DEWALT DW717 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw Review

Overview and Design

The DEWALT DW717 Saw not only has an affordable price, but it also has great features in order to provide quick and accurate cuts from baseboards to crown moldings.

Powerful, this miter saw is designed with a 15 amps motor that can deliver a no-load speed of 4,000 rpm. Having a sturdy design, this miter saw features an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 11 positive stops. Thanks to it, you will be able to make accurate cuts with no hassle. You can easily adjust the miter thanks to the cam-lock miter handle, adding versatility thanks to the big miter capacity, between 0 to 60 degrees to the left and 0 to 52 degrees to the right.

Another great feature of this miter saw is represented by its tall sliding fence. Thanks to it, you can easily work with crown and base moldings. To make things better, the innovative clamping mechanism made out of dual horizontal steel rails and linear bar bearings ensures accuracy and durability.

Adjusting the bevel is easy. You can adjust the bevel cuts between 0 to 48 degrees to the left and to the right. Moreover, you also benefit of several bevel stops, making the bevel adjustment easier. To add, thanks to the back fence design, you can make 45 degrees bevel cuts through dimensional lumber up to 2 by 14 inches.  

Features

• It has a 15 amps motor that delivers a no-load speed of 4,000 rpm
• It features an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 11 positive stops
• It has a cam-lock miter handle for adjustment
• It has a big miter capacity, between 0 to 60 degrees to the left and 0 to 52 degrees to the right for versatility
• It features a tall sliding fence for crown and base moldings
• It is designed with an innovative clamping mechanism

User Reviews and Opinions

The great features of this miter saw have brought it many positive reviews. Users say that the item is easy to use, accurate and has lived up to every expectation they had regarding its purchase.

However, not all users have been satisfied. Some have complained that the saw has a poor dust retention design, although some of these users have then later admitted that the dust retention is no worse then any other saw they have used.

Read some of the user reviews below:

Christina C, Amazon Customer Review

“I got this for my husband who is an amature wood worker. He says he loves messing with wood. Anyway, there is a special spot in the garage, and all of a sudden, he is excited to build the rollout cabinet drawers I requested, and replace the cabinet crown molding. I love it because I am getting all of the stuff I wanted now because my husband loves playing with his saw. Hurray me!!”

R Rast, Amazon Customer Review

“Like most everything about this saw. It is smooth, adjustments accurate and crisp. The dust collection bag though is pretty worthless. I connect a vacuum to dust port which is better. Be sure to lay out your shop accordingly; rather than having the fence portion at least 18” from the wall –

I made a pop-out on my pole barn – works great but remember to give plenty of vertical clearance in view of how the dust portion extends upward- and can not swivel to the sides. Note – the blade that comes with this is a rough cut non-carbide blade (40T as i recall). Immediately replaced with a nice Freud carbide 60T blade.”

Eric, Amazon Customer Review

“This saw has lived up to every expectation I had regarding this purchase. It cuts 50 right to 60 left and 50 to 50 on the bevel. This saw still works beautifully after building a house and a half. I have cut 45s on 2×12’s no problem, cut full depth 4×4 roughs, and get amazing precision cuts doing it.

Lots of power- I put a Freud Diablo 44 tooth narrow kerf blade on it, and it walks smoothly through anything- including oak and teak, frozen pine and some things you aren’t supposed to cut too.”

Pros

• The miter saw has great features like the big miter capacity to the left and the right and its innovative clamping mechanism.
• The saw is accurate from right out of the box.
• The sliding and adjustable features are extremely intuitive and quality made.
• A highlight of the DW717 is the fence system. The fences are taller and have greater adjust-ability and versatility then previous models.
• Compared to other models the DW717 is relatively lightweight and compact.
• The big bevel scale is perfect for being read in dusty conditions.

Cons

• Some users complained that the saw is poor at collecting dust, although they admit that it is no worse than other saws they have used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related:

• DEWALT DW715 review
• Dewalt miter saws