Saturday, February 26, 2011

Dewalt 716 Miter Saw Review

The Dewalt 716 is one of the range of miter chop saws manufactured by Dewalt. It is very confusing to see all the model numbers in a catalogue.


It is hard to work out exactly what each model is for and how it differs from the other models.

An Overview of Miter Chop Saws Types

The is a progression in the range that starts with your basic Dewalt chop saw. This model is the cheapest one and just does straight cuts in wood. To use it with aluminium or wood laminates you need to have the specific Dewalt saw blade for that use. There is no opportunity to make angled cuts or cuts to large pieces of wood. The blade and motor unit is fixed in place.

The next model is where your motor and blade unit is fixed but you can angle the cut. The range is just over 90 degrees in adjustment. This is where the Dewalt 716 sits in the range. You can make accurate 45 degree cuts in either orientation. There is also a staged indent system for certain common angles such as 30 degrees. So you can in a few seconds select one of these set angles to cut.

The next type is where the angle is fixed but the motor and blade slides forward. This enables you to cut wide wood pieces. Very few people use this type because you might as well go for the top of the range. The top of the range model is the Dewalt 718 which is a compound sliding miter saw. This cuts at angles through 2 planes and is a terrific piece of kit if you need the features it provides.

How To Use The Dewalt 716 Chop Saw

The main use for this particular saw is to cut down long pieces of wood into correct lengths. You maximum size for cutting will be around 150mm by 50mm. (6” X 2”) Pieces bigger than this are not easy to cut. If you are working on a real wood floor then you can cut the planks easily and accurately with this. This is probably the job that the DW716b is used for. It is portable enough to carry to your working site but accurate enough to do a great cut. The cut is very clean. The blades will last for years if you use the right blade for each job. You shouldn't use a wood blade to cut laminate flooring. You can get a dedicated blade for cutting laminated wood.

The second use is for cutting very accurate 45 degree cuts. You can dial up any angle but in practice it is the 45 degree setting that you will use. I have had 3 of these over the last 22 years and they work very hard. The Dewalt range is designed for heavy use and the Dewalt 716 is part of that standard. Cheaper models such as the evolution range will do a job but will make the job longer. They are not so easy to use.

Dewalt DW 718 Features


The Dewalt DW718 Heavy-Duty 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw comes with a 15 amp motor that provides 3600 rpm.

Get The Dewalt 718 At The Best Price HERE

It has multiple bevels at 0 to 48 degrees for increased cutting capacity and a machine based fence support for accurate cuts. These bevel points also allow the operator to flip the saw not the material. A horizontal handle is also featured to allow more comfort during use


* Cuts with great accuracy

* Powerful 15 amp motor gives 3600 rpm

* Multiple bevels give increased cut capacity and allow user to flip the saw not the material

* Precise miter system allows superior accuracy

* Horizontal main handle for increased comfort

* Compatible with the adjustable laser system

* 15 amp motor with 3600 rpm

* Extended power and durability

* Dual horizontal steel rails

* Rails features linear ball bearings and clamping mechanism

* 3 year manufacturers warranty

* Built in carry handle for portability

* Also includes a carbide blade, vertical material clamp, dust bag and blade wrench

Overall, the Dewalt DW718 Heavy-Duty Miter Saw is a great saw that provides superior accuracy and cutting power. With four bevel stops in both directions and a 0 to 50 degree left and right miter capacity for added cutting versatility you’ll find it meets all your cutting needs. With a DW718, you can’t go wrong.

Dewalt 718 Miter Saw


The Dewalt 718 is one of the superb range of miter saws that the company manufactures. I have used the dewalt 718 and its forerunners for about 20 years and find it ideal for all sorts of cutting jobs in my workshop.

40% Discount At Amazon - Special Offer HERE

The first one I bought in 1989 was used daily for 10 years in a busy commercial setting making around 50 – 100 cuts per day. It was stolen from my workshop which meant that work had to stop while we got a replacement. One week later the new one arrived with a number of improvements over the old one.


Constant Product Improvements On Dewalt Miter Saws


The improvements included the fantastic guarding system that covers the blade. As you make a cut the guard reveals just enough of the blade to make the cut without exposing the operator to the saw blade. Another development was the addition of quick clamps to hold your work in place while you make the cut.


We do not always use these clamps but they are very solid. Just can clamp and unclamp your work in about 5 seconds using the ratchet system inherent in the 2 clamps. As many of the profiles we cut are non square we use jigs with the clamps to hold the work securely.


Eventually my second Dewalt 718 stopped working. We had run it into the ground over 11 years and the motor bearings were beginning to wear out. Dewalt did offer to change the motor but I decided to buy a brand new one.


New Features On The Latest Dewalt 718 Miter Saw


We have now had the latest version of the DW718 for about 6 months. Again there is the guarding system which has been further improved. The clamp system is the same. The best new feature is the laser cutting guide. It shines directly onto your work and the beam is the exact width of the blade. So you can see both sides of the cut.


This is critical when you are working to very tight tolerances. If A piece of Aluminium has to be 1789mm then the laser beam allows me to hit that measurement exactly.


The other main improvement is the start up speed of the blade. It quickly gets to full speed when you press the on switch. About half the time of the previous model. There is also a brake on the blade which means that it stops turning very quickly. You no longer feel you are waiting for the blade to stop. It just starts and stops very fast.


Most of my work is with aluminium and wood. These need completely different Dewalt saw blades. You cannot use a wood saw blade on aluminium without causing damage to the blade. You will also find the work catches in the blade which is quite dangerous. An aluminium saw blade will cut wood but the teeth will go blunt much quicker. This is particularly true for cutting laminates and chipboard.

Dewalt Chop Saws


If you are looking for Dewalt chop saws for sale then you know that your local high street will not have them in stock.

Best Prices Currently At Amazon.com HERE

You also know that you will not find any special deals for Dewalt chop saws in your local hardware store. Their business is about supplying stockable items such as hand tools and accessories. They will also stock the raw materials for building and making whatever you are working on at the time.


Buying Dewalt Chop Saws Online Has Its Advantages


If however you are in the market for a Dewalt chop saw then you will need to look online. This has a number of advantages over the traditional method of buying. The first one is that it will be delivered to your door. Most Dewalt saws like the DW718 are hefty pieces of machinery. So home delivery will save you job of carrying it to your truck and then unloiading it at home.


The second advantage of looking for Dewalt chop Saws for sale online is that it is always in stock. Online retails use large central warehouses which means that most items are in stock most of the time. You can also check stock when you order to avoid being disappointed. The third advantage is that you know for sure that the actual saw you receive will be brand spanking new. It will not be a demonstrator model. It also will not have been gathering dust in a workshop waiting to be sold.


The Trend Towards Buying Power Tools Online


There has been a change in how people buy things over the last 5 years. There are still some concerns about credit card security and fraud. These concerns have not stopped the huge trend to buying major purchases online. We no longer just buy books and music online. Most people are making large item purchases such as Dewalt chop Saws and other power tools on the internet.


To this end there are now quite few power tool websites that aim to serve this growing market. Who would have thought that hammers, screwdrivers, drills and saws would be sold over the internet? In my opinion the service is better and the guarantees are solid. The Dewalt chop saw range is a quality product anyway so there is little that can go wrong anyway.