Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Dewalt DW745(Yellow) vs. Ridgid R45161(Orange): I have never had nor used a table saw. So, I have no experience to judge what feature is important or what feature is no big deal. What I do have, is the reviews, others have taken the time to submit, thank you. Attached pictures: When comparing models, I copied the same pictures to both model's review, but for pictures only important to individual model, they are uploaded to that model only. My APPLICATION: As a beginner to woodworking I foresee myself to become a lite to average DIY user. I seek a table saw over a 7-1/4in circular saw, to cut 2x4s and small plywood pieces. I am considering a Rockwell Versacut for plywood ripping. But if I did pass on the 7-1/4in circular saw, how would I do say a 45 degrees edge cut to a 4'x4' plywood???? My TOP FEATURES: Easy to setup, move, lift, and store. Less then $250 QUALITY: BOTH saws seem equally very good and would be a good choice. I repeat BOTH saws are a good choice. BOTH have pluses ++ and minuses --. Actually a tough choice between the two. I tried to ask a woodworking friend, but all he could see was the Dewalt name. For that reason, as I compare the two, I will refer to them as Yellow vs Orange. HANDLING: Weight (out of box, without accessories attach): Yellow @ 44 lbs Orange @ 49 lbs The Orange table saw has wheels and a handle to move. But with only 5 lbs difference, the Yellow saw was so much easier to grab, lift and move around the garage. As I try to foresee myself handling the saw from storing, to setup, and back to storage, the Yellow saw is the winner. For someone who needs to transport over long distance, I would recommend the Orange over the Yellow, due to its wheels. For Size and Storage, see attached pictures. Storing the DW745 on its side, will require a small (maybe 3/4inch) block of wood, on the frame, to prevent the sliding fence rails from being damage. MITER GAUGE: WOW, all the reviews are correct, the Yellow saw's miter is JUNK! Its hard to slide in its track. While the Orange has a very good miter. Orange's miter has a small wheel at the tip, which fits into a small notch, in the track, to give a smooth movement. Also the Orange miter has notches, that would be easy to mount a homemade extension. The Orange has great storage for the miter gauge, none for Yellow. WIDTH CUT: I moved the fences to the far edge, some may say an unsafe position. But they seem solid. Yellow @ 24-1/2 inches (Box says 20 inches) Orange @ 26 inches FENCE: Yellow: Like the many reviews say, the rack & pinion mechanism seems solid. I really like the locking & unlocking handle. But it is slow to move. Where as the Orange is fast to expand. The Yellow's fence has very thin black plastic at its edge. I would be concern if dropped, the edge would break. As mentioned by one reviewer, the Orange's fence rides along two small white molded plastic pieces, which over time could wear and induce error, however, for the amount of use, I would do, this would be a very long time. PUSH STICK: I liked how the stick is stored on the Yellow's fence. There is a place, on the right side of the Orange saw, to store a fence, but, you have to bend down, and align the stick, then twist it into place. I know, this is not a big deal, I am just trying to capture all the ++ & --. BLADE HEIGHT/ANGLE ADJUSTMENT WHEEL: I really like how easy the Yellow saw locks and unlocks the wheel. For the Orange saw, the locking mechanism is really stiff, and hard to lock & unlock. Note: The Orange's degrees scale was more accurate then the Yellow. Yellow's page 10, says I can adjust the scale. I used a digital meter gauge attached to the blade, to measure the angle . DADO: Yellow: no mention in the manual. However, on Amazon Questions & Answers for the DW745, users have listed a narrow dado that fits. Orange: yes can do. BLADES: Yes both come with blades. INSTRUCTION MANUAL: Again, maybe no big deal, I think the Yellow's manual is easier to read, and has more details about operation. Maybe to much. All the little adjustments, here and there for this and that, hmmmmm, like page 6&7, adjust the riving knife for either "thru cut" or" non-thru cut". PRICE: as of Dec 20, 2014 at Home Depot Yellow $225 Orange $199 OUTFEED SUPPORT: Nether has it. But Orange's copy saw sold by Sears & OSH (Craftsman 315.218280), does have it. Orange's does have the mounting screw holes for the assembly. Parts can be purchased at ereplacementparts. Outfeed Assembly: 089110113704 @$45.32 Brackets: 089110113095 @$3.76 You need two Screws: 410161010 @$3.88 You need four of M6x26mm Hex Please re-check the part#s just to be sure As for me, I plan to use an Adjustable Metal Legs Sawhorse, like the Dewalt DWST11031 / Stanley 011031S (the same sawhorse) with a 1 inch PVC pipe in the sawhorse "V" groove. I may have to sand the PVC, to make it smooth enough to spin in the "V" groove. Or the weight of the wood passing over it, may cause the PVC to dig in, and tip over the sawhorse, time well tell. I hope this write up and pictures has help someone. My choice the Dewalt DW745, for its ease to handle and store. But again, I have to say, BOTH would be a good choice for a compact table saw.