Dewalt DWS780 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw User Manual

Dewalt DWS780 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw Instruction Manual Text

DWS780 12" (305 mm) Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

1-800-4-DEWALT • www.dewalt.com

If you have questions or comments, contact us.

DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 East Joppa Road, Baltimore, MD 21286
(MAR11)
Part No. N112900 DWS780 Copyright © 2011 DEWALT
The following are trademarks for one or more DEWALT power tools: the yellow and black color scheme,
the “D” shaped air intake grill, the array of pyramids on the handgrip, the kit box configuration, and the
array of lozenge-shaped humps on the surface of the tool.

Definitions: Safety Guidelines

The definitions below describe the level of severity for each signal word. Please read the
manual and pay attention to these symbols.
DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result
in death or serious injury.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result
in death or serious injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in
minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE: Indicates a practice not related to personal injury which, if not avoided, may
result in property damage.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS OR ANY DEWALT TOOL, CALL
US TOLL FREE AT: 1-800-4-DEWALT (1-800-433-9258).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: Read all instructions before operating product. Failure to follow
all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious
injury.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

Double Insulation
Double insulated tools are constructed throughout with two separate layers of electrical insulation
or one single layer of reinforced insulation between you and the tool’s electrical system. Tools built
with this insulation system are not intended to be grounded. As a result, your tool is equipped
with a two prong plug which permits you to use extension cords without concern for maintaining
a ground connection.
NOTE: Double insulation does not take the place of normal safety precautions when operating this
tool. The secondary insulation system is for protection against injury resulting from a possible failure
of the primary insulation within the tool.
CAUTION: WHEN SERVICING USE ONLY IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT PARTS. Repair or
replace damaged cords.

Polarized Plugs
Polarized plugs (one blade is wider than the other) are used on equipment to reduce the risk of
electric shock. When provided, this plug will fit in the polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does
not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install
the proper outlet. Do not change the plug in any way.

Drive
120 volt motor
1600 watts in
3800 RPM
Multi-V belt
Automatic electric brake

15 amp motor
Cut helical gears
Roller bearings
Carbide blade

Safety Instructions for All Tools

WARNING: To reduce the risk of eye injury, ALWAYS use eye protection when operating
the miter saw.
• KEEP GUARD IN PLACE and in working order.
• REMOVE ADJUSTING KEYS AND WRENCHES. Form habit of checking to see that keys
and adjusting wrenches are removed from spindle before turning tool on. Tools, scrap pieces,
and other debris can be thrown at high speed, causing injury.
• KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas and benches invite accidents.
• DO NOT USE THE MACHINE IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. The use of power tools
in damp or wet locations or in rain can cause shock or electrocution. Keep your work area well-lit
to avoid tripping or placing arms, hands, and fingers in danger.
• KEEP CHILDREN AWAY. All visitors should be kept at a safe distance from work area. Your
shop is a potentially dangerous environment.
• MAKE WORKSHOP CHILDPROOF with padlocks, master switches, or by removing starter
keys. The unauthorized start-up of a machine by a child or visitor may result in injury.
• DON’T FORCE TOOL. It will do the job better and be safer at the rate for which it was
designed.
• USE RIGHT TOOL. Don’t force tool or attachment to do a job for which it was not designed.
Using the incorrect tool or attachment may result in personal injury.
• WEAR PROPER APPAREL. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties, rings, bracelets, or
other jewelry which may get caught in moving parts. Nonslip footwear is recommended. Wear
protective hair covering to contain long hair.
• ALWAYS USE SAFETY GLASSES. Everyday eyeglasses are NOT safety glasses. Also
use face or dust mask if cutting operation is dusty. ALWAYS WEAR CERTIFIED SAFETY
EQUIPMENT:
• ANSI Z87.1 eye protection (CAN/CSA Z94.3).
• ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) hearing protection.
• NIOSH/OSHA/MSHA respiratory protection.
• SECURE THE WORKPIECE. Use clamps or a vise to hold the workpiece on the table and
against the fence or when your hand will be dangerously close to the blade within 6" (152 mm).
It is safer than using your hand and it frees both hands to operate tool.

• DON’T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Loss of balance may
cause personal injury.
• MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE. Keep tools sharp and clean for best and safest performance.
Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. Poorly maintained tools and
machines can further damage the tool or machine and/or cause injury.
• TURN THE MACHINE “OFF”, AND DISCONNECT THE MACHINE FROM THE POWER
SOURCE before installing or removing accessories, before adjusting or changing set-ups, when
making repairs or changing locations. An accidental start-up can cause injury. Do not touch the
plug’s metal prongs when unplugging or plugging in the cord.
• REDUCE THE RISK OF UNINTENTIONAL STARTING. Make sure that the switch is in the
“OFF” position before plugging in the power cord.
• USE PROPER EXTENSION CORD. Make sure your extension cord is in good condition.
When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your
product will draw. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power
and overheating. The following table shows the correct size to use depending on cord length
and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next heavier gauge. The smaller the gauge
number, the heavier the cord.
Minimum Gauge for Cord Sets
Volts
Total Length of Cord in Feet (meters)
Ampere Rating
120V
25 (7.6)
50 (15.2)
100 (30.5) 150 (45.7)
240V
50 (15.2)
100 (30.5) 200 (61.0) 300 (91.4)
More
Not More
AWG
Than
Than
0
6
18
16
16
14
6
10
18
16
14
12
10
12
16
16
14
12
12
16
14
12
Not Recommended
• CHECK FOR DAMAGED PARTS. Before further use of the tool, a guard or other part that is
damaged should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its
intended function—check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of
parts, mounting and any other conditions that may affect its operation. A guard or other part
that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced. Do not use tool if switch does not turn
it on and off.
• USE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES. Use only accessories that are recommended by the
manufacturer for your model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may be hazardous
when used on another tool. Consult the instruction manual for recommended accessories. The
use of improper accessories may cause risk of injury to persons.
• NEVER STAND ON TOOL. Serious injury could occur if the tool is tipped or if the cutting tool
is unintentionally contacted.
• NEVER LEAVE TOOL RUNNING UNATTENDED. TURN POWER OFF. Don’t leave tool until
it comes to a complete stop. Serious injury can result.
• DO NOT OPERATE ELECTRIC TOOLS NEAR FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR IN GASEOUS
OR EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES. Motors in these tools may spark and ignite fumes.
• STAY ALERT, WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING, AND USE COMMON SENSE. DO NOT
USE THE MACHINE WHEN YOU ARE TIRED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS
OR ALCOHOL. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in injury.

