There are other models out there that are cheaper, but there is no guarantee that the quality provided will be top-notch, unlike the Dewalt, which is to deliver its promise of great quality at an affordable price. Easy Storage Not only do you get a work light that illuminates the workpiece but because it’s positioned behind the blade it casts an exact shadow onto the timber. It precisely shows where the blade will touch. It’s extremely useful as you can be sure that where the shadow falls, the blade is going to cut. I absolutely love this system and prefer it to a dodgy laser line on any day of the week. The rear fence is made from a pair of solid pieces of machined aluminium. They feel rigid and dependable, and thanks to the clever design of the telescopic slide they don’t need to be removable. Compared with the Bosch GCM8SJL it feels more compact and a bit less fussy. The marvellous blade intends to cut wood in a method that very few saws do. With a 216mm diameter and 30-inch bore, it is effortless to acquire additional blades for making cuts of different densities and strengthened materials.

The mitre action is as you’d expect from a brand like DeWalt, everything’s chunky and solid and the action is as smooth as butter. It’s smooth to operate, if a little stiff, but I’m sure it will become easier with use or even a bit of grease. XPS Shadow line cut indicator provides fast accurate alignment of the blade while illuminating the workpiece for increased productivity no adjustment required

As good as the handle feels, it has one of my least favourite design features. The safety button, that you need to press to allow the blade to spin, is only on the left-hand side. I can’t believe that the company who invented the saw won’t fit an ambidextrous safety switch. If you’re left-handed, or you just want to perform a cut with your left hand, it takes a lot of finger gymnastics to press the little button. The telescoping slide is smooth and confident and allows you to make several passes when cutting timber to try and avoid tear-out. The only fault I can think of when using this saw is that the handle isn’t that comfortable. I prefer mitre saws with horizontal handles like the Evolution has, but it’s a matter of personal preference, that’s all. The DeWalt DWS774 216mm Mitre Saw has a classic saw design improved and updated for the modern user. New 1400 Watt motor for powerful cutting in all materials (1400 Watt Low Voltage version UK Only)

As a bonus, it’s the easiest to carry around thanks to the two big handles that also help to extend the table. I wouldn’t think twice about unbolting it from the workbench, throwing it in the car, and taking it with me to a job. To make sure you’re using this saw in as safe a way as possible, it’s important to read all the safety instructions in the manual. Always wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and never allow your hands to come within 10 cm of the spinning blade. The base and fence have been machined to meet the accuracy requirements of the most demanding applications

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With a maximum capacity cut at 90° of 250 x 60 mm, I was surprised at the impressive capacity of this saw. On first inspection, I didn’t even see the hidden slide mechanism that improves the capacity without increasing this tool’s overall footprint. Along with quality comes a great price. The price is astounding for the features provided, and it only gets better. Competing with most mitre saws out there, the Dewalt DWS774 has a great value for money and is super cost-effective.