Choosing miter saws that offer the precision you need for woodworking can be challenging, as most options out there can be unstable and weak, leaving you with uneven cuts.
The DeWalt DWS715 is said to be a highly reliable option, coming from a well-established brand. But does it live up to the hype? Our pro woodworkers are here to share their in-depth DeWalt DWS715 review!
What We Like
- Its 15-amp motor provides up to 4,000 RPM, allowing quick and efficient cuts.
- The saw's cam miter lock feature makes it easy to set precise angles
- The stainless steel detent plate with 14 positive stops ensures accuracy and consistency.
- Its lightweight design and built-in carry handle make it easy to transport and use on job sites.
- The miter scale on this saw is easily understandable.
- The quality and capacity of the saw are high, considering its low price.
- Although it is a single bevel miter, it can surpass standard 3°.
- It can cut large dimensional lumber in just one pass.
What We Don't Like
- The saw's dust collection system may not be as effective as some users would like, requiring additional cleaning of the workspace.
- Does not come equipped with a laser guide.
Design, Build, and Weight
The DeWalt DWS715 has a lightweight and portable design, which makes it easy to store and transport. The saw has tall sliding fences supporting crown molding up to 5-1/4 inches, along with a base molding up to 6-1/2 inches vertically against the fence.
Its cam miter lock system provides accurate and quick angle adjustments, while the stainless steel detent plate comes with 14 positive stops for better productivity and precision.
The saw’s rugged construction ensures durability, and it weighs 42.8 pounds, which is relatively lightweight, making it easy to move around the job site or workshop.
Features
Overview of Specifications
- Dimensions: 26.77"L x 21.85"W x 18.9"H
- Weight: 42.8 pounds
- Motor power: 15 amps, 1,600W
- Bevels: 0-48 degrees to the left and 0-3 degrees to the right
- Miters: 0-50 degrees to the left and right
- Crosscuts dimensional lumber: 2x8 inch at 90 degrees, 2x6 inch at 45 degrees
- Blade size and arbor size: 12-inch blade diameter, 5/8-inch arbor size
- Speed: No-load speed of up to 4,000 RPM
- Warranty period: 3-year limited warranty
- Service: 1-year free service plan
Motor Power
Even though it is a single bevel miter, its motor power is rated at 15 amps, which is considered a powerful motor for most cutting tasks. The high motor power allows the saw blade to spin at a no-load speed of up to 4,000 RPM, making it efficient and fast cutting.
Cutting Capacity
It has a crosscut capacity of 2×8 inches of dimensional lumber at 90 degrees and 2×6 inches at 45 degrees. It also has a vertical capacity of base molding up to 6-1/2 inches and crown molding up to 5-1/4 inches nested.
We were impressed by its 12 inches carbide-tipped blade and its large cutting capacity, so we tested it in hardwoods, softwoods, plywood, and plastic, and this tool handled it very well.
Bevel Capacity
The saw’s left and right bevel capacity enhance its cutting ability. It can make bevel cuts between 0 and 48 degrees to the left and between 0 and 3 degrees to the right.
Like any other DeWalt miter saws we have used, this saw is also equipped with a cam-lock miter handle allowing quick and easy cutting angle adjustments.
This feature ensures rapid repetitive cuts and prevents the saw from slipping into the miter detent while adjusting the miter setting, thanks to its dent override capability.
Furthermore, the DeWalt DWS715 compound miter saw boasts four bevel stops made of hardened steel that can be adjusted between 0 and 48 degrees. This feature makes it convenient and easy to set the most common bevel angles rapidly.
We were pleasantly surprised by the impressive array of features in this DeWalt product, which significantly boosts its versatility for various cutting tasks. These notable attributes greatly expand the range of applications where this product can be effectively utilized.
Stability and Accuracy
The DeWalt DWS715 miter saw has a sturdy, heavy-duty construction that provides stability during use, allowing for accurate cuts.
The saw also has an adjustable stainless-steel detent plate with 14 positive stops that improve accuracy and ensure consistency in cutting angles.
