DeWalt 29.8 lbs. Compact Miter Saw Stand with 500 lbs. Capacity

Why I picked this compact stand

Space in my shop is always at a premium, and my rolling miter station isn’t practical to haul into small rooms or onto decks. I wanted a stand that’s genuinely portable, fast to set up, and still sturdy enough for a 12-inch slider. This compact stand from DeWalt hits those marks on paper: under 30 pounds, folding legs, a 40-inch beam that extends to support up to 10 feet of material, and a 500-pound rating. After a couple of weeks moving between trim work and outdoor projects, I’ve got a pretty clear picture of where it shines and what could be better.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, assembly is minimal. The legs swing out cleanly and lock with broad levers that are easy to identify by feel. There’s no awkward cross-brace gymnastics to figure out, and the stand sits flat with a reassuring stance. At 32 inches tall, the working height is comfortable for me (I’m average height), and it keeps most saw tables right where I want them relative to my waist.

The included tool mounting brackets slide along the main rail and clamp down with cam levers. The first setup took me about 15 minutes including unboxing; subsequent deployments are under a minute. Folding it back up is just as quick, and the folded package is slim enough to slide behind a door or hang on a wall—roughly 43 inches long and 8 inches thick.

Mounting different saws

The brackets are universal, with slotted holes that handled every saw base I tried. I mounted my 12-inch sliding miter saw without drama, and I also tested a lighter 10-inch saw from another brand. The hardware that ships with the stand is metric M8 x 1.25. It works, but it’s basic hex hardware. Wing nuts or knobs would have been more convenient for tool-less swaps, so consider adding your own if you plan to move saws on and off regularly.

One thoughtful touch: the brackets have non-marring feet. When you pop the saw off the stand, you can set it on a benchtop without scratching surfaces. If you run multiple tools, an extra set of brackets is a really nice upgrade—then each tool can live on its own bracket pair and drop onto the rail in seconds.

Portability and storage

At 29.8 pounds, the stand is manageable to carry one-handed if needed, though I usually grab it with two hands by the main beam. There are no wheels, which is the trade-off for keeping weight and bulk down. If you need to roll a heavy saw across a jobsite constantly, a wheeled stand still has advantages. For my mix of shop work and occasional field work, the carry-in/carry-out approach is worth the space savings. The folded footprint is compact enough to stand behind a truck seat or lean along a garage wall without dominating the area.

Stability and capacity

I pushed the stand with long and heavy stock: wet 2x10s and 12-foot composite fascia. The 500-pound rating is more than enough for any miter saw task I can imagine, but ratings aside, what matters is how it feels under load. The legs plant confidently, and the crossbars do a good job keeping the platform rigid. I never felt any hint of tipping, even when the saw’s carriage was extended and I had material hanging well off one side. The aluminum build doesn’t transmit much vibration, so cuts stay predictable.

On very uneven ground, you’ll notice the lack of independent leg micro-adjustments. A flat scrap of plywood under a foot solves it, but it’s worth noting if you work on rough terrain.

Material support and stops

The work supports slide out smoothly and lock with levers that are easy to operate with gloves. They extend to back up long stock up to about 10 feet, and the convertible stops are handy for repeat cuts. As with most rail-style stands, expect to spend a minute dialing in the height so the supports sit flush with your saw’s table. Once set, mine stayed put for the day.

If I’m being picky, a micro-adjuster would make that dial-in faster. Also, at maximum extension with heavy lumber, you’ll see a hint of deflection in the support arms—not enough to hurt accuracy for framing or deck boards, but a gentle hand at the saw helps. For trim and smaller material, they’re rock solid.

Ergonomics in use

The controls are big, bright, and straightforward: leg locks, extension locks, and bracket cams are all glove-friendly. The stand’s 32-inch working height feels natural for crosscuts and fine trim fitting. I especially like how quickly I can move the stops and supports along the rail to suit different material widths without shuffling the saw itself. The profile of the legs leaves room for a foot stance close to the saw—no shin-banging struts in the way.

Noise and vibration transmission are minimal. I’ve used heavier steel stands that feel bulletproof but ring like a tuning fork with certain saws; this one stays quiet and deadened.

Durability notes and service

Overall build quality is good: straight welds, tight tolerances, and clean lock mechanisms. I did run into one hiccup with the quick-release mechanism on a mounting bracket. The small spring within the handle assembly felt flimsy and failed during early use. Replacing it got me back in action, but it’s the one area that felt underbuilt compared with the rest of the stand. If you rely on the stand daily, I’d consider keeping a spare bracket set in the kit so a spring failure doesn’t stall your day.

Maintenance is simple: keep the extension tubes clean, blow sawdust out of the lock housings, and add a dab of dry lube if the rails start to feel gritty. The aluminum resists corrosion well, and the feet haven’t scuffed floors or decks in my testing.

The warranty coverage is reassuring: a 3-year limited warranty with a 1-year free service contract, plus a 90-day return window from many retailers.

Who it’s for

• Carpenters and remodelers who want a compact stand that’s fast to deploy and doesn’t eat truck space.
• DIYers who need real support for long stock without committing to a rolling station.
• Anyone running a heavier sliding miter saw who still wants a stand that’s easy to carry solo.

If you routinely move a saw around a large site all day, or you need tool-less mounting and precision micro-adjust supports, you might prefer a larger wheeled platform.

The nitpicks

• No wheels. Fine for my use, but not ideal for constant relocation.
• No leveling feet. Plan on shims for truly uneven ground.
• Bracket hardware is basic. Wing nuts or knobs would improve tool changes.
• The bracket release spring feels like the weak link. A beefier spring or a spares kit would inspire more confidence.
• The stops are simple rather than micro-adjustable. Accuracy is good, but dialing in the perfect height takes a moment.

None of these are deal-breakers, and most have straightforward workarounds.

Recommendation

I recommend this compact stand for anyone who values portability, quick setup, and solid support without the bulk of a rolling unit. It’s genuinely lightweight, the leg and extension locks are intuitive, and it manages long stock better than its size suggests. The universal brackets make it easy to run different saws, and the non-marring feet are a thoughtful touch for shop work.

Be aware of the bracket spring as a potential weak point and consider upgrading the mounting hardware for convenience. If you need wheels or micro-adjust everything, look elsewhere. For everyone else—from weekend deck builders to trim carpenters working out of a pickup—this stand offers a smart balance of stability, capacity, and compact storage at a sensible weight.