DeWalt DW744XRS Table Saw Review: Still Worth Buying?

The DW744XRS is an older DeWalt jobsite saw, and if you’re reading this, you’re probably either looking at a used one on Facebook Marketplace or you found one buried in a garage and want to know if it’s still worth running. Short answer: yes. This saw earned a real reputation with contractors for a reason — a rack-and-pinion fence that actually holds its setting, a 15-amp motor that doesn’t flinch at pressure-treated lumber, and a rolling stand built to survive years of being dragged in and out of a truck bed. It’s not made anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a good saw.

What you’re actually looking at

DeWalt sold this saw in two flavors: the DW744XRS, which comes with a rolling stand, and the DW744X, the same saw without one. Same motor, same fence, same table. If you find a used DW744X without the stand, you’re not missing out on saw quality, just the stand.

The fence is the whole story here

Table saws live or die by their fence, and this is where the DW744XRS earned its reputation. It uses a rack-and-pinion telescoping fence, giving you 24-1/2 inches of rip capacity when extended out, and folding back down small for transport. One long-time owner who reviewed it put it simply: the fence gauge was dead-on straight from the factory, no adjustment needed. That’s not something you can say about every saw at this price point, then or now.

The locking mechanism is a single lever on the front right of the saw. Flip it, the fence locks. Flip it back, you can adjust with a large knob. Nothing fancy, but it works, and it keeps working after years of use, which is really the whole point of a good fence.

Where it actually falls short

Nobody’s saw is perfect, and this one has one real weak spot: the miter gauge. It’s cheap plastic, and DeWalt didn’t use a standard T-slot for it, so if that miter gauge ever cracks or you want to upgrade to something better, you can’t just drop in a standard aftermarket one. You’ll need to do some fitting work to make it fit. If precise miter cuts matter to your projects, budget for that headache, or look into whether an adapter exists for your specific saw. Our miter gauge guide is worth a look if you’re dealing with this exact problem.

Weight is the other thing to know going in. The stand alone weighs 33 pounds, and the whole unit comes in over 100 pounds. This isn’t a saw you sling under one arm. DeWalt did put a decent handle on it for pulling it around, and the wheels handle rough ground fine, but moving this saw solo is still a real task, not a quick lift.

Setup and day-to-day use

Owners consistently describe setup as quick — one review clocked unboxing to first cut at under 30 minutes, which is faster than average for a saw with a rolling stand to assemble. The stand itself isn’t the fastest thing to fold and unfold daily, but it’s rock solid once it’s up, which is a fair trade for a saw that’s living on a job site.

The saw includes a 10-inch, 24-tooth carbide blade, which is a rip-focused blade, not a finish blade. Fine for rough cuts on framing lumber, less fine if you want a clean edge on a finished piece. Swap it for something with more teeth if that matters for your work.

Dado capacity tops out at 13/16 inch, which covers most standard dado work without issue. If you’re planning heavier dado use, check our dado set guide to make sure your stack fits within that capacity before you buy one.

The Site-Pro guarding system is worth a mention too — it’s a tool-free guard setup, meaning you can swap guard configurations for different cuts without hunting for a wrench. Small thing, but it’s the kind of detail that shows up in daily use more than on a spec sheet.

Real-world durability

This is the part that actually matters if you’re considering a used one. Contractors who ran these saws daily, outdoors, rained on more than once, report the saw held up without issue. That’s a meaningful data point for a tool this old still showing up on the used market in working condition. A saw that survives years of job site abuse and still holds its fence accuracy has earned the reputation it has.

Should you buy one used today?

If you find a used DW744XRS or DW744X in good shape, at a fair price, it’s a legitimately solid buy. Check that the fence still locks tight and reads accurately, check the miter slot for wear, and make sure the motor runs smooth without excessive noise or vibration. None of these saws are getting any younger, so a quick inspection before buying matters more than it would on something new.

If you’d rather buy new, DeWalt’s current jobsite saw, the DWE7491RS, is the modern continuation of this same design philosophy — rack-and-pinion fence, telescoping rails, rolling stand — with some updates. Our DWE7491RS review covers how it stacks up if you want the same reliable formula in a saw you can actually buy new with a warranty.

Who this saw is good for

Contractors and DIYers who find one used and want a genuinely dependable jobsite saw without paying new prices. Anyone who values fence accuracy over having the newest features. And anyone comfortable working around one real flaw — that miter gauge — in exchange for a saw that’s already proven it can take a beating.

Who should look elsewhere

If you need a warranty and want to buy with confidence rather than inspect a used unit, go with the current DWE7491RS instead. If precise miter work is central to your projects and you don’t want to deal with a non-standard T-slot, this isn’t the saw for that. And if you can’t physically move 100+ pounds of saw and stand without help, this one’s going to be a hassle regardless of how good the fence is.

FAQ

Is the DeWalt DW744XRS still available new? No, this model has been discontinued. You’ll find it on the used market — Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay — rather than at retail. DeWalt’s current equivalent is the DWE7491RS.

What’s the difference between the DW744XRS and DW744X? The DW744XRS includes a rolling stand. The DW744X is the same saw without one. If you already have a table or workbench to set the saw on, the DW744X saves you the stand cost.

Is the miter gauge on this saw any good? No, it’s the weakest part of the saw. It’s plastic, and the T-slot isn’t a standard size, so upgrading to a better aftermarket miter gauge takes extra fitting work rather than a simple swap.

How much rip capacity does this saw have? 24-1/2 inches, thanks to the telescoping rack-and-pinion fence rails, which retract for a smaller footprint when you’re not using the full capacity.

Is it worth buying one used? Yes, if it’s in good working condition and priced fairly. Check the fence for accuracy, inspect the miter slot for wear, and listen for smooth motor operation before buying. These saws have a strong track record for durability among contractors who ran them daily.