We’re out at the DeWalt media event today, testing out various new products. One of them is the brand new DeWalt 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Model DWS780). DeWalt is positioning the DWS780 as the lightest dual bevel sliding miter saw on the market – and indeed it weighs in at just 56 lbs. The $599 DWS780 seems like a really great product for both the professional and serial DIY’er who wants to tear into serous home projects. DeWalt’s new 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw has a new XPS LED light that throws a “laser-like” shadow on the work surface. This is designed to show where the blade will cut. DeWalt believes this system is more accurate than traditional laser systems because many add-on or laser systems, it won’t drift out of alignment over time. While they are providing a neat new way to get an accurate cut, we were sad to still see them using the smoke-colored blade guard, which obscures the view of the blade.
DeWalt 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw (DWS780) Features
The DeWalt DWS780 miter saw is a dual bevel mitering system that tilts from 0 to 49 degrees in both directions. It has positive stops at 0, 22.5, 33.9, 45 and 49 degrees (both sides). The black-on-bright yellow bevel scale is easy to read as well. The saw can miters a full 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left. The stainless steel miter detent plate has 10 positive stops, so you can hit the most common miter positions for crown molding and other cuts. As you’d expect, DeWalt kept its standard black push-down cam lock miter button to secure angles between the fixed detents on the stainless plate.
The DeWalt DWS780 saw has a 15 amp motor and spins at 3800 RPM. We liked how DeWalt ran the power cord through the back of the saw – it doesn’t interfere with the slide miter mechanism at all. As for cutting capacity, the saw will do 6-3/4 inch vertical and take on 13-7/8″ horizontal at 90 degrees. DeWalt claims a 7-1/2 inch nested crown capacity and the back fence design will let you cut a 2×16 at a 90 degrees and a 2×12 at 45 degrees.
But really, while cutting capacity is impressive, the weight is what really made this saw stand out. The DWS780 somehow squeezed itself into a 56 pound package. That’s really light, especially for a sliding dual-bevel miter saw. But light weight is only part of the equation. DeWalt also gave it some ergonomic hand grips so you can actually get a hold of it and port it from the job site to your truck or trailer.
The Sliding Compound Miter Saw should be available August 1st and, as we mentioned, it should retail for $599. The DWS708 comes with DeWalt’s 3-year limited warranty, their one-year free service contract and 90-day money-back guarantee.
Available Accessories
- Heavy Duty Miter Saw Stand (DWX723)
- Compact Miter Saw Stand (DWX724)
- Heavy Duty Work Stand (DWX725)
- Heavy Duty Work Stand with Miter Saw Mounting Brackets (DWX725B)
