Table Saw Set Up - 3 simple steps for accurate cuts. Demonstrated on DeWalt DW745

#dw745 #tablesaw #dewalt
In this video I explain how to set up a table saw for accurate cuts in just three simple steps. My table saw is the DeWalt DW745 but you can apply the same principles to any table saw. I show you various methods for how to align the blade to the mitre slots correctly, set the blade angle, and check and set your fence alignment for perfect measurements every time to achieve maximum accuracy.
Tools used in this video:
Wixey Digital Angle Gauge: geni.us/JZSp (Amazon UK) geni.us/y2Gziw (Amazon US)
Metric Speed Square: geni.us/y9TyV (Amazon UK) geni.us/z3rGBCP (Amazon US)
Digital Calipers: geni.us/xAsjb0 (Amazon UK)
Swanson Combination Square: geni.us/7vHZ2a (Amazon UK) geni.us/cg1fp (Amazon US)
Steel Rule (600mm): geni.us/EnruRaX (Amazon UK) geni.us/k0CLR (Amazon US)
Tamar at 3x3 Customs video about aligning the blade to the mitre slots: • How to Align your Tabl...
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[@simonsbrother4139]

Thanks Keith! Finally an Englishman I can understand with ease 😀Thanks... and great job. Cheers from Germans, keep it up!

[@davidmoffett2031]

Thank you so much. You are the first you tuber who shows the first and most basic step. How to make sure the blade aligns with the slots in the table for the mitre slides. If the blade is not parallel to the mitre slots then all the other adjustments are just a waste of time.

[@martinjoseph8444]

The best adjustment video that I have seen, regarding this saw. Straight and to the point-none of that "look at what I made" crap. Well done!

[@tooljunkie555]

Just got this saw for 70% off retail on fb market and I couldn't be happier w it outta the box. Didn't have tobadjust anything but I did anyway to dbl check it all was aligned and sqr and so ik exactly how to do it when I check it once in a while. Thanks for sharing bro! Hope all is well w you and your family!

[@rickyh0414]

I don’t ever rate videos or anything for that matter but I’ve been searching for table saw alignment videos and this is by far the most informative and practical video.

[@susied8795]

There's one additional check that isn't mentioned in any of these videos and I learned it the hard way. After cutting tenons for door rails carefully on a scrap piece to get the right height of the blade, and then not having it fit correctly on my real wood, I found that it's very common for the height of the blade to slip due to the vibrations when the saw is running, especially if using a dado blade but I've also had it happen on my regular blade. If your saw is running and you can visually see the blade height wheel turning on its own, you have this problem. To fix it, look under the table. There's a horizontal rod which connects to a vertical rod by way of two cogs that fit together (for lack of a better term). There's a nut at the bottom of the vertical rod. Tighten that until the wheel doesn't slip on its own. Too tight and you won't be able to raise the wheel.

[@anthonyk5496]

Aha! Good tip Susie D 👍 I believe the cogs are called bevel gears ⚙️. I didn't know about the snail cams before this video either! Off to tune the tablesaw... 📐

[@Ozzzy506]

Thanks!!!!!!!🎉

[@vileguile4]

I bought this unit 2 days ago and want to set it up perfectly. Your timing is impeccable´!

[@cowboydon]

Great! Concise! Brief and to the point! So many videos spend time explaining their background, how many kids they have and where they vacationed. Keep up the great work. The video was very clear. WOW!

[@ethanboggio3314]

That was a solid down to earth video packed with no non sense information! I just bought my digital angle finder and was fixing to go out and tune my DeWALT table saw. This is exactly what I needed! I'll be checking out more of your videos later on today! Thank you!

[@markgershman1563]

Good job! It always makes life a little easier when you knowwhat to look for when you have a problem. Thanks. Mark

[@StormLaker]

Watching your video and wondering when we'll finally accept the metric system here in the U.S., haha. Getting ready to tune up my Dewalt Table saw that I bought second hand on Facebook Marketplace. My wife's uncle was British, he was from Sheffield, wonderful great tall man with a great sense of humor. He and my wife's aunt travelled the world, and worked in the UAE as university professors. They retired in Spain, and he recently passed from Cancer......we miss him (and his stories) dearly. It was fun hearing him and my wife's aunt impersonate the different English dialects, haha.

[@burningbernie]

This is the best and most accurate table saw adjustment video I have seen so far. Covered all bases in proper sequence. Thanks so much. Now I know what to do with confidence.

[@stuartmathie3872]

Hi, I have just found your page and have been going through watching your videos, just want to say well done on them, you record and explain very well, now I have added another 10 things to my to do/ to make list😄👍🏼

[@karlpopewoodcraft]

Really useful information Keith, I have this saw now so I'll be adding this to a playlist. 🙂

[@kakman1958]

Excellent information, I have the same saw and it's been a fraction off lately. I'm going to do all these steps tomorrow.

[@JonnyPardoePhotos]

What a class video. Bursting with no nonsense advice. Thank you.

[@nicharvey7211]

I was literally checking my saw today! I have a hammer K3 Winner. Owned it for just under a year. My entire side table support was not level, took an hour or so to bring it back up to level. This will now be checked more periodically. I use to own a Bosch contractors table saw but this was a big upgrade for me in every way! I think my workshop is the same size as yours Keith. Some good tips here.

[@clydedecker765]

Tamar is a very real person and love her videos. I'm sure she'll love your recommendations.

[@Ariesphoenix1]

Wealth of information!! I sincerely appreciate you posting this!! Thanks!!

[@danielrisberg2112]

Thanks for some really useful tips! Just bought a DeWalt DW7492 and went through your suggested measurements.

[@k.b.woodworker3250]

Excellent! I have the 745, so this is really helpful. Thank you and have a happy new year!

[@feraligatrs]

Blade was off by half a degree and I thought I was out of luck. Thank you so much for teaching us how to align the blade properly!

[@michaelfreer307]

Nice to see a video that is clear and to the point. Very helpful. Top job that man.

[@stevesiefken6432]

I’m gunna check my saw today. Also have a Dewalt. Thanks for pointing out those specific features.

[@gusnwosu]

Thanks for a clear and concise video. It is, as you would say, 'bob on'!

Great tips for table saws. Good information. Thank you for sharing. Great greetings. Merry Christmas....

[@davidcrandell1172]

I'm about to buy the dewalt 745. that's some really useful information. Thanks for posting.

[@jamesmulligan1077]

Wonderfully done. Thanks!

[@grahambell-palmer8418]

Thanks for this very helpful and clear.

[@robertseychell330]

Thanks for the tips, just checked mine and is was out, made the adjustments and everything is spot on. 👍🏻

[@timlist4173]

Thank you for the helpful tips.

[@gillessophie6158]

Thanks. I have this saw and it reminded me some stuffs I must check. 👍

[@HalProctor]

same here...just bought 2 weeks ago

[@Nuno.Soares.GeoTagXplorer]

Awesome tips. Thanks for sharing!

[@rbmfoods]

Excellent knowledge and advise Thanks for sharing....

[@jmakes3745]

Another great video Keith, really useful tips and tricks that I definitely need to use, given my saws fence is currently being held in place with two clamps due to its lack of alignment!

[@awantamta]

That was very useful. Thank you.

[@ddacombe4752]

thanks for the information, ive had this saw for years and only just recalibrated it after seeing this since it was slightly off

[@BrianThorstad]

First time. I have a similar saw, and appreciated your video. Subscribed

[@SBCartwright]

Thanks! Very helpful.

[@janinelew2483]

This is the saw that I"m getting this weekend. Perfect! Thanks!😀

[@valence25]

Janine Lew make sure to check the flatness of the table. Mine is in the garbage... there is Lots of forums with This problem. Mine was a waste of money 😭

[@janinelew2483]

@@valence25 Thanks for very important information. I think I'll look for something else. Maybe another Dewalt model.

[@tjacksonwoodworker3726]

This video was Bob On. Great job. love watching your videos..

[@enabledworkshop]

great video Keith,, I have the same saw so these tips will come in very handy!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Great 👍 may do a follow up about table saw accessories too

[@michaelshurak4609]

Great vid,, I’ve been looking for a new table saw and been looking into the dewalt 8.5 inch blade and definitelygonnw set up an extension like yours,,

[@mikedeman5351]

A very useful video. Well explained. Better than the user manual :)

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice tips Keith! Thanks for sharing them with us!👌👍😎JP

[@Mamoondar]

Why I am seeing this after 5 years of using table saw.😜 Really helpful.

[@MrPete1x]

Great video, thank you

[@robinmarwick1982]

Excellent video this is really helpful...

[@vstm3950]

Thanks for sharing lad!

[@richardmakes8011]

Thank you, je vais pouvoir faire les premiers réglages 👍🏻

[@gusvortech]

First time I come across your channel, I have the same saw. This is really useful!! I also have the dewalt planner. I’m wondering if you have that planner to do a video on setting that up as well

[@mranchovydrumbass]

Hey dude I got this saw and it's great.......I really need to make a large kill/halt switch though cos it's fiddly to turn off and that could be dangerous. All the best to you, I do enjoy your videos and have done some shop improvements partly inspired by your channel. Big up

[@pf5658]

Great tips. Never even knew some of these adjustments were even on these saws because I never took the time to look.

