What do framers, cabinetmakers, do-it-yourself homeowners & woodworkers, trim carpenters, installers, and any number of other professional contractors have in common? They can all benefit from the outstanding accuracy, capacity, durability, and portability of the DEWALT DWS780 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw! We got the full DEWALT DWS780 Review below!
The DWS780 model delivers the accuracy and precision needed for fine woodworking in the shop, all wrapped up in a compact, light-weight, durable DEWALT design that also makes life more relaxed out on the job-site (and on your overworked back!). Everyone benefits from the redesigned integrated XPS crosscut positioning system, which makes lining up cuts quick and accurate even if the ambient light is dim or your eyesight “could be better.”
DEWALT DWS780 Review and Miter Saw Features
Ready to go right out of the box, sporting the high quality that long-time DEWALT owners have come to expect, the DWS780 is well balanced and smooth, with a powerful 15-AMP, 3,800 RPM motor powering 12″ saw blades designed for either a 1″ or 5/8″ arbor. To eliminate interference with the slide, the power cord is routed to the back through one of the rails.
XPS LED Worklight (Crosscut Positioning System)
This unique XPS crosscut positioning system is as logical and straightforward as it is useful! It leaves laser guide systems in the uh… dust? Two ultra-bright LED lights in the upper blade guard to shine down across the blade and cast a crisply defined shadow line on the work surface as the blade is brought close to the material, showing the operator exactly where the cut is going to be made (even in daylight) and how much material will be removed (kerf). Additionally, you don’t have to use the XPS when you operate the saw and can turn it off with a switch located on the main handle. Watch all thirty-six seconds of the “Accuracy” video below to see this system in action!
DEWALT lists the following advantages of the XPS Cross Cut Positioning System over a traditional laser guide:
- Blades can be changed with no realignment of the XPS System required.
- The LED lights can not be knocked out of alignment through rough usage of the saw.
- Flooding the work surface with light provides better general visibility.
Since dust buildup can eventually block the work light, affecting its shadow line accuracy, regular maintenance consists of using a cotton swab (NO solvents – they can damage the lens!) to remove sawdust and debris from the LED lenses.
Accuracy!
Capacity!
DWS780 Model Accuracy
Designed with the precision accuracy needed for fine woodworking, the saw’s dual bevel system offers easy angle adjustment, and an oversize, high visibility bevel scale that runs from 0 degrees to 49 degrees, with stops at 0, 22.5, 33.9, 45, and 49 degrees both left and right.
The miter scale consists of a sturdy, adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with ten positive stops at commonly used angles. The miter detent override allows fine angle adjustment right next to a detent stop without the hassle of fighting to stay out of the stop. Then you can use the cam lock miter handle to lock down the angle, making the process fast and accurate.
Contributing to the saw’s accuracy is the machined base fence support, along with the dual horizontal steel rails employing an innovative DEWALT clamping system, and linear ball bearings for smooth slide operation.
Advanced Dust Collection System
Best homeowner miter saws spew a LOT of dust, and especially in the case of a slide issue where the dust source changes location, dust collection (short of custom made systems for in-shop use) are by most accounts woefully inadequate. However, DEWALT’s super efficient dust collection system on the DW780 has been shown to collect an estimated 75% of the dust generated during operation, and even more when attached to a shop vac. User reviews online differ in their estimation of claimed “dust busting” effectiveness, but, likely, individual expectations vary as well.
How (you say) did DEWALT s780 arrive at the 75% dust collection figure? To conduct their tests, DEWALT weighed the wood samples before and after cutting, determining that the difference had become sawdust. Dust collection bags were weighed before and after the cuts, and the dust that accumulated in the bag was considered “collected.” DEWALT found that the ratio of dust collected to dust created averaged 75% or higher.
DEWALT DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw Is Big On Portability
This is definitely a big saw, with industry-leading capacities, but still retains decent portability with its lighter-than-the-competition weight of 56 Lbs., the capability to be folded down, making it less bulky for transport and storage, and the three well-placed handles for a firm, comfortable, balanced grip – two on the base and one on top.
