Woodworking is a demanding job that requires knowledge, skill and the proper tools to be successful. Suitable joinery does not happen by accident but is carefully calculated from concept to finish. One machine that is integral to this process is the compound miter saw. The dual-bevel sliding compound saw makes intricate cutting a joy.
Any carpenter by trade will have at least two on hand at all times. At Kent Made, LLC, my son and I have five on hand, from my 10 year old Ridgid 12" to his new Festool Kapex. Even with a solid team to choose from, I couldn't say no when Pro Tool Reviews asked me if I'd like to test run the DeWalt DWS709 12-Inch Miter Saw.
At first glance, the DeWalt DWS709 may seem like the 780-series little brother, but with nearly $200.00 in savings in your wallet, it's worth a closer look.
first impression
This unit comes beautifully packaged like all DeWalt products. The molded foam keeps the saw safe during transport and protects it well from damage. Our test saw arrived in perfect condition with all parts in place and ready to be unpacked.
After unpacking and assembling, I checked the alignment of the angle rail and it was off by 1/32". That's not a lot for a saw shipped from the factory, but worth the effort to zero in on. DeWalt makes this adjustment easy by simply loosening the 4 star bolts that hold the stainless steel brake gauges in place. As an industry standard, a handy on-board wrench for such occasions further simplifies operations. After adjusting, I checked the bevel adjustment and it was perfect. The 709 adjusts the bevel from the rear like most compounds – simple but effective. Miter brakes are strong and effective. DeWalt did a great job with the base build, the milling was true and flat.
The feature set is pretty basic—no surprise for a Pro-targeted miter saw at this price point. The right miter angle is up to 60 degrees, and the left miter angle is up to 50 degrees. The bevel angle can be up to 49 degrees in both directions. Both adjustments can be made easily and smoothly.
The fence easily slides out of the bevel cut by unscrewing the bolts that hold the fence in place at the back.
Cutting capacity is where things get interesting. After installing the fence, I was able to make a 9-1/2" crosscut at the 90 degree miter and a 6-5/8" crosscut at the 45 degree. That may seem short for a 12" sliding miter saw, and it is. For longer crosscuts, there is a special setting to increase the range.
To do this, the manual provides specific instructions for the platform you need to build for. After the fence is removed, you use 3″ wood screws to secure the 1-1/2″ x 12″ x 24″ piece to the base, creating a clamping platform. Your piece will be cut along with your workpiece, so it's not something you can make once and take with you. This is a deal breaker if you regularly make cross cuts that require more than 9-1/2 inches.
DeWalt DWS709 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw Specifications
- Model: DEWALT DWS709
- Motor: 15 amps
- No-load speed: 3800 RPM
- Vertical Capacity (Bottom): 4.5 inches
- Vertical Capacity (Nesting Crown): 5.5"
- Cross-cutting capacity (90 degrees): 2 x 14 (with special settings)
- Cross-cutting capacity (45 degrees): 2 x 10 (with special settings)
- Miter range: 60 degrees right, 50 degrees left
- Angle range: left and right 49 degrees
- Weight: 51 lbs
- Price: $399
- Warranty: 3 years
make a living
The true test of a miter saw is field performance in a variety of materials and demands. So, to provide a worthwhile challenge, I took a DeWalt DWS709 to one of our new construction projects and ran it through gambit.
First is the basic 5-1/4" crown with a 45 degree spring angle (most crowns in our area are 45 degree spring angle). While the 709 does have the ability to cut a standing fence of this size with the easily adjustable slides, I chose to cut it flat. I was happy to find out that DeWalt added a 35.3 degree angle mark to this cut, since not all miter saws have it. The 709 handles the crown with ease and is very accurate on repeated cuts.
Next came the windows and door frames. With 80 repeats of precise cuts, these are hardly a challenge for this saw.
It is worth mentioning that the dust collection system with the dust bag is not the best. It's more powerful when connected to a vacuum, but still not great enough.
Finally, the ultimate test of any miter saw – oak stair treads and handrails. This is where the difference between "prosumer" tools and professional woodworking equipment lies. Accuracy in stair installation is paramount, and there aren't many miter saws that will deliver excellent results, since the combination of the slide rail and 12" blade is more prone to deflection in hard materials. Only the upper echelon of similar saws can withstand it.
The 15-amp motor provides plenty of power to carve hardwood. The track system allows precise cutting with too much deflection. This is especially noticeable on long cross cuts where I need to shave off the edges for scoring cuts. The deflection allows the blade to jump over the tread instead of trimming it. This is a common problem with dual slide 12" saws and certainly not unique to DeWalt. Also, the 709 doesn't have long enough travel to cut through standard 11 ½ inch stair treads or skirting without resorting to special setups.
parting shot
Packed with plenty of power, the DeWalt DWS709 can cut through even hardwoods with relative ease. The miter range and 13 positive stops even includes the uncommon 35.3 degree stop that I use to cut crown flats. The bevel range is more than adequate. The only problem is not using the time-consuming special settings and the short cross-cutting ability of the blade deflection in harder materials found on most 12-inch sliding miter saws.
The DeWalt DWS709 12-Inch Miter Saw is a contender for the 12-Inch Double Miter Ring. While not what I would consider a true carpenter's pro-grade device, it's an excellent choice for framers. With the right blade, the 709 will handle most light to medium woodworking projects with ease. From the handyman to the framing expert, the 709 offers a lot of performance for the money.