Read and follow the safety instructions. Keep Instructions readily available for operators. Make certain all operators are properly trained and understand how to safely and correctly operate the product.
Summary:
There’s no doubt that miter saws are some of the most useful tools in any fully functioning workshop. Whether you’re planning to make a cross-cut, bevel cut, miter cut or a compound cut, this is a one-of-a-kind machine designed to give you an all-in-one experience. However, miter saws come with different specifications and finding the perfect match for your specific needs might prove a little challenging. As usual, the best way to cut to the chase is to always start by understanding the different features of these saws and why you may need (or not need) some of them. For a long time, Dewalt has carved a niche for itself with its ability to produce saws that combine precision, accuracy, and flexibility. The company plays a leading role in embracing innovation and it’s, therefore, not a surprise that their products often top the rungs of the best compound miter saw reviews. In this Dewalt DWS709 review we’d like to walk you through a highly reputed saw model that continues to attract mixed opinions from experts. Lauded for its ability to combine efficiency with performance and durability, the DWS709 is a perfect bet for crown molding. Although everything about this miter saw may look perfect, the truth of the matter is that there’s more to this machine than just aesthetics.
Dewalt DWS709 compound miter saw is a showstopper in its own right. The first thing that might capture your attention the first time you look at it is its elaborately designed table. This is made from high-quality aluminum and appears sturdy enough to hold any sort of pressure. What’s more? The compound miter saw boasts tall sliding fences which provide you with a perfect spot for molding your crowns. Powered by a 3,800 rpm motor, the DWS709 is certainly an above-average kind of saw. Some of its competitors, however, have slightly more RPMs than this although, from experience, 3,800rpm should be just enough to help you handle all your basic cutting tasks. Another crown in this compound miter saw’s jewel is an oversized bevel scale. This not only gives you additional room to play around with but also improves the quality of your cuts irrespective of your level of experience. To top it all up, this machine is designed with the modern-day, busy woodworker in mind. Its compact size makes it a perfect fit for tiny apartments and garages. Above all, at slightly below 50 pounds in weight, this saw is easily portable. So, if you’re planning to move from one site to the next or pondering on the possibility of working from the comfort of your RV, this is definitely a miter saw worth taking a closer look at.
Features
3-year warranty
13 positive stops on the adjustable plate for improved cutting accuracy
Machined aluminum base for enhanced durability and stability
Flexible angle adjustment from 50 degrees to the left to 60 degrees to the right
Compact, easy to store and transport
Uses a carbide blade which is highly effective and easy to maintain
The Design
This yellow, black, and grey compound miter saw commands attention with its specially designed sliding head. The main advantage to having this kind of head is that you can devour large pieces of lumber that would, otherwise, be out of reach to ordinary miter saws. The saw’s base is made from high-quality, adjustable stainless steel which makes it practical, precise and above all stable. Within the base is where the miter detent plate is strategically located with a clear calibration vividly displaying its 13 positive stops. Add that to the fact that this beast is compact in size and you have a sweet deal that you really can’t afford to let go of.
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Power and Performance
Even though this machine doesn’t come with a laser guide, its well-thought-out positive stops do the trick. Generally, the DWS709 is easy to use and in case you’re still uncertain on whether you can manage it, the fact that it comes with a handy user manual should be enough to restore your confidence in it. As we have already mentioned, this sliding compound miter saw is an above-average performer all thanks to its ability to combine a good blade with a flexible angle adjustment system.
Safety Features
As you might be aware, miter saws can be quite risky to operate due to their high power and sharp blades. To make sure nothing risky happens, this unit comes with a handy ON/OFF button which works excellently to help you control its blade movement. What’s more? The fact that this is a sliding saw means you can accurately position it on the specific part of your wood that you’d like to cut. For additional security, the unit comes with a blade guard which covers the rotating blade, thereby, keeping you away from any harm. To top it all off, there’s a decent-sized dust bag in place to prevent airborne diseases at work.
Pro Tip
Always be sure to pull its slider out gently and then bring it in gently as the blade cuts through the wood. Always, wait until the blade fully stops before releasing the head.
