A Deep Dive Into The DeWalt DWE7491RS Jobsite Table Saw
Table saws are unmatched for their ability to quickly and accurately rip boards down to the perfect size, and this model from DeWalt is no exception. It comes in two main configurations, either an 8.5″ version or the larger 10″ machine that includes a stand. No matter which you pick, you’ll be delighted with how easy it makes cutting smooth, square edges. We’re reviewing the 8.5″ model.
The DeWalt DWE7491RS is a premium product that offers the craftsperson power and performance in one portable package. In this DeWalt DWE7491RS review, we will cut through the fluff so you can decide if this product is right for you.
Who’s It For?
This table saw is great for anyone wanting to invest their money in a product that will last for years. Choosing an inferior model means you’ll likely be faced with issues related to design, build quality, and durability. By going with a trusted brand like DeWalt, you’ll be able to relax knowing you’re in for years of flawless operation and reliability.
Perhaps more than anything, this table saw is designed to be especially well-suited for those that need to work on the go, like contractors. Nobody wants to lug a 400lb gorilla of a table saw with them to various job sites, or have to remember to bring along a bunch of separate accessories wherever they go. This saw eliminates those concerns thanks to its lightweight construction and integrated storage space.
If you’re looking for a powerful yet portable table saw to take to job sites with you, then this might just be the one you’ve been looking for.
The Ideal Customer for This Table Saw is:
- Someone needing a heavy-duty yet lightweight table saw
- Someone needing to rip boards up to 24.5″ wide
- Someone needing a portable, sturdy, and dependable table saw
You’ll really notice a difference in the DeWalt if you’ve been working with cheaper/inferior tools. If you’re tired of underpowered saws choking on hardwoods or not providing smooth, square, professional results, this could be just what you need to attain the next level of woodworking mastery.
This Table Saw Probably Isn’t Suited for:
- The person on a tiny budget
- Someone who doesn’t need a dedicated table saw
- Someone who doesn’t need to transport their saw to job sites.
This table saw won’t present any surprises if you already know how to operate one. You also won’t find any gimmicks or outlandish features tacked on just to bump up the price. Instead, you’ll get a saw designed by experts in the field to provide you with solid performance, long-lasting durability, and enough power to slice through even the largest jobs, all at a reasonable price.
What We Like About the DeWalt DWE7491RS Table Saw
In a cluttered field, the DWE7491RS is a solid choice. We love that its powerful motor breezes through tough materials that would slow down cheaper imitators. If you’ve ever tried working with very dense materials like oak or cherry, you’ll appreciate how much time this can save on your projects.
Where the DWE7491RS excels is at being a hybrid job site table saw. It balances having enough power to get tough jobs done with being lightweight enough to take wherever work waits for your skills to complete. It is priced appropriately for the level of design, quality, durability, and performance you get, and can offer years of trouble-free operation if properly maintained.
Professionals and amateurs alike will appreciate the following aspects of the DeWalt DWE7491RS Table Saw:
- Designed to work as long as you do
- The powerful motor makes short work of even the hardest woods
- Lightweight, easy to transport wherever you need it
- Accurate, clean cuts for professional results
The DWE7491RS offers the power and dependability pros need, and its simplicity of operation will win over amateurs and hobbyists of all levels. Even if you aren’t a professional needing a table saw to take to job sites, you’ll still find plenty of reasons to make room for this tool in your garage or shop!
If Considering This Tool for Home Use, You’ll Appreciate How It:
- Slices through all kinds of wood with ease
- Is lightweight enough for one person to move easily
- Keeps accessories safe and organized with its onboard storage
The rack and pinion fence is a nice feature that lets you easily make adjustments and is sized so you can rip entire sheets of 4×8′ OSB and plywood with ease. Regardless of skill level, you’ll also appreciate how DeWalt’s table saw tackles even large jobs with ease, which might seem surprising given its small footprint. Lightweight and powerful, it’s the perfect companion to bring along to any job site!
What We Don’t Like About the DeWalt DWE7491RS Table Saw
Let’s take a moment to go over a few things we found about this table saw that might make you think twice.
First, the DeWalt DWE7491RS is not the cheapest option available. If you need durable metal construction, a powerful motor, and easy portability, you’ll have to live with that. At least you’re investing in quality that’ll last years. However, cheaper units that might be sufficient for your needs exist, so if all you’ll be doing are light jobs, you might be able to save a few bucks with an inferior model.
For experienced woodworkers, you might be disappointed in the miter gauge, which fits loosely in the miter slot. This might create enough free play to make exact cuts difficult. It also lacks preset stops, so trying to cut at common angles (90, 45, etc) will require some eyeballing to get right. If you need absolutely accurate cuts, you might want to invest in a better miter gauge.