Additional Safety Rules For Miter Saws

WARNING: Do not allow familiarity (gained from frequent use of your saw) to replace safety rules.
Always remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict severe injury.
• DO NOT OPERATE THIS MACHINE until it is completely assembled and installed according
to the instructions. A machine incorrectly assembled can cause serious injury.
• OBTAIN ADVICE from your supervisor, instructor, or another qualified person if you are not
thoroughly familiar with the operation of this machine. Knowledge is safety.
• STABILITY. Make sure the miter saw is placed on a secure supporting surface and does not
slip or move during use.
• FOLLOW ALL WIRING CODES and recommended electrical connections to prevent shock or
electrocution. Protect electric supply line with at least a 15 ampere time-delay fuse or a circuit
breaker.
• MAKE CERTAIN the blade rotates in the correct direction. The teeth on the blade should point
in the direction of rotation as marked on the saw.
• TIGHTEN ALL CLAMP HANDLES, knobs and levers prior to operation. Loose clamps can
cause parts or the workpiece to be thrown at high speeds.
• BE SURE all blade and blade clamps are clean, recessed sides of blade clamps are against
blade and arbor screw is tightened securely. Loose or improper blade clamping may result in
damage to the saw and possible personal injury.
• ALWAYS USE A SHARP BLADE. Check the blade to see if it runs true and is free from
vibration. A dull or a vibrating blade can cause damage to the machine and/or serious injury.
• DO NOT OPERATE ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE DESIGNATED VOLTAGE for the
saw. Overheating, damage to the tool and personal injury may occur.
• DO NOT WEDGE ANYTHING AGAINST THE FAN to hold the motor shaft. Damage to tool
and possible personal injury may occur.
• DO NOT FORCE CUTTING ACTION. Stalling or partial stalling of motor can cause damage
to the machine or blade and/or serious injury.
• ALLOW THE MOTOR TO COME TO FULL SPEED prior to starting cut. Starting the cut too
soon may cause damage to the machine or blade and/or serious injury.
• NEVER CUT FERROUS METALS (those with any iron or steel content) or masonry. Either of
these can cause the carbide tips to fly off the blade at high speeds causing serious injury.
• DO NOT USE ABRASIVE WHEELS. The excessive heat and abrasive particles generated by
them may damage the saw and cause personal injury.
• NEVER HAVE ANY PART OF YOUR BODY IN LINE WITH THE PATH OF THE SAW
BLADE. Personal injury will occur.
• NEVER APPLY BLADE LUBRICANT TO A RUNNING BLADE. Applying lubricant could
cause your hand to move into the blade resulting in serious injury.
• DO NOT place either hand in the blade area when the saw is connected to the power source.
Inadvertent blade activation may result in serious injury.
• DO NOT PERFORM FREEHAND OPERATIONS (workpiece not supported by table and
fence). Hold the work firmly against the fence and table. Freehand operations on a miter saw
could cause the workpiece to be thrown at high speeds, causing serious injury.
• NEVER REACH AROUND OR BEHIND THE SAW BLADE. A blade can cause serious injury.
• DO NOT REACH UNDERNEATH THE SAW unless it is unplugged and turned off. Contact
with saw blade may cause personal injury.
• SECURE THE MACHINE TO A STABLE SUPPORTING SURFACE. Vibration can possibly
cause the machine to slide, walk, or tip over, causing serious injury.
• USE ONLY CROSSCUT SAW BLADES recommended for miter saws. For best results, do
not use carbide tipped blades with hook angles in excess of 7 degrees. Do not use blades with
deep gullets. These can deflect and contact the guard, and can cause damage to the machine
and/or serious injury.
• USE ONLY BLADES OF THE CORRECT SIZE AND TYPE specified for this tool to prevent
damage to the machine and/or serious injury.
• INSPECT BLADE FOR CRACKS or other damage prior to operation. A cracked or damaged
blade can come apart and pieces can be thrown at high speeds, causing serious injury. Replace
cracked or damaged blades immediately.
• CLEAN THE BLADE AND BLADE CLAMPS prior to operation. Cleaning the blade and
blade clamps allows you to check for any damage to the blade or blade clamps. A cracked
or damaged blade or blade clamp can come apart and pieces can be thrown at high speeds,
causing serious injury.
• DO NOT use lubricants or cleaners (particularly spray or aerosol) in the vicinity of the plastic
guard. The polycarbonate material used in the guard is subject to attack by certain chemicals.
• ALWAYS USE THE KERF PLATE AND REPLACE THIS PLATE WHEN DAMAGED. Small
chip accumulation under the saw may interfere with the saw blade or may cause instability of
workpiece when cutting.
• USE ONLY BLADE CLAMPS SPECIFIED FOR THIS TOOL to prevent damage to the
machine and/or serious injury.
• CLEAN THE MOTOR AIR SLOTS of chips and sawdust. Clogged motor air slots can cause
the machine to overheat, damaging the machine and possibly causing a short which could
cause serious injury.
• KEEP ARMS, HANDS, AND FINGERS AWAY FROM THE BLADE to prevent severe cuts.
Clamp all workpieces that would cause your hand to be within 6" (152 mm) of the saw blade.
• NEVER LOCK THE SWITCH IN THE “ON” POSITION. Severe personal injury may result.
• TURN OFF THE MACHINE and allow the blade to come to a complete stop before raising
the arm and prior to cleaning the blade area, removing debris in the path of the blade, before
servicing or adjusting tool. A moving blade can cause serious injury.
• PROPERLY SUPPORT LONG OR WIDE WORKPIECES. Loss of control of the workpiece
can cause injury.
• NEVER CROSS ARMS IN FRONT OF BLADE while using tool. Always make a dry run
(unpowered) before making a finish cut so that you can check the path of the blade or severe
personal injury may result.
• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION regarding the safe and proper operation of power tools (i.e.,
a safety video) is available from the Power Tool Institute, 1300 Sumner Avenue, Cleveland,
OH 44115-2851 (www.powertoolinstitute.com). Information is also available from the National
Safety Council, 1121 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca, IL 60143-3201. Please refer to the American
National Standards Institute ANSI 01.1 Safety Requirements for Woodworking Machines and
the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA 1910.213 Regulations.
WARNING: Do not connect unit to electrical power source until complete instructions are read
and understood.

WARNING: Always wear proper personal hearing protection that conforms to ANSI
S12.6 (S3.19) during use. Under some conditions and duration of use, noise from this product
may contribute to hearing loss.
WARNING: NEVER MAKE ANY CUT UNLESS THE MATERIAL IS SECURED ON THE TABLE
AND AGAINST THE FENCE.
WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other
construction activities contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
• lead from lead-based paints,
• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce
your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety
equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.
• Avoid prolonged contact with dust from power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and
other construction activities. Wear protective clothing and wash exposed areas with
soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or lay on the skin may
promote absorption of harmful chemicals.
WARNING: Use of this tool can generate and/or disperse dust, which may cause serious and
permanent respiratory or other injury. Always use NIOSH/OSHA approved respiratory protection
appropriate for the dust exposure. Direct particles away from face and body.

FIG. 1

DW7080
LOCKNUTS

For your convenience and safety, the following warning labels are on your miter saw.

END PLATE

ON MOTOR HOUSING:
WARNING: FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY, READ INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE
OPERATING MITER SAW.
WHEN SERVICING, USE ONLY IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT PARTS.
DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN OR USE IN DAMP LOCATIONS.
ALWAYS USE PROPER EYE AND RESPIRATORY PROTECTION.

DW7051

ON MOVING FENCES:
ALWAYS ADJUST FENCE PROPERLY
BEFORE USE. CLAMP SMALL PIECES
BEFORE CUTTING. SEE MANUAL.

KNOBS
BRACKET

ON GUARD:
DANGER–KEEP AWAY FROM BLADE.
ON UPPER GUARD:
PROPERLY SECURE BRACKET WITH BOTH SCREWS BEFORE USE.
ON TABLE: (2 PLACES)
WARNING: FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY, READ INSTRUCTION
MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING MITER SAW. KEEP HANDS OUT OF
PATH OF SAW BLADE. DO NOT OPERATE SAW WITHOUT GUARDS
IN PLACE. CHECK LOWER GUARD FOR PROPER CLOSING BEFORE
EACH USE. ALWAYS TIGHTEN ADJUSTMENT KNOBS BEFORE USE.
DO NOT PERFORM ANY OPERATION FREEHAND. NEVER REACH IN
BACK OF SAW BLADE. NEVER CROSS ARMS IN FRONT OF BLADE. TURN OFF TOOL
AND WAIT FOR SAW BLADE TO STOP BEFORE MOVING WORKPIECE, CHANGING
SETTINGS OR MOVING HANDS. DISCONNECT POWER BEFORE CHANGING BLADE
OR SERVICING. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, RETURN CARRIAGE TO THE
FULL REAR POSITION AFTER EACH CROSSCUT OPERATION. THINK! YOU CAN
PREVENT ACCIDENTS.

DW7082

ON BASE: (2 PLACES)

Electrical Connection
Be sure your power supply agrees with the nameplate marking. 120 volts, AC means that your
saw will operate on alternating current. The switch is susceptible to failure if direct current is used.
A voltage decrease of 10 percent or more will cause a loss of power and overheating. All DEWALT
tools are factory tested. If this tool does not operate, check the power supply.

Accessories
WARNING: Since accessories, other than those offered by DEWALT, have not been tested with
this product, use of such accessories with this tool could be hazardous. To reduce the risk of injury,
only DEWALT recommended accessories should be used with this product.
Recommended accessories for use with your tool are available for purchase from your local
dealer or authorized service center. If you need assistance in locating any accessory for your tool,
please contact DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 East Joppa Road, Baltimore, MD 21286, call
1-800-4-DEWALT (1-800-433-9258) or visit our website: www.dewalt.com.

