Dewalt is a well-established brand that gained a well-deserved reputation for its durable and powerful machines. The company produces a wide variety of tools and machines, so it might be a little hard to make a final decision on which to buy.
That’s why in this article, we’ll make a comparison between the DWS779 and the DWS709 sliding miter saws.
Even though at first glance, they might look very similar, each one has the unique features that make it different and a better choice for two different target customers.
DWS779 VS DWS709 - Full Comparison
| Model | DEWALT DWS709 | DEWALT DWS779 |
|---|---|---|
| Image |   |
  |
| Type | 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw | 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw |
| Product Dimensions | 30.8 x 22.8 x 19.5 inches. | 2 x 23 x 18.5 inches. |
| Motor Power | 15 AMP | 15 AMP |
| Weight | 60 pounds | 67 pounds |
| Warranty | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
The Motor and Blade
A rule of thumb with miter saws is that the higher the current used the stronger the ability of the saw to cut through tougher materials.
Both the DWS779 and DWS709 have 15 AMP motors that can spin the blade at speeds up to 3,800 rotations per minute.
This is a high average that enables you to cut through any type of wood easily and seamlessly.
This means you don’t have to worry about wasting any time or effort using either of the saws whether you’re a pro or a casual DIY woodworker.
Both of them also come with a 12-inch carbide blade.
Generally, the bigger the blade, the bigger your crosscut, miter, and bevel capabilities will be.
Always make sure that the combination of the blade and slide capacity of your sliding miter saw exceed the width of your lumber or molding.
Winner: Tie
Cutting Capacity, Accuracy, and Angles
The accuracy of the saw makes or breaks the tool. And whether you’re going to buy the DWS779 or the DWS709, you’re going to be satisfied with the precision cuts they are able to deliver.
The red-colored miter point in both models facilitates reading and locating the miter angles for enhanced accuracy.
DEWALT DWS709
- The DWS709 is a double bevel sliding compound miter saw that allows you to adjust its miter angle up to 50 degrees to the left and 60 degrees to the right.
- Double bevel means that it has the ability to cut a bevel angle on both sides. Its bevel angle can extend to 49 degrees to both the left and the right.
- At a 90-degree angle, it can cut up to 9.5 inches and at a 45-degree one, it can cut up to 6-5/8 inches.
- Moreover, the DWS709 has 13 positive stops that you can fix your angle at to keep the maximum accuracy.
- The sliding fence is unique and quite useful as it has a couple of little holes in it that enable you to add as much as the height you need as you cut your workpieces.
DEWALT DWS779
- The DWS779 is capable of making 2×16-inch cuts at 90 degrees and 2×12-inch cuts at 45 degrees.
- Its miter angle ranges from 0 to 60 degrees to the right and from 0 to 50 degrees to the left while its bevel angle range is up to 47 degrees on both sides, left and right.
- Furthermore, the DWS779 has 10 positive stops and a cam lock that enable you to secure the workpiece in place at the desired cutting angle and spares you the twist knob –this is a big deal for a sliding miter saw.
- The cutline blade positioning mechanism it works with offers you an adjustment-free cutting line indicator to sustain the precision.
- Since both saws are dual bevel, you are totally free to choose the orientation by flipping the material end to end or upside down.
- This helpful feature helps you reduce and prevent any cutting errors.
Winner: The Dewalt DWS709.
Weight and portability
DEWALT DWS709
- The Dewalt DWS709 has a compact design that contributes to how much lighter it is. At a little over 60 pounds, it’s as light as a sliding miter saw can be.
- This means you can easily move it around with you to different locations without facing too much trouble and without depleting your energy for work.
- The dimensions of the DWS709 are 30.8 x 22.8 x 19.5 inches.
DEWALT DWS779
- On the other hand at 67 pounds, the DWS779 gives you enough stability to cut through the toughest materials without wiggling.
- However, it makes it pretty hard to move around. This may not be a problem if you intend to stay in place, but if you’re a mobile craftsman and you’re looking to bring your tool with you to job sites frequently, the heavy weight of the saw might be an obstacle.
- The dimensions of the DWS779 are 2 x 23 x 18.5 inches.
Winner: The Dewalt DWS709.
Dust collection
Another common thing to find on a miter saw is poor dust collection capabilities. That’s why it’s always better to use an external vacuum for optimum performance.
The Dewalt DWS709 struggles to keep the workspace tidy while the DWS779 simply fails at this field.
Winner: The Dewalt DWS709.
Price Affordability
Warranty
Both the Dewalt DWS779 and DWS709 come with a 3-year warranty, one year of free service, and 90-day money back guarantee.
Winner: Tie.
Make Your Decision
So which of the two sliding miter saws should you buy? Ask yourself these 3 questions:
- Are you an expert user or still a beginner when it comes to woodworking?
- What kind of projects are you going to be working on? Heavy-duty ones or small household ones?
- Are you looking for the more advanced features on the miter saw?
The plus sides of the DWS709 are that it’s more advanced and highly accurate while its only drawbacks are the poor dust collection and the higher price point.
On the other hand, the advantages of the DWS779 is that it has a very stable saw regardless of the pressure or weight you put on it.
However, it does tend to kick on startup and its dust pipe must be checked on a regular basis to make sure the rubber funnel didn’t collapse and block it.
FAQs About DWS709
Does The DWS779 have a LED cut line?
Sadly, this model doesn’t have a LED cut line. You can add one –a shadow light, not a laser- to show you where the blade is going to cut, however.
Can the DWS779 operate on 110v by 50 Hz?
Yes, but it may be under-strained as the manufacturer’s recommendation is 120v by 60 Hz.
What are the blade’s top and bottom measurements?
The blade has 3.5 inches in height and 2 x 4 x 16 for short pieces.
Does the DWS779 have the same slide as the DWS780?
Yes. However, it is a lot more effective.
How Safe is The DWS779?
You shouldn’t worry while you operate your DWS779 as it comes with a blade cover that keeps the sharp blade away from you.
Moreover, the guard comes with openings on the surface to enable you to watch the cutting process from a safe distance.
Does the DWS779 have the same slide as the DWS780?
Yes. However, it is a lot more effective.
FAQs About DWS709
Does the DWS709 Come with an LED Cutting Line?
No, this model lacks LED lighting. You can add an external source, by all means.
Can I Operate the DWS709 on 100v By 50 Hz?
It’s recommended to use your DWS709 on 120v by 60 Hz, but you can still use it on that 100v by 50 Hz. However, this will reduce its cutting capacity.
What Type of Blade Comes with The DWS709?
The DWS709 comes with an alternating top bevel 12-inch carbide blade with 32 teeth.
How Deep Should I Cut with The DWS709 When I Use It on a Bench?
If you’re using a dust bag, the depth should be about 2 feet behind.
However, if you’re using a vacuum system, this number may change, so make sure you check the specs on the vacuum for the exact information.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to work on smaller projects, need portability and easy transportation and storage, you should opt for the DWS709.
The DWS709 won’t be able to handle bigger projects, so if you’re going to do heavier duty jobs, you should opt for the DWS779.
If you already bought one of those models, feel free to share your experience down below in the comments.
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