DeWalt DWE7845 table saw quality issues

[JonBodge]

Hi

After spending a long long time looking at table saws - you tube videos, reviews, specs etc you know the drill - I settled on a DeWalt 7845 table saw. Cost a fair few quid - £406, not as expensive as some retailers - but with nearly everyone raving about its accuracy, etc, I thought it would be a good choice for some basic cabinetry.

Anyway, it arrived today.

I first went about checking how true it is. "Not very" was the result. The table top is not flat (I can see light coming though a flat edge laid across it in various positions), and the fence isn't perpendicular to the tabletop. I was able to set the 90 and 45 degree position and calibrate the width of cut measurement marker easily. However, I am worried about the top and fence.

I could return it but it seems likely the replacement will be just as bad. Not being an accomplished woodworker, perhaps the innaccuracies don't matter? I know it's a "jobsite saw" but the glowing testimonials seemed to make it a sure bet. In one review, a bloke uses one to make a checkquered end-grain chopping board which requires at least some precision. It came out pretty good.

What would you do?

 

[mattylad]

You have 14 days from receipt to inform them if your unhappy with it and a further 14 days to return it if you don't like it.
However if it is not of satisfactory quality then contact the supplier soonest with your concerns.

If the top is not level then it's no good.
Reviews say "first thing to build with is a crosscut sled because the miter gauge is garbage (or buy an aftermarket miter gauge)."

 

[JonBodge]

Yes, I saw that advice. A sled is useful and it can compensate for a not-entirely-level top.

It's a proper PITA returning it, getting another and ending up with the same issue. That's what's bugging me. Maybe I should try it out, see what the cuts are like...

 

[big-all]

i have the 54v flexvolt version and its brilliant had it about 7 years now

 

[JonBodge]

I think the quality has taken a dive since then.

Have you ever laid a straight edge across the table top, or chacked the fence is at 90 degrees?

Thing is, it depends on what you use it for. I'm going for not-quite-perfect cabinetry, but if I were to use it as Dewalt intended - a jobsite saw - I'd be happy.

 

[aveatry]

I have one and have no complaints. If you are cutting tiny bits then maybe the uneven base will be a problem but if you are cutting tiny bits then a sled is a better idea anyway. I built a sled and makes it much better to use.
I have never put a straight edge across the surface to check it actually -I just checked the squareness, a very good thing that is accurate is the fence squareness front and back with the rack and pinion system and the measurement scale is also accurate. Mine was good out of the box but it can be adjusted.
also Saxon blades are your friends and get yourself some extra blades from them that are designed for what you are cutting - teeth count - kerf- hook and angle of teeth. And sort yourself an exit table for longer stuff.

 

[big-all]

I think the quality has taken a dive since then.

Have you ever laid a straight edge across the table top, or chacked the fence is at 90 degrees?

Thing is, it depends on what you use it for. I'm going for not-quite-perfect cabinetry, but if I were to use it as Dewalt intended - a jobsite saw - I'd be happy.

the fence after "tinkering " is 100% and tinkering was about 2mm end to end so minute

never really tried the bed for level as the only highly accurate is 6mm shaves off hardwood using a mdf throat plate with just the blade sized groove or big ripps off timber
i never ever use the mitre attachment as i have a workshop full to play with