Is the Dewalt DWS 779 the better miter saw or the DWS 779? If that’s a question you have been pondering, I am glad you found this blog.
Both the miter saws have been with me for over 6 months now and I have been using them on a variety of woods and thicknesses and today, I am going to share a detailed comparison between the two to help you make a better buying decision.
These miter saws have been compared based on multiple factors that influence the purchase such as durability, cutting ability, affordability, ease of use, and so on.
So let’s jump into the details.
Dewalt dws779 vs dws780: In Brief
In a hurry? Do not have time to go through long details? No problem. This comparison table gives you w brief about both the miter saws to help you make a quick-fire purchase.
| Dewalt DWS779 | Dewalt DWS780 | |
| Dimensions | 2 x 23 x 18.5 inches | 21.46 x 17.72 x 17.13 inches |
| Weight | 67 Pounds | 56 Pounds |
| Vertical Capacity | 6.75 inches | 6.75 inches |
| Horizontal Capacity | — | 13.75 inches |
| Blade Diameter | 12 inches | 12 inches |
| Motor | 3,800 rpm | 3,800 rpm |
| Current | 15 Amp | 15 Amp |
| Miter detent plate | Stainless steel with 10 positive stops | stainless steel with cam lock |
| Crown molding | up to 7-1/2 inches nested | up to 7-1/2 inches nested |
| Back Fence design cuts | 2×16 dimensional lumber at 90° and 2×12 at 45° | 2 by 16-dimensional lumber at 90-degrees, 2 by 12 at 45 degrees |
| Miter saw stand | No | No |
| Bevel | Yes. Left and right | Yes. Left and right |
| Blade | Yes – multipurpose carbide blade | Yes – multipurpose carbide blade |
| Number of Teeth on Blade | — | 60 Teeth |
| Arbor Size | 5/8″ or 1 inch | 5/8″ or 1 inch |
| Light | Laser Sighting (Sold Separately) | XPS LED Light |
| Lock Type | Cam-lock | Lever (Cam) |
| Warranty | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Power source | Corded-electric | Corded-electric |
| Dust collection | Yes | Yes |
| Nested crown capacity | 7.5 Inches | 7.5 Inches |
| Price |
But if you are a serious woodworker and are a nerd about your tools, here is an in-depth comparison of the Dewalt DWS 779 and DWS 780.
Dewalt DWS 779 and DWS 780: A Detailed Comparison
The Cutting Guide
One of the main differences between both the saws is the cutting guide system. The DWS 780 is armed with an XPS LED cutting light whereas, with the DWS 779, you will have to buy laser guides separately.
So why is the XPS LED light system worth it?
The XPS system works by creating a shadow of the cutting surface using LED lights placed on both sides of the blade so you know exactly where the cut is being made.
Not just that, it also gives you an idea of the thickness of the cut and material further ensuring more accuracy.
But doesn’t the laser do the same?
Not really.
The one big advantage the XPS system has over laser guides is that it skips over the hassle of having to calibrate and test anything every time you change the blades.
Plus, as the saw body or sliding mechanism gets older, the laser becomes less accurate and needs to be calibrated constantly.
This means that the XPS system isn’t just more accurate but also makes the process quicker and easier (just the kind of thing you need on a hectic day).
Portability
Moving a miter saw around is never easy but the lighter and more compact the model, the better it is, right?
While both the miter saws weigh 56 lbs, the DWS 780 is a tad more compact with dimensions of 9.45 x 3.54 x 18.9 inches.
On the other hand, the DWS 779 has dimensions of 21 x 17 x 17 inches which makes the DWS 780 miter saw the easier one to store when not in use and to move it around.
Price
If you are in the market for an affordable miter saw since you have just begun woodworking or don’t use the miter saw very often, the Dewalt DWS 779 is the right choice for you. That is because it costs around $400 whereas the DWS 780 costs around $600.
This difference is mainly because the DWS 780 is a feature-rich miter saw. As you can see, it comes with the special XPS LED light guiding system that is designed to make the job easier and quicker.
Furthermore, it is more compact as well making it with a few extra bucks especially if you happen to use the miter saw regularly.
Performance
As far as speed and cutting ability go, they are at par with each other. Both the miter saws come with a 15 amp motor capable of delivering that can churn out a no-load speed of 3800 RPM.
Supporting that is a razor-sharp 12-inch carbide blade. For small cuts, you also get an impulse feature.
The speed and motor power of either saw are ideal for professional woodworkers and won’t just cut wood but also slice through gypsum and other similar materials.
But wait, those aren’t the only reasons to go for it.
Dust Collection
After a long hard day at the office, do you really want to spend the next 2-3 hours cleaning all the wood powder or chippings? Not really, right?
Well, thankfully, you won’t have to either. That is because both the saws have a large duct collection bag that is capable of collecting about 75% of the dust created.
This does not just make the cleaning easy peasy but reduces the health hazards wood dust can cause by entering your nose or lungs.
Safety
To ensure the utmost safety of the users both miter saws have a blade guard. This is made using transparent materials to give you a clear sight of the blade in action while keeping you protected from not just direct injuries (irrespective of whether the saw is running or not) but also flying particles.
Dewalt DWS779 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good power and speed for professional work
- Dust bag for easy cleanup
- Cheaper of the two miter saws
- Safety guard prevents injuries from the blade
- Metallic build for excellent durability
Cons
- Laser sighting needs to be purchased separately
- Slight bigger in size
Dewalt DWS779 Pros and Cons
Pros
- LED lights for accurate cuts in low light
- XPS system doesn’t need calibration making it easy and quick
- Excellent durst collection thanks to the large dust bag
- Metallic build. It will last you for years
- Excellent vertical cutting capacity
- More compact compared to the DWS 779
Cons
- Expensive of the two miter saws
My Final Verdict
Both the miter saws are very similar when it comes to power and speed and both can be used for professional cutting. The main difference is in the cutting guide system and the price.
The DWS 779 is the cheaper miter saw and ideal for anyone on a tight budget but for the extra bucks, the DWS 780 has the XPS LED light system that is more accurate in low light and eliminates the hassle of having to calibrate the sight.
In case you have any questions about either of the miter saws do let me know in the questions below or via the contact page.
And if you have used any of them or both, let me know what you like about them and what differences have you noted.
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