DeWALT recall announced for 1.4M miter saws due to injury, laceration hazards…

DeWALT recall announced for 1.4M miter saws due to injury, laceration hazards

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DeWALT miter saws recall:

DeWALT recalled more than 1.3 million miter saws after receiving hundreds of reports of the saws breaking and nine reports of customers being injured.

On Aug. 4, the company issued a recall for about 1,364,000 DeWALT 12-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws sold in the United States and 118,600 sold in Canada. The recall was posted to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

“The miter saw’s rear safety guard can break or detach, posing an injury hazard due to projectiles that can strike the user and bystanders and a laceration hazard to the user who could come into direct contact with the saw blade,” the DeWALT recall says.

So far, DeWALT has received 571 reports of the rear safety guard assembly or components breaking or detaching, including nine reports of laceration injuries.

DeWALT miter saws recall advises to stop using the product immediately

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled DeWALT miter saws and contact the company for details on how to receive a free repair kit or to take their saw to a DeWALT service center for a free repair, the company says.

DeWALT is directly contacting all known purchasers.

The company is not currently facing legal action over the recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes end in class action lawsuits.

The DeWALT miter saws were sold at Lowe’s stores, The Home Depot and hardware stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com. Lowes.com and other websites from April 2019 through May 2022 for between 600 and 820.

In related news, in March, manufacturer E-Filliate, Inc. was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging DeWALT Jobsite Pro Wireless earphones can overheat during charging or use and pose a serious burn risk and fire hazard to users.

And in January, consumers who purchased certain DeWALT, Craftsman, Irwin MAC Tools, Bostich, Matco and Lenox titanium or cobalt drill bits and saw blades began to see payouts from a class action lawsuit settlement with Stanley Black Decker Inc. that alleged the products were deceptively labeled.

Have you been affected by the DeWALT recall? Let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев!

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DWS779 vs DWS780 — Key Differences Between the Two Miter Saws

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When you’re in the market for a new miter saw, it’s pretty easy to get confused by their similarities. Two models that are often confused are the DWS780 and DWS779. Unfortunately, you cannot afford to waste money on the lesser of the two.

Thus, in this review, our experts compare DeWALT DWS779 vs DWS780 for you to know which of these two DeWALT miter saws is best for purchase.

DWS779 or DWS780?

This 15 amp motor product has an excellent guiding system in its XPS crosscut light technology. Apart from this XPS cross cut positioning system, it weighs nearly 20 pounds less than its counterpart.

In terms of pricing, the DWS779 with its 15 amp motor trumps its counterpart. It costs around a hundred dollars less, making it much more affordable.

This 15 amp motor product has an excellent guiding system in its XPS crosscut light technology. Apart from this XPS cross cut positioning system, it weighs nearly 20 pounds less than its counterpart.

In terms of pricing, the DWS779 with its 15 amp motor trumps its counterpart. It costs around a hundred dollars less, making it much more affordable.

Features of DWS779 and DWS780

Size and Weight

A tool’s size influences how well you can maneuver the tool while cutting through various materials. On the other hand, the weight affects how long you can conveniently use your tool. Apart from the general tool size, it would be best if you also were careful to note the carbide blade size difference.

Thankfully, there isn’t much of a difference regarding the blade sizes of DWS miter saw. They’re both twelve inches blade. Some other tools within the industry offer smaller or even larger blade sizes to suit different purposes. But, the DeWALT DWS779 vs. DWS780’s 12 inches model is just right to meet a wide variety of needs.

Both machines are made of stainless steel and aluminum with 3800 rpm motors. However, a major difference between these two saws comes in their weight. DWS779 weighs just around 70 pounds, which can be pretty heavy duty. It could become a burden while using it to work.

This puts the DWS779 model at a disadvantage against the DeWALT DWS780 model. The latter only weighs 56 pounds, which is about the same weight as a small bale of hay. While that isn’t exactly portable, other sliding miter saws can weigh as low as 28 pounds.

But, if we had to choose between carrying a 70-pound tool and a 56-pound one, we’ll likely choose the 56 pounds one since its 14 pounds difference is simply more convenient.

DWS779 and DWS780: Cutting System

When you’re making your own miter saw woodworking projects. you want your cut to be as accurate as possible. Unfortunately, you cannot exactly achieve the pinpoint accuracy cut you need by drawing a line on the wood with a pencil.

You will need a cutting alignment system for your woodworking projects to be more sophisticated. Before the XPS light / XPS system with its LED light, companies started adding laser light beams to their miter saws to deliver that sophistication level.

One such company is DeWALT, and they delivered that laser guide system with the DeWALT DWS779. While it handle works fairly well, it is hard to deny the obvious drawbacks of this cutting system compared to the XPS system, a crosscut alignment system with its LED light.

One of the major problems is that laser light beams function much better at night, unlike an XPS system. If you’re using it in a very well-lit area, the DeWALT DWS779 laser beam cut line will probably get lost in the surrounding (LED) light.

With all the noise and dust flying around, your senses could become too overwhelmed even properly to track the faint laser light beam for accuracy. Compared to the XPS system, In the end, you might get roughly cut wood. Apart from this, the laser diode isn’t directly tied to the cutting blade wrench. So, you might be off by as much as one-eighth of an inch when you cut, unlike in an XPS system.

Our experts found that none of these is much of an issue with the 780 models. This model uses a very bright XPS light/XPS system to cast a shadow line while you cut. This cutline blade positioning system contrasts dark versus bright led light for an adjustment free guide cutline.

Comparing the difference between DeWALT DWS779 vs. DWS780 and their cutting systems, 780 takes the lead with its XPS light/bright LED light and adjustment free cutline blade positioning system.

Miter Detent Plate

A miter detent plate is a mechanical device on a table miter saw. It is designed to lock a machine’s movement left or right until the user releases it. The miter detent plate purpose is to lock and ensure that you can make a clean, high-quality, accurate cuts angle with no hassle.

The 780 comes fully equipped in this area as it also includes a carbide blade, wrench, dust bag, a super efficient dust collection system, and material clamp that comes with a 3 year limited warranty. It has a cam lock that comes in a durable stainless steel miter detent plate. The two miter saws also come with a rail lock. It helps you to make vertical cutting more precise and easy.

The interesting thing about the product’s cam lock miter handle saw mechanism is that it has a cam lock miter button that is easy to use. This makes the handle significantly easier, the adjustment of angles left or right whenever you need to do so.

The DeWALT DWS779, on the other hand, has a double horizontal rail. This mechanism boasts an excellent clamping system. The most impressive thing about it is its linear ball bearings and 10 positive stops. They make the DWS779 miter saw cuts very accurately and efficiently.

Now, these two systems are wildly different in comparison to each other. However, their differences do not exactly make them inferior to the other. They work in different ways, but they still help to guarantee accurate angles while cutting as they both have 10 positive stops at 0, 22.5 degrees, 33.9 degrees, 45 degrees, and 49 degrees. In this segment of both DWS models, none trumps the other.

Cutting Capacity of DWS779 and DWS780

The cutting capacity of a table miter saw is partly dependent on the size of the miter saw blades. For example, a 10-inch blade can spin very quickly because it is generally lighter and faster in speed than its larger counterparts. But, it wouldn’t necessarily be able to match the capacity of larger blades where your miter saw cuts sheet metals. While it might be sharp, it would hardly get the job done on the job site.

12 inches of blade diameter is generally more capable than smaller counterparts. 780’s exclusive back fence design cuts up to 2 X 14 dimensional lumber at 90 degrees. And 779’s back fence cuts up to 2×14 dimensional lumber at 90 degrees and 2 x 12 at 45 degrees. Alongside the carbide blade size, the teeth per inch (TPI) are also essential in measuring cutting capacity. With the help of the dual bevel system, both miter capacity of 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left.

Its tall sliding fence supports, excellent back fence design, and the dented plate with cam lock ensure the effortless production of accurate and precise cuts design.

