Dewalt DWS779 vs DWS780 – Worth Your Money?

Today we compare the top two Miter Saw options from DeWalt: DWS779 vs DWS780. Both are large and powerful equipment suitable for both professionals and homeowners. The DWS780 is the most recent model. It has an XPS System, which uses a bright LED light to produce a shadow, providing a clear line for the blade, resulting in higher cutting precision. 

The DWS779, on the other hand, is merely a classic laser-guided device, and while it is still reliable and adequate for some users, it is not as precise as the DWS780. So, if cutting accuracy is important to you, the choice is clear. But that isn't the only distinction between these two models. Here is a comprehensive review and comparison

DeWalt DW779 vs DW780 at a Glance

DeWalt DWS779 Miter Saw Overview

The DWS779 vs DWS780: The DWS779 miter saw is an excellent double bevel sliding compound 12" blade miter saw. It is driven by a 15 Amp motor that can rotate the 12-inch blade at 3800 RPM at full load. It can cut up to 2" X 16" lumber at 90˚ and 2"x12" timber at 45 °. It can also make miter cuts that are 60 ° to the right and 50 °to the left.

The machine can bevel from zero to 48 degrees, providing impressive versatility in cutting angles. It features ten built-in positive stops, including the most popular angles, namely 0, 22.5 degrees, 33.9 degrees, 45 degrees, and 49 degrees. Thus, you can select the miter sawing direction quickly, saving valuable time.

Like the DWS780, this machine, too, features a dust extraction system that's super-efficient. It's rear-mounted and helps collect over 75% of the dust created, keeping your workspace clean and free of hazardous waste.

It is equipped with a back fence that can cut up to 2" X 14" timber at 90° and smaller timber at 45°. It has streamlined ball-bearing-driven rails for precision operation, especially when working with larger timber than a normal compound unit. It can also be outfitted with an LED light and a laser cutting guide, which are offered a la carte.

This 12-inch double bevel sliding saw should be massive and plenty enough for applications. This is unquestionably a larger-than-average miter saw. However, it is also more expensive as a result of this. As a result, the normal household may not need such a big expensive machine.

Overall, this saw is a sturdy and durable miter saw. It is also not pricey, albeit more expensive than other models in this category. It is classified as a mid-range model.

DWS779 Pros

• Well-built

• Positive stops at all the favorite cutting angles

• Stainless steel miter plate.

• Zero to 49-degree bevels.

• Dual horizontal rails for precise operation

• 16-inch straight cut capacity

• 3-year warranty

• Not expensive

DWS779 Cons

• Slightly heavier

• It doesn’t have built-in bright LED light; you have to buy one separately

• The dust collector has an odd size

The DeWalt DWS780 Miter Saw Overview

The DWS780 vs DWS779: The DeWalt DWS780 miter saw is quite similar to the DWS779. It is a 12" double bevel sliding compound saw with a no-load speed of 3800 RPM and a 15 Amp motor. It has a dust extraction system, a durable miter detent plate, a hold-down clamp, a blade-changing wrench, and positive stops at all favorite miter and bevel angles. It also comes with a 36-month warranty. This is the best type of cover you will get for machines in this class.

However, unlike the DWS779, this bad boy offers the maximum cutting capacity in class 12" blade miter saws. Nested crown molding, vertical baseboards, and standard cross-cutting capacities are simply the best there are to offer currently in the market of 12″ miter saws, and the DWS780 is built for all these.

This is a huge saw with an incorporated sliding mechanism that allows you to make large cuts quickly and simply with just one pass of the blade. DeWalt employs the tried-and-true two rail sliding mechanism, allowing stable cross-cutting throughout the board's width. Because of the belt drive and gearbox design, it offers a greater vertical cutting capacity. The back fence is meant to cut 2 X 14 timber at a 90° angle and slightly larger lumber at a 45° angle.

The cutting system has built-in LED lighting that shines light exactly where you need it and creates a clear shadow of the blade, indicating precisely where the blade will make contact with the workpiece.

Like the DWS779 model, it has a large and conveniently positioned dust port made of flexible materials. It also includes a dust chute. Most users, however, recommend using a shop vac connected to the dust port instead of the provided dust bag if you want to collect 75 percent or more of the dust falling off the blade. 

This is not a bad amount for a miter saw. A majority of miter saw dust collection devices collect no more than that. The position of the machine's dust port and its large size and built are responsible for the above-average dust collection performance.

The machine has a big cutting capacity, but it weighs only 56 pounds. That means you can't easily handle it with one hand, but it's still manageable, and you can load and unload without too much back pain.  It is designed with a handle for portability. However, because the footprint is reminiscent of a large sliding saw, it takes up some room.

However, it is not a low-cost machine; however, it is priced appropriately for its characteristics. However, if you want a simple beginner miter saw with a respectable capacity, you can save a few dollars by purchasing other less expensive items.

However, if you require a 12" saw with massive cutting capacity, superb build quality, a fantastic MFR guarantee, and impressive features like Dual Bevel, this is the one. This instrument is capable of completing any DIY project, construction project, finish work, trim carpentry, custom-built furniture, and more.

DWS780 Pros

• Improved precision system

• Built-in LED light to shine light where you need it for greater cutting accuracy.

