So what’s the general consensus on this saw? I just picked one up at a ridiculous price at Costco and noticed that it’s getting crap reviews at Amazon.
I’ve used the 708 and I like the way just about everything is improved on the new saw – but it doesn’t seem to be getting high points for accuracy and other things.
My intended use is for kitchen cabinet crown, trim jobs, etc.
I have a Bosch 3915 10″ slider that I’ve not that been happy with in terms of accuracy and it’s a bit under powered.
Any previous 708 owners step up to the 718 and glad they made the move?
Thanks,
Julian
Replies
If you're talking about the old 12" slider vs the new one...I'm running both, and I like the new one a lot. Neither are under powered. The new controls are much nicer, just wish they could have figured out a way to put that 1/2 and 1/4° scale on the new one.
The short slide takes a little getting used to. I love that I can thumb the guard up and pull the trigger with one hand. The locking detants (bevel and miter) and over rides are great.
It's quieter, lighter, and less torquey. The laser is worth it for rough trim cuts, and real nice for framing.
I hope their next generation goes 60° both ways...but none the less, they made a great saw better, I think DeWalt has the miter saw thing down.
My general feeling regarding 'reviews' on Amazon is that an awful lot of people are just looking to find something wrong with whatever they're 'reviewing'.
I also think that a lot of the 'reviews' are done by people who really don't have a clue as to what they're talking about. On something like a SCMS I'll see reviews where people think they got a bum saw because it wasn't tuned dead-on accurate after just pulling it out of the box it was shipped in.... in the back of a truck across 3/4 of the country. Or guys who think the saw is a POS because they made 3 or 4 cuts with the factory supplied blade and they weren't glass smooth.... so they blame the saw. And then there's the rave reviews where they rate the saw as excellent after having just pulled it out of the box and never actually even used it.... they just think it "looks" like a good tool.
Know what I mean? I take those Amazon reviews with a grain of salt because you never really know who's actually doing the review. It's just an opportunity for someone to feel important for a minute or two.
While I don't own one, if I were buying a 12" slider, that DW would be at the top of the list of choices. The reason being that 90% of the finish guys I see working are using that saw. That's the best review I can think of.
That's what I was thinking - and I figured there's got to be quite a few guys running with the new saw that owned the older 708.I picked it up at Costco's for $499.00 and that included a 60tooth Dewalt Woodworking blade ($65 value) and also included a complete Dewalt 9.6 volt drill kit with 2 batteries (worth $80)Pretty amazing deal really, considering it sells for $649 everywhere with a crap blade and nothing else.Plus - it weighs less than my Bosch 12" non-slider! And crosscuts a 1x16...The miter stops are much more defined than the 708, but still very smooth.Thanks,Julian
I was looking through amazon reviews the other day on the makita LS1013, which I bought off of Heavy Duty Tools. I must have read through 50 reviews, I couldn't find anything that mentioned whether the saw miters past 45º either way.
Seems fairly significant to me, but everyone wanted to talk about how accurate the laser was, or how the bevel lever was broken in shipment.zak
"so it goes"
There's a post on JLC regarding DW718's...manufacturing issues?? I'd think a inspection and tweaking would resolve any assembly errors...just think of all the reconded 718's lining up!!! I've been eyeing the 716 "R" for 204...Best of Luck
rustbucket
I bought it and I'm not sorry. I'm primarily a framer, but we are doing more 12 " watertable, friezes, and larger crown.
The tool is as precise as an old framer with bad eyes needs, and much more precisein the eyes of the customer. It can make an excellent cut guy, out of a first year apprentice.
The only thing I have a hard time with is the weight and awkwardness in carrying.
Greg in Connecticut
It's lighter than any other 12" slider - it weighs less than my 12" Bosch non-slider.They are all awkward to carry though.Thanks for the feedback.JT
Just bought mine a few months ago, and am very well satisfied. Only complaint is the dust collection set-up, but all the positive things far out-weigh that. I also bought the DeWalt miter-saw stand which is worth every penny.
Duey
That's the truth - I've had the stand for a year now - and it's the best thing out there for a fold up.Thanks,JT
I use a dw708 for siding and trim and have learned a few tricks to help with accuracy problems. First, when cutting crown or casing i lock the slide stop and use it like a chop saw(no slide action) Second, try using a thicker blade, like an Irwin blade, instead of the Dewalt blade. Makes a big difference in your mitered corners. When I start a vinyl siding job I'll throw the Dewalt blade back on to save wear on the bearings. Also, I find the easiest way to carry the saw is from the back. Hope this helps.