[@TheOdizeo]

you just made day heaps better mate. just bought one if these and it didn't come very well set up. looks like I'm gonna have to buy a wixey, no messing around. cheers!

[@paultay23]

Nice Vid Keith, some good tips there.. My DW745 cuts accurately but i may as well check out what you have nicely explained. HNY

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Happy New Year Paul!

[@sergioderderian16]

👍🙏 did you make a video on the riving knife and the adapted safety switch?? Thanks for sharing...

[@MichaelUt]

GREAT thanks

[@briank5988]

Thanks for the video! Do you know how to solve the fence not being square to the table, mentioned at 6:39? I have a similar Dewalt saw (DWE7480) with a fence that just barely 'leans' toward the blade so it's just under 90 degrees, it's pretty damn close as is but would be great to get it even closer.

[@uletmeseeu]

Thanks!

[@offcuts4146]

Great video. I was wondering when checking with the adjustable square would it be easier to keep that piece of wood on the mitre slow. You could then put the adjustable combi square against that piece of wood you earlier cut to measure disatance from the blade and the slot on table. Was just wandering if that would be easier

[@oleganatolevich752]

Hi, thanks for some really useful tips. Can you please advise me with the following - what is the thickness of the riving knife? Thank you.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Good info! The very first step, however, should be to check the blade for runout (wobble). If there is runout, it could be the blade being not perfectly flat--or worst case--a bent arbor/motor shaft. But it also may be something as simple as a bit of sawdust between one of the washers and the blade. If you find runout, first check to make sure the arbor, washers, and blade are perfectly clean. Be safe!

[@arnoldwiggins]

Hey Keith, thank you for the great info. How do I adjust my fence (same model as yours) seeing as it's not square to the table?

[@Viken43]

Noticed the other day my dw745 was causing snipe at the end of cut. I though the fence was out so adjusted it to be parallel with blade. Today I thought I would check it and then looked at distance from mitre slots to fence and it is out by 2mm. Going to follow your advice and try and fix it. Had noticed [like Tamar] that my crosscut sled was not as accurate and zero clearance cut seemed to be wider. Anyway hopefully with your alignment jig I can get it sorted. Thanks Keith ( & Tamar)

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thanks for sharing

[@BruttCustomWorkshop]

Nic tips thanks

[@ZackZaqZakXah]

Thank you for this quick video! The others on KZbin are just too long and too wordy.

[@dcm727]

Thank you

[@LoganEakins]

I have this saw. Fantastic video. What can you tell us about your insert and riving knife? I need this setup.

[@vagelistassis7441]

Simple and perfect tips!the riving knife allows you to make dado cuts or you remove it when you are doing this type of cuts??

[@Kimmozappi]

Hi Keith, thank you for a great video. I have a newer version of this saw and my fence is not square to the table. You mention it in your video, but HOW do you change/trim the alignment? Any chance you would know?

[@boblosarp8535]

ничего он не знает, иначе бы ответил. у меня такая же проблема.

[@chevyimp5857]

Thanks for the video..what would you say is acceptable blade run out for this kind of saw.? I recently returned one with 0.8mm out the box .. it seemed to get worse in the couple hours I used the saw.. the issue according to DeWalt is a batch of faulty Arbor pressings.. worth checking if you've just brought one of these...

[@TheTranq]

Really great informative video. Any tips on how to set the fence square? Mine seems slightly off and I see nothing in the manual

[@andrewfilous283]

Same issue, any tips out there?

[@taterberryman]

“Bob on” is one of my favorite UK phrases. Think it’ll ever catch on in the States? 😉 Nice succinct video, by the way. Thank you. 👍

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Mine too!

[@peterhorner364]

Love the large off button

[@JohnColgan.]

All saws should have an extra large Stop button. My start / stop switches are only 1" square, with the stop 1/2" proud of the start. Can be fiddly to hit the right button reaching under a sled.

[@JohnColgan.]

The option to check with combination square can be combined with a piece of wood in the mitre slot to allow the square to lie flat

[@irvinwittmeier5208]

That would be possible the most inexpensive yet true to the saw and table you could get. Excellent comment !;-)

[@Strawdozz]

I have the DW7491 saw. All is fine except that the table dips in the middle, about 2mm. I could have returned it but I checked in a shop and all the saws had this dip. Its still a good saw.. maybe I will put some tension on it from the bottom, as it would help it.

[@dedmo79]

I have the same saw and my fence is not vertically perpendicular to the table. you mentioned checking this but not how to correct. i can seem to figure out how to get the fence to 90degrees vertical. Any tips?

