DEWALT DWS774-GB 216-mm 230V Slide Mitre Saw with XPS - Yellow/Black

Product Information

Base and fence have been machined to meet the accuracy requirements of the most demanding applications 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. XPS Shadow line cut indicator provides fast accurate alignment of the blade while illuminating the work piece Write: DIY Garden (Harris Creative Ltd), Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA Dewalts self-proclaimed “classic” saw design has been around for years, with minor model updates elevating performance and Flex-Volt cordless options completing the range. I wanted a saw that would offer repeatability and accuracy in the construction of projects from reclaimed pallet wood, and accurate mitres in small furniture, instrument components, turntable plinths and other similar projects.

DEWALT DWS774 216mm Corded Sliding Mitre Saw - 1400W

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. The only way to truly evaluate these mitre saws out is by a side-by-side comparison. Since the best chop saws are designed to make precise, accurate, and repeatable cuts in timber, it’s exactly what I did! The DWS774 has a retracting blade guard for safety with a two-part trigger system. The rear lever sits between your thumb and first finger, and when squeezed raises the guard. With your hand in the correct position on the handle, the pad of your thumb rests on the trigger safety switch which when depressed allows the first and second fingers to depress the trigger. I have heard many complaints of users catching the webbing between their thumb and finger in the trigger lever, but I never encountered this issue and I don’t see how it is possible if you are holding the handle correctly. Lefties will probably found the saw difficult to operate however as the trigger safety switch is on the left-hand side of the handle and is nigh-on impossible to operate using the saw left-handed. 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)The pillar to which the clamp mounts drops into its mounting hole and, when rotated, cannot be lifted free. The action of the clamp then lifts the pillar up and eventually enough pressure is applied to keep it tight. This setup limits the clamp’s ability to secure thinner material, and makes the whole assembly more of a hindrance than a help. Aside from the odd situation where the clamp does come in useful, it is best left to languish at the bottom of a toolbox. The noise it makes is refined though. There’s none of the grinding that I experienced with the Bosch GCM8SJL, and it sounds like a precise instrument when in use. I wouldn’t dream of cutting timber with this saw without my best ear defenders on though! 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.

DeWalt DWS774-GB 1400W 216mm Sliding Mitre Saw 240V

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. XPS Shadow line cut indicator provides fast accurate alignment of the blade while illuminating the work piece for increased productivity no adjustment required. Some users might even complain that DeWalt have added too many safety features to this saw. There are times when you might want to use a non-standard grip to operate the saw at an angle, for example.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.