Jon
DWS709 vs DWS779 vs DWS780
The battle pitting these three against each other is quite an interesting one. The three come from the same manufacturer and visibly look the same. However, a closer look at each one of them reveals that the 709 is slightly smaller in size than the 779. Generally, DWS709 outdoes the DWS779 in terms of size, compact design, and ease of portability. On the other hand, DWS779 is a great performer as it offers more flexibility thanks to 50 degrees to the left and 60 degrees to the right angle adjustment capacity. The DWS780, unlike the DWS709, comes with a fence capable of supporting up to 7 1/2” of nested crown and 6 3/4” of base molding. The 709, on the other hand, packs 5 1/2” worth of nested molding and 4 1/2” base molding.
DWS709 vs DWS716
It’s difficult to decide who the winner is especially when these two Siamese twins are compared. They both offer 3,800 rpm motors and above all come with machined aluminum bases, excellent blades, and sliding fences. On the flipside, though, while the DWS709 provides 48 degrees to the left and 52 degrees to the right, the DWS716 offers 48 degrees both ways. As such, the 709 is superior in that regard.
PROS:
Sturdy, machined aluminum base for enhanced durability
Above-average power
Backed by a 3-year warranty
Loaded with safety features such as blade guard and dust bag
The blade cuts smoothly and accurately & doesn’t leave ridges behind
CONS:
The dust collection bag only collects about 75{%} of the dust
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Things we liked about it
The Dewalt DWS709 is an ever-reliable choice for making accurate, ridge-free cuts. Its carbide blade not only cuts efficiently but also retains its sharpness in the long-haul. The 12-inch carbide blade is both abrasive and aggressive – a feat that makes it superior in utilizing the 3,800 rpm motor capacity to the fullest. Yet another aspect of the DWS709 that piqued our attention is its compact design. This is a huge win for anyone who would like to move with their miter saw from one corner of the world to another. If some of your projects require you to move from one site to the next, this miter saw would be the best companion to go for.
Things we didn’t like
Like with most miter saws from Dewalt, the DWS709’s dust collection bag falls below expectations in terms of size and design. While it serves the basic task of collecting 75{%} of dust, we believe this manufacturer has some homework to do in order to improve the effectiveness and capacity of this feature.
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General User Experience
As far as user experience is concerned, this Dewalt DWS709 review can confirm that this compound miter saw is designed with convenience in mind. The machine is generally easy to set up and its small design makes it ideal for use even in rooms with limited space. Other than that, this saw comes with an oversized bevel scale which gives you extra freedom to nail your crown molding projects. We, however, think that this saw would have been better if it came with a laser light guide as other advanced saws do. To make up for that, though, the Dewalt DWS709 offers 13 positive stops on its stainless steel miter detent plate. Of course, that gives you the freedom to make accurate cuts even in the absence of this all-important feature (laser light). If the different reviews posted about this product are anything to go by, we can confidently rate this as a highly user-friendly tool. Every tiny bit of it seems well designed, easy and stress-free to use.
Super Easy Way to Cut Crown Moulding on a Miter Saw (Dewalt)
Yotube Video Review: Super Easy Way to Cut Crown Moulding on a Miter Saw (Dewalt)
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We wouldn’t recommend installing an LED light or laser guide on this machine. We’d recommend checking the Dewalt website for some LED and laser guide compatible models.
What’s the recommended depth for this saw when used on a bench?
If using a dust bag, the depth of this saw is about 2 feet behind. That may, however, change if hooking the saw to a vacuum system so be sure to check the specs on your vac for more information.
What kind of blade does the DWS709 come with?
It comes with an alternating top bevel (ATB) 32-tooth blade.
Conclusion
Dewalt DWS709 has hit a sweet spot for most woodworkers, DIYers, and hobbyists. Its features are not only well designed and user-friendly but also powerful and capable of delivering incredible results with each and every attempt. What’s more? This compound miter saw is easy to maintain, portable and reliable. We’d recommend it for any budget-conscious buyer who might be looking to buy a miter saw that can hold its own.
DWS709 vs DWS716
