Dewalt Flexvolt Table Saw Review
Dewalt FlexVolt Cordless 8-1/4″ Table Saw – Model DCS7485T1
Dewalt Cordless 8-1/4” Table Saw DCS7485T1
Manufacturer: Dewalt
Model number: DBD606
Price: 449.00
Power source: 60 Volt cordless
Motor size: Brushless 5800 rpm
Weight: 48A solid, safe table saw is the cornerstone to any efficient job-site or worksite. Dewalt wants to close the gap on a cordless job site by introducing several cordless tools including a brand new table saw. We tested the Dewalt Flexvolt 8-1/4” table saw on our job site and in our shop and were impressed with its portability, versatility, performance and power.
This new table saw has all the same features as their corded sibling. So if you’re already used to using a Dewalt table saw, there is NO learning curve.
New Battery Platform
The saw is powered off of a new 15 cell FlexVolt 60V/20V batteries DCB606 which cost approximately $150 each. The 60 volt batteries are backwards compatible meaning that you can use them in the new FlexVolt tools or in any 20 volt platform tools.
What’s in the Box
- (1) DCS7485 60V MAX* Table Saw
- (1) Carbide Blade
- (1) Push Stick
- (1) Blade Guard
- (1) Rip Fence
- (1) Non-Thru Cut Riving Knife
- (1) 20V/60V MAX* FLEXVOLT Battery
- (1) Fast Charger
- (2) Blade Wrenches
- (1) Miter Gauge
Power and Portability
I was impressed with the cutting power I achieved using the Dewalt Cordless 8-1/4” Table Saw. It has a brush-less motor, and a no-load speed of 5800 rpm. It measures 12.8 inches high and 22.8 inches long, weighing in at a mere 48 lbs.
Dual Power? – NOT YET!
I’m a fan of all Dewalt table saws, but the best feature of this saw is obviously that it’s cordless.
At the Dewalt media event I inquired whether an accessory power cord was in the making, so users could plug into a power outlet for AC current. Having both options would be nice. The dual option would be handy on construction sites with no power. On these sites contractors often compete with extension cords for a generator outlet. Having a cordless option for these situations would be amazing, later on, when the house has power, you could plug in.
According to Dewalt, the cost for an AC adapter /cord similar to the miter saw accessory, would be substantial as the electrical current needs to be converted from 60v to 120V. Dewalt is currently working on a 60v to 120V adapter but it is still about 9 months or more away. [Jan 2017]
Runtime
According to Dewalt you can rip 302 lineal feet of OSB plywood on one charge. We did not test this, but we did throw a ton of lumber through it, as well as use this saw to size exterior trim on a sun-room addition and got two days out of one battery. We cut 2×4 KD lumber, plywood, PVC and cedar trim.
I think if this tools battery charge lasts till lunchtime, or a full day, its worth it. If your serious about using a cordless table saw, I think a second battery is a must!
Update: We’ve been using this saw for 6 months now and it’s a great saw, nothing negative to report.
Electronic Protection System
Like many higher end, Li-ion tools this saw is equipped with an “Electronic Protection System” that will protect the battery pack from overheating, overloading, or deep discharge.
Dewalt Cordless 8-1/4” Table Saw Fence System
I’d be remiss if I didn’t speak to how amazing the Dewalt rack and pinion fence design is. In my opinion, the rack and pinion telescoping fence is the best saw fence on the compact table saw market. It allows me to make super smooth, micro adjustments, with no tapping on the fence with your knuckles or tape measure.
The rip fence can be mounted in two positions;
- Position 1: which is closer to the blade, will rip 0” to 20.”
- Position 2: will rip 4” to 24.”
The fence extends wide enough to allow a 24-inch rip capacity on the right side of the blade, and will allow a 12-inch rip to the left of the blade.
The “Work Support / Narrow Ripping Fence” option is a nice addition and one that I have come to enjoy on Dewalt saws. When used as a support feature it helps keep boards wider than the table top from dipping down when the fence is extended. When used as a narrow rip accessory it provides an extra 2-inches of clearance between the blade and the fence. This helps keep you hand further away from the spinning blade.
Dewalt includes their “Site-Pro Modular Guarding System,” which allows for the blade guard and riving knife to be installed tool free. The blade guard always seemed to be an afterthought for tool manufacturers. This guard has had some thought put into it and I absolutely love having the riving knife as a safety feature.
The riving knife mirrors the saw blade and does a real nice job at keeping the saw kerf from closing behind the blade while ripping, it also helps prevent a bind between the blade and fence from getting caught by the saw teeth on the back of the blade.
Assembly and Adjustments
The saw was almost perfect out of the box. I find that all Dewalt table saws are easy to true up, and tune and these adjustments hold up well over time.
Power Loss Reset Feature – Safety Switch
Prior to deploying the power loss reset feature there had been many job site horror stories of unattended table saws starting up upon power restoration. Sometimes this restart caused material damage or personal injury. This usually happened when the saw operator did not think to turn off the tool before walking away to go restore power. In the meantime, other people have leaned on, temporarily placed tools or even building materials on the saw, a blade spinning disaster waiting to happen.
If this cordless saw’s power is disconnected by disconnecting the battery, or a drained battery, the saw is designed to default to the OFF position
The Dewalt Cordless 8-1/4” Table Saw power switch is located on the front, lower left area of the saw and has a large red stop switch that can also be accessed easily with your knee. The power switch is electronic and the saw operator now has to push a green “on” button as opposed to pulling on the “red” power lever as was the case with older models. The power switch also has a flip over safety cover that can be secured with a pad lock. The padlock hole diameter requires a ¼” maximum diameter padlock
Durability
The Dewalt Cordless 8-1/4” Table Saw is as durable as all of the previous sibling compact table saws, because it is basically the same saw with a cordless feature.