[@ChickenDinnerz]

Do you have any advice on how to change the squareness of the fence to the table?

[@JohnColgan.]

Don't forget to verify your sliding mitre guage too if you rely on that for square cuts. Getting it back to 90° can be tedious on some saws as not always accurately marked!

[@jushuadmcelroy]

How do you compensate for the sloppy fence movement? I’ve noticed while you turn the adjustment know the side of the fence closes to you moves forward or backwards upwards of a 1/4 inch before the other side starts to move..

[@edwardlancaster7495]

Great info, I have the dewalt dwe7492 and my fence is not 90 to the table, do you how to set the fence. thanks John

[@krill80cri]

I've got the very same problem. I've taken the fence apart by removing the aluminum fence from the side plastic brackets, but that didn't do any good as there is no play to try and adjust the 90° angle to the table. A little help would be much appreciated. Thanks

[@edwardholmes91]

Thanks for the great tips on setting up your tablesaw. We've got the same saw, so it's a handy reference. Out of interest, have you modified the splitter/riving knife, to allow partial cuts? If so, do you have a video on this as it's a real pain having to remove it when I want to cut dado's/rebates.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

This Friday's video will address this and a few other mods

[@edwardholmes91]

@@RagnBoneBrown Thanks, I look forward to it. I've purchased a spare so I can modify one :)

[@mre3120]

How do you adjust the fence vertical ailment dose not say in manual and can not find anything on any channel any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@TrevorDennis100]

The problem with referencing the blade to one bit of the table is that the tables are not flat. I'd read about that criticism in a KZbin review before buying my DW7491, but thought it can't be that bad, and it's a job site saw for goodness sake, but mine is at least a millimetre higher in the middle and drops off both sides and, to a lesser extent, front to back. I have fixed my issue for small jobs via a cross cut sled. I have not worked out how to overcome the issue with larger pieces. Hey, I didn't know about the angle adjustment end stop cams. I've only owned saw a week, and obviously haven't RTFM (read the flipping manual). Cool tip (or reveal). Regards measuring tools, you can get a DTI from Wish.com or Bangood.com for as little as US$10, and they work perfectly, and are accurate. The smaller DTIs don't have all the features of a Starrett but are totally usable. The larger travel style DTIs from China compare really well with Starrett, Mitutoyo, Brown & Sharp etc. Other engineering tools that can be incredibly useful in a wood shop are 1-2-3 blocks (about $25 a pair from China). I use them for everything from aligning edges to setting up jointer blades (with DTI and calipers). Surface Gauge/scriber blocks are also invaluable, but not available from wish and bangood. I paid NZ$60 for mine. The digital angle finder you used is another incredibly useful tool. I actually use mine for setting angles of job pieces in the milling machine vice as well as table saw blades and fences, and jointer fence. BTW a tiny warning about wish.com... once you start using it you'll have a job stopping. I have spent at least a thousand bucks between wish and bangood, but my toolbox is almost as well equipped now in retirement as when I was still working as a toolmaker.

[@kenmayer5955]

Any saw with an aluminum table has this problem. Milled cast iron table saws are heavier, so aren't used for "jobsite" saws. I only have a small shed, so the compromise on weight/table flatness is OK with me. I love the fence on this saw, which is what sold me on it vs. competitor models.

[@radu-christianbarca746]

Hello, I am having a similar issue with my table saw. The top table is not straight and the precision mitre gage does not lie flat in the mitre slot, it seesaws front to back. I got a useless response from dewalt today and have no idea if something can be done about that. Would you have any ideas? Thanks

[@TrevorDennis100]

@@radu-christianbarca746 The cross cut sled is the ultimate solution. They are not only far more accurate (especially if you use the William Ng 'five cut' method to set the rear fence kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5OqXqFjYrF5nbM) they are also much safer because the part is supported both sides of the cut which makes kick-back unlikely. Even if you do manage to get a kick-back, the rear fence is going to catch the part preventing it hitting you in the face at 100mph. There are also lots of designs for smaller, single fence sleds that work like a mitre gage. i.e. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmXGq5Wqp996eLM The main thing is to use both T slots which will help take out any slop, and have a wooden base that eliminates the warped top. It is also a fun project. You'll end up with a bunch of sleds like 45° mitre (William Ng has a tip for getting these super accurate as well) a tenon cutting kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipS3eKBvq7Zgh6s and any number more if you search youtube.