DW7053

Optional Accessories (Fig. 1)

DW7084

The following accessories, designed for your saw, may be helpful. In some cases, other locally
obtained work supports, length stops, clamps, etc., may be more appropriate. Use care in
selecting and using accessories.
Extension Work Support: DW7080
Used to support long overhanging workpieces, the work support is user assembled. Your saw
base is designed to accept two work supports, one on each side.
Adjustable Length Stop: DW7051
Requires the use of one Extension Work Support (DW7080) (refer to Figure 1). It is used to
make repetitive cuts of the same length from 0 to 42" (107 cm).
Clamp: DW7082 (similar model included)
Used for firmly clamping workpiece to the saw table for precision cutting.
Dust Bag: DW7053 (included with some models)
Equipped with a zipper for easy emptying, the dust bag will capture the majority of the sawdust
produced.
Crown Molding Fence: DW7084
Used for precision cutting of crown molding.
SAW BLADES: ALWAYS USE 12" (305 mm) SAW BLADES WITH EITHER 1" (25.4 mm) OR
5/8" (15.88 mm) ARBOR HOLES. SPEED RATING MUST BE AT LEAST 4800 RPM. Never use
a smaller diameter blade. It will not be guarded properly. Use crosscut blades only! Do not use
blades designed for ripping, combination blades or blades with hook angles in excess of 7°.
BLADE DESCRIPTIONS
APPLICATION
DIAMETER
TEETH
Construction Saw Blades (thin kerf with anti-stick rim)
General Purpose
12" (305 mm)
40
Fine Crosscuts
12" (305 mm)
60
Woodworking Saw Blades (provide smooth, clean cuts)
Fine crosscuts
12" (305 mm)
80
Non-ferrous metals
12" (305 mm)
96
NOTE: For cutting non-ferrous metals, use only saw blades with
TCG (Triple Chip Grind) teeth designed for this purpose.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3
C

A

Unpacking Your Saw
Check the contents of your miter saw carton to make sure that you have received all parts.
In addition to this instruction manual, the carton should contain:
1 DWS780 miter saw
1 DEWALT 12" (305 mm) diameter saw blade
In bag:
1 Blade wrench
1 DW7053 dustbag
1 Material clamp

B
E

D

Specifications
CAPACITY OF CUT
50º miter left, 60º miter right,
49º bevel left and right
ANGLE
0° miter
45° miter
45º bevel – left
45º bevel – right

MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF CUT

RESULT

Height

4.4" (112 mm)

Width

9.1" (231 mm)

Width

13.75" (349 mm)

Height

3.0" (76 mm)

Height

4.4" (112 mm)

Width

5.8" (147 mm)

Width

9.6" (244 mm)

Height

3.0" (76 mm)

Height

3.1" (79 mm)

Width

11.4" (290 mm)

Width

13.75" (349 mm)

Height

1.7" (43 mm)

Height

2.2" (56 mm)

Width

11.4" (290 mm)

Width

13.75" (349 mm)

Height

1.1" (28 mm)

Your saw is capable of cutting baseboard moldings held vertically 0.8" (20 mm) thick by 6.75"
(171 mm) tall on a 45º right or left miter, when using the slide lock lever (Fig. 7).

E

F
G

H

I

FIG. 4

NOTE: Your saw is capable of cutting the following once a special setup procedure is followed.
Refer to Special Cuts.

LIFTING
HANDLE

RAIL LOCK
KNOB

OPERATING
HANDLE

MOTOR
HOUSING
RAIL SET
SCREW
ADJUSTMENT

LOWER
GUARD

MOTOR
ENDCAP

0° miter

Height 1.5" (38 mm)

Width 16.1" (409 mm)

45º miter

Height 1.5" (38 mm)

Width 11.7" (297 mm)

Familiarization

Your miter saw is fully assembled in the carton. Open the box and lift the saw out by the
convenient lifting handle, as shown in Figure 2.
Place the saw on a smooth, flat surface such as a workbench or strong table.
Examine Figure 4 to become familiar with the saw and its various parts. The section on adjustments
will refer to these terms and you must know what and where the parts are.
CAUTION: Pinch hazard. To reduce the risk of injury, keep thumb underneath the operating
handle when pulling the handle down. The lower guard will move up as the operating handle is
pulled down, which could cause pinching. The operating handle is placed close to the guard for
special cuts.
Press down lightly on the operating handle and pull out the lock down pin. Gently release the
downward pressure and hold the operating handle, allowing it to rise to its full height. Use the lock
down pin when carrying the saw from one place to another. Always use the lifting handle to transport
the saw, or use the hand indentations shown in Figure 4.

Bench Mounting

RAILS
KERF
PLATE
BEVEL SCALE
LOCK DOWN
PIN

MITER
LATCH
BUTTON

FENCE
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
(one each side)

DUST DUCT
INLET

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Changing or Installing a New Saw Blade (Fig. 3)

MITER
SCALE

TABLE
HAND
INDENTATION

MITER LATCH
OVERRIDE

MITER LOCK
HANDLE

BENCH MOUNTING HOLES

FENCE
TRIGGER
SWITCH

DEPTH
ADJUSTMENT
SCREW

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.
CAUTION:
• Never depress the spindle lock button while the blade is under power or coasting.
• Do not cut ferrous metal (containing iron or steel) or masonry or fiber cement product with
this miter saw.

Removing the Blade (Fig. 3)

XPSTM ON/OFF
SWITCH

BELT COVER

WING NUT

1. Unplug the saw.
2. Raise the arm to the upper position and raise the lower guard (A) as far as possible.
3. Loosen, but do not remove guard bracket screw (B) until the bracket can be raised far enough
to access the blade screw (E). Lower guard will remain raised due to the position of the guard
bracket screw.
4. Depress the spindle lock button (C) while carefully rotating the saw blade by hand until the lock
engages.
5. Keeping the button depressed, use the other hand and the wrench provided (D) to loosen the
blade screw. (Turn clockwise, left-hand threads.)
6. Remove the blade screw (E), outer clamp washer (F), blade (G) and blade adapter (H), if used.
The inner clamp washer (I) may be left on the spindle.
NOTE: For blades with a blade hole of 5/8" (15.88 mm), the 1" (25.4 mm) blade adapter (H) is not
used.

Installing a Blade (Fig. 3)

DEPTH STOP

0° BEVEL
STOP

FENCE
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
(one each side)
BLADE WRENCH

BEVEL LOCK
KNOB

BASE

FIG. 5

MITER POINTER SCREW

MITER
LATCH
BUTTON

SCREW
(4 places)

MITER
SCALE

MITER
POINTER
MITER LATCH
OVERRIDE

MITER LOCK
HANDLE

FIG. 6

1. Unplug the saw.
2. With the arm raised, the lower guard held open and the guard bracket raised, place the blade
on the spindle, onto the blade adapter (if using a blade with a 1" [25.4 mm] diameter blade
hole) and against the inner blade clamp with the teeth at the bottom of the blade pointing
toward the back of the saw.
3. Assemble the outer clamp washer onto the spindle.
4. Install the blade screw and, engaging the spindle lock, tighten the screw firmly with wrench
provided (turn counterclockwise, left-hand threads).
NOTE: When using blades with a 5/8" (15.88 mm) diameter blade hole, the blade adapter will not
be used and should be stored in a safe place for future use. The separate blade adapter is not
available on all models.
5. Return the guard bracket to its original position and firmly tighten the guard bracket screw to
hold bracket in place.

WARNING:

• The guard bracket must be returned to its original position
and the guard bracket screw tightened before activating the
saw.
• Failure to do so may allow the guard to contact the spinning
saw blade resulting in damage to the saw and severe personal
injury.
Transporting the Saw
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ALWAYS lock the rail lock
knob, miter lock handle, bevel lock handle, lock down pin and fence adjustment knobs before
transporting saw.
In order to conveniently carry the miter saw from place to place, a lifting handle has been included
on the top of the saw arm and hand indentations in the base, as shown in Figure 4.

FEATURES AND CONTROLS
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.

BEVEL POINTER SCREW
(one each side)
BEVEL POINTER
(one each side)

MITER CONTROL (FIG. 5)
The miter lock handle and miter latch button allow you to miter your saw to 60° right and 50° left. To
miter the saw, lift the miter lock handle, push the miter latch button and set the miter angle desired
on the miter scale. Push down on the miter lock handle to lock the miter angle.

BEVEL SCALE
CROWN ADJUSTMENT SCREW
(one each side)

TRIGGER SWITCH (FIG. 4)
The trigger switch turns your saw on and off. A hole is provided in the trigger for insertion of a
padlock to secure the saw.

45° BEVEL OVERRIDE LEVER
(one each side)

MITER LATCH OVERRIDE (FIG. 5)
The miter latch override allows your saw to override the common stop angles. To override the
common stop angles, push the miter latch button and flip the miter latch override lever to the
vertical position.

22.5º BEVEL PAWL
(one each side)

BEVEL LOCK KNOB (FIG. 4)
The bevel lock allows you to bevel the saw 49° left or right. To adjust the bevel setting, turn the knob
counterclockwise. The saw head bevels easily to the left or to the right once the 0° bevel override
knob is pulled. To tighten, turn the bevel lock knob clockwise.

CROWN BEVEL
PAWL
(one each side)
45° BEVEL
ADJUSTMENT SCREW
(one each side)

0° BEVEL ADJUSTMENT
SCREW
FIG. 8

FIG. 7

Holes are provided in all 4 feet to facilitate bench mounting, as shown in Figure 4. (Two differentsized holes are provided to accommodate different sizes of screws. Use either hole, it is not
necessary to use both.) Always mount your saw firmly to a stable surface to prevent movement. To
enhance the tool’s portability, it can be mounted to a piece of 1/2" (12.7 mm) or thicker plywood
which can then be clamped to your work support or moved to other job sites and reclamped.
NOTE: If you elect to mount your saw to a piece of plywood, make sure that the mounting
screws don’t protrude from the bottom of the wood. The plywood must sit flush on the work
support. When clamping the saw to any work surface, clamp only on the clamping bosses where
the mounting screw holes are located. Clamping at any other point will interfere with the proper
operation of the saw.
CAUTION: To prevent binding and inaccuracy, be sure the mounting surface is not warped or
otherwise uneven. If the saw rocks on the surface, place a thin piece of material under one saw
foot until the saw sits firmly on the mounting surface.

0° BEVEL OVERRIDE (FIG. 4)
The bevel stop override allows you to bevel the saw to the right past the 0° mark.
When engaged, the saw will automatically stop at 0° when brought up from the left. To temporarily
move past 0° to the right, pull the bevel lock knob. Once the knob is released, the override will be
reengaged. The bevel lock knob can be locked out by twisting the knob 180°.
When at 0°, the override locks in place. To operate the override, bevel the saw slightly to the left.
45° BEVEL STOP OVERRIDE (FIG. 6)
There are two bevel stop override levers, one on each side of the saw. To bevel the saw, left or right,
past 45°, push the 45° bevel override lever rearward. When in the rearward position, the saw can
bevel past these stops. When the 45° stops are needed, pull the 45° bevel override lever forward.
CROWN BEVEL PAWLS (FIG. 6)
When cutting crown molding laying flat, your saw is equipped to accurately and rapidly set a crown
stop, left or right (refer to Instructions for Cutting Crown Molding Laying Flat and Using the
Compound Features). The crown bevel pawl can be rotated to contact the crown adjustment
screw. The saw is factory set to be used for typical crown in North America (52/38), but can be
reversed to cut non-typical (45/45) crown. To reverse the crown bevel pawl, remove the retaining
screw, the 22.5° bevel pawl and the 33.86° crown bevel pawl. Flip the crown bevel pawl so the
30° text is facing up. Reattach the screw to secure the 22.5° bevel pawl and the crown bevel pawl.
The accuracy setting will not be affected.

FIG. 10

22.5° BEVEL PAWLS (FIG. 6)
Your saw is equipped to rapidly and accurately set a 22.5° bevel, left or right. The 22.5° bevel pawl
can be rotated to contact the crown adjustment screw.

FIG. 9A

RAIL LOCK KNOB (FIG. 4)
The rail lock knob allows you to lock the saw head firmly to keep it from sliding on the rails. This is
necessary when making certain cuts or when transporting the saw.
DEPTH STOP (FIG. 4)
The depth stop allows the depth of cut of the blade to be limited. The stop is useful for applications
such as grooving and tall vertical cuts. Rotate the depth stop forward and adjust the depth
adjustment screw to set the desired depth of cut. To secure the adjustment, tighten the wing nut.
Rotating the depth stop to the rear of the saw will bypass the depth stop feature. If the depth
adjustment screw is too tight to loosen by hand, the provided blade wrench can be used to loosen
the screw.
PROPER CUT
MITER LOCK HANDLE
FIG. 9B

FIG. 11

LOCK DOWN PIN (FIG. 4)
WARNING: The lock down pin should be used ONLY when carrying or storing the saw. NEVER
use the lock down pin for any cutting operation.
To lock the saw head in the down position, push the saw head down, push the lock down pin in
and release the saw head. This will hold the saw head safely down for moving the saw from place
to place. To release, press the saw head down and pull the pin out.
SLIDE LOCK LEVER (FIG. 7)
The slide lock lever places the saw in a position to maximize cutting of base molding when cut
vertically as shown in Figure 16.
AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC BRAKE
Your saw is equipped with an automatic electric blade brake which stops the saw blade within
5 seconds of trigger release. This is not adjustable.
On occasion, there may be a delay after trigger release to brake engagement. On rare occasions,
the brake may not engage at all and the blade will coast to a stop.
If a delay or “skipping” occurs, turn the saw on and off 4 or 5 times. If the condition persists, have
the tool serviced by an authorized DEWALT service center.
Always be sure the blade has stopped before removing it from the kerf. The brake is not a
substitute for guards or for ensuring your own safety by giving the saw your complete attention.

IMPROPER CUT
MITER LOCK HANDLE

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.
WARNING: Always use eye protection. All users and bystanders must wear eye protection that
conforms to ANSI Z87.1 (CAN/CSA Z94.3).
Plug the saw into any household 60 Hz power source. Refer to the nameplate for voltage. Be sure
the cord will not interfere with your work.

FIG. 13

FIG. 12

OPERATION

Trigger Switch (Fig. 4)
To turn the saw on, depress the trigger switch. To turn the tool off, release the switch. Allow the
blade to spin up to full operating speed before making the cut. Release the trigger switch and allow
the brake to stop the blade before raising the saw head. There is no provision for locking the switch
on, but a hole is provided in the trigger for insertion of a padlock to lock the saw off.

Use of XPSTM LED Worklight System (Fig. 4)
MITER LOCK
ROD

NOTE: The miter saw must be connected to a power source.
The XPSTM LED Worklight System is equipped with an ON/OFF switch (Fig. 4). The XPSTM LED
Worklight System is independent of the miter saw’s trigger switch.
The light does not need to be on in order to operate the saw.
To cut through an existing pencil line on a piece of wood, turn on the XPSTM system, then pull down
on the operating handle to bring the saw blade close to the wood. The shadow of the blade will
appear on the wood. This shadow line represents the material that the blade will remove when
performing a cut. To correctly locate your cut to the pencil line, align the pencil line with the edge
of the blade’s shadow. Keep in mind that you may have to adjust the miter or bevel angles in order
to match the pencil line exactly.

LOCK NUT

FIG. 14

FIG. 16

A

Cutting With Your Saw
If the slide feature is not used, ensure the saw head is pushed back as far as possible and the
rail lock knob is tightened. This will prevent the saw from sliding along its rails as the workpiece
is engaged.
NOTE: Although this saw will cut wood and many non-ferrous materials, we will limit our detailed
discussion to the cutting of wood only. The same guidelines apply to the other materials. DO
NOT CUT FERROUS (IRON AND STEEL) MATERIALS OR MASONRY WITH THIS SAW. Do
not use any abrasive blades.
NOTE: Refer to Guard Actuation and Visibility in the Adjustments section for important
information about the lower guard before cutting.

