Dewalt has come out with a new 12″ compound miter saw, DW716XPS, which is an LED lighting-equipped version of their DW716 double-bevel saw.
You might scoff at this point, wondering why anyone would want or need an LED in a miter saw. Well, their XPS LED lighting system is not so much about the illumination, but about the shadows cast over a workpiece.
Advertisement
As discussed and shown in my post about Dewalt’s XPS LED crosscut positioning system, the lighting module casts a shadow of the miter saw’s blade onto the workpiece. As the blade is lowered, the shadow essentially represents the exact width and position of the cut that’s about to be made. This offers a guide line that trumps anything other saws’ laser lines can do.
It doesn’t look like anything else is different between the DW716 and new DW716XPS. The new model is also a little bit more expensive, at $400, compared to a street price of $349 for the non-XPS saw.
The XPS lighting module is the main difference between Dewalt’s top-line DWS780 sliding miter saw and the lower priced DWS782 sliding miter saw. If you ask me, the XPS lighting module is worth the additional investment.
If you already own a DW716, this is one of several models that is compatible with Dewalt’s DWS7085 XPS LED add-on accessory module.
Features & Specs
- 12-inch blade size
- 15A motor
- 3600 RPM
- 6-1/2″ max vertical cutting capacity
- Cam-lock miter adjustment handle with detent override
- At 90° can cut up to 2×10 lumber
- At 45° can cut up to 2×8 lumber
- 0-48° left and right bevel adjustment with positive stops at most common angles
Buy Now(DWS716XPS via Amazon)
Compare(DWS716 via Amazon)
Compare(DWS716-compatible XPS module via Amazon)
Earlier this week I remarked about how I’m not really a fan of 12″ miter saws. 10″ saws are smaller and more portable, sliding 10″ saws offer greater capacity and a more preferred (in my opinion) blade size, and 12″ sliding miter saws offer greatest capacity. This saw might be an exception to this.
Advertisement
Garrick
The LED shadow system is what we always thought laser sights would be like. I love the 780.
On a 10″ mitre (non-sliding) saw, I can see convenient accuracy taken to a whole new level.
Adam
I own an early DW716 with the light attachment installed (although I don’t believe it’s an xps). This was the single most valuable accessory I’ve every bought for a power tool. It places a shadow on each side of the blade, so you know exactly where the kerf is going to be. Works great for bevels/miters as well. I find it much more useful than the laser attachment, which had to be adjusted/fiddled with to get it accurate. Obviously a big downfall is its effectiveness in bright sunlight, but it’s hard to see a laser in sunlight as well.
Ryan
Be careful about buying the xps light system for your dw716….I bought a dw716 within the last year and they changed the design so it will NOT except xps light. (now I know why… Slime balls) They’re are five models of the dw716 type 1, type 2, type 3, type 4, and mine type 20. Its on the model plate on motor. Check first!
Chris
About 6 months ago I contacted Dewalt asking if a saw like this was coming. I was told flat out that this was not in the works and there where no plans to make such a product.
I went about the trouble of finding a DW716 of the correct type so I could add the XPS light to it myself. I could have saved myself a lot of time and money if they had just been upfront with me.