• Handle for portability

• Durable

• Miter detent plate is a stainless-steel

• Effective dust extraction system

• Large vertical cutting capacity

DWS780 Cons

• Expensive

• Some customers prefer the newer design of front-positioned bevel lock, which DeWalt has not yet embraced.

• Some users experience problems with the dust chute sticking on the bevel gauge.

Buyer's Guide to Pick the Best Miter Saw

Ultimately deciding between DWS780 vs DWS779 miter saws depend on the following:

Price Comparison

The DWS779 is a few hundred dollars less expensive. This can be a significant sum of money if your budget is tight or you want to save money, so think carefully before making the purchase.

Preferred Miter Saw Cutting System

The DeWalt DWS780's cutting system is equipped with bright LED light making it top-notch. The light shines brightly where you need it and also produces a shadow of the blade on the workpiece, upping your cutting accuracy. Meanwhile, the DeWalt DWS779 uses a laser-guided system. 

This isn't bad, but it isn't entirely as accurate as of the other model, as tracking a faint laser amidst the noise and dust flying around is not exactly easy.  Nevertheless, it remains reliable and may still be useful to some users.

Comparing DWS779 vs DWS780 Weight and Size

The size of a tool affects how well it can be maneuvered while slicing through different materials. Its weight determines how long you can use your instrument comfortably. When it comes to DWS miter saws, both DeWalt miter saws feature similar blade sizes.

Both are twelve-inch blade tools constructed of stainless steel and aluminum, as well as 3800 rpm motors. However, the DWS780 model is slightly lighter (56 pounds) than the DWS779 (70 pounds). Therefore, the DWS780 is convenient to lift and transport.

Miter Detent Plate

The two machines are also very different in this respect. Miter detent plates are mechanical devices on table miter saws. These plates help lock the machine's movement right or left until you release it. This enables a clean, high-quality, precise cut angle with minimal effort.

The DeWalt DWS780 boasts a stainless-steel detent plate equipped with a cam lock. It also features a rail lock, which makes it easier to cut vertically. The cam lock has a miter button that makes it easy to alter the cutting angle.

In contrast, the DWS779 features a double flat rail with a great clamping system.  It performs admirably and includes linear ball bearings, which boosts cutting accuracy.

The two systems are quite distinct, yet neither is inherently superior to the other. They are both good in their own right and enable users to make precise cuts. Which one you should choose is largely a matter of personal preference.

Cutting Capacity

A miter saw's cutting capability is partially determined by the size of its blades. The DWS780 vs DWS779 have 12" blades with 60 degrees to the right teeth per inch (TPI). They can both cut 2 X 14-dimensional timber at 90 degrees and slightly smaller timber at 45 degrees. 

The DWS780 model, on the other hand, has a higher vertical cutting capacity due to its unique belt drive and gearbox design. It has a slightly larger cutting capacity at a 45° angle than the DWS779.

Examples of Things you can do with the DWS780

Cross Cuts

This tool is fantastic for standard cross-cutting. With the standard arrangement, you can cross slice at 90˚ up to 14 inches. This is 2′′ longer than normal 10′′ sliding miter saws. Furthermore, with this design, you can use the distinctive back-fence feature to increase the cross-cut size to a whopping 16′′. Also, complete wall-shelving material may be sliced in just one pass.

Miter Cuts

This saw produces excellent miters as well. Cutting a four by 8-inch beam at a 45° angle in a single pass is easy. This saw's cross-cutting and miter capabilities make it an amazing tool for anyone with deck building or framing work projects. The metal detent system and the cam lock result in extremely tight, precise, and consistent cuts.

Trim Molding

You can use this saw for any trim project or carpentry work involving a lot of crown molding and baseboards. You can cut baseboards as tall as 6-3/4 inches straight up against the fence. Crown molding can be nested against a fence up to a maximum width of 7-1/2".

Thanks to the dual bevel and its comprehensive detent system, you can quickly set up compound cuts without worrying about rotating the board for each end. Consequently, the job goes faster, and there are fewer mistakes.

What Other Reviewers Say

When it comes to consumer ratings and reviews, the DeWalt DWS780 is often regarded as a high-quality alternative. It does, however, cost a few hundred dollars more. However, many users don't consider the additional expense to be worthwhile. The DeWalt DWS779 is ideal for most people and is significantly less expensive. In most cases, users agreed that it was a great bargain.

However, for some consumers, the DWS780 was the best choice. Some of them enjoyed how portable it was, which the DeWalt DWS779 lacks. Others had a few more dollars to spend and took advantage of the top-of-the-line cutting system.

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Wrap-up

It is not difficult to choose between the DeWalt DWS780 vs DWS779. When it comes to features alone, the DWS780 comes out on top. It is portable and comes with a cutting system of the highest caliber. However, when cost and value are considered, the DeWalt DWS779 may be the best alternative that we believe is worth every penny. It can make accurate cuts quickly and easily right out of the box, with no calibration necessary, making it an excellent choice for homes. 

In the end, it simply comes down to preferences and budget. If you have the money for the DWS780, you will enjoy premium features. But if you are operating on a smaller budget or are just looking for a basic beginner saw, the DWS779 will just do fine.