B
A

FIG. 15

ANGLE “A”

FIG. 17

FIG. 18

BOTTOM SIDE
OF MOLDING

FENCE

DW7084
CROWN
MOLDING
FENCE

TOP SIDE
OF MOLDING

TABLE

TABLE

FENCE

CROWN MOLDING FLAT ON TABLE
AND AGAINST FENCE

FIG. 19

CROWN MOLDING BETWEEN
FENCE AND TABLE

FIG. 20

BLADE
BLADE
CORRECT
FENCE
INCORRECT
FENCE

FIG. 22

FIG. 21

CROSSCUTS

A crosscut is made by cutting wood across the grain at any angle. A straight crosscut is made with
the miter arm at the zero degree position. Set and lock the miter arm at zero, hold the wood firmly
on the table and against the fence. With the rail lock knob tightened, turn on the saw by squeezing
the trigger switch shown in Figure 4.
When the saw comes up to speed (about 1 second) lower the arm smoothly and slowly to cut
through the wood. Let the blade come to a full stop before raising arm.
When cutting anything larger than a 2 x 8 (51 x 203 mm [2 x 6 (51 x 152) at 45º miter]) use an
out-down-back motion with the rail lock knob loosened. Pull the saw out, toward you, lower the
saw head down toward the workpiece, and slowly push the saw back to complete the cut. Do not
allow the saw to contact the top of the workpiece while pulling out. The saw may run toward you,
possibly causing personal injury or damage to the workpiece.
Cutting of multiple pieces is not recommended but can be done safely by ensuring that each piece
is held firmly against the table and fence.
NOTE: To provide greater crosscut capacity with reduced stroke, the blade on the DWS780
extends deeper into the table. As a result, a greater lifting force on the workpiece may be
experienced during the cut.
CAUTION: Always use a work clamp to maintain control and reduce the risk of workpiece
damage and personal injury, if your hands are required to be within 6" (152 mm) of the blade during
the cut.
NOTE: The rail lock knob shown in Figure 4 must be loose to allow the saw to slide along its rails.
Miter crosscuts are made with the miter arm at some angle other than zero. This angle is often
45º for making corners, but can be set anywhere from zero to 50º left or 60° right. Make the cut
as described above.
When performing a miter cut on workpieces wider than a 2 x 6 that are shorter in length, always
place the longer side against the fence (Fig. 8).
To cut through an existing pencil line on a piece of wood, match the angle as close as possible.
Cut the wood a little too long and measure from the pencil line to the cut edge to determine which
direction to adjust the miter angle and recut. This will take some practice, but it is a commonly
used technique.
BEVEL CUTS
A bevel cut is a crosscut made with the saw blade leaning at an angle to the wood. In order to
set the bevel, loosen the bevel lock (Fig. 4), and move the saw to the left or right as desired. (It
is necessary to move the fence to allow clearance.) Once the desired bevel angle has been set,
tighten the bevel lock firmly. Refer to the Features and Controls section for detailed instructions
on the bevel system.
Bevel angles can be set from 49º right to 49º left and can be cut with the miter arm set between
50º left or 60º right. At some extreme angles, the right or left side fence might have to be removed.
To remove the left or right fence, unscrew the fence adjustment knob several turns and slide the
fence out.
NOTE: Refer to Fence Adjustment in the Adjustments section for important information on
adjusting the fences for certain bevel cuts.
QUALITY OF CUT
The smoothness of any cut depends on a number of variables. Things like material being cut, blade
type, blade sharpness and rate of cut all contribute to the quality of the cut.
When smoothest cuts are desired for molding and other precision work, a sharp (60 tooth carbide)
blade and a slower, even cutting rate will produce the desired results.
Ensure that the material does not move or creep while cutting; clamp it securely in place. Always
let the blade come to a full stop before raising arm.
If small fibers of wood still split out at the rear of the workpiece, stick a piece of masking tape on the
wood where the cut will be made. Saw through the tape and carefully remove tape when finished.
For varied cutting applications, refer to the list of recommended saw blades for your saw and select
the one that best fits your needs. Refer to Saw Blades under Optional Accessories.
BODY AND HAND POSITION (FIG. 9A, 9B)
Proper positioning of your body and hands when operating the miter saw will make cutting easier,
more accurate and safer. Never place hands near cutting area. Place hands no closer than 6"
(152 mm) from the blade. Hold the workpiece tightly to the table and the fence when cutting.
Keep hands in position until the trigger has been released and the blade has completely stopped.
ALWAYS MAKE DRY RUNS (UNPOWERED) BEFORE FINISH CUTS SO THAT YOU CAN CHECK
THE PATH OF THE BLADE. DO NOT CROSS HANDS, AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 9B.
Keep both feet firmly on the floor and maintain proper balance. As you move the miter arm left and
right, follow it and stand slightly to the side of the saw blade. Sight through the guard louvers when
following a pencil line.

CORRECT

INCORRECT

CLAMPING THE WORKPIECE
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.
WARNING: A workpiece that is clamped, balanced and secure before a cut may become
unbalanced after a cut is completed. An unbalanced load may tip the saw or anything the saw is
attached to, such as a table or workbench. When making a cut that may become unbalanced,
properly support the workpiece and ensure the saw is firmly bolted to a stable surface. Personal
injury may occur.
WARNING: The clamp foot must remain clamped above the base of the saw whenever the
clamp is used. Always clamp the workpiece to the base of the saw – not to any other part of the
work area. Ensure the clamp foot is not clamped on the edge of the base of the saw.
CAUTION: Always use a work clamp to maintain control and reduce the risk of workpiece
damage and personal injury, if your hands are required to be within 6" of the blade during the cut.
If you cannot secure the workpiece on the table and against the fence by hand (irregular shape,
etc.), or your hand would be less than 6" (152 mm) from the blade, a clamp or other fixture must
be used.
Use the material clamp provided with your saw. To purchase the material clamp, contact your local
retailer or DEWALT service center.
Other aids such as spring clamps, bar clamps or C-clamps may be appropriate for certain sizes
and shapes of material. Use care in selecting and placing these clamps. Take time to make a dry
run before making the cut. The left or right fence will slide from side to side to aid in clamping.

FIG. 23

FIG. 24

SCREWS
(two each side)

FIG. 26

FIG. 25

TO INSTALL CLAMP
1. Insert it into the hole behind the fence. The clamp should be facing toward the back of the miter
saw. The groove on the clamp rod should be fully inserted into the base. Ensure this groove is
fully inserted into the base of the miter saw. If the groove is visible, the clamp will not be secure.
2. Rotate the clamp 180º toward the front of the miter saw.
3. Loosen the knob to adjust the clamp up or down, then use the fine adjust knob to firmly clamp
the workpiece.
NOTE: Place the clamp on the opposite side of the base when beveling. ALWAYS MAKE DRY
RUNS (UNPOWERED) BEFORE FINISH CUTS TO CHECK THE PATH OF THE BLADE. ENSURE
THE CLAMP DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE ACTION OF THE SAW OR GUARDS.

Adjustments
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.
Your miter saw is fully and accurately adjusted at the factory at the time of manufacture. If
readjustment due to shipping and handling or any other reason is required, follow the instructions
below to adjust your saw.
Once made, these adjustments should remain accurate. Take a little time now to follow these
directions carefully to maintain the accuracy of which your saw is capable.
MITER SCALE ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 5, 10)
Unlock the miter lock handle and swing the miter arm until the miter latch button locks it at the
0° miter position. Do not lock the miter lock handle. Place a square against the saw’s fence and
blade, as shown. (Do not touch the tips of the blade teeth with the square. To do so will cause an
inaccurate measurement.) If the saw blade is not exactly perpendicular to the fence, loosen the four
screws that hold the miter scale and move the miter lock handle and the scale left or right until the
blade is perpendicular to the fence, as measured with the square. Retighten the four screws. Pay
no attention to the reading of the miter pointer at this time.
MITER POINTER ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 5)
Unlock the miter lock handle to move the miter arm to the zero position. With the miter lock handle
unlocked, allow the miter latch to snap into place as you rotate the miter arm to zero. Observe the
miter pointer and miter scale shown in Figure 5. If the pointer does not indicate exactly zero, loosen
the miter pointer screw holding the pointer in place, reposition the pointer and tighten the screw.
BEVEL SQUARE TO TABLE ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 4, 6, 11)
To align the blade square to the table, lock the arm in the down position with the lock down pin.
Place a square against the blade, ensuring the square is not on top of a tooth. Loosen the bevel
lock knob and ensure the arm is firmly against the 0° bevel stop. Rotate the 0° bevel adjustment
screw with the 1/2" (13 mm) blade wrench as necessary so that the blade is at 0° bevel to the table.
BEVEL POINTERS (FIG. 6)
If the bevel pointers do not indicate zero, loosen each screw that holds each bevel pointer in place
and move them as necessary. Ensure the 0° bevel is correct and the bevel pointers are set before
adjusting any other bevel angle screws.

