Looking For a New Saw

[woodchucker]

As many of you know I purchased a 14" Delta radial arm saw about a year ago. It was at the family cottage completing projects until a month ago. It's a great saw but took up far too much room in the garage. I finally brought it home and set it up in the shop.

It's nice to have the space back in the garage at the cottage, but there are still a number of projects pending that would be much easier if I had a power saw on hand. To that end I'm considering a compound miter saw. They're just about as versatile as the radial arm saw, but only take up 1/10 of the room.

After considerable research I'm leaning towards the Dewalt model DWS780. It's a 12" double bevel sliding compound miter saw. They're currently on sale at Home Depot for $549.00 which is $100.00 off their normal list price.

DEWALT 15 Amp Corded 12 in. Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with XPS technology, Blade Wrench and Material Clamp DWS780 - The Home Depot

Make accurate cutting intuitive and easy with DEWALT Corded Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with XPS technology, Blade Wrench & Material Clamp.

www.homedepot.com

Does anyone have experience with this particular saw, and if so, would you recommend it?

I am also considering one of their stands. They currently offer 2 models that interest me. One is the DCD 796. It's a wheeled stand capable of holding 300 lbs.

DEWALT 32-1/2 in. x 60 in. Rolling Miter Saw Stand with 300 lbs. Capacity DWX726 - The Home Depot

Get the utmost convenient solution to transporting a saw between jobsites with the help of this DEWALT Rolling Miter Saw Stand.

www.homedepot.com

The other is a stationary stand model DWX724, with a capacity of 500 lbs. They both have a list price of $229.00

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...-Stand-with-500-lbs-Capacity-DWX724/202818498

In this case I'm leaning toward the stationary stand. The plan would be to use it either in the garage on the cement floor, or on the deck with a wood floor.

Take a look at the newer Makita, real nice. All controls up front. A little nicer than the DeWalt.

 

[MikeInOr]

As many of you know I purchased a 14" Delta radial arm saw about a year ago. It was at the family cottage completing projects until a month ago. It's a great saw but took up far too much room in the garage. I finally brought it home and set it up in the shop.

It's nice to have the space back in the garage at the cottage, but there are still a number of projects pending that would be much easier if I had a power saw on hand. To that end I'm considering a compound miter saw. They're just about as versatile as the radial arm saw, but only take up 1/10 of the room.

After considerable research I'm leaning towards the Dewalt model DWS780. It's a 12" double bevel sliding compound miter saw. They're currently on sale at Home Depot for $549.00 which is $100.00 off their normal list price.

DEWALT 15 Amp Corded 12 in. Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with XPS technology, Blade Wrench and Material Clamp DWS780 - The Home Depot

Make accurate cutting intuitive and easy with DEWALT Corded Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with XPS technology, Blade Wrench & Material Clamp.

www.homedepot.com

Does anyone have experience with this particular saw, and if so, would you recommend it?

I am also considering one of their stands. They currently offer 2 models that interest me. One is the DCD 796. It's a wheeled stand capable of holding 300 lbs.

DEWALT 32-1/2 in. x 60 in. Rolling Miter Saw Stand with 300 lbs. Capacity DWX726 - The Home Depot

Get the utmost convenient solution to transporting a saw between jobsites with the help of this DEWALT Rolling Miter Saw Stand.

www.homedepot.com

The other is a stationary stand model DWX724, with a capacity of 500 lbs. They both have a list price of $229.00

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...-Stand-with-500-lbs-Capacity-DWX724/202818498

In this case I'm leaning toward the stationary stand. The plan would be to use it either in the garage on the cement floor, or on the deck with a wood floor.

Hey "RAS-Bro",

Personally, I really dislike the DWX724 stand. It is big and cumbersome. Too big for the shop and too cumbersome for being portable. I would like to try one of the easy up stands, like the first one you linked to, someday.

I have been through a half dozen CMS's, I bought all of them used. A couple of them I have handed down to my sisters.