The saw’s miter system has an easy-to-adjust cam lock that provides accurate and repeatable miter angles. This feature also prevents the saw from slipping into the miter detent while adjusting the miter setting, thanks to its dent override capability.
Additionally, it has an adjustable bevel pointer that improves accuracy when setting the bevel angle.
To enhance stability and accuracy further, the DeWalt DWS715 has a built-in carrying handle that allows easy transportation, ensuring the saw remains stable and accurate throughout its use.
Dust Collection
While this tool has a dust collection system, our team has reported that it does not collect dust as efficiently as they would like. They also reported that the dust bag fills up quickly, requiring frequent emptying.
However, it’s worth noting that dust collection for most miter saws can be affected by the type of material being cut, the blade used, and the vacuum system used, among others.
Therefore, it’s essential to use the compound miter saws correctly and with the right accessories to optimize its dust collection port.
Accessories
Dewalt tools, including this DeWalt DWS715 miter saw, can be used with various accessories, such as a heavy-duty stand, a foldable compact stand, and a rolling miter saw stand, all purchased separately.
The stand made it easy to transport the saw and enhanced our work experience. We suggest using the Dewalt DWX726 rolling miter saw stand for enhanced compatibility.
The other accessories are sturdy and well-designed, providing stability for the miter saw in environments that may not be suitable for power tools.
Safety Features
This DeWalt miter has several safety features that help minimize the risk of injury The saw has a blade guard that covers the blade during operation, preventing accidental contact with the blade. The guard is transparent, allowing you to see the cutting line and the blade as you work.
This tool has a side handle that provides a stable cutting grip. It also has a fence that helps to guide the material being cut, keeping your hands away from the blade. The machined base fence can be easily adjusted to accommodate different sizes of material.
However, we noticed during our miter saw review that it lacks a thumb-activated switch for operating the saw, which can be a safety concern.
Who is This Compound Miter Saw For: Beginners, DIYers, Pro Woodworkers, or Contractors?
The Dewalt DWS715 is a great saw for beginners and DIY woodworking projects, but it is more expensive than other brands. Like the Dewalt DWS713 and DWS716XPS, It offers good quality and can be useful for skilled woodworkers on a budget with additional accessories.
Nevertheless, a professional contractor [1] may not find the DeWalt DWS715 suitable for their needs because it’s a single-bevel compound miter saw, which can hinder its efficiency and portability compared to the advanced features of a sliding compound miter.
Top Alternatives for the DeWalt DWS715
1. Metabo HPT C10FCGS
The Metabo HPT C10FCGS is a compact miter saw with a 10-inch blade and a 15-amp motor. It weighs 24.5 pounds, which is comparable to the DeWalt saw. The Metabo HPT C10FCGS saw has positive stops that are activated by the thumb, making it easy to adjust the blade angle and miter settings.
2. Skil 3821-01
This is a 12-inch miter saw that comes with a laser guide for precise cutting. It is best for those who require a fast turnaround because of its high speed of 4,500 RPM. The saw also has a quick-mount system allowing easy setup with the SKIL 3302-02 miter saw stand.
3. Dewalt DWS780
The DeWalt DWS780 is a reliable choice if you need a double-bevel miter saw. Although it has a slower speed of 3,800 RPM than the DeWalt DWS715, this is due to it being a dual-bevel saw.
The Dewalt DWS780 has a stainless steel miter detent plate that can be adjusted and offers 10 positive stops, as well as an efficient dust extraction system and a cam lock miter grip for added convenience.
Review Conclusion: DeWalt DWS715
This DeWalt DWS715 review highlights the excellent features of the saw. It is a robust miter saw capable of handling a wide range of tasks. Its precision cutting angles, ease of use, and multiple blade stops are a testament to DeWalt’s commitment to producing top-quality tools.
- Black+Decker MM2000 Review — Is This Lawn Mower Worth it? (2023) - September 29, 2023
- Dewalt DWE575SB Review (2023) — Is it Worth it? - September 24, 2023
- DeWalt DCS369B Review (2023) — Cutting Edge Precision and More - September 23, 2023
