DeWalt 15 Amp Corded 12 in. Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Blade Wrench and Material Clamp

Why I reached for the DWS779

I needed a full-size slider that could swing between framing lumber and finish trim without me fussing over calibration every weekend. The DWS779 landed on my bench because it promised big capacity, straightforward controls, and the kind of no-nonsense build DeWalt miter saws are known for. After months of use in a small shop and a handful of exterior projects, here's how it’s held up.

Setup, build, and first cuts

Out of the box, the saw came well put together. The castings are stout, the dual horizontal rails track smoothly on ball bearings, and the miter table feels solid, not tinny. At 68 pounds, it’s a beast; I’d call it “semi-portable” at best. On a rolling miter stand it’s manageable, but I wouldn’t want to haul it up and down stairs routinely.

Initial alignment was impressive. A quick check with a machinist square and a digital angle gauge showed the blade to fence and blade to table were very close from the factory. Fine-tuning the miter and bevel took just a few minutes using the accessible adjustment screws, and once set, the saw has stayed true.

The included 12-inch carbide blade is a framing-friendly 30-ish tooth. It rips through 2x material cleanly enough. For cabinet trim or stain-grade work, I swapped to a 60–80T blade and saw a noticeable improvement in cut quality, particularly on cross-grain miters.

Capacity and cut quality

This is where the DWS779 earns its keep. With the head slid forward, it’ll crosscut wide stock—nominal 2x14 at 90 degrees—without drama. At 45 degrees, the capacity drops, but a 2x10 is still within reach. The tall sliding fences support larger base and nested crown well; I’ve cut tall baseboard standing up and crown nested without juggling cobbled-together supports.

Cut quality is consistent across the slide. There’s minimal play in the head when the rails are clean and the detents engaged. I pushed it with long, heavy LVL and still got square, repeatable cuts as long as I maintained firm, even feed pressure. The electric brake stops the blade fast, which improves safety and reduces the chance of tear-out on delicate pieces at the end of the cut.

Miter and bevel mechanics

The miter mechanism is a highlight. The stainless-steel detent plate and cam-lock handle make quick, repeatable setups easy. Common stops click in with authority, and the detent override lets me sneak up on oddball angles without fighting the spring. The scale markings are crisp and easy to read.

Bevel range is generous on the left (up to 48 degrees) and slightly less on the right (up to 45 degrees). The bevel lock is positioned at the rear, which is typical for this style but a touch awkward if the saw is up against a wall. The sliding fences adjust quickly to clear bevels, and the head glides smoothly through compound cuts without feeling sloppy.

One note: this model doesn’t include a shadow cutline light. If you depend on a visual cutline, you’ll either use a pencil line and a steady hand or add an aftermarket light or laser. I’ve been fine without it for rough carpentry; for fine trim, I slow down and score the cut on my line to eliminate splintering.

Dust collection reality check

Dust collection is average for a 12-inch slider. With just the bag, you’ll catch a small fraction of chips. Hooked to a shop vac with a proper adapter, capture improves noticeably on 90-degree cuts, but bevel and compound cuts still throw debris. The port is compatible with common vac hose sizes with the right coupler; I added a hose clamp on the flex connection for insurance.

A couple of practical tips:
- Keep the lower shroud clear of offcuts; it can deflect airflow if it’s pushed or folded.
- Use a high-CFM vac or a small dust collector if you have one. Static pressure matters on a miter saw.
- If you’re doing lots of trim, consider auxiliary hoods or side wings to corral the spray.

It’s not a dust-free experience, but with a vac attached it’s shop-friendly enough for regular use.

Controls, ergonomics, and day-to-day use

The handle is comfortable and ambidextrous. Trigger feel is positive, and the brake engages quickly. The head lock-down pin and slide lock are easy to find and operate in gloves. The fence scales and miter pointer are legible in low light.

The included vertical clamp is functional for holding narrow or twisted stock, though it’s not as slick as a quick-cam style clamp. I use it when I need both hands on the workpiece; otherwise, I rely on stop blocks and the fence. The keyed arbor makes blade changes secure, and the onboard wrench storage is handy.

Noise and vibration are in line with other 12-inch saws—this is hearing protection territory. The motor spins at 3,800 RPM and has enough torque to carry a full-depth cut without bogging, even in dense hardwoods, provided the blade is sharp.

Footprint and portability

This is not a compact-rail design. The rails project behind the saw, so plan for depth in your setup (a 24-inch-deep bench isn’t enough if the saw backs against a wall). On a mobile stand, that’s less of an issue, but it does influence where it lives in a small shop.

At 68 pounds, moving it solo is possible but not enjoyable. If you anticipate frequent transport, a wheeled stand is almost mandatory. For stationary use, the weight is a perk—it damps vibration and helps the saw feel planted.

Accuracy and repeatability

After calibration, the saw holds its settings extremely well. I regularly make a batch of 45-degree miters, swing to a bevel, and return to zero without needing to recheck with a square. The positive stops and the cam lock contribute to the repeatability, and the rails don’t develop noticeable slop with regular cleaning. For long miters on tall baseboard, the tall fences keep pieces supported, which helps with tight joints.

Kerf awareness matters: I mark my layout and cut to the waste side, especially with the coarser stock blade. Once you dial in the blade and feed technique, glue-line cuts on hardwood are achievable.

Maintenance and durability

Keep the rails clean and lightly lubricated (dry lube, not oil), and vacuum dust from the shroud area to prevent buildup. Blade changes are straightforward with the included wrench; the 5/8-inch arbor opens a wide world of blades.

Fit and finish have held up well. The detent plate hasn’t developed wear that would cause slop, and the fence faces are still dead straight. Nothing about the saw feels fragile; it’s built to be used, not babied.

The warranty is solid for a pro-grade saw: 3-year limited coverage, 1-year free service, and a 90-day satisfaction period. That’s a comfortable safety net if anything shows up in early use.

Who it’s for (and who it isn’t)

• Ideal for:

  • Carpenters and serious DIYers who need wide crosscut capacity and dependable accuracy.
  • Trim installers who don’t mind adding a higher-tooth blade and an external vac for cleaner results.
  • Small shops where the saw will live on a dedicated stand.

• Less ideal for:

  • Frequent stair-haulers or punch-list crews who need ultra-portability.
  • Users who consider a shadow cutline light essential out of the box.
  • Tight benches where rear-clearance rails are a problem.

The bottom line

I recommend the DWS779. It earns that recommendation on the strength of its cut capacity, rock-solid miter mechanism, smooth sliding action, and dependable accuracy once calibrated. The saw is heavy and the dust collection is only middling without a vac, but those trade-offs are common in this class. With a better blade and a decent extraction setup, it transitions from framing to finish work with confidence.

If you’re setting up a stable workstation, want a proven 12-inch slider, and value repeatable, square cuts more than bells and whistles, this is a workhorse you can build projects around.