Because it must compromise between power and weight, it isn’t the most powerful table saw on the market. If you need to cut huge piles of wood day-in and day-out, you might want to consider something bigger. Just keep in mind you’ll lose out on mobility by doing so. If portability isn’t something you’re worried about, then a more powerful stationary unit will likely better meet your needs.
Something else to keep in mind is the power cord, which is relatively short. True, people often use extension cords on a job site or when working in their shop, so this might not be an issue for you. If, on the other hand, you prefer to keep your cable creep to a minimum or don’t like/can’t use an extension cord for some reason, know that this saw will need to stay close to an electrical outlet.
PROS
- Lightweight, easy to transport wherever you need
- Easy to use for woodworkers of all skill levels
- Powerful and efficient – takes less time to rip wood
- Onboard storage keeps everything neat and organized
CONS
- Feed table could be a bit short for some jobs
- The miter gauge could fit more snugly
- The power cord could be longer
What’s Included?
The DeWalt DWE7491RS comes with the following items inside:
- Table saw with an attached power cord and 24T 8-1/4 in. blade
- Blade guard assembly
- Non-through cut riving knife
- Anti-kickback pawls
- Blade change wrenches
- Miter gauge and push stick
While it comes with a nice selection of tools and accessories you’ll need to use the saw, there are a few items you will likely want that are NOT included. We’ll cover them in more detail below.
First, you’ll probably need a stand. While you can work with it on the ground, your back will thank you for using something a bit taller. Various options exist, but you might consider DeWalt’s DWE74911 mobile/rolling table saw stand, which is designed to be used with the DWE7491RS. It creates a stable base to operate the saw from and is easy to move and transport thanks to its wheeled design
Depending on the project or task at hand, you may want to invest in a better miter gauge. The one included with the saw is functional, and might be perfect for your needs. But if you are a perfectionist looking for the most accuracy, you might consider replacing it with a third-party miter gauge that offers maximum precision.
Next, you may want to consider a throat plate if you want to have maximum cutting flexibility. For those new to the field, throat plates let you fine-tune the control you have over the depth or angle of cuts, allowing for more professional results. A plethora of throat plates available online can offer you greater adjustability and precision than DeWalt’s saw does out of the box.
Dedicated woodworkers will likely find all kinds of additional jigs and other goodies they’ll want to add as well. While the kind and number of these optional jigs will vary from project to project and craftsperson to craftsperson, you can be sure that you’ll only want more as time goes by.
While a table saw might be the only thing you’re lacking to complete your project, it’s more likely you’ll need a host of other tools to get the results you’re after. To complement the use of a table saw, the standard shop or work truck will also include the following items:
- A table saw stand
- Extension cords to position the saw precisely where needed
- A selection of tools for blade changes and minor adjustments
- A feather board to go places fingers never should
- A dust collector to keep air breathable inside shops/homes/etc
- An assortment of scrap wood for jigs and shims
Overview Of Features
This table saw offers the following features:
- Powerful 15 Amp, 5800 rpm motor
- Rack and pinion fence for fast, smooth, and accurate adjustments
- Lightweight at only 46lbs, making it easy to transport
- Ability to rip full 4×8′ sheet goods
- Onboard storage for included accessories
Power and Speed
What does a 15 Amp motor provide? Lots of power! Basically, the higher the amperage, the more torque the blade has to slice through wood quickly. At the same time, you don’t want to be blowing circuit breakers, so anything higher than 15 Amps is generally best avoided with 110v-powered tools.
The next question relates to how fast should the blade spin. The DeWalt DWE7491RS’s blade spins up to 5800 revolutions-per-minute. Like in the case of Amps, the higher the RPM, the more cutting power a saw will typically have. A blade spinning at 5800rpm should have plenty of power to chew through OSB and hardwoods alike, so you won’t find yourself wishing you’d invested in something with a bit more oomph.
So, what’s the big positive about more power and speed? Essentially, it saves you time. The faster you can get your cuts done, the quicker you can move on to other, equally-important stages of your project. By having a table saw that’s strong enough to do everything you need without bogging down or struggling, you’re helping ensure you get the best results and most accurate cuts in the shortest time possible.
Read Related Article: Best Corded Circular Saw
Portability
The DeWalt DWE7491RS is designed with mobility in mind. This isn’t a saw meant to sit in one place in your shop, but rather to go where you go whenever you need it.
While larger, more powerful table saws exist, they’re behemoths that require a mule team to move. If you’re that weird person who’s been training mules for just such an occasion, you’ll gain little benefit from the DWE7491RS being lightweight.