My first CMS was a 10" Ryobi that came with a laser. It was a CL find. I loved that saw but my little sister needed a saw for a floating floor so I gave it to her. That was about 25 years ago, and she is still using it. It is accurate and reliable. I loved the laser cut indicator! It cuts great with a quality (Freud) blade!

My second CMS was a Dewalt 12" direct motor drive which would only tilt (bevel) to one side. Also, a CL find it was a good solid saw until I dropped it off the tailgate of my pickup and the aluminum blade guard cracked. I was going to fix it but a belt drive Dewalt 12" double bevel CMS from CL ($!00) was cheaper than the replacement parts. The belt drive compound double bevel non-sliding CMS is my current shop saw. I like it for quick cuts when I have my 16" Delta RAS setup for a different cut (like a dado) and I need a quick cut. It is compact enough that it doesn't take up too much space in the shop. I would call it a medium weight saw (based solely on weight not stiffness or accuracy) that isn't too bad to move around.

My favorite is a simple Delta 10" CMS. It is small and lite enough to take the saw to the work instead of the work to the saw. I REALLY appreciate this. The plastic shield on my first (used) Delta 10" cracked where the lift arm attaches to the clear plastic shield. My second Delta 10" is a slightly newer design with a better attachment to the clear shield... it was also a CL $40 purchase and is my most used CMS. Both of these saws required me to take the rotating portion off of the based and clean up the circular track then wax them well before reassembling (a very easy fix) to make the miter movement smooth. Both were CL finds that had been stored outside prior to my purchase.

My brother-in-law (different sister) started with the Dewalt sliding compound miter saw (new), like the first one you linked to. It was the main crosscut saw in his garage shop. With the arm extending behind the saw it consumed a lot of shop space. He bought a (new) Bosch 12" GCM12SD sliding compound miter that doesn't have the arm that extends out the back.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004323NNC?tag=track-re-bing-usa-208967-20&linkCode=osi&th=1

The Bosch is now his main shop saw and the Dewalt sliding CMS sits in his attic. The few cuts I have made on the Bosch impressed me as a good solid accurate saw... but all the sliding CMS's that I have used have had the potential for a bit more blade drift than my non-sliding CMS's and my RAS's. If you pull the blades all the way forwards it is pretty easy to push the blade 1/8" to the side one way or the other. This probably doesn't really matter but it annoys me. EVERY sliding CMS I have used has been like this, not just these two. I think it is just part of the beasts.
Both of these sliding CMS are too big, heavy and cumbersome to be an effective portable saw. The Dewalt sliding CMS took up more space than my fathers 10" Delta turret arm RAS. The Bosch is MUCH more space efficient, but it is heavy and nothing I would want to move around.

Do you really think you will need the extra cutting capacity of a "sliding" CMS? If so I would recommend looking at the Bosch I linked to. The rigidity of the Dewalt and Bosch are very similar IMHO.

Cheers,
Michael.

 

[projectnut]

Thank you everyone for your input. Once again MikeInOr has come through with a winner. I hadn't considered the Bosch machines mainly because of their price. However, in this case the CGM12SD seems to be the all-around better machine for my application. It has all the features I'm looking for and doesn't take up nearly the space of the Dewalt machine I was considering. Not only that it's currently on sale and the total cost will be within $20.00 of the Dewalt.

For the time being I'm going to pass on the stand and use it on the workbench in the garage. With the smaller profile it should work well there. Should I need a stand in the future it seems like every lumber yard and big box home improvement center within 200 miles has them in stock. Again, if I find I need one, it will just be a matter of deciding which will suit the saw best.

I'll be presenting the idea to my wife later this evening. So far, she's had no problem with me buying tools as long as they produce something useful. The first projects in mind are new tops for the railings on the deck and replacing a few deck boards. If things go according to plan the project should be finished before the snow flies.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[woodchucker]

I have the bosch 10 glyde.
I don't find it accurate..
The miter detents don't accurately set up. I can use the detent and the next swing back to that same detent will be off a few thou.. Also while cutting down or across it's not solid. it wanders. Which really upsets me because you would think that this design resolves that. But it doesn't. Many cuts will be good enough for framing, but not for woodworking.

Overall I like the saw, but am annoyed. If I had the money I would do the makita. I had one that went down the stairs when I caught the cord... I replaced it with a HF for a while, and that saw cut 90 very well, it was a knock off of the earlier Makita (the one before my behemoth Makita I miss that big platten).

Bosch Miter Saw modifications

well it was some of his users, and some of the copies that are out there. It appears that the 3d printed ones are not durable. There are a number of similar and copies enough to indicate that they are all showing up as the same issue. And I do often use my miter saw to cut small stuff. I do a...

www.hobby-machinist.com

 

[GeneT45]

Had that saw and the cheaper sawhorse-style stand. Liked both. Worked great. I bought the Milwaukee equivalent as well (similar situation, needed a saw in two locations). I have a general preference for Milwaukee tools, but I couldn't point out anything better about the Mil saw other than perhaps the soft start, which isn't really necessary.

GsT

 

[projectnut]

I picked up the saw today. I must say so far I’m impressed with the quality of the build and the fit and finish.

I unpacked it to be sure everything was there and nothing was broken. Then repacked it in the original carton to take it to the cottage. I didn’t get a chance to run it but since it’s got a 1 year warranty I’m sure if there are any defects they will show up before then.

We won’t be heading to the cottage for about 3 weeks. The time between now and then will be busy finishing projects at home and a trip to Mayo Clinic.

I think this is the first NEW tool I’ve bought in more than a decade. Given the price it’s not hard to tell why I prefer high quality used ones.

 

[Larry$]

Nice looking saw. I had a production wood shop for years. Best miter saw I had was an Omga. Still dead on after 25 years in production. Shop had mostly Makita small power tools. Very durable. The more moving parts the more places for variations.

 

[Eyerelief]

As many of you know I purchased a 14" Delta radial arm saw about a year ago. It was at the family cottage completing projects until a month ago. It's a great saw but took up far too much room in the garage. I finally brought it home and set it up in the shop.

It's nice to have the space back in the garage at the cottage, but there are still a number of projects pending that would be much easier if I had a power saw on hand. To that end I'm considering a compound miter saw. They're just about as versatile as the radial arm saw, but only take up 1/10 of the room.

After considerable research I'm leaning towards the Dewalt model DWS780. It's a 12" double bevel sliding compound miter saw. They're currently on sale at Home Depot for $549.00 which is $100.00 off their normal list price.

DEWALT 15 Amp Corded 12 in. Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with XPS technology, Blade Wrench and Material Clamp DWS780 - The Home Depot

Make accurate cutting intuitive and easy with DEWALT Corded Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with XPS technology, Blade Wrench & Material Clamp.

www.homedepot.com

Does anyone have experience with this particular saw, and if so, would you recommend it?

I am also considering one of their stands. They currently offer 2 models that interest me. One is the DCD 796. It's a wheeled stand capable of holding 300 lbs.

DEWALT 32-1/2 in. x 60 in. Rolling Miter Saw Stand with 300 lbs. Capacity DWX726 - The Home Depot

Get the utmost convenient solution to transporting a saw between jobsites with the help of this DEWALT Rolling Miter Saw Stand.

www.homedepot.com

The other is a stationary stand model DWX724, with a capacity of 500 lbs. They both have a list price of $229.00

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...-Stand-with-500-lbs-Capacity-DWX724/202818498

In this case I'm leaning toward the stationary stand. The plan would be to use it either in the garage on the cement floor, or on the deck with a wood floor.

I have that saw on the 726 rolling stand. I personally like the setup. The saw can be dialed in to be very accurate and repeatable. I store the saw on the stand, vertically. The latch that locks the stand up or collapsed is a known troublemaker but its issues can be resolved. I actually have a 2nd 726 stand with a planer on it.
Both stands bought new in the box on eBay for around $125