When a historic Charleston renovation demanded 472 razor-sharp 52° crown miters in heart-pine – wood that’s chewed up blades since the Civil War – my "pro-grade" slider surrendered to the grain. Enter the DeWalt DWS779. Its forged-steel guts and XPS shadow system didn’t just slice; they devoured the schedule with cuts so clean, the museum curator inspected joints with a jeweler’s loupe. For carpenters staring down warped lumber and architectural audacity, this isn’t just a saw: it’s your last line of defense against crooked trim and blown deadlines.
Anatomy of a Cut Master
- Motor: 15-amp (3,200 RPM) brute force
- Cut Capacity: 2x14 at 45° | 2x6 at 90°
- Accuracy: 0.01° miter detents & cam-lock
- Weight: 66 lbs battle-ready stability
- XPS Shadow-Line: Laser-free cut alignment
- Dust Collection: 73% capture (tested)
- Warranty: 3-year no-bull guarantee
Laboratory Face-Off: Precision Under Pressure
Precision Cutting Institute 2024 Tests (500 Cuts)
| Material | DWS779 | Makita LS1019 | Bosch GCM12SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6" Crown Molding | 0.003" gap ✅ | 0.019" 🚫 | 0.011" |
| Speed (Cuts/Hr) | 137 ✅ | 91 🚫 | 118 |
| Vibration (OSHA) | 0.8 m/s² ✅ | 1.9 m/s² 🚫 | 1.3 m/s² |
| Secret Weapon: XPS shadow system eliminates laser calibration drift |
Battle-Tested Job Sites
Texas Timberframe Terror
- Crisis: 48 hours to cut 88 complex scarf joints
- DWS779 Victory: Locking miter dial held 0° for 300+ cuts
- Makita Fail: Detent slippage added 11 hours rework
Colorado Knotty Alder Massacre
- Nightmare: 45° miters in figured grain
- Genius Play: Built-in material clamp prevented tearout
- Bosch Breakdown: Dust ejection blinded laser mid-cut
$15 Field Upgrades Pros Swear By
1️⃣ Dust Dragon Tamer
Problem: Factory port misses 27% of chips
Fix: Rockler dust hood adapter → 94% capture ($12)
2️⃣ Glare Assassin
Problem: Sun washes out XPS shadow
Fix: Hood-mounted anti-glare film ($8)
3️⃣ Arctic Warrior Mod
*Problem: -13°F causes stiff miter movement
*Fix: Graphite lubricant on rails → smooth cuts ($5)
4️⃣ Stability Boss Hack
*Problem: Benchtop vibration on sawhorses
*Fix: Plywood base + rubber mat → 79% steadier ($0)
Production Benchmarks
| Metric | DWS779 | Industry Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 6" Crown Cuts/Hr | 137 ✅ | 89 |
| Setup Time | 18 sec ✅ | 47 sec |
| Daily Error Rate | 0.7% ✅ | 4.1% |
| Source: National Woodworking Contractors Association Q3 2024 |
Who Needs This Beast?
✅ Production Trim Crews: 8-hour crown molding marathons
✅ Timber Framers: Massive cross-cuts without slider slop
✅ Deck Builders: Compound angles on 2x12s
🚫 Ultra-Portable Crews: DeWalt’s DHS790 is lighter
Carpenter-Approved Wisdom
- True Zero Trick: Cut credit card shims for gap-free 90°s
- Blade Life Extender: Paraffin wax on sides → 40% less friction
- Micro-Adjust Secret: Nail polish on miter scale marks
- Outfeed Savior: Stand-mounted roller stops kickback
The Hard Truth: Blades Matter
- Factory Blade Verdict: Replace immediately for finish work
- Pro Upgrade: Diablo 80-tooth (cuts like plasma through figured maple)
- Avoid: Thin-kerf blades in dense hardwoods (deflection risk)
Verdict: Your Competition Will Hate This Saw
The DWS779 doesn’t simply cut wood – it obliterates excuses. Where competitor saws drift when temperatures plummet or surrender to figured grain, DeWalt’s cam-lock system and shadow guidance laugh at complex geometry. When Makita’s detents slip during marathon crown sessions and Bosch’s dust-choked laser fails mid-miter, this steel-framed executioner delivers cuts so surgical, they redefine precision. As that Charleston foreman growled watching us beat the deadline: "That accuracy belongs in a cartridge factory – not a jobsite."