DEWALT DWS780 miter saw review
You are paying a premium for a shadow line. Here is when that is worth it.
A 15 amp, 3,800 rpm double bevel sliding compound miter saw that projects a shadow of the blade onto the workpiece instead of a laser, supplied with blade wrench, material clamp and dust bag.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor | 15 amp, 1100 watt, 3,800 rpm |
| Cut line indication | XPS LED shadow line, described as adjustment free |
| Crosscut capacity | 2x14 dimensional lumber at 90 degrees, 2x10 at 45 degrees |
| Miter range | 60 degrees right, 50 degrees left, 10 positive stops |
| Moulding capacity | Crown up to 7-1/2 in. nested, base up to 6-3/4 in. vertical against the fence |
| Dust collection | Captures over 75 percent of dust generated, stated |
| Weight | 58 lbs. |
| In the box | Blade wrench, material clamp and dust bag |
Specifications above come from DEWALT's published product information. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- The XPS shadow line is better than a laser and it is not close. It casts an actual shadow of the blade, so the line shows kerf width and it never needs calibrating. On a day of trim cuts it removes a small hesitation from every single one.
- Double bevel means you tilt the head both ways instead of flipping the workpiece. For crown and base moulding that halves the handling and removes a whole category of orientation mistakes.
- Capacity is generous for the class: 2x14 at 90 degrees, and crown up to 7-1/2 inches nested against the tall fences. Very little residential trim work exceeds it.
- The ten positive miter stops with a cam lock handle and detent override make repeat angles fast and repeatable, which is what actually determines whether a room of base moulding takes two hours or four.
- DEWALT states over 75 percent dust capture, which for a corded miter saw is at the good end of a category that is generally terrible.
Where it falls short
- The DWS779 is the same saw without the XPS light for meaningfully less money. That is the honest comparison, and for a lot of buyers the light is not worth the gap. Say what you cut before you spend the difference.
- It weighs 58 pounds bare, and a miter saw is useless on the ground. A stand is a real additional cost and a real additional thing to carry, and 58 pounds plus a stand is a two-trip load in and out of a van.
- Over 75 percent dust capture still means a quarter of the dust goes into the room. The supplied bag is close to decorative on a full day of work. Plan on a shop vacuum or a dust extractor if you cut inside a client's house.
- A 12 inch blade at 3,800 rpm is unforgiving. This is a tool that removes fingers, and the material clamp is included because it should be used. Let the blade stop before lifting the head.
- A saw does not make you a tradesperson. Structural framing, and anything touching electrical or gas, needs a licensed professional and in most places a permit, whatever the tool in your hands can cut.
What owners report
Owner reports on the DWS780 are among the most consistent in power tools, and the recurring subject is the XPS light. People who cut trim describe it as the feature they did not expect to care about and then refused to give up, precisely because it shows the kerf rather than a projected line that needs aligning. Accuracy out of the box draws steady praise, with the usual and reasonable caveat that any miter saw benefits from being checked and squared on arrival.
The consistent complaints are weight and dust. Owners moving the saw between jobs mention the 58 pounds often, and the supplied dust bag is almost universally described as inadequate for interior work. Owners who connect a shop vacuum report a completely different experience, which is worth budgeting for if you cut in occupied houses.
If you are working out which tool to buy first for paid work, our drill vs impact driver comparison covers the cheaper end of that sequence, and the handyman services guide covers what those jobs actually bill.
Who it suits
- Handyman and trim carpenters cutting base, casing and crown for money, where the shadow line pays back every day.
- Furniture flippers and woodworkers doing repeatable angled cuts, where the detent plate and double bevel save real setup time.
- Anyone with a fixed shop position where the 58 pound weight stops being a problem.
Who should skip it
- Anyone mainly cutting framing lumber to length, where the DWS779 does the same job for less.
- Buyers on a tight first-tool budget, who get more paid work out of a cordless drill, a circular saw and a good ladder than out of an under-$1,000 miter saw.
- Anyone working from a small car, because the saw plus a stand is a genuine logistics problem.
Alternatives worth considering
Mechanically the close sibling: the same 12 inch double bevel sliding format and the same 3,800 rpm motor, without the XPS shadow line. If you mark your cuts anyway, this is the same saw for less, and the difference buys a stand and a decent blade.
Check price on AmazonCheaper, lighter and easier to move, at the cost of the slide and the second bevel direction. For cutting 2x lumber, deck boards and narrow trim it is entirely sufficient. You feel the missing slide the first time you meet a wide board, and the missing second bevel every time you cut crown.
Check price on AmazonNot the same tool, but the honest first purchase for a lot of people. A cordless circular saw plus a speed square does most early handyman cutting, costs a fraction as much, and fits in a car boot. Buy the miter saw when repeatable angles start costing you time.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
DWS780 vs DWS779: is the XPS light worth the money?
It is worth it if you cut trim and moulding daily. The shadow line shows the blade's actual kerf on the workpiece, so you position the board rather than interpreting a projected laser, and that removes a small hesitation from every cut. Across a day of casing and base it adds up. If your cutting is mostly framing lumber to a pencil mark, the DWS779 does the identical cut and you keep the difference, which buys a blade and a stand.
Is a 12 inch miter saw overkill for a handyman side hustle?
Not if trim is part of the work. A 12 inch double bevel slider handles nested crown up to 7-1/2 inches and 2x14 at 90 degrees, which covers essentially all residential trim. It is overkill if you mostly hang doors and fix drywall. A better sequence for a first kit is a drill, an impact driver and a circular saw, which our drill vs impact driver comparison works through.
How much dust does the DWS780 actually collect?
DEWALT states over 75 percent, which is honest and also means a quarter of the dust ends up in the room. The bag supplied in the box is not adequate for cutting inside a client's home. Connect a shop vacuum or a dust extractor to the port and the difference is dramatic. Treat that as part of the purchase price if you work in occupied houses.
What can you charge for trim carpentry as a side hustle?
Trim work is generally priced by linear foot or as a room rate, and it varies enormously by region and by whether you are supplying material. What is consistent is that the money is in speed and clean returns, which is exactly what a good miter saw and a sharp blade buy you. Our handyman services guide covers realistic hourly and job rates.
Do I need a licence to do carpentry work for money?
It depends where you are and what you touch. Cosmetic trim, furniture and repair work are unregulated in many places, while structural framing, and anything involving electrical, plumbing or gas, requires a licensed tradesperson and usually a permit. Requirements vary by state and municipality, so check locally. General liability insurance is a separate and generally sensible thing to carry once you are working in other people's homes.
Keep reading
- Handyman services side hustle guide
- Drill vs impact driver compared
- Furniture flipping guide
- Square Terminal review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.