DEWALT DW705S 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Compound Miter saw

by DEWALT

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

For a burly saw with a big blade, DeWalt's 12-inch compound miter saw is surprisingly lightweight (40 pounds) and portable. This saw makes smooth cuts through the thickest of stock, crosscuts a two-by-eight with ease, and--with its extra-high adjustable fence--miters crown molding up to 6-5/8 inches nested vertically against the fence (a timesaving feature that's reason enough for some trim carpenters to buy one). The fence also slides away for bevel cuts.

What impressed us the most was the weight and balance of this saw: the blade lowers easily into the cut, bevels are easy to set, and the miter gauge swivels smoothly. The saw's nine positive miter stops (detents) let you lock into the common angles quickly, but you can still dial in a 1/2 degree off the detent without the gauge dropping back into the stop. The detent plate is made of sturdy stainless steel, too, so it's hard to imagine it developing any slop even after years of use. The gauges are easily accessible and easy to read (what's more frustrating than having to lean around the saw to set on angle?). The saw miters up to 48 degrees on both sides and bevels left to 45.

Unlike some of their competitors, DeWalt mounted their saw with a burly blade guard that retracts smoothly and doesn't interfere with your line of sight. DeWalt's D-handle design favors right-handers, although the trigger's wide enough to use fairly easily with your left hand when cutting left-side miters. The saw doesn't have a safety switch--which, frankly, is fine by us, since some safety switches can be downright dangerous--but it's something to consider if you're doing residential or remodeling work where children might stumble across your tools. --Jon Groebner

From the Manufacturer

DEWALT DW705S 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Compound Miter saw

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 27.5 x 20 x 18 inches ; 48.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 48.5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00004YNWW
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: DW705S
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,008 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars At this price point, you can do far better, October 8, 2003

By 

A. Helfer (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DEWALT DW705S 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

I owned a DeWalt 705S for a bit more than a week before returning it. For about five years, I owned a starter model Craftsman 10" miter saw, which was fine for simple 45 degree miters and straight cuts for small projects; however, even after extensive adjustments, it never would cut a straight bevel (probably due to lateral weakness in the arm, among other things). Because I was getting ready to do some extensive remodeling and trim work, I decided it was time to replace the Craftsman with a more serious saw.

I looked around at various saws and picked up the DeWalt. I like to buy American made tools when possible, and that was one of the factors in the decision. The DeWalt does have a nice, smooth action and is fairly solid overall, much better than the Craftsman it was replacing. I have had good experiences with other DeWalt power tools I own (e.g., a circular saw and a drill). After using this saw for a few days, though, I noticed problems. The worst of them is that the locking mechanism is terribly designed on this unit. Other reviewers on this site have noted this (and I wish I'd read their reviews before buying the saw!). The problem is this: when you lock in a miter setting by cranking the knob, the pressure lifts the rotating miter table relative to the "fixed" base of the saw. The table even lifts a bit when you set the saw to a pre-slotted angle; the spring that settles into the detent also pushes the table upwards and out of square.

Now, this may not be an issue for you if you are making straight cuts in 2x4s or building a dog house, but it is a big problem if you're trying to do fine trim work where accuracy really matters. The defect effectively throws off the angles you're dialing in.

At this price point, I don't think a saw should have slop engineered into it. This DeWalt unfortunately does and is therefore an inferior product in my book. (Even the flawed Craftsman saw I had did not have the table accuracy issue that this saw does.) DeWalt customer service offered me no solutions or workarounds and suggested I return the product if I wasn't satisfied. Back to the home center it went. And I did check the display model for this particular issue after I returned the saw. The display model had the exact same issue. Just tighten the knob and watch the table go up. It's even worse when you have the miter set to 45 degrees, where you can really see the contrast between the table and the base after the table rises. DeWalt just doesn't seem to have been able to figure out how to set the table solidly in the base.