However, whether you’re looking at the blade size or the TPI, there is no difference in comparison between the DeWALT DWS779 vs. DWS780. They both have a 12-inch blade diameter and 60 degrees to the right TPIs, making this segment another tie.

Want know the difference between the cutting capacity of a miter saw and table saw? You can check our comparison of miter saw and table saw here.

Safety and Security

We cannot overstate the importance of your safety while you’re using electric tools like the DeWALT 780 and 779 models. Our team reiterates this because of the potential for major accidents to happen in the job site.

(Speaking of safety, are aware of the DeWALT miter saw recall? If not, check the important points here!)

Luckily, neither of these ignore safety precautions or accident factors [1]. DWS model can both be fastened properly to your sliding compound miter saw stand. That way, you’re at a much lower risk of hurting yourself while making smooth dual bevel cuts.

Also, both of the products has miter saw stand and come with blade guards. Blade guards are transparent plastic covers for the two saws blade. As you can imagine, its primary function is to shield the rotating disk blade. You are supposed to keep the saw blade guard on whether you’re using it or not.

The guard helps to keep direct accidents from happening while cutting. But, beyond that, it also helps to keep particles from flying across the room.

The transparent designed to provide to helps you to attain proper control over the cutting process. It also allows for comfortable visibility. Since these two products have a similar safety mechanisms, they tie here too.

To know your rights as a miter saw operator, you can check our page on the miter saw injuries legal and civil rights here.

Massive power tool recall: 1.4 million tools recalled, 9 people already injured

It’s time to recheck your power tools following a big recall earlier this year. Two new recall actions are in place concerning devices that might cut you while you’re using them. One of them is DeWALT’s 12-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws which sold more than 1.4 million units across the US and Canada. The other involves Makita’s cordless hedge trimmers, which sold only about 2,600 units in the US.

Both devices have the same problem. A part that should protect the user might lead to laceration injuries. DeWALT already received 571 malfunction reports, including 9 injuries.

DeWALT’s power tool recall

DeWALT announced the 12-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws recall this week. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) posted the announcement at this link. Similarly, the Canadian recall authority published its own report — you can see it here.

The company explains the power tool features a rear safety guard that can break or detach. If that happens, the user and bystanders might be exposed to projectiles. They also risk coming in contact with the power tool’s saw blade, which is obviously quite dangerous.

DeWALT sold 1,364,000 12-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws in the US. over, Canadian buyers bought an additional 118,600 units.

In the US, the power tool models in the recall were available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and other hardware stores nationwide. Customers might have also purchased them online at Amazon, Lowes, and other websites.

The company sold the saws for between 600 and 820 from April 2019 through May 2022.

DeWALT says the power tool recall involves models DWS779, DWS780, and DHS790 Miter Saws. You’ll find the model numbers on the saw’s nameplate. But only the models with date codes 2019 04 through 2022 04 suffer from the problem.

The date codes appear on the black plastic motor end cap adjacent to the nameplate on the DWS779 and DWS780 models. The DHS790 model has the date code on the outside of the yellow plastic housing adjacent to the batteries. Furthermore, the recall only covers saws without a green dot on the nameplate or a black dot on the arm.

Makita’s cordless hedge trimmer recall

The next power tool recall also involves an electric device made for cutting. We’re looking at Makita’s cordless hedge trimmers, which also pose the risk of injury to users. The company announced the recall this week and this action is limited to the US. The CPSC report is available at this link.

Makita explains that the teal guard on the hedge trimmer’s shear blade is missing. As a result, the trimmer has an increased chance of causing injury while in use.

The company sold the power tool in the recall nationwide from February 2022 through June 2022. The device cost between 260 and 460. Makita sold about 2,600 units, which were available at various home improvement and hardware stores. It was also sold online via Home Depot and Amazon.

Various model numbers and serial numbers are included in the recall. You’ll find the model number on the side of the trimmer. The serial number sits on the battery mounting port.

