Dewalt DWS774....have you got one?

[lastminute]

Was looking at one today and liked nearly everthing about it until I tried the handle!
1. First you grab the handle which automatically allows you to squeeze the guard release lever...this allows you to lower the blade.
2. Then you press your thumb onto the starter release button.
3. Then you press the starter button!
One of these actions switches on the Shadowlight function.(which is brilliant!) I don't know which one as I couldn't try it out in the showroom.
The sliding action on the rails is superb..couldn't hear or feel anything as it slid!...the KS60 wasn't as smooth IMHO. (I was just looking!)
The indents settled instantly with no side play at all!
Sadly there's no trenching facility!!
I've heard there is a slight delay in start up...giving it a 'soft start'...does anyone know?
I may be wrong on some of these points as the owners manual only shows pictures, so I'm guessing about the handle button procedure!

I really like this saw, it ticks nearly every box, hmm, maybe I'll take another look at that handle arrangement!!

Gerry

 

[porker]

I've got one. Really like it. Shadow system is great and accurate by design. Slight delay on soft start. Trigger, button arrangement is OK when you get used to it. Accurate out of the box and adjustable. Nice smooth action on rails which don't stick out of the back. I got it for my house refurb where I want the saw in the room. It is easy to carry and move. Manages 9" skirting and everything I do in the house. For larger stuff like fenceposts I use my bigger flipsaw.

Only thing I can criticize is the dust collection is not great and any pressure on the dust port can open the split line between the dust port and the yellow guard. No big deal though really.

 

[Bodgers]

Was looking at one today and liked nearly everthing about it until I tried the handle!
1. First you grab the handle which automatically allows you to squeeze the guard release lever...this allows you to lower the blade.
2. Then you press your thumb onto the starter release button.
3. Then you press the starter button!
One of these actions switches on the Shadowlight function.(which is brilliant!) I don't know which one as I couldn't try it out in the showroom.
The sliding action on the rails is superb..couldn't hear or feel anything as it slid!...the KS60 wasn't as smooth IMHO. (I was just looking!)
The indents settled instantly with no side play at all!
Sadly there's no trenching facility!!
I've heard there is a slight delay in start up...giving it a 'soft start'...does anyone know?
I may be wrong on some of these points as the owners manual only shows pictures, so I'm guessing about the handle button procedure!

I really like this saw, it ticks nearly every box, hmm, maybe I'll take another look at that handle arrangement!!

Gerry

I have this saw. I think what you are describing in the startup process is it being just being a bit clunky with the safety release button. Mine is the same and it's just annoying.

There is no true soft-start btw. It is probably just a bit delayed on the start button. True soft-start will alter the spin up rate of the motor which definitely does not happen here.

The sliding rails being smooth - yes, until you discover the large amount of slop, which means you then have to tighten the sliding guides at which point you can wave goodbye to that nice fluid action - you can't have both with this saw.

The saw in general is a bit 'meh' to be honest. Shadowline is a nice feature, but this thing is very average in general and suffers from the same problems most of these cheap to midrange units do - slop in the sliding mechanism being no. 1. The fence is also not the best. They all have less than great dust collection. The only saving grace is that the competition isn't a great deal better until you start spending Festool money.


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[ColeyS1]

I wouldn't buy a chopsaw unless it had a trenching facility. Wouldn't even consider it.

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[Bodgers]

I wouldn't buy a chopsaw unless it had a trenching facility. Wouldn't even consider it.

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That is quite a limited feature on these though isn't it? Your width is very restricted plus with amount of play that most of these things have the accuracy for doing say, a rebate will leave a lot to be desired. Maybe ok for rough unseen joinery...

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[Alexfn]

A mate of mine bought this and i had to use it for a day.. I hated it. I found it very awkward to use and wasnt impressed by anything other than its light weight.. I like dewalt stuff but cant imagine its in the same league as the ks60

 

[custard]

I wouldn't buy a chopsaw unless it had a trenching facility. Wouldn't even consider it.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

That is quite a limited feature on these though isn't it? Your width is very restricted plus with amount of play that most of these things have the accuracy for doing say, a rebate will leave a lot to be desired. Maybe ok for rough unseen joinery...

I'm with Coley, a mitre saw without a trenching facility is like a car without a boot. Why get half the utility from a purchase when other choices deliver it all?

Regarding trenching quality, with the right mitre saw you can cut tenon shoulders which will rival the accuracy, precision, repeatability, and cut quality that you'd get from any other tool in the workshop. Cut the tenon cheeks on a bandsaw and you've got a good workable tenoning arrangement. I'd need a very long tenoning run before I'd set up the spindle moulder to do the job, for a joiner it may well be different, but for an independent furniture maker like me then mitre saw plus bandsaw is an efficient way to achieve high quality tenons.