“Largest Total Capacity Of Any Saw On The Market”
DEWALT’s design team must have put in some late nights to achieve the tremendous capacities of the DWS780 Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw. They were able to increase the vertical capacity with an innovative gearbox/belt-drive design, along with a rail lock latch that holds the saw’s head out away from the fences at a distance where the maximum vertical cut is delivered using the space behind the gearbox. That way, contact with the workpiece (and the risk of marking it) is minimized while providing the tallest cut possible, which is especially useful when cutting tall base molding. Using the Tall Sliding Fence, the saw can cut nested crown molding up to 7-1/2 inches, and base molding up to 6-1/2 inches.
Using the exclusive DEWALT Back Fence feature allows the DW780 to cut 2-inch by 16-inch dimensional lumber at 90 degrees and 2-inch by 12-inch lumber at 45 degrees laying flat.
Add in the flexibility of a dual bevel system that covers from 0 to 49 degrees both left and right, and a miter range that runs to 60 degrees on the right and 50 degrees on the left, and you can tackle pretty much any job requiring a crosscut.
So what’s the word on the DEWALT DWS780?
The saw has gotten excellent online reviews from users and is currently rated 4.4 out of 5 by reviewers on Amazon.com. Here are some of their comments:
- “I am an actual professional finish carpenter. This is an excellent saw. Came virtually perfect out of the box, and if it goes out of adjustment, set up is very easy.”
- “Equipment vibration during the operation was minimal & the ease of use was in the superior even under extreme conditions.”
- “Of particular note was the LED Worklight System… which was a bonus for us. It made material placement and setup a breeze.”
- “There is much power behind this tool – no blaming the saw for not doing the job right! “
- “Well-guarded and idiot-proof enough for novice users, the safety features make it a tough job to injure yourself during use.”
- “This saw does everything it is built to do, and it does it smoothly, is easy to use and accurate each cut.”
- “Excellent for both cutting wood and things like plastic and pipe cutting. Very versatile.”
- “Despite having a 15-amp motor and a huge 12″ blade, it is surprisingly quiet, well balanced, and actually reasonably portable. With one hand, I was able to carry it down to my workroom in the basement.”
- “The DeWalt is just great. It takes job site abuse and keeps doing its job.”
Depth Stop Cuts Grooves To Order
Using the DWS780′s adjustable, all-metal depth stop allows you to use the chop saw like a radial arm saw to cut grooves and tall vertical cuts. The depth stop, which limits the depth of cut, is engaged by rotating a lever forward and then using a depth adjustment screw to set the desired depth of the cut. Rotating the depth stop lever to the rear of the saw bypasses the feature. It is located on the right side of the saw arm near the pivot point.
Electric Brake For Making Multiple Repetitive Cuts Faster
The DWS780 comes with an electric brake, which DEWALT says will stop the blade within five seconds of trigger release, giving the user both enhanced safety and productivity.
Optional Accessories
Accessories (sold separately) for the saw include the DWX723 Heavy Duty best miter saw stand for a solid but easily transportable (35 lbs.) base, DW7080 Work Support Extension for long pieces, DW7051 Adjustable Length Stop for repetitive cuts (requires the use of the DW7080), DW7082 Clamp (similar to the one included), and the DW7084 Crown Molding Stops. NOTE: Various descriptions of these accessories do NOT list the DWS780 among the saws they will fit. However, all of the accessories above are listed on page 2 of the DWS780 owner’s manual as being appropriate for the saw.
Any Complaints?
Thank you for checking out the DeWalt DWS780 review. I found a few complaints (other than one individual who seemed to be having an alternate reality experience). Still, some users questioned DEWALT’s 75% dust collection claim and thought that features could be improved. However, the same users also stated that hooking up a shop vac did significantly improve efficiency. The smoke-colored blade guard drew a minor complaint from a reviewer regarding alignment visibility, saying it could be improved by using clear plastic. There was also an observation that the DWS780 might be too much machine for the average backyard do-it-yourselfer. Can you hear Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor’s manly grunt of “More Power!” off in the distance?
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