Three Years With a Compound Mitre Saw
A tools-desk long-term review of the saw that has built two sheds, one set of bookshelves, and several picture-frame mistakes.
How this piece was assessed
- Format
- Long-term review
- Reviewed by
- Bram Ostendorf — Editor, Tools & DIY
- Evaluation
- Real-world use over months or years. Hearthline does not lab-test or instrument-bench products. Read our methodology.
- Review date
- 1 April 2026
- Last reviewed
- 2026-05-25
Mitre saws are bought for one project and end up cutting wood for the next decade. Picking the wrong one costs more than the right one would have.
Our tools editor's DWS779 has been the workshop's primary cutting tool since the publication launched its DIY desk in 2023.
We first published this piece in April 2026 and have revisited the recommendation through 2026-05-25. What follows reflects what survived that review window — the observations we still stand behind, the caveats worth knowing before purchase, and the small ways the piece has aged in ordinary use.
The summary
A mitre saw is an unromantic, expensive purchase that quietly redefines what a home workshop can finish. Three years with the DWS779 confirms the case.
In its favour
- Detents hit accurately at common angles without recalibration.
- Dust collection is poor — but no worse than the category norm.
- Slide rails remain smooth after three years of regular use.
Where it falls short
- Heavy enough that two people make moving it easier.
- Bevel scale is harder to read at low light than necessary.
- Replacement blades cost more than they should.
Who it's for
- — Home workshops finishing trim, shelves, or framing.
- — Anyone whose previous saw was a hand mitre box.
Who should skip it
- — You only need occasional small cuts — a battery-powered circular saw will do.
- — Your workshop has no dust extraction at all.
Buying guidance
- Budget for a proper stand; benchtop use is unsafe and inaccurate.
- Replace the factory blade with a 60-tooth fine-finish blade for trim work.
- Connect to a shop-vac with a fine filter; the captured-bag system is theatre.
- Plan for the trade-off most new owners only notice in the second month: heavy enough that two people make moving it easier. It is workable, but it is easier to design around at the point of purchase than to discover afterwards.
- Take the second caveat above seriously when comparing across price tiers — bevel scale is harder to read at low light than necessary. The cheaper alternatives in the category usually share the same limitation, so paying more rarely solves it.
Alternatives we considered
Bosch GCM12SD Glide Mitre Saw
Pricier, smoother slide action.
Makita LS1019L
Lighter, similar accuracy, more expensive blades.
Reader questions
- Sliding or non-sliding?
- Sliding, unless you are sure you will only cut narrow stock. The extra capacity is worth the bench depth.
- How does DEWALT DWS779 12-inch Sliding Compound Mitre Saw hold up over time?
- Several months of ownership has produced no failures we would consider disqualifying. The wear patterns are visible — that is true of anything used daily — but the piece continues to do the work we bought it for. We last revisited the recommendation on 2026-05-25, and the verdict held.
- What maintenance does it actually need?
- Most of the upkeep is preventative rather than corrective. Follow the manufacturer's care notes for the first six months; after that, the routine you settle into matters more than the one printed on the box. The "Where it falls short" column above flags the specific points worth being attentive to.
- Is it worth the price compared with cheaper options?
- Sometimes. The alternatives section above lists the genuine contenders, not lookalikes. The cheaper options are not bad — they are different trade-offs. If the strengths in the "In its favour" column matter to your use, the price gap is usually justified; if they do not, the cheaper alternative is the right call.
Editorial verdict
Three years in, the saw we'd recommend to a reader setting up a serious home workshop. Buy a proper stand and a better blade and the experience improves significantly.
Update history
- 2026-05-25Reviewer revisited the recommendation against current alternatives; the verdict held with minor copy refinements.
- 2026-04-28Short check-in revisit; no changes to the verdict, two minor copy corrections logged.
- 2026-04-01Initial publication after the reviewer's testing window concluded.
Written by
Bram OstendorfEditor, Tools & DIY
Bram trained as a carpenter and ran a small renovation outfit before turning to writing. He reviews hand tools, power tools, and workshop equipment with a working tradesperson's eye.
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