I stood over a silent motor
The old contractor saw quit mid-rip
Smoke drifted up
A stack of maple rails waited
Deadlines frowned
I borrowed a DWE7491
Work rolled on
Months later I grabbed a DWE7485 for my cramped garage space
Now both yellow workhorses sit a few feet apart and I swap them by need
You might face the same choice
So let me walk you through every scratch and splinter
I will lay out facts in plain words
I will pepper in shop tricks
I will speak as if you stand beside me
By the last line you will feel which saw fits your projects
Fast Picks if Time Runs Tight
Pick DWE7485 if you crave light weight, small footprint, and repeatable cuts up to two and nine sixteenths depth
Pick DWE7491 if wide plywood panels, dado stacks, and three and one eighth cut depth rule your jobs
Why the Saws Differ
I stripped each unit, measured parts, and cut piles of stock
Here is the short list
- Blade size DWE7485 swings an eight and one quarter inch blade while DWE7491 spins a ten inch blade
- Rip width Twenty four and one half inches on the compact model versus thirty two and one half on the big rig
- Dado potential Small saw says no while the large saw eats an eight inch stack up to thirteen sixteenths
- Cut depth at ninety Two and nine sixteenths for the DWE7485 and three and one eighth for the DWE7491
- Weight and stand About fifty four pounds bench style against one hundred ten pounds on a rolling frame
- Motor speed Five thousand eight hundred revolutions per minute on the small saw versus four thousand eight hundred on the large saw
- Dust ports Both carry a rear two and one half inch port yet the DWE7491 adds a blade guard port for fine chips
Each point shapes how the tool feels on a busy workday so let us dive deeper
Real Wood Real Feed Pressure
I set both saws on the same outfeed table
I ripped four quarter white oak, maple, and poplar
I swapped thin kerf blades for fairness
DWE7485
- Needs a calm feed pace with hardwood
- Thin kerf blade lowers strain
- Short fence rails call for steady hand placement
- Eight foot boards stay in line with extra roller stands
DWE7491
- Added mass keeps the cut steady
- Full kerf blade works fine
- Wider table offers better elbow room on long rips
- I push faster without chatter
Neither model loves eight quarter stock
I resaw thick boards on the bandsaw instead and return for a cleaning rip later
Sheet Goods and Wide Panels
Huge plywood sheets test any compact saw
I often rough cut with a track saw yet there are days when I feed a full panel across the table
- Twenty four and one half inches on the DWE7485 feels tight yet possible for shelves
- Thirty two and one half inches on the DWE7491 means a whole cabinet side slides through in a single pass
That extra eight inches lets me skip the track saw for many jobs and time saved adds up
Fence Feel and Secret Tweaks
DeWalt outfits both units with rack and pinion fences
I turn one knob and the fence glides locks square and stays put
Out of the box the scale lands close yet I like real numbers
Three fast tweaks
- Set zero with a dial caliper tip against the blade body
- Check parallel at both ends of the tooth line and nudge adjustment screws if off
- Add a long auxiliary fence with a straight two by four for tall cuts
After those steps I trust the mark
Miter Gauge and Sled Talk
The stock miter gauge feels loose in the slot
Tape shims help a bit
For precise frames I build a plywood sled
The DWE7491 grants seven and three quarter inches from table front to blade and that extra room steadies the sled
The DWE7485 handles small sleds well yet needs an outfeed bench for safety on larger crosscuts
Dust Control
Pine dust hangs in the air longer than you might guess
Both saws hit fifteen amp draw so I pair them with a strong shop vacuum
The big model accepts a second hose at the guard and that extra pull keeps fine dust from coating the top
Tip: use a small cyclone between saw and vacuum and your filter lasts longer
Noise and Circuit Load
Both motors pull serious current
Use a twelve gauge extension cord no longer than needed
Wear ear muffs because the smaller saw shrieks at a higher pitch
Your future hearing will thank you
Blade Choices
Ten inch blades crowd every store aisle
I keep rip crosscut and glue line versions on the wall
Eight and one quarter inch blades appear less often yet top brands sell sharp options online
I mark each blade with a color dot so I can grab the right one fast
Groove Work and Dado Love
Bookcase shelves slide cleaner when cut with a dado stack
The DWE7491 swallows an eight inch set without fuss
Remember to grab a matching throat plate
The compact saw lacks the arbor length so use a router or two passes for grooves
Rolling Stand Life vs Bench Life
Model DWE7491RS ships with a folding stand
I kick one lever and the frame opens steady
Wheels roll across the driveway without snag
It feels planted even on long rips
The smaller saw sits on any flat bench or simple stand and that saves floor space
Pick based on storage habits
Simple Setup Steps That Pay Off
- Align blade to miter slot with feeler gauges
- Square riving knife to blade so wood stays straight
- Lock tilt stops at ninety and forty five degrees using a machinist square
