Photo: DeWalt
What We Like
- Very powerful
- Precise adjustment-free cut line indication
- Sliding arm with a large blade
- Multiple positive stops on the miter and bevel scales for hassle-free use
- Highly efficient dust collection system
What We Don’t Like
- The motor does not have a soft-start feature
- Lacks extension arms
- Does not come with a stand
Bottom Line
If you are looking for power, superior cutting performance, convenience and accuracy enhancement features in a miter saw, we believe that the DeWalt DWS780 will be your perfect match.
Introduction
When it comes to power tools, DeWalt is one of the best brands in the market. They manufacture a wide variety of tools, key among them being miter saws. Among the miter saw lineup is the DeWalt DWS780, which is very powerful.
The tool is also very practical because it has a sliding arm, a large blade, and multiple positive stops. To understand all this, let’s look at the review below.
DeWalt DWS780 Review
Photo: DeWalt
Performance: Powerful and Practical
With a 15-amp motor, DeWalt’s DWS780 spins its blade at speeds of up to 3,800 RPM with no load and this provides extended torque, power, and durability for superior cutting performance.
This works in tandem with an innovative gearbox and belt drive system to enhance the saw’s cutting depth capacity.
Because of this, the tool gives you a vertical cutting capacity of 6.75 inches with the baseboard facing the fence. For nested crown molding, you can cut up to 7.5 inches, which is very practical and sufficient for most crown molding workpieces.
A sliding arm makes the saw even more practical by enhancing its horizontal cutting capacity. The blade can cut a length of up to 13.75 inches for crown molding and up to 16 inches for baseboards.
This means that with the back fence installed, you can make a 90˚ crosscut on 2×16 lumber while at a 45˚, you can make a miter cut on 2×12 stock.
Design: Convenience at your Fingertips
This tool is designed with convenience in mind. For instance, it is a compound double-bevel miter saw, which means you can make miter and bevel cuts on either side of your workpiece without flipping it over.
That said, the saw miters 50˚ and 60˚ to the left and right respectively, and has 10 positive stops at all the common angles for hassle-free use.
It has a cam lock miter handle for locking the arm to the preferred angle while a detent override makes it easy to adjust to angles next to the positive stops without falling into the detents.
On the other hand, the arm bevels up to 49˚ on both sides and has 9 positive stops (0˚, 22.5˚, 33.9˚, 45˚ and 49˚ on both sides) plus an oversized bevel scale for easy and accurate adjustment.
You get an XPS crosscut positioning system that accurately marks the cut line by shining LED light on both sides of the blade. This creates a crisp shadow over the surface as you lower the blade and does not need any calibration overtime or after changing blades.
Safety Features: Guaranteed Safe Use
DeWalt’s DWS780 is fitted with very useful safety features, with the most noticeable one being a blade guard. This prevents you from accidentally making contact with the spinning blade, which can cause a lot of harm to your fingers.
Additionally, the blade has an electronic brake that automatically engages after you release the trigger. This stops the blade within 5 seconds and helps to prevent any accidents just in case the guard does not come down.
Lastly, the tool is equipped with a super efficient dust collection system that keeps the work surface clean and prevents dust from getting into your nose and eyes.
It is recommended to wear safety goggles when using the saw, but this system helps to maintain a safe dust-free working environment by capturing up to 75% of the produced dust. This can be used with a dust bag or a shop vac.
Portability: Compact and Relatively Lightweight
Coming in at 56 pounds, this power tool is not very heavy. Additionally, it has a relatively compact size. In storage or during transportation, the handle can be lowered and locked in place, leaving it with a height of about 18 inches.
As for the length and width, without the dust bag on, the saw measures roughly 22 inches from front to back while sideways, it comes in at about 17 inches. With these dimensions and weight, the tool can be easily transported.
However, you still need access to a power outlet at all times because this DWS780 is not cordless.
Price: Value for Money
For a 15-amp miter saw, DeWalt’s DWS780 is relatively affordable. It delivers high performance at a good price and includes a blade wrench with a screwdriver on the other end, a dust bag, a vertical material clamp, and a 12-inch 60-tooth blade as part of the set.
As such, the tool is worth the money because it has multiple outstanding features and combines this with its sizeable number of accessories to give you a better deal.
However, no stand is included. You have to place it on a worktop or buy the stand separately. Also, extension arms are not included for providing extra support when working on a long workpiece.
Competition: DeWalt DWS780 vs. DeWalt DWS779
The DeWalt DWS780 and DWS779 are almost identical siblings and are very popular in most workshops. Their similarities include powerful 15-amp motors that spin the blade at a top speed of 3,800 RPM with no load.
They have large 12-inch blades with a sliding arm and this gives them similar vertical and horizontal cutting capacities. The miter angle range is also the same (50˚ and 60˚ to the left and right respectively with 10 positive stops).
However, the DWS779 bevels up to 48˚ on both sides while the DWS780 bevels up to 49˚. The DWS779 also lacks an XPS crosscut indication system for marking the cut line using the shadow of the blade.
Also, while both models have dual horizontal steel rails with linear ball bearings and clamping mechanisms that enhance cutting accuracy, the DWS780 has a rail lock latch that enhances the tool’s vertical cutting capacity. It does so by holding the head away from the fence.
On the bright side, the DWS779 is significantly cheaper than the DWS780 by over $200.
With these differences, the DWS780 is ideal for professionals, who will appreciate the extra features for the extra price. For a beginner though, the DWS779 is better off for training purposes as it will not set you back that much.
More Detailed: DeWalt DWS780 vs. DWS779
Verdict
A powerful and practical miter saw that has multiple convenience features for hassle-free use.
The 15-amp, 3,800 RPM motor delivers high power and torque to push the blade through soft and hardwood with ease while the innovative gearbox and belt drive system increase the vertical cutting capacity of the miter saw.
Combined with its large blade and sliding arm, this blend of features gives you exceptional cutting performance, which is topped off by a hassle-free cut line positioning system for accuracy enhancement.
Specs
- Product Name: DeWalt DWS780
- Product Brand: DeWalt
- Power: 15 Amps
- Max Speed: 3800 RPM
- Blade Size: 12 inches
- Positive Stops: 10
- Dimensions: 21.5 x 17.7 x 17.1 inches
- Weight: 56 pounds
- Warranty: 3-year limited
Key Features
- Powerful 15-amp, 3800 RPM motor.
- XPS cross cut positioning system for cutline indication.
- Efficient dust collection system; captures up to 75% of the sawdust.
- Double bevel (0-49˚) with 9 positive stops.
- Miters 50˚ to the left and 60˚ to the right with 10 positive stops.
- Sliding mechanism with a large 12-inch 60-tooth carbide blade for extended reach.
- Cam lock miter handle with detent override.