Sliding miter saw guide
DEWALT DWS780 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Wide crosscuts and tall trim with a corded 12 in. slider and a shadow-line light
DEWALT's DWS780 is a corded 15 amp, 12 in. sliding miter saw. The manual gives a 13.75 in. crosscut at 0 degrees, miters of 60 degrees right and 50 left, and 49 degree bevels both ways. An XPS LED light marks the cut with the blade's shadow.
Listing checked . Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Published specifications
- 15 amps, 3,800 rpm; 12 in. blade
- 13.75 in. max width at 0 degrees miter, per the manual
- Miter 60 right, 50 left; bevel 49 left and right
- Crown to 7-1/2 in. nested, base to 6-3/4 in., per DEWALT
- XPS LED shadow light; electric brake
- 3-year limited warranty, 1 year free service
Fit and limits
Strengths
- Miters to 60 degrees right with 10 positive stops
- Flip-out pawls for 22.5 and 33.9 degree bevels
- Dust port takes the bag or a shop vacuum
Caveats
- Corded; the manual asks for at least a 15 ampere breaker
- Base extensions must be fitted before first use
- Miters only to 50 degrees on the left
What is in the box
DEWALT's includes list for the DWS780 names the 12 in. miter saw, a 12 in. carbide blade, a blade wrench, a dust bag and a vertical material clamp. The manual's carton list names the saw, a 12 in. DEWALT blade, a blade wrench and a material clamp, and its dust section refers to the supplied dust bag. The Amazon listing's title names the DWS780.
The manual says the saw is not fully assembled in the carton: base extensions must be fitted to both sides before use. It asks you to fix the saw to a stable surface through the mounting holes in its four feet, or to plywood at least 1/2 in. thick. DEWALT's page data lists 56 lbs assembled; the Amazon listing says 58 lbs.
Cut capacity at 90 and 45 degrees
The manual's table gives a maximum width of 13.75 in. at 0 degrees miter with a resulting height of 3.0 in., and a maximum height of 4.4 in. with a resulting width of 9.1 in. At a 45 degree miter the widest cut is 9.6 in. DEWALT's page puts it in lumber terms: up to 2x14 at 90 degrees and 2x10 at 45.
For trim, DEWALT's page lists crown molding up to 7-1/2 in. nested and base molding up to 6-3/4 in. standing against the fence. The manual says to use the slide lock lever for base molding from 3 to 6.75 in. tall, and it gives 6.5 in. tall baseboard on a 45 degree miter.
Miter and bevel range
The DWS780 miters 60 degrees right and 50 degrees left, and DEWALT's page lists a stainless-steel detent plate with 10 positive stops. The bevel lock knob tilts the head 49 degrees left or right, with overrides at 0 and 45 degrees and flip-out pawls for 22.5 degrees and a 33.9 degree crown setting.
The manual says the crown pawl is factory set for typical North American 52/38 crown and can be flipped for 45/45 crown. A depth stop limits the cut for grooving, a rail lock knob holds the head for chop cuts and transport, and the lock-down pin is for carrying or storing only, never for cutting.
Light, brake and dust
The XPS LED worklight casts the blade's shadow on the workpiece, and the manual says to line the pencil mark up with the edge of that shadow. The light has its own on-off switch, separate from the trigger, and the saw must be plugged in. An automatic electric brake stops the blade within 5 seconds of trigger release.
DEWALT's page claims the dust system captures over 75% of the dust. The manual says the port takes the supplied bag or a shop vacuum and carries an AirLock fitting. The motor is 15 amps at 3,800 rpm, and the manual asks for at least a 15 ampere time-delay fuse or circuit breaker on the supply line.
Blades, materials and warranty
The manual says to use only crosscut blades recommended for miter saws, without carbide hook angles over 7 degrees, and never to cut ferrous metal, masonry or fiber cement. Blades with a 5/8 in. hole mount without the 1 in. blade adapter. It also says to keep hands at least 4 in. (100 mm) from the blade.
DEWALT's page and manual both give a three-year limited warranty, one year of free service and a 90-day money-back guarantee with a receipt. The manual says the warranty does not cover part failure from normal wear or tool abuse, and it gives dewalt.com/register for product registration.
Common questions
Does the DEWALT DWS780 come with a blade?
Yes. DEWALT's includes list and the manual's carton list both name a 12 in. blade.
How wide a board can the DWS780 crosscut?
The manual gives 13.75 in. at 0 degrees miter with a resulting height of 3.0 in.; DEWALT's page says up to 2x14 at 90 degrees.
Does the DWS780 have a laser?
No laser is listed. It uses DEWALT's XPS LED worklight, which shows the blade's shadow on the cut line.
Check the current listing
Main caveat to weigh before ordering: Corded; the manual asks for at least a 15 ampere breaker.
Primary sources
- 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (DWS780) | DEWALT
- DEWALT DWS780 Instruction Manual (linked from the DEWALT product page)
Primary sources checked .
Compare with
Side-by-side pages, this model next to: DEWALT DCS785B 20V MAX XR 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw (Tool Only), Makita LS1219L 12 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser, SKIL MS6305-00 15 Amp 10 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw.