DEWALT DWE7480 10″ Compact Table Saw Review
DWE7480 10″ Compact Job Site Table Saw with Site-Pro Modular Guarding System
DEWALT 10" Compact Table Saw
Manufacturer: DEWALT
Model number: DWE7480
Price: $379
Power source: 120V
Motor size: 15 Amp
Weight: 48 lbsDWE7480 Features and Specifications
Rack and pinion telescoping fence rails make fence adjustments fast, smooth and accurate- 24″ of rip capacity, easily cuts a variety of larger shelving and trim materials
- Site-Pro Modular Guarding System allows for tool free adjustments of the guarding components appropriate for each application
- 15 Amp 4800 rpm motor quickly rips through hardwoods with ease
- On Board Storage provides easy access to the Site-Pro Guarding components and push stick when not in use
- Metal roll cage base offers greater durability than plastic bases
- Blade can be adjusted 0 – 45 degrees for bevel applications
- Weighing only 48 lbs, the DWE7480 can easily be moved on and off the job
- Adjustable rear feet designed to level the saw on uneven work surfaces
- Dust port allows for 2-1/2″ vacuum hook up and minimizes clean up
- 24T carbide blade enhances cut quality and prolongs blade life
- Table coating reduces friction for smoother cutting
Compact Design Packs Power & Features
The keys to a good compact table saw is power and accuracy. The DWE7480 only weighs 48 lbs and the design of the handles makes it very compact and easy to carry. Combine that with the powerful 15 amp motor and their precisions fence and you get one of the best compact table saws on the market. The motor has been slightly upgraded from the previous version (DWE745) and spins at almost 1,000 RPM faster.
During testing I was able to easily rip 3/4″ plywood, 2x pressure treated lumber, and even 1x Maple. When trying to cut a 45 degree bevel in pressure treated 2x material I did have to slow down the feed rate quite a bit but this isn’t unexpected from my experience with compact table saws.
The DEWALT DWE7480 has several notable features including:
- Blade Guard – These guards are not unique to DEWALT but I’m a big fan. If you’re upgrading from an older jobsite table saw then the combination of riving knife and guard will be a huge safety improvement. I’ve been using this type of guard for a few years and I personally think they offer a solution that’s safe and workable.
- Rack and Pinion Telescoping Fence Rails – All of the new DEWALT job site table saws now use this system and it’s very effective. Having the rack and pinion on both sides of the table ensures that the fence remains parallel to the blade. They system is quite smooth and makes fence adjustments fast and easy. Using the dial to adjust the fence vs just nudging it seems to make small adjustments much easier.
- On Board Accessory Storage – DEWALT clearly made an effort to make it easy and convenient to store the accessories including the blade guard. One of my pet peeves on the job site is asking the crew where they put the guard. Typically it gets removed for some cross cutting or dado’s and then never makes it back on the saw. Having a dedicated storage location for the guard makes that much less likely to happen. There’s a place to store the wrench, guard, riving knife, and the anti-kickback knives.
Overall Impression | DEWALT DWE7480 Compact Table Saw
I love how portable the DEWALT DWE7480 10″ Compact Table Saw is. When all the accessories are packed away and you pick this saw up it is very well balanced and easy to handle. The handle allows you to carry the weight close to your body which makes the 48 lbs seem very reasonable.
The saw impressed me with it’s power when ripping difficult materials from framing to hardwood trim. The stock blade isn’t anything special but it does get the job done until you can upgrade to a better quality blade.
The steel roll cage design is perfect for the abuse these saws get moving from truck to job on a near daily basis. My one minor issue with regard to durability is the fence connection clamps that are made of plastic. I fear these may be the weak point in an otherwise great fence.
With 24″ of ripping capacity in a compact design, the DEWALT DWE7480 is an excellent choice for contractors needing a portable table saw.
About the author
Todd Fratzel
Todd Fratzel is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz, and the President of Front Steps Media, LLC, a web based media company focused on the Home Improvement and Construction Industry.He is also the Principal Engineer for United Construction Corp., located in Newport, NH. In his capacity at United he oversees the Residential and Commercial Building Division along with all Design-Build projects.He is also the editor of Home Construction & Improvement.
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[…] saws including a 10″ version with a scissor stand. The DEWALT DWE7490X is a step up from the DWE7480 in cut capacity, a few more features, and it comes with a steel scissor […]
[…] job site table saw with roller stand is their premium offering. We recently also reviewed the DWE7480 and DWE7490X which were released with this saw. The DWE7491RS is very similar to the DWE7490X […]
I just bought the DWE7480 and like the saw, but I am having trouble finding the scissor stand that fits. Any ideas?
Jeff
Jeff – This one wasn’t set up with a specific scissor stand. The DWE7490X comes with a scissor stand (http://www.toolboxbuzz.com/power-tools/table-saw/dewalt-dwe7490x-table-saw-review/) but it’s a larger saw. The saw you have is really designed for working on a bench, tailgate, or the ground.
the stand model number is DW7450.
Hi Todd thanks for the reviews. Led me to purchase the excellent DWE7480 when my prior jobsite saw was on it’s last legs.
Todd and Jeff- Just wanted to pass on- Amazon now offers it with the scissor stand for $399. Lumberyards may be able to order this also.
http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3229738-103http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00KE205NG/toolboxbuzz-20
All the best
Rich
Just received the saw. There was no owner manual and scant directions stenciled on the machine and parts. My accessories like a rip holding guide are not attachable to the saw. I looked for attachments that would fit but see none offered. I did not receive a warranty card nor registration information. Are any of these available?
I need to rip many small 3/4″ X 1/2″ Maple strips and find it almost impossible without some sort of device to hold the material snug to the fence.
Thanks for any advice.
I was a little disappointed to see that a Dewalt saw at almost $400 has a plastic top and not a cast aluminum. The description states it’s smoothed to allow easy movement of your project across the table. Obviously since they do not state the material it is cheaper plastic. What a shame. I’ve got a $99 table saw and that has a cast aluminum table top.
Ed – It’s not plastic….it’s an aluminum top.
I’m looking to purchase this as my first table saw. I work out of my garage, so a small footprint is important. Would you recommend this saw or should I look at something else? How would this saw handle something like maple or walnut? I plan on picking a Freud blade to replace the stock, so I believe that it would be able to handle multiple species of hardwoods. I also read a review that it doesn’t cut a true 45? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Justin
Hi Justin,
This is a helluva great first saw. If your a woodworker you may want to look at a more powerful contractor or cabinet saw.
This saw, with a good plan will handle hardwoods with ease – but not as well as a cabinet saw.
The true 45 degree thing is news to me, Ill have to look at it closer- its been awhile
Thanks for responding, Rob! I appreciate your insight! I would love to have a cabinet saw, but with my garage lacking the space and the budget I set aside, I think this will be the one for the time being. With this little guy, I plan on doing some small DIY projects, and maybe some other items that I can sell on Etsy or at a craft show. As for the 45, I searched and couldn’t find another review that stated such, so maybe it was user error 🙂 Thanks again,
Justin
I am deciding between the 7480 and the 7491 with the rolling stand. You mentioned that the 7480 weighs 48 pounds, but what are the dimensions? As for the 7491, you mentioned that it weighs 90 pounds; is that just the saw OR is that the weight of the saw and stand? Also, what are the dimensions of the 7491 saw? Appreciate very much your help in answering these questions. Planning to use it for small construction project(s) around the house. Will store in garage, so having a rolling stand would be very helpful in storing it to the side. Much thanks!
The 7491 is a larger saw, about 8″ more rip capacity. The 7480 really is a “benchtop” style, put it on a bench, temp table, etc. The 7491 being larger really needs a stand like the rolling stand. The smaller is great for small jobs, punch list for contractors, the 7491 is better suited for larger construction projects. As far as home use, either would work great. You can find the overall dimensions on the DEWALT site I’m sure.
Deciding between the 7480 and the 7491. I sent an earlier “comment” which was really a “question”. Thanks for helping.