A metal roll cage protects the saw and has a convenient pivot handle for carrying. The on board storage for guard, fence, wrenches and miter gauge is decent and secure. The saw table also has a special coating to reduce surface friction cutting.
One neat dust collection feature that goes unseen, unless you’re looking for it is the heavy duty black canvas shroud that is mounted to the underside of the table to the motor. The canvas is sized to follow the motor as it is raised/lowered or beveled. The shroud captures and directs dust toward the dust chute. Well done Dewalt!!
Dewalt Table Saw Cutting Specifications
The saw has a 5/8″ arbor and 8-1/4″ blade and will bevel -2 degrees to 47 degrees left.
- When set to 45° I measured the depth of cut at 1- 3/4″ inches.
- When set to 90° I measured 2- 1/2″ inches which is respectable.
This saw will not accept a dado blade.
Dust Collection
DEWALT table saws have always had the 2-1/2 dust port at the lower rear end of the tool. This saw has a 1-1/2 – inch dust port off the top of the blade guard allowing dual dust collection capabilities.
The operator can now capture dust above the blade as well as lower in the blade housing, ensuring you are collecting dust effectively.
The only catch is you need a “Y Connection,” in order to rig this saw up to one vacuum. Dewalt has told me that they have plans to offer a “Y Connection” as an accessory in the near future.
Saw Stand
The recommended stand for Dewalt Cordless 8-1/4” Table Saw DW7485 is the DW7451 saw stand which will be available in mid/late Sept.
Dewalt made a rolling change to the DW7450 Type 2 unit to accept the cordless DCS7485. If you’re going to purchase the Type 2 saw, make sure you have the correct stand since there is still type 1’s in stock. Frankly, it may make sense to wait.
Improvements
The power switch is a bit finicky. I noticed this at their media event and also when using the saw. A quick press of the on button does not work and it seems that you have to press the button for a few seconds. Additionally, you need to push this button straight on and not at an angle to work. My guess is That Dewalt will work this out in time.
The price is to be expected for a cordless tool of this stature, but at the same time it will be a deterrent too.
UPDATE ON POWER SWITCH
Further testing showed that the red “Stop” lever was the cause, not the power switch. After turning on the saw, the red stop lever would drop too hard onto the stop button and turn the saw off. After conferring with the product manager at Dewalt, it was determined that the red stop lever spring force was too high. The units we tested was from a “manufacturing sample lot.” MSL’s are the first time the plant does a big run of the product and Dewalt then has time to refine and make adjustments, before the tool goes to production.
Conclusion
We are very impressed with the Dewalt Cordless 8-1/4” Table Saw and the attention to detail put into it. This saw is a prime example of the hard work DeWalt put into making their tools, and their commitment to making a cordless job site.
This cordless table saw is a fantastic tool with some nice unique features, it is powerful and you can’t beat the fence system!
Dewalt FlexVolt 60V Cordless Table Saw Video Review
About the author
Rob Robillard
Robert Robillard is a remodeler, general contractor, and principal of a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts, and serves as the Editor of Tool Box Buzz and founding editor of A Concord Carpenter . Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review - Tool and Product Review - Video Channel, , where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the remodeling industry. The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob
http://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/@https://twitter.com/robertrobillardRob Robillard
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Why not make it 120 from the start like the miter saw and 10″in ,also a adapter would already be possible. Table saws are also more power hungry than miters,so I dont get it.
Chris – Great question. If you break it down a bit you can see why. The table saw uses a much smaller blade so the demand on that saw is actually quite a bit less. Also, if you make the table saw 120, you need another battery, and the conversion cable….the saw becomes VERY expensive. Just my two cents…but I’m fairly sure this is what kept it at 60v….it’s damn impressive though.
Todd – Completely agree with you however a 120V cordless table saw.
with the option of using the power adapter (corded and cordless) would be great.
also the extra power could be used to allow dado stacks. which would make this a really good portable cordless table saw.
I agree! We tried to convince them to make it a 120V instead of 60V. They felt the added cost wasn’t worth it….we disagree.
Let me start by saying thank you for all of the in depth reviews you provide all of us. I find them extremely useful when making new purchases. Regarding the power adapter issue with the 60v table saw, I own the Dewalt DCV581H 18v/20V MAX Cordless/Corded Wet-Dry Vacuum and it does not require a special adapter that costs over $100, like the FlexVolt Miter Saws. Seems like the 60v tablesaw or the 120v miter saw could simply come with a cord, just like the vacuum.
Interesting comment. This likely has to do with the electrical requirements of the vac vs the saw. We’ll look into this a bit though.
Hey guys… Great website and reviews… You’ve helped me a lot in what DeWalt tools to buy for my new flooring business (I’m a DeWalt fan)… I just have two questions about the new flexvolt technology:
1: How does the dust extractor start, meaning that if you have to turn the vacuum on every single time, then I think the idea kind of loses its point… I work indoors in new build houses, where ”no dust” is a very high priority…
2: Say you run out of juice with an hour left, can you use your old 18v batteries as an emergency, or does it have to be flexvolt to even run the machines…???
Thanks and keep up the good work… Greetings from a floorman from Denmark
Nenad – Great questions! Being cordless this saw won’t trigger a dust extractor…you’d have to turn it on every time. The table saw will ONLY run on a 60V FlexVolt pack. Good luck.
the saw does not seem to last very long no where what it should last
Yes I agree, only used the saw to rip down 7 decking boards and battery was flat,
Ryan – thaks for catching that – deleted!!