Model Number	S/N from	S/N to
XHU07Z	62401Y	62688Y
63136Y	63459Y
65101Y	65388Y
67401Y	67796Y
2495K	2854K
3403K	3762K
XHU07T	60961Y	61032Y
61461Y	61568Y
63921Y	64064Y
65389Y	65712Y
XHU08Z	17255Y	17326Y
18144Y	18203Y
18588Y	18683Y
19352Y	19435Y
1040K	1267K
XHU08T	17636Y	17671Y
18684Y	18839Y

Unlike DeWALT’s power tools, the Makita hedge trimmer in this recall has not yet caused any known injuries.

What you should do

If you own any of these power tools, you should stop using them to avoid the risk of injury. Both recalls offer the same remedy in the form of free repairs.

DeWALT urges customers to contact the company for info on how to receive a free repair kit. Alternatively, you can take the power tool to a DeWALT service center for a free repair. The company will contact all known buyers, but you can also reach out.

American buyers will find contact information for DeWALT at this link. Canadians should check out the local recall announcement.

Makita also instructs customers to stop using the power tools in the recall. They should contact the company to arrange a free repair.

Makita will provide consumers with a merchandise return label so they can ship the trimmer back for repairs. Then, the company will return the fixed trimmer with a teal guard on the blade. Contact information for Makita is available at this link.

The Best DeWALT Miter Saws of 2023

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Miter saws are, by far, the most popular cutting tool for residential jobsite use, and they’re also a versatile tool for a home workshop. DeWALT is widely recognized as a manufacturer of high-quality, accurate, reliable tools, and it’s frequently the brand chosen by professionals. Its range of miter saws is extensive, so contractors, tradespeople, and DIY enthusiasts may want to take a close look at what they have to offer before deciding which is right for them.

However, with around a dozen different models available, choosing the single best DeWALT miter saw is no easy task. There are a number of overlaps in terms of features, so it is important to look at the specifications and assess how each saw suits particular needs. Keep reading to find out about these important features, and check out our top picks for some of the best DeWALT miter saws for specific needs.

• BEST OVERALL:DeWALT 12″ Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
• RUNNER-UP:DeWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw, 12-Inch
• BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:DeWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, 15-Amp, Single Bevel
• BEST FOR DIY:DeWALT 15 Amp 10-in Compound Miter Saw
• BEST CORDLESS:DeWALT FLEXVOLT 120-Volt MAX 12 in. Miter Saw
• BEST LIGHTWEIGHT:DeWALT 20-Volt MAX 7-¼ in. Miter Saw (Tool-Only)

Types of DeWALT Miter Saws

The idea behind the first miter saws was pretty straightforward. Take a handheld circular saw and mount it on an arm, thus providing more stability and better repeatable accuracy. Although the powered circular saw was invented around 1930, the first miter saw didn’t appear until the 1960s. There have been a number of developments since, and miter saws come in several formats.

Basic Miter Saw

Miter saws are often confused with chop saws. While a chop saw only cuts up and down (hence “chop”), even the most basic miter saw does this motion but can also rotate left and right. As a result, miter saws are capable of cutting angles up to 45 degrees, and many will cut slightly greater. Fixed stops (called detents) are often provided at common angles like 15 or 30 degrees to make setting up the saw quicker.

Depending on its size, a basic miter saw can be useful for a variety of framing jobs or cutting trim and moldings. However, the development of the compound miter saw—and the added versatility it offers (see below)—means that basic miter saws are now a rarity.

Compound Miter Saw

In addition to being able to rotate horizontally, the head on a compound miter saw can tilt through the vertical axis. The blade then slices in from the side, creating a beveled cut. A basic miter saw can do exactly the same by rotating the table, but the compound miter saw can both rotate and tilt, thus giving it the ability to cut a variety of compound angles, from which it gets its name.

There are two types of compound miter saws: those that can tilt to one side, which are known as single bevel, and those that can tilt either way, which are known as double bevel. A DeWALT single-bevel compound miter saw can actually create the same angles as a DeWALT double-bevel miter saw, but the workpiece would need to be reversed, which is not always convenient. However, the double-bevel option usually increases the price.

Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Although the compound miter saw is more versatile than the basic model, it still has one major drawback: the blade can only rise and fall. The size of lumber it can cut very much depends on blade diameter.

The sliding compound miter saw dramatically increases cutting capacity by having the saw head mounted on horizontal rails. It can then be pulled toward the user as it cuts. This mimics the action of the radial arm saw invented by Raymond DeWALT in 1922. This combined action means that wide planks and flooring can be cut, making the DeWALT sliding compound miter saw an extremely flexible and productive tool for both the DIYer and trade user.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best DeWALT Miter Saw

All DeWALT miter saws are either single-bevel compound, double-bevel compound, or sliding compound models. Each is renowned for its accuracy and durability and has an extensive set of features. However, there are key differences that can have a major impact on choice. The following section looks at these in detail.

Size and Intended Use

Like all types of circular saw, DeWALT miter saws are defined by their blade diameter. The 12-inch models are the largest and the 7¼-inch models are the smallest. However, it is important to check actual capacities for each model rather than assume, for example, that two 12-inch DeWALT miter saws have the same cutting capacities. They may not.

Each DeWALT miter saw is capable of high accuracy, with easy-to-read scales and detents for fast setting of common angles. Fine adjustment is available when setting up the saw, which ensures precise angles are cut. However, the accuracy of the angles should be checked periodically.

Although DeWALT miter saws are often used as bench saws in workshops, their portability can be a major benefit. Buyers should check each model’s weight, as they do vary considerably.

Power

All of DeWALT’s corded miter saws have a 15-amp motor, which is the maximum supply provided by ordinary household outlets. It is also the standard for generators, if portable power is being used on a jobsite, for example.

The other option is to go cordless, and there are several DeWALT cordless miter saws available. A lightweight 7¼-inch model runs off 20-volt batteries, whereas high-performance 12-inch models use DeWALT’s unique Flexvolt batteries. For Flexvolt, two 60-volt units are used, providing an impressive 120 volts of power.

Those who want to buy spare batteries may want to consider the amp hours (Ah) rating. Higher Ah equates to longer runtime. DeWALT’s 20-volt MAX batteries, for example, are rated anywhere from 1.5 Ah to 12 Ah. While the latter cost considerably more, they can give as much as eight times the use between charges.

Accuracy and Ease of Use

DeWALT tools have long been a preferred choice of contractors and tradespeople because of their durability and accuracy. Beyond the detents that allow quick and easy setup of angled cuts, another helpful feature is the tall fence. It’s a feature on several models and provides good support, particularly for larger workpieces. These fences run on slides, so it is easy to move them out of the way when they are not needed.

Laser guides are fitted on many miter saws, but setup can be difficult and regular adjustment is required. Several DeWALT miter saws use an upgraded system called XPS. This shines LED light down either side of the blade, thus creating a shadow line on the workpiece. Unlike lasers, this not only shows where the blade will cut but also the blade thickness and allows more accurate cutting.

DeWALT sliding compound miter saws also have a quick-set depth stop, so grooves or trenches can be cut in wider stock. Plus, a wide variety of miter saw stands are available, both from DeWALT and other makers.

Safety Features

Miter saws, like many power tools, use a system that prevents accidental starts. Called a lockout trigger, it involves a button that has to be pressed at the same time as the trigger is pulled in order to start the tool. It’s effective and doesn’t hinder operation, and it makes starting the saw accidentally very unlikely.

All DeWALT miter saws have a guard that wraps around the blade and moves out of the way as the cut is made. Clamps can help secure the workpiece so the user’s hands don’t need to be anywhere near the blade.

While DeWALT miter saws have an electronic brake so they come to a stop swiftly and safely, waiting for the blade to slow down after a cut can be frustrating. However, rubbing a hand or other item against the side of the blade to reduce speed is dangerous. Never put your hand on a moving saw blade.

Our Top Picks

It’s now time to look at our top picks for the best DeWALT miter saws in several categories. As DeWALT’s own descriptions can often be very similar, we have also included the part number of each tool for clarification.