DEWALT DWS780 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw Review

The DEWALT DWS780 12-inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw stands out as a reliable, powerful, and feature-packed tool, designed for professional carpenters, woodworkers, and DIY enthusiasts alike. Renowned for its accuracy, durability, and convenience, this miter saw is built to handle a wide variety of cutting tasks. In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at its features, performance, advantages, and areas where it could improve, helping you decide if it’s the right saw for your projects.

Overview of Features

The DEWALT DWS780 offers an impressive array of features that make it one of the best sliding compound miter saws in its class. Key aspects include:

• 12-Inch Blade: The 12-inch blade provides the necessary cutting depth for tackling large materials, such as 2×14 dimensional lumber and crown molding up to 7-1/2 inches nested.
• XPS Crosscut Positioning System: This integrated LED light projects a shadow where the blade will cut, offering precise alignment without the need for lasers. This technology improves visibility, especially in dimly lit workspaces.
• 15-Amp Motor: Delivering up to 3,800 RPM, the 15-amp motor ensures plenty of power for cutting through hardwoods and pressure-treated lumber.
• Double Bevel Design: The double bevel feature allows the saw to tilt both left and right, providing flexibility when making bevel cuts without flipping the workpiece. It miters up to 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left.
• Adjustable Stainless Steel Miter Detent Plate: With 10 positive stops, the detent plate improves cutting accuracy and productivity, making quick adjustments simple.
• Dust Collection System: The efficient dust collection system captures over 75% of dust generated, keeping your workspace cleaner.
• Compact and Lightweight: Weighing 58 lbs., this miter saw is relatively easy to transport and store, despite its substantial cutting capacity.

Build Quality and Design

DEWALT is known for producing robust tools, and the DWS780 is no exception. It is constructed with high-quality materials, ensuring longevity even under tough working conditions. The black and stainless steel color scheme is both modern and professional, fitting seamlessly into any workshop or job site.

The saw’s compact design allows for easy storage and portability, a crucial factor for contractors who often need to move their tools from one site to another. Its sturdy base provides stability, reducing vibrations and allowing for more precise cuts.

The cam lock miter handle with detent override is another thoughtful addition, allowing quick and accurate miter angle adjustments. This handle is ergonomic, reducing strain during extended use.

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Performance

The DEWALT DWS780 is designed to handle demanding tasks with ease. Whether you’re cutting baseboards, framing, or even large crown moldings, the saw delivers consistent and clean cuts.

1. Accuracy: The XPS crosscut positioning system deserves special praise. Unlike laser guides that can drift over time, this LED shadow system never requires recalibration, ensuring pinpoint accuracy. Users report the system is especially useful when making intricate cuts where precision is crucial.
2. Power: The 15-amp motor provides plenty of power for most woodworking tasks. With a cutting speed of 3,800 RPM, even dense hardwoods are no match for this saw. Users have reported that the saw doesn’t bog down during cuts, maintaining consistent performance even when cutting through pressure-treated lumber or thick planks.
3. Dust Collection: Dust collection has always been a challenge for miter saws, but DEWALT’s system on the DWS780 is among the best in class. While not perfect (no saw really is in this department), it captures over 75% of dust generated, keeping your workspace cleaner than most alternatives.
4. Versatility: With its wide miter and bevel ranges, the saw can handle a variety of complex cuts. The tall sliding fences are perfect for supporting larger pieces like crown molding and baseboards, and they can be easily adjusted to accommodate bevel cuts.

Ease of Use

The DWS780 is surprisingly user-friendly, even for those who may be less experienced with miter saws.

• Bevel Adjustments: The oversized bevel scale allows for quick and accurate adjustments, a key feature for professionals who need to make multiple adjustments on the fly.
• Portability: Despite its impressive power and cutting capacity, the saw’s weight of 58 lbs makes it portable. While not light by any means, it’s manageable for one person to transport between job sites.
• Set-Up: Out of the box, the saw is almost ready to use, requiring minimal setup. Many users reported that it was aligned and ready to cut right away, which is a big plus for anyone eager to get started on a project.

Cutting Capacity

One of the standout features of the DEWALT DWS780 is its generous cutting capacity. The saw can cut up to 2×14 lumber at 90 degrees and 2×10 lumber at 45 degrees, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications. Additionally, the tall sliding fences allow for cutting crown molding up to 7-1/2 inches and base molding up to 6-3/4 inches vertically against the fence, providing ample support for large workpieces.

Customer Feedback and Reviews

The DEWALT DWS780 has received rave reviews from both professional carpenters and DIY enthusiasts. Here are a few highlights from users:

1. Patrick Laflamme: Praised the saw for its accuracy and power. He specifically noted the impressive XPS system and its ability to deliver precise cuts without bogging down, even when cutting through tough pressure-treated lumber.
2. Joe the Trim Guy: Found the saw to be incredibly accurate with its huge capacity, perfect for large crown molding jobs. He also appreciated the dust collection system, saying it was the best he had used. However, he did note that the saw is quite large and may not be suitable for small workspaces.
3. Steve Shackelford: Used the saw for building a deck and found it worked perfectly, appreciating its performance right out of the box.
4. Joel Schuman: Was initially nervous due to some online reviews but found the saw to be “perfect out of the box,” and a pleasure to use. He specifically highlighted its accuracy and ease of use.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• XPS Crosscut Positioning System: Ensures pinpoint accuracy with zero need for recalibration.
• Powerful 15-Amp Motor: Cuts through tough materials without bogging down.
• High Cutting Capacity: Handles large crown and base moldings as well as dimensional lumber with ease.
• Excellent Dust Collection: Keeps the work area cleaner than most competing models.
• Sturdy and Durable Construction: Built to withstand tough conditions.
• Easy Bevel Adjustments: The large scale makes it easy to adjust bevel angles accurately.

Cons:

• Size and Weight: At 58 lbs., the saw is not the most portable option and may require two people to move around larger job sites.
• Dust Bag Effectiveness: While the dust collection system is strong, the dust bag itself is somewhat ineffective without additional vacuum attachments.
• No Soft Start: The motor has a noticeable kick when starting, which can take some getting used to.

Comparison with Competitors

When comparing the DEWALT DWS780 to similar models from brands like Bosch, Makita, and Metabo HPT, the DEWALT stands out due to its XPS system, cutting capacity, and ease of use. While Bosch’s Axial-Glide system offers smoother glide action, DEWALT’s precision and ease of maintenance give it an edge, especially for users looking for a reliable tool for heavy-duty projects. Makita’s LS1219L offers a laser system and similar cutting power, but the XPS system on the DWS780 has a longer lifespan and requires less calibration.

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Final Thoughts

The DEWALT DWS780 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw is a fantastic tool for professionals and serious DIYers who need a reliable, accurate, and powerful saw for various cutting tasks. Its innovative XPS system, impressive cutting capacity, and solid build quality make it a standout option in the market.

While its size and weight may not be ideal for those needing a highly portable saw, the performance and versatility it offers make it a worthy investment for those looking for top-tier accuracy and durability. Whether you’re working with crown molding, framing, or complex bevel cuts, the DWS780 will handle the job with ease and precision.

If you’re in the market for a high-quality miter saw that delivers on performance and accuracy, the DEWALT DWS780 is a compelling choice.