72chevy4x4

anyone w/ experience with it? seems like it would be quite a bit lighter than the 12" slider and lots easier lugging around to do trim work. any idea how the dust collection system is? I have an older 12" and the dust collection system is really horrible and working indoors it would be nice to not make too much of a mess.

BTW, saw the DW712 at Lowes for $270!

72chevy4x4

I looked up some numbers-a DW708 (older 12" slider) weighs 57lbs while the DW712 weights 43lbs, a full 25% reduction in weight.

TempestV

I don't know much about the 8 1/2 dewalt, but if you are looking for a small slider, Makita has some tiny ones- I have an older 10" slider that's probably lighter than the 8 1/2 dewalt. Now they have a 8 1/2" slider that weighs 30lbs. I'm not to impressed by their larger saws, but I love the small Makitas.

2ndGen

28lbs.

2" X 12" Capacity

7 1/2" blade

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Joining_heads@c

I have never used it. But the 8inch Hitachi and Makitas are pretty nice. I have played with the dewalt at the store a few times and it seems really solid. All three get good reviews.

declinetostate

I own both the dewalt 8-1/2" and the newer 12" slider. I absolutely love the 8-1/2". It's perfect for smaller trim work like casing doors and finishing cabinets. The drawback is that you can only cut 3-1/4" base standing up. It's a single bevel saw so trying to lay taller base flat is a pain. If it's your only saw you'd be better off getting a 10" but like I said I have two saws for that reason. Put a good blade on the saw and it runs beautifully. The dust collection is a joke. I have yet to see a single slider that has decent dust collection though. Although I am very happy with the smaller dewalt which is an older design I've had nothing but problems with my 12". I've been through two of them and I cant square up the blade. I believe it has to do with the base. The outer base which stays put is quite a bit taller than the inner base that moves with the blade head. If the piece is short enough all is fine but if the piece spans both bases it's screwed. I need to get the thing looked at. Anyway Just had to chime in. I have yet to see anyone else use the small 8-1/2" and I think it's a shame.

john5mt

sorry i just cant see using a default as my primary saw.

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samthedog

I own this with the laser. Love it to bits. My poor Bosch 10 inch sits there gathering dust until I need to cut 4x4's or bigger stuff. Here's a link so you can compare it's size to my bosch:

http://www.contractortalk.com/f40/fixing-stiff-makita-10-inch-slider-38676/

lee

I have this saw and use it daily. It's really compact and robust, and nothing I've ever used else feels as solid. I've been using this model and its older relatives since i started out, and they're pretty much standard issue here for trim fitting. Never serviced or lubed it, still cuts true 100% of the time.

However, it doesnt cut crown or cornice very well due to the smaller depth of cut. I found out the hard way and had to buy a bigger saw just for bigger mouldings.

I've got the older model (DW707) with the metal safety guard.

DrewD

A guy I work with has that same saw, we use it all the time for simple trim work and some framing (I prefer a worm drive) but I am going to buy the big 12" SCMS soon. All in all it works great.

Joining_heads@c

The Dewalt 12"SCMS is a piece of shiite. I have used three different (two friends, one boss) 718s numerous times and they are terrible. If you are set on Dewalt (I dont know why you would be) I would try to find a used 708. That was a much better saw.