The first thing we look for in a table saw--portable or otherwise--is an accurate, smooth-working fence, and the telescoping fence on DeWalt's 10-inch portable table saw impressed us immediately. Fully extended, the fence delivers a 24-1/2-inch rip capacity, letting you cut to the center of a 4-by-8-foot sheet, while the rack-and-pinion design lets you make microadjustments fast and accurately. We also liked how the fence rides on both the front and back rails so that it's parallel to the blade at all times. The telescoping rails retract, too--when the job's done, the saw is easy and safe to transport. Like most 10-inch portable saws, DeWalt's has a 3-1/8-inch depth capacity at 90 degrees and a 2-1/4-inch capacity at 45. The 15 amp motor cranks plenty of torque and doesn't lag when cutting hardwood or pressure-treated stock. Performance aside, DeWalt clearly also kept safety in mind when designing this saw. Its oversize on/off switch is positioned so you can easily bump it off with your knee if you get into trouble making a cut. The arbor on Dewalt's saw also has the capacity for a full dado stack. Add to that the saw's dust-collection hookup and sturdy steel stand, and you've got a portable table saw that can hold its own in the shop. --Jon Groebner