[@radu-christianbarca746]

@@TrevorDennis100 thank you very much! I will watch those videos attentively and i will surely end up biilding a sled. Still, wouldn t the sled glide on those u even miter slots? Side to side wiggle can be eliminated, but back to front slopes will translate to the sled's fwd bckwrd motion and to the wood in relation to the blade. Which would matter in some cuts, but not others obviously. Am I missing something here?

[@terryjackson9055]

when using the digital angle gauge does table need to be absolutely level?

[@shineriseliu7104]

This is a great video but the problem I really have with my 7491 is that the fence is not 90 degree against the table......

[@allanweller7596]

Hi Keith I like you video and it’s is vary helpful. I just have one question at the on when you are check the fence for the 90 degrees you don’t tall how to fix that part. I ask cuz that the probably I’m having and not sure where to start.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Sorry not sure, I've not encountered that issue

[@user-tj8ck3fz5j]

I will add to check if the fence is straight

[@FAMAWoodworking]

Thanks for the tips! There's a difference between your saw and the saws made in Brazil, there's only the yellow measuring tape here.

[@darvaish4552]

Hi, thanks or this video, it has answered all my questions that i had about a small saw. i looking forward to get one. i was wondering is your fence an after market one or is it Dewalt's own with the machine. i was looking forward to buy Bosch and wishing to sort out an after market fence for accuracy. your input will be much appreciated mate. thanks

[@taterberryman]

mian isbah rehman That’s Dewalt’s standard fence. In my opinion, their rack and pinion adjustment system is one of the best on the market.

[@o.g.bwoodwork]

Great tips Keith! I think my Titan table saw will be much more out of square than your one. 😂. Going to build a sled for it in the near future.

[@robmcmahon6782]

I've got a titan and it seems to be ok. I'd love a DeWalt but I cant justify paying for it, I'm purely a hobbyist (at best) 😂

[@o.g.bwoodwork]

I’d love a DeWalt as well, but can’t justify it for the same reasons. Maybe I’ll get a DeWalt one day if my needs change.

[@shemrun]

Can I cut a 2x8 rectangular tube on this kind of saw?

[@eeguy77]

Contractor saws do not have the flattest tops. They're made with aluminum to make them lighter, which can warp slightly during manufacturing. I found this out after I bought mine, and went through several tops and *never* got one that was as flat as a contractor cast iron top. So I ended up with the top I bought it with. That said, you can still do incredibly accurate work with them, just look at Tamar's most recent video. You just can't use it as a flat reference like so many channels suggest. These tops also have a special coating on them to keep the aluminum from oxidizing, so probably not a good idea to try flattening them yourself.

[@adamandlorraine]

I have the dwe7491 similar saw. Had two with bent tops. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWGogWWNnbGUiq8 DeWalt have offered to take to third party for repair. Not really sure what they could repair but I might let them try. Just means I'll be without saw for couple of weeks.

[@hellkell8693]

You can protect it with wax.

[@Iranianjunkie]

did you make that throat plate yourself? its very nice and, more durable than the wimpy one that came with my dewalt tablesaw. Where do I find one?

[@theartofgregoryevans]

Hi. I'd already decided that this was to be the saw for me, having owned a dewalt with a 30" rail systèm on the fence, do I had no reason to dis trust the product. I then found your vidéo, did all you said before cutting into my first cutting. It's à really great saw, cutting sugar pine like butter, but upon getting to the rabot part of the job, I found the blade liwering itself from the vibration. I can actually watch it go down while thé height adjustment wheel turns slowly counterclockwise. This makes any cut that demandes à certain depth near impossible. Ive looked under into the body of the saw, and saw a hopeful fix. A little four pointed knob with arrows printed seemed to be related to motor height. A lock, i suppossed. But, no, it doesnt seem to be. So, I have two questions, both of which i will be indebted to you for the answers. One, what is that little yelliw knob for ? And two, how to lock blade height, or at least provided résistance to stop this drifting. Thanks for what i see to be a really great channel !

[@riaz1555]

Hey Keith, Nice video man. I was trying to find anything on the channel for the quick stop mechanism you made for your table saw. Do you have any info on that?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I'll put out a video about that soon 👍

[@paultay23]

@@RagnBoneBrown Go for it Keith..... show the full installation 👍

[@garvielloken3929]

Nooice!

[@dangermartin69]

Keep your eye out for a used cabinet saw with an induction motor and a nice T-square fence. You really won't believe how much more you'll enjoy using it compared to the dewalt.

[@christopherbailey582]

Great video Keith. I have the dw745 too. Where did you get that riving knife from? Or did you cut the original one down? Cheers Chris

[@talco92]

The original riving knife can be lowered to allow for non-through cuts.

[@SwolShark]

Can you go past 45 degrees on this table saw?