Nothing is as frustrating as buying a specialty tool, such as a miter saw, that is either overpriced or underperforming.
I have experienced this myself, so I am writing this DeWalt DWS780 Review so that you can make an educated decision with your next purchase. Read on to determine if this tool will match your needs and grow with you on your woodworking journey.
Presenting The DeWalt DWS780 Miter Saw
This tool offers users a 12-inch cutting blade for ample depth of cut. Its sliding design provides plenty of reach for cross-cutting various framing lumber up to 14-inches in width.
The DWS780 is a compound miter saw, allowing you to make both miter and beveled cuts. That includes a dual bevel feature that lets you cut in either direction, saving you the hassle of having to flip the board.
A 15-amp electric motor powers the DeWalt DWS780. It will power the 12-inch blade through any cross-cut, even at maximum width or depth. The saw is rated at 3,800 RPMs under no-load conditions, a range that offers plenty of speed for cutting across the grain.
Additional features improve workflow, including a Cutline blade positioning system that speeds up alignment between line and blade. A detent plate with ten positions at popular angles will also speed up adjustments.
The DeWalt coverage plan provides consumer confidence, including a three-year limited warranty on your purchase.
What’s in the box?
You will get the miter saw, dust bag, blade wrench, vertical material clamp, paperwork, and a carbide blade.
Who is it for?
This tool delivers the power, durability, and workflow features that contractors and fabrication shops need. The large capacity this item provides will also be appealing to woodworkers that use rough sawn timber.
It might prove to be too expensive for occasional woodworkers that are on a tight shop budget. Those who will not use it regularly may also find an alternative more to their liking.
Pros
- 12-inch circular saw blade
- A maximum 14-inch cross-cutting reach
- Detent plate with 10 positive stops
- Cutline blade positioning system
- Dust system collects 75-percent of debris
Cons
- Lacks ruler markings
- Debris bag fills quickly
- A higher price point
DeWalt DWS780 Review
12-Inch Saw Blade
The heart of the DWS780 design is the 12-inch circular saw blade. 10-inch models have the most blade products on the market, but I have no issues finding the TPI and tooth layout needed for wood projects in the 12-inch blade size. They can cost more than the smaller-diameter blades, though.
Many woodworkers can take full advantage of the extra depth and reach that the 12-inch blade provides. When combined with other design elements discussed below, maximum ratings include:
- 90-degree cross-cut capacity: 14-inches (16-inches with fence set up)
- 45-degree bevel cut capacity: 2 x 14 lumber (2 x 16 with special set up)
- 45-degree miter cut capacity: 4 x 8 lumber
- Vertical capacity: 7.5-inches
This saw holds both 5/8 and 1.0-inch arbor sizes.
Power Output
DeWalt equips a 15-amp electric motor in the DWS780. You will notice this is a standard amperage range for many power tools, and this DeWalt design has years of use in the field.
The 1,675 watts are needed to drive a 12-inch blade. The motor generates 3,800 RPMs under no load, an acceptable pace for this size of blade in most wood materials. Cutting hardwoods at maximum depth could slow the rotation speed down, however.
DeWalt provides plenty of ventilation at the top of the motor housing, but you may notice some heat building up with continuous use. The gearbox and belt system used in this saw allows it to achieve the 7.5-inch vertical cutting capacity.
For a 15-amp motor, you should use a 25-foot extension cord with 14-gauge wire or a 50-foot extension cord with 12-gauge wire. Extension cords longer than 50 feet should not supply power to a 15-amp motor.
Table Support and Fence
The support surface for a miter saw is usually minimal, and the table surface for the DWS780 is no exception. You will get complete support on 2 x 4 timber, but wider boards will overhang the surface. Fortunately, the miter handle offers support for the entire cut capacity.
A tall back fence provides support for vertical cuts on your base of crown molding. The center is notched, a design feature that gives room for the blade to move at any angle you set.
A material clamp for holding pieces during verticle cuts will help keep your project safely in place as you operate the saw. The miter table gauge rotates smoothly, and the clamp controls do not get in the way of lumber at full turn.
Bevel and Miter Adjustments
You can make bevel adjustments that range from 0 to 48 degrees. That range is available to the left or right, allowing you to make end cuts without having to flip the lumber.
A miter capacity from 0 to 60 degrees is available to the left and from 0 to 50 degrees to the right. The extra degrees of angle allow for more versatility in your cutting abilities.
A cam lock keeps the miter handle in place once adjusted. I found the pre-set indents on the miter gauge plate handy. There are positive stops for the most often used angles on both sides of the miter plate.
XPS Cross-Cut Alignment System
The Cutline blade positioning system allows you to align the cut line with the blade. Unlike traditional laser guides, the XPS system maintains accuracy between different blades and does not require constant recalibration.
It is in the blade housing, near the handle. You will get a line of sight without interruption as the blade drops down or lifts. Lengthy delays trying to drop the saw blade for cut alignment are no longer necessary with this system.
Dust Collection
Power saws generate a lot of debris, so dust collection is necessary. DeWalt has designed the blade guard with ridges that improve airflow around the blade. That eliminates a lot of debris build-up in the protective housing.
Another design element is the taper at the collection point. It, along with the location, allows the system to collect 75 percent of the material released during a cut. You will be cleaning up fewer chips and dust with the DWS780.
You can fit a 1.5-inch hose around the outside of the dust collection duct. The 1.25-inch hoses on many shop vacs will connect to the inside of this piece.