After shopping around again and reading more extensive reviews, I picked up a Delta TwinLaser 36-255L instead. Though it is a Taiwanese saw (as most appear to be), it is dead on accurate and needed minimal adjustments out of the box. (To be fair, the DeWalt was fairly well set up from the factory and did not require more than about fifteen minutes of work to get it squared up.) It also seems much more solidly built than the DeWalt overall. The same Delta saw without the laser (36-255) currently sells for the same price as this DeWalt. (The cookie-cutter Porter Cables are also nice, but the Delta incarnation has a two-year warranty instead of a one-year warranty.)

Even if you're a DeWalt fan, as I have been, I would suggest that you shop around before dropping three Franklins on this particular product. Cast a cold eye on the 705S and ride on.

67 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DeWalt 12inch miter review, September 28, 2000

By 

Robert P. Haynes, Jr. (JONESBORO, GA. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DEWALT DW705S 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

The saw works great, simply put. It's very well made, strong, and very accurate. As with any adjustable new power tool, it is highly adviseable to check it's alignment. All you need is a square and torques bit,(not included with my saw). The head tilts very smoothly,(a must for accurate work), the miter detents are right on target. To my knowledge, Dewalt has the only adjustable miter detent settings available. When wear occurs over time, the stainless scale is adjustable , keeping the accuracy in check. The high back fence works real nice when cutting crown molding, especially when used with with the optional crown stops. They are worth the price. A tip here, cut you some angle blocks from pine,what ever,(37.5degrees) an lay against the fence, this will ensure very precise cuts. The standard 60 tooth blade is also very good for most cutting, it has a negative hook for beter control when cutting. I have had this saw for 18 months without any complaints at all. The compound adjustment works very easy, but before sawing on the compound, check your yellow plastic strips as they may be to close, as you will cut into them. They should be as close as possible when normal cutting, but after you change to a compound cut, they wil get cut. When changing the blade, remember the blade retaing bolt is left hand threads. The dust bag works the best on any saw I have tried. Power, it has plenty, and the brushes in the motor are very easy to change, no special tools required. To some up, It's (in my opinion) the best buy of any miter saw, especially when all the features are compared, and it's AMERICAN MADE. what else can I say, but watch your fingers. I now have the 12 inch slider, but that's another story.

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth, powerful, a must have, April 19, 2001

By 

R. M. Jones (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DEWALT DW705S 12-Inch Heavy-Duty Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've been researching compound miter saws for about 18 months now, (its not that I'm that non-committal, its just silly things like "the kids need food", and similar issues).

I was intially impressed with the features of this saw. Yet over time I looked at, and used others, and ulitmately came full circle which increased my level of appreciation for this fine tool.

I've done a bit of finish work using a Hitachi 10" compound. Nice saw, and got the job done. The safety switch on the straight handle took some getting used to and the small fence was a challenge for 4" crown and 5" base. Which I ended up adding my own fence to increase capacity. The detents are not that positive, a little play (+ or - 1/2 degree). The mitre adjustment had a lot of leverage to swing the table around. The only problem is there isn't a lot of saw to counteract that leverage, even when bolted down.

I looked at the Porter Cable 12" compound. Nice postive lock on the miter adjustment. Its heavy which can be an issue, not unless you keep having the rookie move your tools for you. The miter gauge although stamped, with no signs of ever losing your marks, I didn't like the idea of having the actual degree mark being roughly 1-2 degrees thick, (I use mine to build furniture as well.)

Which leads me to the DeWalt. Silky smooth blade travel, and plenty of power. The D-handle is an ergonomic dream and the "really big trigger" is nice. Big sliding fence, accurate and postive detents, but not so "positive" that you can't sneak up on a few of those ahem, problem cuts. 3 screws and you miters are set. 2 bolts and you compounds are true.

The extension wing is plus and helps stabilize your work, and the dust bag is nice to store loose change (token effort, I guess). The blade is good for trim work once you get "the feel" on how quick to pull this bad boy down without tear out. But invest in something better (Forrest) for finer work.

Many similar features on smaller saws, Delta for instance. Which I would have bought if I didn' t need the extra capacity of the 12".

Spend the extra dollars and you'll be dangerous (in a good, accurate, craftsman-type way).