- Wax table and fence for smooth feed
Ten minutes here crowns you with straight cuts later
Who Should Choose Which Saw
Choose DWE7485 If
- Your shop shares space with a sedan
- You haul tools upstairs often
- You rip narrow rails stiles and trim
- You break up plywood with a track saw first
- You want a tool that lifts with one hand
Choose DWE7491 If
- You build closets and wall units weekly
- You need dado support for shelves
- You rip up to thirty two and one half inches often
- You like a stand that folds fast
- You roll the saw across job sites
People Also Ask
What separates the DW745 from the DWE7491
The older DW745 runs a ten inch blade with about twenty inch rip width and no dado support while the DWE7491 brings bigger rip width plus dado ability
How does the DWE7485 match the DWE7492
The DWE7485 is a compact eight and one quarter inch saw while the DWE7492 mirrors the DWE7491 frame for European markets with local safety parts
Is the DWE7485 worth the cash
Yes for tight shops and travel work because it cuts straight and stores small
Which DeWalt table saw ranks best
Best depends on your space and tasks because each model shines in different lanes
Project Examples
Face Frames
The small saw shines here
Set the fence once
Run rails all morning
Cut stays square
Built Ins and Closets
The big saw dominates
Wide sides move across with no twist
Dado stacks cut shelf grooves in minutes
Trim Carpentry
Either unit works
Pick the lighter saw for third floor crown work
Pick the rolling stand for whole house remodels
Day One Accuracy Check
- Make a test rip on scrap
- Measure offcut with a rule
- Move pointer until the mark matches the truth
- Build a zero clearance insert from plywood and add set screws for height
Pain Points and Fixes
- Loose miter gauge upgrade or build a sled
- Short power cord add a twelve gauge extension of proper length
- Small blade guard hose keep a short adapter nearby for the DWE7491
Inside the DWE7485 Package
- Saw body with metal roll cage
- Rack and pinion fence
- Push stick and blade wrenches
- Modular guard and riving knife
- Twenty four tooth blade ready for rough rips
Key specs
- Fifteen amp motor with five thousand eight hundred rpm
- Two and nine sixteenths depth at ninety
- Rip width twenty four and one half inches
- Table twenty two and three quarter inches square
- Weight about fifty four pounds
This kit moves easy and lands on a bench fast
Inside the DWE7491RS Package
- Saw body plus folding wheeled stand
- Rack and pinion fence with flip over support
- Push stick guard riving knife and wrenches
- Twenty four tooth ten inch blade
Key specs
- Fifteen amp motor at four thousand eight hundred rpm
- Three and one eighth depth at ninety
- Rip width thirty two and one half inches
- Table twenty one and seven eighth by twenty six and three eighth
- Weight about one hundred ten pounds with stand
The stand locks steady and spares your back
Side by Side Highlights
- Depth of cut big saw gains nine sixteenths extra headroom
- Rip width bigger table means fewer tool changes
- Storage compact unit slips on a shelf while rolling unit parks near a wall
- Blade choice ten inch catalog holds more options yet eight and one quarter inch blades still arrive fast online
Cut Quality Tips That Work on Both Models
- Keep blades clean because pitch drags
- Raise blade so gullets clear stock
- Use featherboards for narrow rips
- Push sticks keep fingers safe and feed pressure steady
- Support long boards with roller stands or a matching height table
Care Routine for Long Tool Life
I brush dust from trunnion gears weekly
I spray dry lube on elevation screws
I wash pitch from blades in warm water with simple cleaner
I check fence scale monthly
Small habits extend performance
A Simple Decision Path
Stand in your shop
Look at floor space
Picture a full sheet of plywood
Picture a stack of face frame rails
Which job shows up more
Answer that and the saw picks itself
Anecdote From the Field
Last summer I framed a mudroom built in for a busy family
The garage shop could fit only one tool at a time
I parked the DWE7485 on a rolling cart
I ripped rails and stiles for the doors
Then I drove to the house with the DWE7491 in the van
I unfolded the stand in the driveway
I trimmed tall side panels on site
Both saws earned praise from the homeowner who loved the tidy setup
That day proved there is room for each model in one career
Sensory Snapshot
Oak shavings slide along the polished table
The motor hum rises then levels
Warm pine scent drifts as the blade exits
A faint metallic click marks the fence lock
These small signals tell me the tool runs true
Closing Thoughts
You now hold every detail I gathered through months of sawdust and sweat
The choice narrows to space cut width and groove needs
Pick the compact DWE7485 for a light lift and tight shop lanes
Pick the heavy DWE7491RS for wide panel ripping and dado freedom
Either way your wood will cut straight if you tune the fence and mind your blade
I hope the guide clears fog from your decision and I hope fresh built projects line your shop walls soon
Grab a fresh board fire up the saw that suits you and let chips fly