Against all odds, I was contacted in early February by one of the local newspapers in my area who had heard about my miter saw tests and reviews. They were preparing an entire DIY book for their spring release, which included DIY tips, original outdoor and indoor decorating ideas, and advice on tools. I was therefore happy to be able to test the DEWALT DW716 12 in. Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw.
For DIY professionals, the DEWALT DW716 is like a real monster, especially for those who work with baseboard and crown molding, it is a double bevel compound miter saw, meaning that it can make miter cuts along with bevel cuts. That’s why I consider it one of the best miter saws for crown molding.
I did the heavy lifting for you to put it into the test to let you make the right decision for that tool.
DeWalt DW716 Quick Ratings
The Fence
The saw has extra-high fence which allows you to cut moldings up to 6-5/8″ nested and base molding up to 6-1/2″ vertically against the fence
Weight
The saw weighs 44 pounds, it is one of the lightest miter saws in the market, making it a good option for those who focus on portability
Manual Guide
The manual guide is good but needs more enhancements.
Blade
The blade is good but not the best in the market, and the kerf plate needs to be widen a little bit.
Pros
- Dual bevel
- Best miter saw for non-professionals
- Light Weight
- A powerful Motor
- Amazing high fence making it the best miter saw for crown molding and baseboard
- Creates precise cuts easily
- Affordable
- A little smaller than many other models
Cons
- Changing the blade is not as easy as it should
- Doesn’t come with LED light
- A plastic handle
Overview
The DeWalt DW716 is a powerful miter saw that has a motor generating a 1400 in-lb torque which makes it the best tool for any type of work, whether you use it for baseboard or even construction sites. It has a good cutting length of 6 inches and maximum cutting thickness of 6 ½ inches.
Another good thing is the blade, the saw comes with a 60-tooth carbide tipped blade that can cut through most of the materials you deal with. The DeWalt DW716 is easy to use, so it will be a good option for beginners and seasonal DIYers because of its light weight and precise cutting capabilities.
DeWalt DW716 specifications
- Product Weight: 44 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 27.5 x 20 x 20 in
- Motor Power: 15 amp, 3, 800 RPM
- Blade Diameter: 12 inches
- Bevel Angles: 48 degrees left, 48 degrees right
- Miter Angles: 50 degrees left, 50 degrees right
- Warranty: 3 years
DeWalt DW716 in details
At first glance, the DeWalt DW716 is a modern and versatile tool, its design seems extremely robust and durable as most of its frame is made of stainless steel, and the size is similar to other miter saws.
In terms of weight, I was surprised to find that it is much lighter than average. It weighs only 44 pounds, because the average weight for miter saws is +50 pounds, and this is a good point for DeWalt DW716.
The design of this tool is very pleasant since it makes it completely flexible and ergonomic. This allows you to tilt the blade up to 48 ° to the left and to the right.
This miter saw has been adjusted accurately to give you the most precise cut, it is compatible with the DeWalt’s laser guiding system.
The detent plate is calibrated with 11 positive stops to increase your productivity and accuracy.
What is the DeWalt DW716 used for
I tested the DeWalt DW716 for cutting baseboard and crown molding, it did the job perfectly, but the only thing that I hope the DeWalt company upgrade the miter saw with are holders for molding, you have to buy them separately. The fence is amazing, it has a 6-5/8-inch fence which make is very easy to cut oversized molding.
Also, if you want to make bevel cuts, the fence slides very easily.
I also used this so for cutting 1/4 round molding and 6×6’s it was a piece of cake. So we can say that this saw is a general-purpose miter saw nearly for anything for your light and heavy jobs.
What’s in the box?
The DeWalt DW716 comes with a 12-inch carbide blade with 60 teeth, a dust bag and a blade wrench. The saw doesn’t come with LED light, and you have to buy it separately, it is totally compatible with DW7187 miter saw laser system.
I wished the saw to come with clamps as I deal a lot with 2x8s. In this case you have to purchase yours separately.
BENCHMARK TEST
Motor
9.5/10
The DeWalt DW716 comes with a heavy-duty 15-amp motor that delivers a fantastic 1400 in-lb torque and 3800 RPM, making it easy to cut through tough materials like hardwood and larger pieces of lumber.
I used this saw for my pallet projects, especially making table pallets, it cuts like a hot knife through butter thanks to its powerful motor. Also, the motor is away from the handle, I like this type of miter saws, it gives me a good view of what I’m doing.