DeWalt includes a dust bag with the purchase, but it will fill quickly and need constant dumping.
DeWalt DWS780 Buyer Reviews
Many of the features I discuss in this DeWalt DWS780 Review can be found in reviews by others. After taking the time to read and watch many owners opinions, several themes have emerged:
Customers love the ability to cut wider boards with the DWS780. The greater cutting capacity on this model encouraged more than one person to upgrade from their previous miter saw. They discovered other improvements to their old tools after using DeWalt.
The ability of this saw to make repeatable cuts is another point of consideration for many. That includes larger woodworking projects, like multiple bookcases or lumber for home framing. Bussard‘s pictures on the DeWalt product page highlight the DWS780 cut consistency DIYers brag about.
Those of you who are familiar with the older designs may be on the fence about a replacement. Many customers bought this as a replacement for a broken or rundown model they had for years. The updated technology was not overwhelming, and users found they enjoyed using this miter a lot.
Have you ever noticed that some woodworkers can get more out of their power tools than others? Power tools from top-tier manufacturers are adjustable once you get them home. That is true for DeWalt’s DWS780 as much as it is for any other good miter saw you buy.
For instance, this customer demonstrates how to use the adjustments on DeWalt DWS780. Another thing the video shows is ways that you can measure and correct alignment issues. That will give you the best possible results when using the DWS780 and highlights why tuning your DeWalt DWS780 is a hot topic on many forums.
Finally, many potential customers wonder about the 14 and 16-inch maximum cross-cut width listings. While customers write about making the necessary adjustments, I found that this video demonstrates the procedure quickly.
Alternatives To The DeWalt DWS780 Miter Saw
DeWalt DWS779 12-Inch Miter Saw
- Stainless steel miter detent plate of the 12-inch miter saw blade comes with 10 positive stops
- The mitre saw has a precise miter system and machined base fence support
- Precise miter system and machined base fence support Cam-lock miter handle with detent override delivers quick and accurate miter angles for DEWALT miter saw
The stripped-down version from DeWalt delivers similar performance, but it lacks the XPS cross-cut positioning system. You will also note the maximum cut width is set and can not be increased by removing the back fence pieces.
This miter saw targets woodworkers with a smaller budget in mind. It still provides the durability and control that hobbyists and professionals require.
- This model costs less
- It does not include the Cutline system
- The maximum cut width is 14-inches
Those looking for DeWalt’s features at a lower price should take a closer look at the DWS799.
Bosch GCM12SD 12-Inch Miter Saw
- AXIAL GLIDE SYSTEM: patented glide system allows wider cross cuts and better alignment while also being compact, saving you 12 inches of valuable work space
- CAPACITY: expanded cutting capacity, 14 inch horizontal capacity nominal 6 1/2 inch vertical capacity against the fence base 6 1/2 inch crown capacity against the fence 45 spring
- ADJUSTABLE: provides easy adjustments with a large, easy-to-read uniform bevel and stainless steel miter scales with marked detentes and roof pitch angles; Bevel detents: 0, 33.9 degree, 45 degree...
Small tweaks to controls and their placement make this tool stand out. That includes the upfront bevel lock that is in lever form, as well as a miter detent override that provides maximum precision. Sliding material supports give an extra surface for longer pieces of lumber you are cutting on.
This product caters to users who want to keep tabs on workpiece distance and bevel alignment after setup.
- Includes a detent overide
- Has ruler marks on the back fence
- Bosch GCM12SD costs more
Anyone preferring large visual markings, including on the fence, will want to research the Bosch GCM12SD.
Tacklife PMS03A 12-Inch Miter Saw
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The price tag for this model is friendly to any woodworker’s wallet. The manufacturer includes plenty of extras with your purchase. Those extras include a carbon brush, extension rods, Allen wrenches, and a clamping system.
This product functions with a small shop hobbyist in mind. Target customers include users working inside basements and spare rooms.
- A budget-friendly price point
- Bevel angles are limited to 45 degrees
- Greater dust collection ability
If you need a miter saw that generates very little debris compared to other designs, research more on the Tacklife PMS03A.
Is Greater Reach Worth It?
Most write-ups, including this DeWalt DWS780 miter saw review, try to highlight features that you will find necessary for you to continue to grow in the woodworking hobby.
The bottom line is that I think the DeWalt DWS780 will provide you with accurate cuts on wide lumber. It has a 12-inch blade that will do that chore with one pass.
The double bevel layout allows you to cut left and right ends without flipping the board. Adding the XPS Cross-Cut Positioning System will increase your cutting rate and allow you to get more done quickly.
The range of bevel and miter angles will cover most project needs, from picture frames and molding to geometric borders on tabletops. Handle designs on the ends allow one or two people to carry it without issue.
A well-designed dust collection system gathers 75 percent of the debris you make. That means less time cleaning and more time having fun in the shop.
Make sure to check out the DeWalt DWS780 miter saw on Amazon and see for yourself. It will improve your enjoyment as well as your cutting capacity!
- Integrated CUTLINE Blade Positioning System provides adjustment free cut line indication for better accuracy and visibility for the 12-inch miter saw blade
- XPS technology uses an LED to project light down either side of the blade, creating a shadow on the cutline once the saw arm is lowered
- Super-efficient dust collection system of DEWALT miter saw captures over 75% of dust generated