SCREWS

BASE FENCE

Support for Long Pieces
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.
ALWAYS SUPPORT LONG PIECES.
Never use another person as a substitute for a table extension, as additional support for a
workpiece that is longer or wider than the basic miter saw table or to help feed, support or pull
the workpiece.
For best results, use the DW7080 extension work support to extend the table width of your saw,
available from your dealer at extra cost. Support long workpieces using any convenient means
such as sawhorses or similar devices to keep the ends from dropping.

Cutting Picture Frames, Shadow Boxes And Other FourSided Projects (Fig. 13, 14)
To best understand how to make the items listed here, we suggest that you try a few simple
projects using scrap wood until you develop a “feel” for your saw.
Your saw is the perfect tool for mitering corners like the one shown in Figure 13. Sketch A in Figure
14 shows a joint made by using the bevel adjustment to bevel the edges of the two boards at 45º
each to produce a 90º corner. For this joint the miter arm was locked in the zero position and the
bevel adjustment was locked at 45º. The wood was positioned with the broad flat side against the
table and the narrow edge against the fence. The cut could also be made by mitering right and left
with the broad surface against the fence.

Cutting Trim Molding And Other Frames (Fig. 14)
Sketch B in Figure 14 shows a joint made by setting the miter arm at 45º to miter the two boards
to form a 90º corner. To make this type of joint, set the bevel adjustment to zero and the miter arm
to 45º. Once again, position the wood with the broad flat side on the table and the narrow edge
against the fence.
The two sketches in Figure 14 are for four-sided objects only.
As the number of sides changes, so do the miter and bevel angles. The chart below gives the
proper angles for a variety of shapes.
– EXAMPLES –

BEVEL STOP 45º RIGHT AND LEFT ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 4, 6)
To adjust the right 45° bevel angle, loosen the bevel lock knob and pull the 0° bevel stop to override
the 0° bevel stop. When the saw is fully to the right, if the bevel pointer does not indicate exactly
45°, turn the left 45° bevel adjustment screw with the 1/2" (13 mm) blade wrench until the bevel
pointer indicates 45°.
To adjust the left 45° bevel stop, first loosen the bevel lock knob and tilt the head to the left. If the
bevel pointer does not indicate exactly 45°, turn the right 45° bevel adjustment screw until the bevel
pointer reads 45°.

NUMBER OF SIDES

MITER OR BEVEL ANGLE

4

45°

5

36°

6

30°

7

25.7°

8

22.5°

ADJUSTING THE BEVEL STOP TO 22.5° (OR 33.86°) (FIG. 4, 6)
NOTE: Adjust the bevel angles only after performing the 0° bevel angle and bevel pointer
adjustment.
To set the left 22.5° bevel angle, flip out the left 22.5° bevel pawl. Loosen the bevel lock knob and
tilt the head fully to the left. If the bevel pointer does not indicate exactly 22.5°, turn the crown
adjustment screw contacting the pawl with a 7/16" (10 mm) wrench until the bevel pointer reads
22.5°.
To adjust the right 22.5° bevel angle, flip out the right 22.5° bevel pawl. Loosen the bevel lock knob
and pull the 0° bevel stop to override the 0° bevel stop. When the saw is fully to the right, if the
bevel pointer does not indicate exactly 22.5°, turn the crown adjustment screw contacting the pawl
with a 7/16" (10 mm) wrench until the bevel pointer indicates exactly 22.5°.

9

20°

10

18°

FENCE ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 4)

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and
disconnect it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories
or make any adjustments.
In order that the saw can bevel to many bevel positions, one of the fences may have to be adjusted
to provide clearance. To adjust each fence, loosen the fence adjustment knob and slide the fence
outward. Make a dry run with the saw turned off and check for clearance. Adjust the fence to be as
close to the blade as practical to provide maximum workpiece support, without interfering with arm
up and down movement. Tighten the fence adjustment knob securely. When the bevel operations
are complete, don’t forget to relocate the fence.
For certain cuts, it may be desirable to bring the fences closer to the blade. To use this feature, back
the fence adjustment knobs out two turns and move the fences closer to the blade past the normal
limit, then tighten the fence adjustment knobs to keep the fences in this location. When using this
feature, make a dry cut first to ensure the blade does not contact the fences.
NOTE: The tracks of the fences can become clogged with sawdust. If you notice that they are
becoming clogged, use a brush or some low pressure air to clear the guide grooves.
GUARD ACTUATION AND VISIBILITY (FIG. 4)
CAUTION: Pinch hazard. To reduce the risk of injury, keep thumb underneath the operating
handle when pulling the handle down. The lower guard will move up as the operating handle is
pulled down, which could cause pinching.
The lower guard on your saw has been designed to automatically uncover the blade when the arm
is brought down and to cover the blade when the arm is raised.
The guard can be raised by hand when installing or removing saw blades or for inspection of the
saw. NEVER RAISE THE LOWER GUARD MANUALLY UNLESS THE BLADE IS STOPPED.
NOTE: Certain special cuts of large material will require that you manually raise the guard. Refer to
Cutting Large Material under Special Cuts.
The front section of the guard is louvered for visibility while cutting. Although the louvers
dramatically reduce flying debris, they are openings in the guard and safety glasses should be
worn at all times.
KERF PLATE ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 4)
To adjust the kerf plates, loosen the screws holding the kerf plates in place. Adjust so that the kerf
plates are as close as possible without interfering with the blade’s movement.
If a zero kerf width is desired, adjust the kerf plates as close to each other as possible. They can
now be cut slowly with the saw blade to give the smallest gap possible between the blade and
the kerf plates.
RAIL GUIDE ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 4)
Periodically check the rails for any play or clearance. The right rail can be adjusted with the set
screw shown in Figure 4. To reduce clearance, use a 4 mm hex wrench and rotate the set screw
clockwise gradually while sliding the saw head back and forth. Reduce play while maintaining
minimum slide force.
MITER LOCK ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 12)
The miter lock rod should be adjusted if the table of the saw can be moved when the miter lock
handle is locked (down). To adjust the miter lock, put the miter lock handle in the unlocked (up)
position. Using a 1/2" (13 mm) open end wrench, loosen the lock nut on the miter lock rod (Fig. 12).
Using a slotted screwdriver, tighten the miter lock rod by turning it clockwise as shown in Figure 12.
Turn the lock rod until it is snug, then turn counterclockwise one turn. To ensure the miter lock is
functioning properly, re-lock the miter lock to a non-detented measurement on the miter scale – for
example, 34º – and make sure the table will not rotate. Tighten lock nut.

SET
SCREW

The chart assumes that all sides are of equal length. For a shape that is not shown in the chart,
use the following formula: 180º divided by the number of sides equals the miter (if the material is
cut vertically) or bevel angle (if the material is cut laying flat).