There is also a good thing that I noticed in that saw, the motor delivers full continuous power while cutting, for the other low quality miter saws, the motor’s cutting speed decreases while cutting thick hardwood pieces. That’s why this saw is perfect for construction sites.
Blade
9/10
The saw has a 12-inch carbide blade with 60 teeth. But in my opinion, if you do detailed jobs, I advise you to go for an 80-tooth blade. The splinters produced by the 60-tooth blade don’t worth mentioning.
Also another good thing is that the blade is belt-driven, this makes the startup process flawless and easy. The blade is also covered with a transparent blade guard to protect your hand while spinning
Angle stops and detent plate
9/10
What makes a product better than another one is the features that increase your productivity, and DeWalt nailed it here. This saw comes with a well-calibrated and precise detent plate with 11 positive stops and cam Miter Lock for the most common angles.
There is also a lever by which you can adjust the base freely for any angle beside the pre-set angles so you can override the detenting capability. If you like to cut near the 45o like me, then this saw made it easy for us.
Dust collection system
7.9/10
The saw comes with a convenient dust bag, not the best in the world, but in my opinion and many other opinions, it is useless. The dust bag is small and fills up really quickly so you have to empty it a lot when you work on frequent cuttings. So, I usually attach my vacuum for dust collection if I work on a continuous job. Generally speaking, the dust collection system needs improvement.
Weight and Durability
8.9/10
One of my favorite pros of this miter saw is its weight, The DeWalt DW716 is only 44 pounds, making it an easy portable tool. Also its dimensions are not quite large like other miter saws, so it can fit in your car.
It also has two side grips and a top handle to carry it anywhere. When you put in the cutting position, DeWalt got my back here, there is a lock pin right under the motor to lock it in that position so you can store it or carry it easily.
The saw also has pre-drilled holes in its base, so you can attach it on your worktable and nearly have zero vibrations.
The biggest advantage for this saw is that it bevels left and right, and this is a huge selling point making it a popular tool among professional carpenters. That’s why I love this miter saw for cutting crown molding. You can 48 degrees both ways.
Although you can adjust and calibrate the angles in this saw, you don’t have to do that
The entire miter saw is made of metal, only the kerf plate the miter lock lever, the handle and blade guard are made of plastic.
The Safety
9/10
Miter saws are dangerous tools if you don’t use it properly. In our DeWalt DW716, it has a hard-plastic guard. The blade guard is transparent to let you see the blade while spinning and it also moves while lifting and dropping the blade for cutting and to ensure the safety.
The blade is stopped by the electric brake system, which stops the blade in a matter of seconds
The warranty
9/10
The DeWalt DW716 comes with a 3-year warranty, it has a 90-day money back guarantee policy. The 3-year warranty is limited, meaning that the warranty is valid for specific parts of the saw.
You don’t have to worry here, DeWalt is one of the biggest names in the power tools world and this saw will stay efficient you use it properly.
FAQs and Tutorials
Can I use The DeWalt DW716 to cut metals?
No you cannot, if you use it to cut metals with the carbide blade, it will break, also there will be a motor failure. Even if you plan to use an abrasive blade, this will damage the saw. You can use this saw to cut all other types of materials like wood, plastic or even aluminum and other non-ferrous materials.
Does the DeWalt DW716 come with LED light system?
No, it doesn’t come with LED system, but you can buy it separately. You can buy a laser attachment that casts a laser beam on the workpiece or an LED light that casts a shadow over your cutline.
Is the DeWalt DW716 worth the money?
From my experience, my simple answer is yes it is. It is a good miter saw for home improvement jobs and it is a good investment. If you work a lot with crown molding, then you should buy it, its double bevel feature will get your back tons of times.
Which laser system and LED light system are compatible with the DeWalt DW716?
The DeWalt DW716 is compatible with DEWALT DW7187 Adjustable Miter-Saw Laser System and DEWALT DWS7085 Miter-Saw LED Work Light System.
How to replace the blade for DeWalt DW716?
DeWalt DW716 Alternatives
The best alternative is DeWalt DW716XPS, it actually solves the cons on DeWalt DW716. It comes with an XPS LED light system and nearly has the same specifications of DeWalt DW716.
Final Thoughts
If you want to invest in an easy-to-use miter saw that allows you to create extremely clean and precise cuts, then the DeWalt DW716 is the tool for you. It is efficient, affordable and precise despite its cons.
Apart from the investment side, it is a very good product that will satisfy you during your daily work.
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