer rip capacity and the 745 for ease of moving/storage. One thing maybe one of you can answer, does anyone make a zero clearance insert for the 745? I will likely be using some thin stock (with a Grr Ripper) and would love to have one (preferably not having to make my own though I do have a Dewalt scroll saw I could use if needed) Thanks!
Stuart
A quick search turned up inserts for the 744 and 746 models, but not the 745. I know that there’s no dado insert for the 745.
I did find an insert for the 744 and 746 saws that is also said to be compatible with the DW745 saw (DW-2 via Highland Woodworking), but it notes that it is incompatible with the saw’s splitter and guard.
Since you plan on buying a Grr-Ripper, incompatibility with the guard is not much of an issue, but lowering or removing the splitter/riving knife is not recommended.
Short story: there are no zero clearance inserts for the DW745, at least to my knowledge, because they would defeat several of the safety measures designed into the saw.
Louis
It looks like it’s been almost 9 months since the last post/comment regarding dado & zero clearance insert for the DW745. I was wondering if anyone knows or has luck finding anything that works.
I’ve had this saw now for several months and I love it! Ease of portability & the ease/accuracy of cuts is incredible. I’d like to take it to the next level and try dado cuts, but as noted by others, I’ve been unsuccessful in finding the correct inserts. Has anyone checked to see if the arbor is even long enough to accept the addtional width of a dado blade?
Lastly, as also noted above, I was able to do a rip cut beyond the 20″. I needed to square up a piece of laminated particle board (previously cut with a circular saw and cut guide) to 23-7/8″ wide. I just moved the guide down and clamped it at the end of the rails. I didn’t move the pins fir this one-time cut. However, I just may order anothe set of pins and install them.
Larry W
I also have this saw too, and I have read that you can take two 7 1/4 inch circ saw blades and “stack them” together on the arbor, and make about a 1/4 inch dado.
Louis
A 1/4″ (well slightly less because of how you’d have to stack them) is still better than a single blade. I was at a Home Depot recently and I swapped the insert plates between this saw DW745 and the DW744 (that was sitting beside it) and the DW744’s insert plate fit. However, looking closer at the arbour length on our DW745, I can see it’s limitation on how thick of a dado stack it will accept. 1/4″ to maybe 3/8″ is max that I’d feel comfortable with. I may just try a dry stack test to see what it can accept.
Brian Mac Millan
Hi everyone—just saw these comments regarding the saw and DADO INSERT.
I will plead ignorant here to the Dewalt 744—I have a DW745 and it does everything I have asked of it including 24 inch rips. I added a 1/2 piece of melamine to the extended rails and clamped a straight edge for a guide—worked great. As far as a dado blade—I purchased a 6 1/2 set and only use up to a maximum of 1/2 width and 1/2 height—-works absolutely fine. I know they say you are not to do this but if you do not force things it works great.
I did make my own insert.
I have had 40 years experience in the cabinet trade and my only wish is that DeWalt would make a nice compact 6 inch jointer. I have retired but still manage to play around on smaller equipment.
Steve Emsley
You know… the 745 fence can be clamped to do a 24″ rip.
You will want two of each:
5140032-02 LOCATING PIN
5140032-03 Nut
Slide the nuts in the rails, set them exactly 4″ from the existing locating pins, check for parallel and BAM. Just set the fence on the new set of locating pins for cuts 20″-24″.
Harold Doughty
Thanks for the tip. I just order the parts from 1 800 Tool Repair. It’ll come in handy to be able to shift the fence 4 inches for larger cuts.
Bruce Miller
Just got my saw. Happy! Happy!
And it works great!
Slide the fence all the way till it’s flush with the end of the bar and you have 23 1/8″.
Slide it out 1″ farther and 24 1/8″.
If you’re not going to be using the stops on the left side much just move them to set the fence at 24″for a sure stop or any setting you need all the time.
How cool is that?
Or do as Steve said and order an extra stop.
Richard Lavigne
on the 745 all you have to do to get a 24” rip cut is to remove the rails and put the back one in front and the front in back same holes no drilling and then move two of the pins as far as you can on the rail and you can actually cut 24” I have been using nine like this for over 4 years have fun.
John
Just did what you said today about moving the rails. Took 5 minutes. Fantastic tip Thanks
O
Richard
Your welcome its a great saw there is actually another cool modification you can do. I installed on one end of the table a metal power strip that fits right in using the cord of the power strip to power the saw and the cord from the saw was cut and installed in the power strip I then used one of the outlets on the power strip so that when you activate the saw it powers on the shop vac automatically and I use the other ones to plug in what ever tool I am using let me know if you need a picture
Bruce Miller
One thing I think should be added>
If you are going to be cutting a lot [of full sheet plywood]at the 24″ mark you should add a little support for the fence it’s hanging out there pretty far.
Not bad mouthing the saw just want it to last.
Biggsio
Hello, Richard… Great modification, swapping the rails! Thanks for the tip.
Any chance you could post a diagram or photo of the power strip mod?
Thanks
Richard
I will take some picture and send them to you.the last outlets on the strip are to power the vacuum when turning on the saw.
Biggsio
Richard, thanks… is there a way to get in touch concerning info on the 745 mods?
Joe
Hi Richard… been awhile, lol. Would really appreciate some directions/pics etc of power strip mod.
I did the rail swap years ago thx to you…
Hope all is well.
My email: [redacted]
Ryan
Is there any pictures on te 24″ mod. I am slow and not understanding!
Richard
Hey Ryan all you have to do is remove the rails and reverse them the back in front and the front one in back no drilling required
Tom
I just purchased a metric version of the DW745 here in Australia. I haven’t done a cut yet, but I can extend the right (rip) side to a maximum of 61.5 cm (24 1/8″) – from blade to fence, without any modifications – I’ve just moved the fence over so that it’s secured to the last pin of the two available. On the left side of the blade I’m restricted to approximately 27.5 cm (10 7/8″) before the table ends – I intend to mount this saw in a custom work bench with extensions, so this should not be a problem.
Tom
..as a follow up to my previous post:
If you compare specifications published on the Dewalt website from Australia and the US, you will notice that there is a claimed 4″ difference between the maximum right side rip capability (24″ vs 20″).
Here in Australia we are usually “short changed” with the range and quality of some products, but in this instance not.
Richard
The new saws are ok no mods needed there is still one cool thing that I did I installed a metal surge protector on the side of the saw that has 6 extra outlets and I used the cord from the saw to go to the surge protector and used one of the outlets for plugging my shop vac so when I turn on my saw it also activates my shop vac and you don’t have to be looking around for additional outlets when working with multiple tools
Tom
Hi Richard
I’d also like the design of your surge protector/powers strip mod if possible, thanks.
Biggsio
Hello Richard, is there anyway to get details /pics/wiring diagram of the surge protector power strip modification…?
[email protected]
Richard
Can I send pictures to that email ?
Biggsio
Hi Richard, thanks for your reply…!
Yes send what ever you can to that email address… Much appreciated
Biggsio
Richard, any luck sending info…?
Thanks for your help.