Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw: The Ultimate Power Tool for Precision Cuts
The Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw is a versatile and reliable saw that is perfect for accurate woodworking tasks. With its precise cutting abilities and durable construction, it is a top choice for both professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts.
The Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw offers exceptional cutting power and flexibility, allowing users to easily make crosscuts, rip cuts, bevel cuts, and more. Its compact design and user-friendly features make it easy to use and transport, while its sturdy build ensures long-lasting performance.
Whether you are working on a small project or tackling a larger woodworking job, the Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw is an essential tool that will deliver excellent results.
Is the Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw Still Made?
The DW740 (and its 7700/770 predecessors) is a legacy model — DeWalt exited the radial arm saw category years ago as compound miter saws and table saws became the standard for crosscutting and ripping in most shops. If you’re researching this saw today, you’re most likely looking at a used unit from a garage sale, auction site, or inherited workshop rather than shopping for one new. That’s not a knock on the tool — DeWalt’s radial arm saws from this era have a reputation for solid cast-iron construction that holds up for decades — but it does mean parts, blades, and manuals require some hunting rather than a quick trip to a hardware store.
Buying a Used Dewalt 740: What to Check
- Arm and column play. Radial arm saws rely on precise alignment between the arm, column, and table. Check for looseness or wobble in the arm when extended, which indicates worn bearings or a bent column.
- Motor condition. Listen for grinding or excessive noise, and check that the motor reaches full speed without bogging down. Brush replacement is usually straightforward, but a burnt-out motor is a costly repair on a discontinued model.
- Table condition. The fence and table surface should be flat and not deeply scored from decades of blade cuts, since a badly grooved table affects cut accuracy on thin stock.
- Included accessories. Original miter and bevel scales, the blade guard, and anti-kickback pawls are safety-critical parts that are hard to source individually if missing.
- Squareness out of the box. Even a saw in good mechanical shape will likely need re-calibration for 90-degree crosscuts and miter accuracy after being moved or sitting unused — budget time for this before your first real project.
Radial Arm Saw vs Modern Alternatives
| Tool | Best For | Availability | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radial arm saw (DW740-era) | Crosscuts, dado work, versatile angle cuts | Used market only | Steeper — setup and alignment take practice |
| Compound miter saw | Crosscuts, miters, bevels on narrower stock | Widely available new | Easy |
| Table saw | Rip cuts, sheet goods, precision crosscuts with a sled | Widely available new | Moderate |
| Sliding compound miter saw | Wide crosscuts, trim work | Widely available new | Easy |
Radial arm saws fell out of mainstream use largely because of safety concerns with certain cut types (especially ripping, where the blade can grab and throw stock if not set up correctly) and because miter saws and table saws split the radial arm saw’s original crosscut-and-rip versatility into two simpler, safer, purpose-built tools. That said, a well-maintained radial arm saw is still capable of accurate work in the hands of someone who understands its quirks, and dado work is one area where it remains genuinely convenient compared to newer alternatives.
Safety Notes for Older Radial Arm Saws
Radial arm saws, including the DW740, have a well-documented history of kickback incidents during ripping operations if the anti-kickback pawls are missing, disabled, or improperly adjusted. Before using a used unit, confirm the blade guard and anti-kickback pawls are present, functional, and correctly set, and always feed stock against the direction of blade rotation during a rip cut. Many woodworkers who own vintage radial arm saws use them primarily for crosscutting and dado work, reserving rip cuts for a table saw where the safety systems are more straightforward.
Finding Parts and Blades for a Dewalt 740
Since the DW740 is no longer in production, replacement parts require some patience: check DeWalt’s official parts lookup by model/serial number first, since some components were shared across several radial arm saw generations. Beyond that, online tool-parts retailers, radial arm saw enthusiast forums, and used tool marketplaces are the most reliable sources for hard-to-find pieces like the yoke assembly or original miter scale. Standard 10-inch circular saw blades fit the DW740’s arbor, so blade selection is not a limiting factor — any quality crosscut or combination blade rated for a 10-inch, 5/8-inch arbor saw will work.
Frequently Asked Questions On Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw
What Is The Cutting Capacity Of The Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw?
The cutting capacity of the Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw is up to 12 inches in crosscut and 3 inches in depth.
Is The Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw Suitable For Professional Use?
Yes, the Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw is designed for professional use and offers the precision and durability required for high-quality woodworking projects.
What Safety Features Does The Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw Have?
The Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw comes with safety features such as a blade guard, anti-kickback pawls, and a locking mechanism to prevent accidents during operation.
How Accurate Is The Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw?
The Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw is known for its accuracy, thanks to its adjustable depth stops, bevel stops, and accurate miter adjustments. This allows for precise and consistent cuts for various woodworking projects.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, the Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw is a top-notch tool that truly lives up to its reputation. With its precision, versatility, and exceptional performance, it is a must-have for both professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts alike.
Its solid construction and user-friendly features make it a reliable choice for achieving precise cuts and enhancing productivity. Whether you’re working on small-scale projects or tackling larger tasks, this radial arm saw will undoubtedly become your go-to tool in the workshop.
Upgrade your woodworking game with the Dewalt 740 Radial Arm Saw and experience the difference it can make in your projects.
Keeping one running long-term comes down to a handful of serviceable parts – see our DeWalt radial arm saw parts guide for where to source the right blade, bearings, and brushes.
