Move along, move along… nothing to see here. That was the apparent mantra of the DeWALT DW718 sliding dual miter saw. It was almost as if DeWalt wanted us to go look at the competition. We tried very hard to find something new or innovative about the rugged DeWalt DW718 miter saw, but aside from its exceptional build quality, there wasn’t much that drew our attention.
Basic Features on a Powerful Saw
Miter adjustments are the same as with their entry-level models—almost painful in comparison to more refined systems like the Ridgid MS1290LZA miter saw or the Bosch 4310 Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw with up-front controls.
A locking lever on the DeWalt DW718 holds the miter angle once you arrive at the correct position. Tension for this control (which in our experience tends to drift over time) adjusts from below the saw. The bevel angles are almost obscured and read with very small numbers hidden almost underneath the rear detent plate. From the normal operating position, we found them very hard to see. You may find yourself contorting to set the correct angles.
Editor’s Note: Check out the new DeWalt DWS780 12″ Compound Sliding Miter Saw Review for a peek at some truly upgraded features and capabilities.
The saw has a smoked blade guard that obscures the cut, and the DW7187 laser system is an optional add-on. You can maximize your power even further through the use of a good quality blade—check out our thin kerf miter saw blade shootout to see which brands we think best.
DeWalt DW718 Still Has Solid Cut Quality
Cutting quality on the DeWalt DW718 miter saw remains solid. This 12-inch miter saw cuts through a 2×16 piece of wood simply by using the short fence. You remove the normal fence and rest the wood on a 2x platform to elevate it so it connects with the back fence.
The miter saw also extends 60 degrees left and 50 degrees right, giving it a wide range of motion. The +/- 48-degree bevel also lets you complete most cuts without having to flip over your wood.
Conclusion
Don’t get us wrong, this 15 amp 3600 RPM saw remains a solid performer. It’s a real powerhouse with tons of clearance. And, it will most certainly get the work done on your job site. It’s just not that innovative—and the competition is starting to heat up in this segment of the market. DeWalt hasn’t yet adapted this line to keep up with the growing expectations of consumers.
One final positive note: this is one of the lightest 12″ sliding compound miter saws on the planet—it weighs just 53 lbs. With the DW718 out of circulation, check out the similar DCS361 which retails for around $379 for the kit. You may also find the DHS790 FlexVolt model for $799 for the kit.
