DeWalt vs Makita table saw - which one should I get?

Hey folks, I'm looking to upgrade my table saw and I'm stuck between DeWalt and Makita. I do mostly weekend projects like building shelves, a workbench, and some furniture. I've seen good reviews for both, but I want real-world advice. Which one has better accuracy and durability? Also, any issues with dust collection or fence alignment? Thanks!

I've been in the trade for 40 years and used both. For the money, DeWalt's job-site saw is hard to beat. The rack-and-pinion fence is spot on and stays true. Makita's a bit smoother in the cut, but the fence can be finicky. If you're going to be moving it around, the DeWalt is lighter and has better dust collection out of the box. I've seen Makitas with the motor going bad after a few years of heavy use, but for weekend stuff you'd be fine with either. Just make sure you get a good blade.

I've had both over the years. I currently run a Makita because I got a deal on it, but honestly, I liked the DeWalt fence better. The Makita motor is powerful, but the blade guard seems to vibrate a bit at high speed. Also, the push stick that comes with it is useless, I ended up making my own. One thing about the DeWalt is that the riving knife alignment is a bit fiddly when you switch blade heights. So, test them in the store if you can - see which one feels better to you.

Thanks for the input! I'll probably go with the DeWalt since I need the fence accuracy for my projects. But I've heard the Makita has a softer start and is quieter. Is the noise a big deal? I work in my garage and don't want to annoy the neighbors too much.

Quiet? Nah, both are loud. Wear hearing protection. But if you're referring to the soft start, it's nice for the blade not to jerk, but after a few uses you won't notice. The DeWalt has a decent brake too. My advice: invest in a good zero-clearance insert and a Freud blade. That'll make more difference than the brand.