In a tool market where the word portable has become a blanket term for anything not bolted to the floor, it’s refreshing to see a new portable tablesaw that doesn’t make my back hurt just looking at it.

The new DW745 is basically a slimmed-down version of DeWalt’s popular DW744. The saw includes the popular rack-and-pinion fence, which is easy to adjust, and has an excellent hairline indicator to make zeroing in on precise measurements a cinch.

The big news, though, is in what DeWalt has changed. For starters, this compact saw is protected by a sturdy steel roll cage. Plus, at only 45 lb., it weighs about 20 lb. less than the DW744. In fact, I found it fairly easy to carry in just one hand. Also, the rip capacity has been reduced from 24-1/2 in. to a more modest 16 in.-a size and weight trade-off I am more than willing to accept.

The rest of the features are what you would expect to find on a high-quality tablesaw: easy depth and bevel adjustments, simple two-wrench blade changes, standard-size miter slots that work with aftermarket accessories, and a large power switch on the lower left front of the saw body, where it is visible and easy to reach. Also, although it was unreleased at the time I tested the saw, DeWalt now offers a simple X-style folding stand as an aftermarket accessory.

In use, the saw had plenty of power for any task I threw at it. Ripping hardwood casing and 2x stock, trimming 1-in.-thick MDF stair risers and 5/4 oak treads, and back-beveling the bottom edge of hundreds of feet of baseboard were all easy with a good blade installed.

The saw has a couple of weak points. Its inability to run a dado blade might be a deal breaker for some people. But I was more disappointed to find that the DW745 comes with a low-end, disposable blade that performs poorly and leaves yellow paint on everything it cuts. I had hoped for better on a saw marketed to trim carpenters- especially because I’m a fan of DeWalt’s higher-quality blades. Still, these weaknesses aren’t enough to outweigh the positive features of this tool.