Cutting Compound Miters (Fig. 15)
A compound miter is a cut made using a miter angle and a bevel angle at the same time. This is
the type of cut used to make frames or boxes with slanting sides like the one shown in Figure 15.
NOTE: If the cutting angle varies from cut to cut, check that the bevel lock knob and the miter
lock handle are securely locked. These must be locked after making any changes in bevel or miter.
The chart at the end of this manual (Table 1) will assist you in selecting the proper bevel and miter
settings for common compound miter cuts. To use the chart, select the desired angle A (Fig. 15)
of your project and locate that angle on the appropriate arc in the chart. From that point follow
the chart straight down to find the correct bevel angle and straight across to find the correct miter
angle.
Set your saw to the prescribed angles and make a few trial cuts. Practice fitting the cut pieces
together until you develop a feel for this procedure and feel comfortable with it.
Example: To make a 4-sided box with 26º exterior angles (Angle A, Fig. 15), use the upper right
arc. Find 26° on the arc scale. Follow the horizontal intersecting line to either side to get miter
angle setting on saw (42°). Likewise, follow the vertical intersecting line to the top or bottom to
get the bevel angle setting on the saw (18°). Always try cuts on a few scrap pieces of wood to
verify the settings on the saw.

Cutting Base Molding (Fig. 16)
ALWAYS MAKE A DRY RUN WITHOUT POWER BEFORE MAKING ANY CUTS.
Straight 90º cuts:
Position the wood against the fence and hold it in place as shown in Figure 16. Turn on the
saw, allow the blade to reach full speed and lower the arm smoothly through the cut.
CUTTING BASE MOLDING FROM 3" UP TO 6.75" (76 mm to 171 mm) HIGH
VERTICALLY AGAINST THE FENCE
NOTE: Use the slide lock lever, shown in Figure 7, when cutting base molding measuring from 3"
to 6.75" (76 mm to 171 mm) high vertically against the fence.
Position material as shown in Figure 16.
All cuts should be made with the back of the molding against the fence and with the bottom of the
molding against the table.

Left side
Right side

INSIDE CORNER

OUTSIDE CORNER

Miter left 45°
Save left side of cut

Miter right 45°
Save left side of cut

Miter right 45°
Save right side of cut

Miter left 45°
Save right side of cut

Material up to 6.75" (171 mm) can be cut as described above.

Cutting Crown Molding
Your miter saw is well suited to the task of cutting crown molding. In order to fit properly, crown
molding must be compound mitered with extreme accuracy.
The two flat surfaces on a given piece of crown molding are at angles that, when added together,
equal exactly 90º. Most, but not all, crown molding has a top rear angle (the section that fits flat
against the ceiling) of 52º and a bottom rear angle (the part that fits flat against the wall) of 38º.
Your miter saw has special pre-set miter latch points at 31.62º left and right for cutting crown
molding at the proper angle and bevel stop pawls at 33.86º left and right. There is also a mark on
the bevel scale at 33.9º.
The chart below gives the proper settings for cutting crown molding. (The numbers for the miter
and bevel settings are very precise and are not easy to accurately set on your saw.) Since most
rooms do not have angles of precisely 90º, you will have to fine tune your settings anyway.

PRETESTING WITH SCRAP MATERIAL IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUTTING CROWN MOLDING LAYING FLAT AND USING THE
COMPOUND FEATURES
1. Molding should lay flat with broad back surface down on saw table (Fig. 17).
2. Top of molding against fence.
3. The settings below are for all standard (U.S.) crown molding with 52° and 38° angles.

Left side

Right side

INSIDE CORNER

OUTSIDE CORNER

Bevel left 33.9°
Miter table set at right 31.62°
Save left end of cut

Bevel right 33.9°
Miter table set at left 31.62°
Save left end of cut

Bevel right 33.9°
Miter table set at left 31.62°
Save right end of cut

Bevel left 33.9°
Miter table set at right 31.62°
Save right end of cut

When setting bevel and miter angles for all compound miters, remember that:
The angles presented for crown moldings are very precise and difficult to set exactly. Since they
can easily shift slightly and very few rooms have exactly square corners, all settings should be
tested on scrap molding.
PRETESTING WITH SCRAP MATERIAL IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
ALTERNATIVE METHOD FOR CUTTING CROWN MOLDING
Place the molding on the table at an angle between the fence and the saw table, as shown in
Figure 18. Use of the crown molding fence accessory (DW7084) is highly recommended because
of its degree of accuracy and convenience (Fig. 1). The crown molding fence accessory is
available for purchase from your local dealer.
The advantage to cutting crown molding using this method is that no bevel cut is required. Minute
changes in the miter angle can be made without affecting the bevel angle. This way, when corners
other than 90º are encountered, the saw can be quickly and easily adjusted for them. Use the
crown molding fence accessory to maintain the angle at which the molding will be on the wall.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUTTING CROWN MOLDING ANGLED BETWEEN THE FENCE
AND BASE OF THE SAW FOR ALL CUTS
1. Angle the molding so the bottom of the molding (part which goes against the wall when
installed) is against the fence and the top of the molding is resting on the saw table, as shown
in Figure 18.
2. The angled “flats” on the back of the molding must rest squarely on the fence and saw table.

Left side

INSIDE CORNER

OUTSIDE CORNER

Miter right at 45°
Save right side of cut

Miter left at 45°
Save right side of cut

Miter left at 45°
Save left side of cut

Miter right at 45°
Save left side of cut

Right side

Special Cuts

NEVER MAKE ANY CUT UNLESS THE MATERIAL IS SECURED ON THE TABLE AND
AGAINST THE FENCE.
ALUMINUM CUTTING (FIG. 19, 20)
ALWAYS USE THE APPROPRIATE SAW BLADE MADE ESPECIALLY FOR CUTTING ALUMINUM.
These are available at your local DEWALT retailer or DEWALT service center. Certain workpieces,
due to their size, shape or surface finish, may require the use of a clamp or fixture to prevent
movement during the cut. Position the material so that you will be cutting the thinnest cross section,
as shown in Figure 19. Figure 20 illustrates the wrong way to cut these extrusions.
Use a stick wax cutting lubricant when cutting aluminum. Apply the stick wax cutting lubricant
directly to the saw blade before cutting. Never apply stick wax to a moving blade. The wax,
available at most hardware stores and industrial mill supply houses, provides proper lubrication and
keeps chips from adhering to the blade.
Be sure to properly secure workpiece.
Refer to Saw Blades under Optional Accessories for correct saw blade.
BOWED MATERIAL (FIG. 21, 22)
When cutting bowed material always position it as shown in Figure 21 and never like that shown in
Figure 22. Positioning the material incorrectly will cause it to pinch the blade near the completion
of the cut.
CUTTING PLASTIC PIPE OR OTHER ROUND MATERIAL
Plastic pipe can be easily cut with your saw. It should be cut just like wood and CLAMPED OR
HELD FIRMLY TO THE FENCE TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING. This is extremely important
when making angle cuts.
CUTTING LARGE MATERIAL (FIG. 23)
Occasionally you will encounter a piece of wood a little too large to fit beneath the lower guard. If
this occurs, simply place your right thumb on the upper side of the guard and roll the guard up
just enough to clear the workpiece, as shown in Figure 23. Avoid doing this as much as possible,
but if need be, the saw will operate properly and make the bigger cut. NEVER TIE, TAPE, OR
OTHERWISE HOLD THE GUARD OPEN WHEN OPERATING THIS SAW.
SPECIAL SET-UP FOR WIDE CROSSCUTS (FIG. 24, 25)
Your saw can cut very wide (up to 16.1" [409 mm]) workpieces when a special set-up is used. To
set the saw up for these workpieces, follow these steps:
1. Remove both left and right sliding fences from the saw and set aside. To remove them,
unscrew the fence adjustment knobs several turns and slide each fence outward. Adjust and
lock the miter control so that it is at 0º miter.
2. Make a platform using a piece of 1.5" (38 mm) thick particleboard or similar flat strong 1.5" thick
wood to the dimensions: 14.5" x 26" (368 x 660 mm). The platform must be flat, otherwise the
material could move during cutting and cause injury.
3. Mount the 14.5" x 26" (368 x 660 mm) platform to the saw using four 3" (76.2 mm) long wood
screws through the holes in the base fence (Fig. 24). Four screws must be used to properly
secure the material. When the special set-up is used, the platform will be cut into two pieces.
Ensure the screws are tightened properly, otherwise material could loosen and cause injury.
Ensure the platform is firmly flat on the table, against the fence, and centered evenly from left
to right.
WARNING: Ensure the saw is mounted firmly to a stable flat surface. Failure to do so could
cause the saw to be unstable and fall causing personal injury.
4. Place the workpiece to be cut on top of the platform mounted to the table. Ensure the
workpiece is firmly against the back of the base fence (Fig. 25).
5. Secure the material before cutting. Cut slowly through the material using a out-down-and-back
motion. Failure to clamp securely or cut slowly could result in the material coming loose and
causing injury.
After several cuts are made at various miter angles other than 0º, the platform may weaken and not
properly support the work. Install a new, unused platform to the saw after presetting the desired
miter angle.
CAUTION: Continued use of a platform with several kerfs may cause loss of material control
and possible injury.

