Sliding miter saw guide
DEWALT DCS785B 20V MAX XR 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw (Tool Only)
A 12 in. slider for DEWALT 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT battery owners working away from outlets
The DCS785B is DEWALT's 20V MAX XR 12 in. sliding miter saw, sold without a battery or charger. The manual gives a 13.5 in. crosscut at 0 degrees, miters of 60 degrees right and 50 left, and 49 degree bevels. DEWALT recommends 8Ah or larger batteries.
Listing checked . Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Published specifications
- 20 volt motor, 3,800 rpm; 12 in. blade
- 13.5 in. max width at 0 degrees miter, per the manual
- Miter 60 right, 50 left; bevel 49 left and right
- Base and nested crown to 6-1/2 in., per DEWALT
- 51.7 lbs tool only, per DEWALT and the listing
- 3-year limited warranty, 1 year free service
Fit and limits
Strengths
- Runs on DEWALT 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT batteries
- Wireless tool control can start a vacuum, per DEWALT
- Carton includes a stabilizer bar, base extensions and a clamp
Caveats
- Battery and charger are extra; DEWALT suggests 8Ah or larger
- DEWALT's includes list conflicts with tool only
- Cut counts are DEWALT's, using a DCB2108 battery
Tool only: what you still need
The Amazon listing's title and DEWALT's product name both say tool only, and the manual lists the charger and battery as kit-only items. DEWALT's page says battery and charger are sold separately, yet its includes list for this model also names a DCB2108 battery and a charger, so confirm the box contents on the listing before you buy. DEWALT's page data lists 0 batteries and no charger included.
DEWALT's page says the saw works with its 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT batteries and, in a footnote, recommends 8Ah or larger packs for best performance. The manual's carton list names the saw, a stabilizer bar, a vacuum adapter, a 12 in. blade, two base extensions, a material clamp, a dust bag and a blade wrench.
Cut capacity
The manual gives a maximum width of 13.5 in. at 0 degrees miter with a resulting height of 3.5 in., and a maximum height of 4.4 in. at a resulting width of 12.2 in. At a 45 degree miter the widest cut is 9.5 in. DEWALT's page calls it its largest-capacity 20V MAX miter saw, cutting up to 14 in. horizontally.
For trim, DEWALT's page lists 6-1/2 in. baseboard standing up and 6-1/2 in. crown nested. The manual says to use the slide lock transport lever for base molding from 3 to 6.5 in. tall against the fence. The saw miters 60 degrees right and 50 left and bevels 49 degrees each way.
Runtime claims and the brake
DEWALT's page claims up to 371 cuts in 3-1/4 in. MDF base molding and up to 153 cuts in pressure-treated 4x4 per charge, and its footnote says those counts use the DCB2108 battery. The page credits regenerative braking and a bevel gear transmission. These are DEWALT's figures, not ours.
The manual lists a 20 volt motor at 3,800 rpm and an automatic electric brake that stops the blade within 5 seconds of trigger release. It notes that on rare occasions the brake may not engage and the blade will coast to a stop, and says to have the saw serviced if the problem persists.
Light and dust
The CUTLINE LED worklight shows the blade's shadow on the workpiece. Per the manual it turns on with its own switch or with the main trigger, shuts off within 20 seconds when the saw is not in use, and needs a charged battery connected to the saw.
DEWALT's page claims up to 97% dust capture and lists wireless tool control that starts a vacuum with the pull of the trigger, vacuum sold separately. The manual says never to run the saw without the dust bag or a DEWALT dust extractor in place, and to use the supplied adapter for non-AirLock vacuums.
Weight and warranty
DEWALT's page and the Amazon listing give 51.7 lbs for the tool only. DEWALT's page data also lists 66.23 lbs as an assembled product weight without saying what that figure includes, so treat 51.7 lbs as the bare-saw number.
DEWALT's page lists a three-year limited warranty, one year of free service and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. The manual names a three-year limited warranty and points to dewalt.com/support/warranty for the full terms.
Common questions
Does the DEWALT DCS785B include a battery?
The listing and DEWALT's product name say tool only, and the manual lists the battery and charger as kit-only items. DEWALT's includes list on the same page names a DCB2108 battery and charger, so check the listing's box contents.
What battery does DEWALT recommend for the DCS785?
DEWALT's page says it works with its 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT batteries and recommends 8Ah or larger for best performance.
How wide does the DCS785 crosscut?
The manual gives 13.5 in. at 0 degrees miter with a resulting height of 3.5 in.; DEWALT's page says up to 14 in. horizontally.
Check the current listing
Main caveat to weigh before ordering: Battery and charger are extra; DEWALT suggests 8Ah or larger.
Primary sources
- 20V MAX XR 12 in. Double Bevel Sliding Miter Saw (Tool Only) (DCS785B) | DEWALT
- DEWALT DCS785 Instruction Manual (linked from the DEWALT product page)
Primary sources checked .
Compare with
Side-by-side pages, this model next to: DEWALT DWS780 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Makita LS1219L 12 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser, SKIL MS6305-00 15 Amp 10 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw.