Combining powerful cutting speed and capacity all in a lightweight package, the DeWalt DWS715 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw is a great starter saw for cutting standard 2×8 and 2×6 pieces. If you’ve already used a 10-inch saw and would like a bigger 12-inch blade for larger lumber, this is the pick for you.
So, what’s there to say about the DeWalt DWS715? Check out my review below to see its list of features, specifications, pros, and cons to help you decide if it’s worth it for you.
DeWalt DWS715 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw
As a lightweight alternative to most bulky miter saws, this machine excels at making crown molding and is exceptional when working with dimensional lumber. Despite having a large blade for superior cutting capacity, it doesn’t compromise its cutting speed.
Specifications
The DeWalt DWS715 has a 12-inch blade with a 15-amp motor that can run up to 4,000 RPM on its no-load speed. You won’t often find a combination like this because 12-inch blades usually have lower speeds, around 3,800 RPM, and vice-versa for 10-inch blades or smaller.
The tool stands 15 inches high and 22 inches wide while weighing only 36 pounds – much lighter than typical 12-inch miter saws on the market.
With a 5/8-inch arbor size, this miter saw can support up to 5-1/4-inch of crown molding and up to 6/1-2 inches of nested and base molding. For cross cuts, it can take up to 90 degrees for 2×8-inch dimensional lumber and 45 degrees for 2×6-inch ones.
There are four hardened steel bevel stops at 0, 45, and 33.9 degrees with a left bevel of 48 degrees and a 3-degree right bevel. The miter detent plate, however, has a total of 14 positive stops for a fully-customized and flexible cutting experience.
Quality
The tool is backed by a 3-year warranty with a 1-year free service from DeWalt. It also includes a 90-day money back guarantee if you are not fully satisfied with the quality of the product. Nonetheless, the miter saw has been built with durability features in mind so you don’t have to worry about the warranty policy that much.
For instance, its miter detent plate is made with stainless steel material for extra toughness while its fence support is machined for precision and durability. Its 12-inch blade is carbide-tipped for handling the toughest lumber. Moreover, it has a dust bag for a decent dust extraction setup, which will also prolong the motor’s lifespan by keeping away harmful dust and debris.
Usability
As part of its convenience features, it has tall sliding fences that make vertical cutting easier. The choice of 14 positive stops for the miter will help you to make different kinds of cuts.
Perhaps my favorite usability feature is its lightweight – if you are often working on projects that require you to move the miter saw from space to another, this is the miter saw to get since it is only 36 pounds. This will reduce your user fatigue when you are operating the miter saw. The lightweight however, does not compromise its stability.
Side handles at the base will also provide a more secure and comfortable grip. What’s more, it has a built-in carry handle that enables you to transport the saw easily. A cam miter lock also supports greater accuracy because you can fix the setting that you most often use.
Should You Buy the DeWalt DWS715?
Are you looking for a fully-functional and portable miter saw? If so, the DeWalt DWS715 is for you, thanks to its lightweight and convenient features. You won’t often find a 12-inch miter saw that is light but still has a lot of power thanks to the 4,000-RPM no-load speed.
This portability would be ideal for home remodeling and deck building so you can maneuver and transport the saw from place to place with ease.
If you are still unsure about your decision, go through the below list of the pros and cons of the tool.
Pros of the DeWalt DWS715
Let’s start with the pros.
The miter saw is lightweight and portable.
At only 36 pounds, it is much lighter than the majority of the 60-pound 12-inch miter saws on the market. This means you get power and speed without sacrificing weight.
It has a high cutting speed despite having a larger blade.
Oftentimes, high cutting speed is only seen in smaller blades such as 10 inches and below, but this model begs to differ. With a 12-inch blade and a 4,000-RPM speed, it is ahead of the game.
The miter detent is made from durable materials and has 14 positive stops.
Stainless steel is used to make the miter detent, which not only makes it durable but also convenient to set up. With a total of 14 positive stops to choose from, the tool is very flexible when selecting the right cut for your chosen lumber material.
It has a cam miter lock.
Having a cam miter lock allows you to fixate your settings to your most preferred miter values. This way you can make repetitive cuts to your materials with reduced time and increased productivity.
Cons of the DeWalt DWS715
Even though the DeWalt DWS715 is a great tool, there are a few cons worth noting as well.
It doesn’t have a laser guide.
While not a major con, it would be helpful to have a laser guide on a miter saw for added accuracy. This unit, unfortunately, doesn’t have that.
The trigger system could be better.
When retracting after a cut, the thumb operation next to the trigger gets in the way of the blade cover. Although a minor inconvenience, perhaps DeWalt could rethink about the design better to avoid such awkward positioning.
What Are the Alternatives to the DeWalt DWS715?
If you simply don’t feel that the DeWalt DWS715 meets your needs, here are other alternatives that I’d like to suggest:
The Metabo HPT C10FCGS is a much smaller saw with a 10-inch blade but it is a similar single-bevel miter saw that has a 15-amp motor. Just like the DeWalt pick mentioned above, this one is also lightweight, although at 24.5 pounds since it is, after all, a 10-inch bladed unit.
It has thumb-actuated positive stops so similar to the DeWalt model, it is easy to configure the miter adjustments. Because it has a larger table design and a vice clamping system, it can accommodate larger materials without wobbling. The saw has a 45-degree bevel range and a 52-degree miter angle range (both left).
If you prefer a double-bevel unit from the same manufacturer, the DeWalt DWS780 is a 12-inch miter saw that you can depend on. It does have a slower speed of only 3,800 RPM compared to the 4,000-RPM of the DeWalt DWS715, but that’s probably because this model is a dual-bevel miter saw.
Similar to my previous DeWalt pick, this one has an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate although it only has 10 positive stops instead of 14, which is still a lot. Like the DeWalt DWS715, the DWS780 is also made with an efficient dust collection system and a cam lock miter handle for convenience in the work area.
The Skil 3821-01 is yet another 12-inch miter saw for you to consider that includes a laser guide, for increased accuracy. This unit is even faster with 4,500 RPM so it would be ideal for those who need to meet tight deadlines. Another unique feature of this tool is the quick-mount system that allows you to set it up easily with the SKIL 3302-02 miter saw stand.
Summary
Overall, the DeWalt DWS715 is an excellent choice for portability and easy transport. The next time you want to perform home remodeling, deck building, or simply want a lighter miter saw that doesn’t compromise on cutting speed and capacity while retaining convenient features, this is a unit that’s worth considering for your needs.