Removing and Replacing Belt (Fig. 4, 26)
The belt is designed to last the life of the tool. However, abuse of the tool could cause the belt to fail.
If the blade does not turn when the motor is running, the belt has failed. To inspect or replace the
belt, remove the belt cover screws. Remove the belt cover. Inspect the ribs of the belt for wear or
failure. Check belt tension by squeezing the belt as shown in Figure 26. The belt halves should
almost touch when squeezing firmly with the thumb and index finger. To adjust the tension, loosen,
but do not remove, the four crosshead screws shown. Then rotate the set screw on the top of
the motor plate casting until the proper tension is achieved. Tighten the four screws securely and
replace the belt cover.
NOTICE: Overtightening the belt will cause premature motor failure.

MAINTENANCE
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, DO NOT touch the sharp
points on the blade with fingers or hands while performing any maintenance.
DO NOT use lubricants or cleaners (particularly spray or aerosol) in the vicinity of the plastic guard.
The polycarbonate material used in the guard is subject to attack by certain chemicals.
• All bearings are sealed. They are lubricated for life and need no further maintenance.
• Periodically clean all dust and wood chips from around AND UNDER the base and the
rotary table. Even though slots are provided to allow debris to pass through, some dust will
accumulate.
• The brushes are designed to give you several years of use. If they ever need replacement
follow the instructions under Brushes or return the tool to the nearest service center for
repair.

Worklight Cleaning
For the best worklight performance, perform the following maintenance regularly.
• Carefully clean sawdust and debris from worklight lens with a cotton swab.
• DO NOT use solvents of any kind, they may damage the lens.
• Dust build-up can block the worklight and prevent it from accurately indicating the line of cut.
• Follow miter saw’s instruction manual to remove and install blade.

• With blade removed from saw, clean pitch and build-up from blade. Pitch and debris can
interfere with the worklight and prevent it from accurately indicating the line of cut.
SPECIFICATIONS
Power LED
3.3 V DC
Input: 120–240 V AC; 50/60Hz
Output: 5 V DC; 0.45 A
Operating Temperature 14°F to 104°F (-10°C to 40°C)
Storage Temperature
-22°F to 176°F (-30°C to 80°C)
Environmental
Water resistant
Light source
Worklight
Power Supply

Dust Duct Cleaning
Depending on your cutting environment, saw dust can clog the dust duct and may prevent dust
from flowing away from the cutting area properly. With the saw unplugged and the saw head raised
fully, low pressure air or a large diameter dowel rod can be used to clear the dust out of the dust
duct.

Brushes
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect
it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any
adjustments.
Inspect carbon brushes regularly by unplugging tool, removing the motor endcap (Fig. 4), lifting
the brush spring and withdrawing the brush assembly. Keep brushes clean and sliding freely in
their guides. Always replace a used brush in the same orientation in the holder as it was prior to
its removal. If the brushes are worn down to approximately 1/2" (12.7 mm), the springs will no
longer exert pressure and they must be replaced. Use only identical DEWALT brushes. Use of the
correct grade of brush is essential for proper operation of electric brake. New brush assemblies
are available at DEWALT service centers. The tool should be allowed to “run in” (run at no load) for
10 minutes before use to seat new brushes. The electric brake may be erratic in operation until the
brushes are properly seated (worn in). Always replace the brush inspection cap after inspection or
servicing the brushes.
While “running in” DO NOT TIE, TAPE, OR OTHERWISE LOCK THE TRIGGER SWITCH ON. HOLD
BY HAND ONLY.

Service Information
Please have the following information available for all service calls:
Model Number __________________ Serial Number _____________________________________
Date and Place of Purchase __________________________________________________________

Repairs
To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and adjustment should be
performed by a DEWALT factory service center, a DEWALT authorized service center or other
qualified service personnel. Always use identical replacement parts.

Three Year Limited Warranty

DEWALT will repair, without charge, any defects due to faulty materials or workmanship for three
years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover part failure due to normal wear or tool
abuse. For further detail of warranty coverage and warranty repair information, visit www.dewalt.
com or call 1-800-4-DEWALT (1-800-433-9258). This warranty does not apply to accessories or
damage caused where repairs have been made or attempted by others. This warranty gives you
specific legal rights and you may have other rights which vary in certain states or provinces. In
addition to the warranty, DEWALT tools are covered by our:
1 YEAR FREE SERVICE
DEWALT will maintain the tool and replace worn parts caused by normal use, for free, any time
during the first year after purchase.
90 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
If you are not completely satisfied with the performance of your DEWALT Power Tool, Laser, or
Nailer for any reason, you can return it within 90 days from the date of purchase with a receipt for
a full refund – no questions asked.
LATIN AMERICA: This warranty does not apply to products sold in Latin America. For products
sold in Latin America, see country specific warranty information contained either in the packaging,
call the local company or see website for warranty information.
FREE WARNING LABEL REPLACEMENT: If your warning labels become illegible or are missing,
call 1-800-4-DEWALT (1-800-433-9258) for a free replacement.

Troubleshooting Guide
BE SURE TO FOLLOW SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS
TROUBLE!
Saw will not start

WHAT’S WRONG?
1. Saw not plugged in

Saw makes
unsatisfactory cuts

Blade does not come up to
speed
Machine vibrates excessively

Does not make accurate
miter cuts

Material pinches blade

WHAT TO DO
1. Plug in saw.

2. Fuse blown or circuit breaker tripped

2. Replace fuse or reset circuit breaker.

3. Cord damaged

3. Have cord replaced by authorized service center.

4. Brushes worn out

4. Have brushes replaced by authorized service center or replace them yourself. Refer to Brushes.

1. Dull blade

1. Replace blade. Refer to Changing or Installing a New Saw Blade.

2. Blade mounted backwards

2. Turn blade around. Refer to Changing or Installing a New Saw Blade.

3. Gum or pitch on blade

3. Remove blade and clean with coarse steel wool and turpentine or household oven cleaner.

4. Incorrect blade for work being done

4. Change the blade type. Refer to Saw Blades under Optional Accessories.

1. Extension cord too light or too long

1. Replace with adequate size cord. Refer to Use Proper Extension Cord under Important Safety
Instructions.

2. Low house current

2. Contact your electric company.

1. Saw not mounted securely to stand or work
bench

1. Tighten all mounting hardware. Refer to Bench Mounting.

2. Stand or bench on uneven floor

2. Reposition on flat level surface. Refer to Familiarization.

3. Damaged saw blade

3. Replace blade. Refer to Changing or Installing a New Saw Blade.

1. Miter scale not adjusted correctly

1. Check and adjust. Refer to Miter Scale Adjustment under Adjustments.

2. Blade is not square to fence

2. Check and adjust. Refer to Miter Scale Adjustment under Adjustments.

3. Blade is not perpendicular to table

3. Check and adjust fence. Refer to Bevel Square to Table Adjustment under Adjustments.

4. Workpiece moving

4. Clamp workpiece securely to fence or glue 120 grit sandpaper to fence with rubber cement.

1. Cutting bowed material

1. Refer to Bowed Material under Special Cuts.

TABLE 1: COMPOUND MITER CUT
(POSITION WOOD WITH BROAD FLAT SIDE ON THE TABLE AND THE NARROW EDGE AGAINST THE FENCE)

10
20
30

40

X

ANGLE OF SIDE OF BOX (ANGLE A)

BO

10
20
60

30

DE

SI

6-

40

D

10

X

50

BO

20
30

70
40

D
DE
SI
8-

SET THIS MITER ANGLE ON SAW

RE

UA

SQ

50

60

X
BO

50

60

70
80
70
80
80

SET THIS BEVEL ANGLE ON SAW