DEWALT DW716 Miter Saw Review

DEWALT DW716 15 Amp 12-Inch Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw

The folks at DeWalt recently sent us their DeWalt DW716 Miter Saw to review.

With so many miter saws out there today it’s tough to find “the one.”  You know what I mean that special saw that does it all, is light weight, powerful, durable and will best suits your needs.

That being said, DeWalt’s DW716 twelve inch, double bevel compound miter saw is certainly worth a look at.

First Impression:

Like many of their miter saws the standard controls, bevel and miter locks as well as the fence locks,  have not changed.  And why should they?  If they aren’t broken, why fix them, right?

Smooth Controls:

The DeWalt controls are solid, easy to grab and easy to use.  Another nice feature the DW716 offers is the thumb lever alongside the miter lock control.  When engaged this lever allows the saw base to freely swivel to any degree cut without locking into the common notches that the miter arm would typically click into.

The miter fence measures between 0 and 48 degrees both to the left and right. Hardened steel bevel stops at 0, 33.9, 45 and 48 degrees on both sides make finding and setting the most common bevel angles a quick, easy process.

The DEWALT DW716 Miter Saw has a stainless steel miter detent plate with 11 positive stops for the most common cuts.   This saw has tall sliding fences which are super useful when supporting crown molding up to 6-5/8-inch nested.   Both fences easily slide out of the way for bevel cuts.

The motor gearbox has been designed to increase vertical cutting capacity, such as vertical baseboard, up  to 6 1/2 inches and will cross-cut a 2×10 ion the flat.

The Chop motion is securely and controlled by a strong spring and operates smoothly – which has a feel of quality to it.   I equate it to the feel of turning a Mercedes steering wheel.  You can “feel” the quality built into it.  the saw guide is precise and works as designed and I found it easy to see my cut lines at all times.

Dust Collection:

Don’t overlook dust collection, as this saw has a nice beefy dust bag.   All too often you find the dust collection bags are not heavy duty and have potential to let finer dust get outside them.

DeWalt has provided a heavier canvas saw dust collection bag to their saw, allowing for more dust to be contained.    We do most of our cutting outdoors but occasionally go indoors and with the correct attachments this saw can easily attach to a vacuum if needed.

Weight and Durability:

Overall this tool fits the DeWalt Standard.  It is not overly heavy, although very durable and sturdy.    At 44 pounds, the weight is precisely what is expected when you open the box.   The DW716 measures 27.5 x 18 x 20 inches.

The miter saw handle was precisely placed allowing for optimal balance and ease of transport.

However the biggest selling point which does not appear on all miter saws comparable to this model, is that the saw bevels both left and right.  At one point in time, almost all carpenters have been with a model saw that allows for only one miter. This forces you to double and sometimes triple check how you cut certain moldings.  The dual bevel feature alone is a huge selling point and at a price point of .

Overall Impression:

Between the ease of controls and use, the power to which this saw contains, I would absolutely market this tool as a PRO tool.  The DW716 is a great miter saw that any professional would be happy to use on any project big or small.

Aside from all the positives, I do wish the saw came with a crown fence and crown clamp.  A majority of miter saws I’ve encountered have these items included.

One other feature to consider is that this saw does not have a safety switch.   While personal preference I think adding this small safety feature could extend the safety of the saw.

How Much and Where To Buy:

The DeWalt DW716 15 Amp 12-Inch Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw DEWALT-DW716-12-Inch-Double-Bevel-Compound

Concord Carpenter

Who is Concord Carpenter?    ~ Robert Robillard is editor of A Concord Carpenter and principal of a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts. Rob is a recognized leader in tool and how-to information for building professionals, he also hosts the Concord Carpenter Cable TV Show, offering the do-it-yourself audience in Boston's Meto West region expert advice on home repairs and maintenance. On his website, Rob covers all aspects of home improvement and remodeling, specializing in problem solving for home maintenance. Rob enjoys evaluating and reviewing tools and products and restoring vintage tools. The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!":

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