DeWalt DWS715 12″ Miter Saw Review

Have you ever used a tool where you felt like less is more? DeWalt has a really great reputation for giving you simple solutions but also making sure you have unique features that set it apart from other similar tools. You can see that here with their DeWalt DWS715 miter saw.

Check out more in the following details of my review.

DeWalt DWS715 Miter Saw Review

Dewalt’s DWS715 12 is simple and reliable. Yet, it has everything you could possibly need in a powerful miter saw.

I’m looking at the single bevel miter saw in this review but you should know that Dewalt does have a double bevel miter as well as a sliding miter saw that is just like this single bevel option.

If you’re looking for something lightweight and easy to use that still gives you really great speed and durability, the DeWalt DWS715 might just be the right solution for you.

Let’s start with a quick overview of the key features. These aren’t necessarily the features that are better than every other saw out there. These are just simply the features that make up the saw that you should know about.

• 15 amp motor
• 12 inch saw blade design
• 14 positive stops for bevel measurements
• Base fence measurements for precision
• Bevels anywhere from 0-48 degrees to the left. It can bevel right slightly but only 3 degrees as it is a single bevel miter saw

Feature Highlights

Now, let’s dive down a bit farther and look at the features that I feel set this saw apart. These are the features that really make this saw an admirable choice. The features that might make you want to consider the saw. It doesn’t mean that no other saw is great in these areas but rather that I feel as though the DeWalt DWS715 stands out here.

• Precision: When you make cuts using a miter saw, you need accuracy. This is incredibly important and there is often very little tolerance for errors. So choosing a miter saw that will do everything it can to help your accuracy matters. This miter saw does just that. The miter system is machined with 14 stops and a system built to support you.
• Power: This is a fairly small miter saw. It’s single bevel and only a 12-inch blade so it doesn’t require huge amounts of power. DeWalt went ahead and put a 15-amp motor on this, which is towards the high end of power and it makes it a powerful machine. With the motor, you can also reach up to 4,000 RPM in speed and that’s a substantial speed allowance.
• Comfort: When I say comfort here, I do mean that the miter saw is comfortable to use and operate. However, I also mean that there are additional comfort options that make the miter saw easy to use overall. You see it in little details like the addition of a clamp, a tall sliding fence, and plenty of bevel capability. Remember that this is single bevel but you can hit up to 48 degrees and there are 14 stops so talk about tons of ability there.

Additional Features

Now, what else is there to know? A miter saw like this one has so much more to offer than just those top features that everyone looks for. In fact, some of those details you forget to look at but they might make a difference in your appreciation for the tool.

The DeWalt DWS715 miter saw is made with stainless steel materials. It was built to be durable and reliable.

Dust collection is often something people are very particular about. The dust collection isn’t anything fancy. DeWalt chose to turn their focus elsewhere. While it’s not fancy, it is there and it works alright.

This miter saw is lightweight and portable. It can easily be used at job sites because it is powerful and efficient. Being lightweight makes it even easier to use in that capacity. The fences and all of the various gauges are very easy to adjust and get set up to handle the tasks you toss at the miter saw.

DeWalt DWS715 Cutting Capacity

Now, let’s take a look at the cutting capacity. This is a 12 inch miter saw. The 12 inch blade is a good size so you can handle quite a few different materials. The miter saw comes with a carbide blade so it’s strong and versatile.

You might not need a 12″ blade. DeWalt makes the DWS713, which is a 10″ miter saw. You can read my review to see which one makes the most sense for you.

The base is 5 1/2 inches vertically, which again opens up a major door for versatility. It gives you more working room and more foundation for holding your materials in place. The saw also has a clamp so you can lock down the materials and increase your accuracy when you make a cut.

The blade moves easily and can reach a speed up to 4,000 RPM. It’s a 15 inch saw. This means you have a decent range of capacity overall.

The Cons

We really like this saw but there are some potential downsides to be aware of. The first is that you will likely need to spot check your fences and gauges for accuracy. You will need to check them prior to your initial use and then sporadically as well.

The thing is if you move the miter saw around or bang it up with materials, those things can be affected and your measurements all get thrown off. Then, you end up mad at the gauge or the fence and ultimately the saw too.

Finally, the dust port could use some improvement. While it works, it isn’t great and there could be some simple adjustments to that feature that might help a lot.

You might want to take a look at my DeWalt DWS713 miter saw review if these detractors are too much.

Final Thoughts

If you want something that is completely simple and yet still very versatile, the DeWalt DWS715 is a great choice. Whether you’re a pro or a hobbyist, you can appreciate the value of this particular miter saw. It really has a lot to offer in terms of capability but also in terms of power.

Once you can get a handle on the little things that make a difference, you will get a lot of hard work out of this saw. It’s reliable and built to last. You can even buy a portable stand to use with it.