On the other hand, if you plan to take your table saw to various work sites, you’re going to want something that doesn’t require a forklift to move around. That’s where this saw shines. Coming in at only 46 pounds, moving it to and from various sites is a trivial matter. Try moving a table saw weighing hundreds of pounds by yourself if you’re struggling to see why that’s a big advantage.
Construction
DeWalt’s DWE7491RS shares something in common with most of the brand’s other offerings: high-quality construction. It features a metal roll cage, so if and when it inevitably falls over or gets dropped, you won’t be left with several hundred dollars of twisted and bent metal on the ground.
Cheaper alternatives exist, even those featuring metal construction. But they aren’t typically designed with the same level of care, or the same high-quality metal, as DeWalt’s offerings. This means they may be prone to denting, bending, and even breaking if abused. If you’re going to invest in a tool, you’re going to want the absolute best quality you can get for your money, and that’s a place where DeWalt shines.
Many “lightweight” portable table saws are still too heavy for some people to lug around. Loading and unloading ninety pounds of metal might be manageable for some, but it’s far too heavy for others. Thankfully, the DWE7491RS comes in at a svelte 46 pounds, so just about anybody can get this saw into position with only minimal effort.
Storage options
Something often overlooked in table saws is integrated space for the tools and accessories you’ll need. Many cheaper saws make no allowance for this at all, meaning you’ll have to use a dedicated bag or container to keep extra parts and tools in. You’ll also have to remember to bring this extra bag of tools with you wherever you go and remember to take them home with you when finished.
The engineers at DeWalt have considered storage and came up with a great solution. The DWE7491RS features onboard storage for everything from the guard components to the push stick, blade-change wrenches, and more. This eliminates the need to carry – or worry about losing – extra tools. This will really come in handy when you need to change a blade or set up the fence and guard while afield.
Review Summary
Overall, DeWalt’s DWE7491RS is a great choice for anyone that needs the power of a dedicated table saw without the extreme amount of weight and lack of portability they usually entail.
For those of you upgrading from disappointing cheaper or heavier units, you will be very pleased with the results this saw will provide. With smooth, accurate cuts and a design built for mobility, this table saw is a major step-up from inferior options available on the market.
We hope our DeWalt DWE7491RS Jobsite Table Saw review has helped you understand the benefits it can offer, and why we think it could be a great addition to your selection of tools. So if you’re ready to stop lugging around heavy table saws best kept in a shop, or messing around with under-performing imitators that literally don’t cut it, buy the DWE7491RS today, and start ripping through your next project!
FAQ:
How Important is Quality, Really?
When it comes to making any major purchase, the adage “buy once, cry once” applies. You’re better off paying a higher price for the quality you need from the beginning. If you buy the cheaper version instead, chances are you’ll just have to replace it later with the more expensive option.
This applies to table saws as well. Sure, you could buy a cheaper saw, but if it can’t meet your needs–and it probably won’t– you’ll just end up buying the better option, later on, meaning you’re just wasting money in the long-term.
Also consider how much your time, enjoyment, and health are worth to you. Buying a tool that isn’t up to a challenge wastes time, causes frustration, and could result in operator fatigue and even injury. If you’re running into constant frustrations or poor results because of inferior tools, you’re not going to want to keep going. Avoiding all that has to be worth something to you.
Longevity is another factor to consider when it comes to quality. Cheap tools save costs by using low-quality components that are more prone to wearing out. And if the motor bearings in your saw go out, it’s essentially dead. By investing in a brand that uses quality components, you’ll have a better chance of keeping that tool operating smoothly for years to come.
Do I Need a Dust Collector?
It might seem strange to consider a dust collector for a table saw meant to be taken to job sites. After all, you might assume you’ll be working outdoors where dust isn’t really a consideration. But there are times when you’ll want to control the dust you produce, like when working inside a client’s home or office, or when dust in the air could aggravate respiratory issues for those nearby.
A variety of dust collectors exist on the market, from those that attach to your shop vacuum to freestanding models capable of filtering dust from the air of entire shops. Which will work best for you will obviously vary, but knowing that there’s a solution perfect for your circumstances will come in handy should the need ever arise.
Many table saws, including the DeWalt DWE7491RS reviewed above, are designed with dust collection in mind. Standardized 2-2.5” exhaust ports are common, and easily connected to a variety of different dust collectors. If you don’t want to leave a giant pile of dust behind you wherever you go, it may be worth the investment in a portable, easy-to-connect dust collector for your job site table saw.
If you do decide to buy a dust collector, you might check out two-stage systems, which use a cyclone of air to pull out large particles and debris before they can reach the main filter. Cyclonic dust collection is highly-efficient and helps your collector’s main motor last longer.
