DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw, 12-Inch (DWS779)

This is the first miter saw that I ever purchased. I spent a decent amount of time researching miter saws and finally decided on this one. So with that being said, this saw is fantastic. It is built solid, has a good weight to it, it doesn't feel like it is going to break apart. There is very little plastic to this saw.So right out of the package you can see that Dewalt does a great job packing in this item so things don't shift. There were very few items that you had to attach and that is a good thing, it means that the saw is really one solid piece of hardware. The first cut that I made was nearly perfect. You will want to adjust the zero so you get straight cuts. Now for the blade. This comes with a 32 tooth blade. This is great for just cutting, if you want perfect miters, spend the money and get yourself a good blade don't judge this saw by it miters with the stock blade that it comes with.The carrying handle is solid and I did not feel like it was going to fall apart when I picked it up.I gave the saw 4 star for maneuverability only because with the sliding capabilities you need to make sure you have clearance to make those types of cuts. I ended up making a mobile miter saw station to compensate for this, but with the weight of this saw don't expect to be lugging this 3 flights of stairs and not slip a word or two that you may not want others to hear.Now for the saw itself. It is very smooth and very easy to adjust. There is a little locking pin that you will need to pull out when you get it out of the box and I keep it locked so my little ones don't try to play with it. All you need to do is depress the saw down and at the joint of the arm there is a locking pin that will unlock the saw. (it took me a minute to figure this out so I thought I would add it here)This is a great saw, you get good cuts, it will last a long time, and the price point is very fair. Buy this item if you are doing a lot of DIY projects.

I can confidently say that the DeWalt 12 inch miter saw double bevel sliding compound corded DWS779 is an outstanding tool that delivers exceptional performance. This miter saw is packed with impressive features that make it a top choice for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.Firstly, the double bevel sliding compound design of the DWS779 allows for maximum versatility and precision when cutting angles. It has a powerful motor that delivers smooth and accurate cuts, making it suitable for a wide range of projects. The sliding feature also enables users to make longer crosscuts, which is a huge advantage when working with larger materials.Another standout feature of the DWS779 is its durability and build quality. DeWalt is known for producing high-quality tools, and this miter saw is no exception. It is built to withstand heavy use and is designed to last for years. Additionally, the corded design ensures consistent power supply, eliminating the need to worry about battery life or recharging.Overall, the DeWalt 12 inch miter saw double bevel sliding compound corded DWS779 is an exceptional tool that offers outstanding performance, versatility, and durability. Whether you're a professional craftsman or a DIY enthusiast, this miter saw is a reliable and powerful choice that will undoubtedly enhance your woodworking projects.

I'm comparing this to a DW70 sliding miter saw by Dewalt that's about 16 or 17 years old. A few years ago the retractable blade guard quit working correctly on it so I shoved a screw in the guard and locked it in the up position so I could still use it. This worked ok and yes you're right it is a little dangerous to use it this way. But I have it mounted permanently to a bench so no one uses it but me. Enters my youngest grandson who is now 20. Gramps, help me build some tables, which is teenage for "let me borrow your tools". So not wanting to have him go through life thinking Grandpop was responsible for him loosing a finger I opted to replace it and very happy I did. This is a great saw with a few better features than the old one. First it does come with a decent 12" blade, designed for crosscutting. Its not the best but defiantly decent. Most DIYers will find it most adequate. It's able to cut 4 x 4's in a single cut, which a 10" saw cannot. By the way it does have a 5/8" arbor so if you upgrade to a 12", 60 tooth blade, you'll need to buy an adapter ring. About $7 on Amazon. Any brand name will work as long as its a 5/8 x 1" adapter. It just a washer that fits inside the blade hole and over the arbor on the saw. This keeps the blade centered. Many 12" blades have 1" holes so they will fit sloppy without the adapter on this saw. By the way the guard retracting mechanism is all together different on this saw and will not have the same problems my old saw has, ever. Much simpler and cleaner. The saw also has an a safety switch built into the on switch in the handle. The DW70 did not have this. Unlike other tools with safety switches this one isn't a pain in the butt to use. You just have to get use to it. I's 3.5" wider than my old one which isn't important to me, since I have it built into a bench with an 8' long fence. But if you're using it portable an extra long fence is nice to have. Also the instruction book (yes I read it, well most of it) mentioned the fences are individually adjustable to keep you work perfectly in line. I have a different brand small miter saw that if you hold the board to the left of the blade it cuts perfectly but you hold the board to the right side of the blade it cuts about a degree off. since its not adjustable it can make for some sloppy, out of square miters. Talking about miters the adjustment mechanism is much better than the old style and this saw's stops came dead on, I didn't have to fine tune it all but it has the ability to fine tune it if it gets out of wack. It has a tube protruding out the back to exhaust sawdust and look like you can attach a vac to it or they include a dust catcher bag you can hang on it. That's a nice perk. My old saw blew sawdust everywhere. Of course there's no laser but I haven't convinced myself I need one. I had an add on, on the old saw, the little disc kind that fits on the arbor bolt next to the blade. You need the blade spinning to have it working and by then you really should have you board cut mark lined up anyway. So like most other woodworkers I set the stopped blade down on my cut line then raise the saw a bit above the board and turn it on then make the cut. I suppose its reassuring to see the red laser mark especially if it's a wide board and you haven't checked your miter alignment recently but really its just fluff. For $150 bucks more as a built it accessory its not worth it to me. As for the arbor disc gidgee, maybe I'll put it on when I change the blade to the 60 tooth, maybe? Right now it's in a drawer under the saw. My grandson, he went home with 2, 8 ft beer drinking frat tables and all 10 fingers and me I spent 2 great days with my youngest grandkid and hope he learned a couple tricks from his grumpy old grandpop. What a great saw