Dewalt DW 717, inspired by Kapex?

[Tom the Remodeler]

Hi everybody! I was at a local tool emporium the other day and noticed a funny looking miter saw. It was black and yellow, looked an awful lot like a Dewalt, but something about it didn't look quite right.... it looked.... smallish..... I mean, other than one 10" chop saw and a 8 1/2" slider, Dewalt just makes 12" behemoths, right? Well, I was astonished to find a 10" Dewalt brand sliding miter saw! Now, I don't hold a lot of love for Dewalt products. I own a DW745 table saw, more out of lack of options than anything else (my needs were a compact bench saw with a decent fence, I really wish Makita and Bosch would offer up some competition here...).

So, anyways, I started examining this new saw. Overall, it appears to be a scaled-down DW718, with a few interesting changes. Like other recent Dewalt saws, new Milwaukee 12" saws and Kapex, the DW717 can cut tall, narrow stock behind its arbor, but it has a locking latch, similar to (though not as sophisticated) the "special cutting position" mechanism found on the Festool Kapex. On the Dewalt, it is simply a piece of stamped metal that hooks onto a small metal stud, just underneath the head-locking pin. But, in the end it serves the same function of locking the head into a preset distance from the fence to take maximum use of the blade. I noticed on the Dewalt website that they list maximum vertical cutting capacity as 6" to the left of the blade, and 3 1/2" to the right of the blade. I need to look into this further, but my understanding is that if you're just shaving a little off the work, you have 6" of vertical cutting capacity to the left of the blade, whereas if there's going to be more than a little wood sticking out to the right, then you're limited to 3 1/2", but 3 1/2" seems kinda small, doesn't it?...

I also noticed that the DW717 also has a better dust collection design than the DW718. There is a flexible boot right behind and underneath the blade, and there is a pretty good amount of fixed shrouding around the blade. Milwaukee claims 75% dust collection with their new saws, Festool claims up to 91% for the Kapex, I wonder how the new DW717 fairs?

It appears that the DW717 is capable of using Dewalts accessory laser, OR some newfangled accessory that uses LEDs to cast a shadow of the blade onto the work.

So, I certainly don't have any plans to rush out and buy a DW717 (already have my Kapex!  ;D), but I wonder how much interest the DW717 will garner? After lugging around a 12" slider (and it was the Makita LS1214FL, which is lighter than many 10" sliders!), I'm pretty sure I'd just want to go with a 10" slider from now on. My first choice would still be the Makita (after the Kapex), but if the Kapex and Makita LS1013 weren't available, I'd probably at least give the DW717 a look, probably compare it to the Bosch?...

Anyways, what do you all think? For you die-hard Black and Yellow fans out there, would you consider going with the DW717 in lieu of a DW718 or DW708? If you're in the market for a 10" slider, would you consider it?

 

[Per Swenson]

Tom,

I think if I wanted a baby miter saw, (and I do, I do)

I would run for this Makita

Per

 

[Dane]

I just bought the 8 1/2" Dewalt slider after getting tired of lugging around my brute of a Bosch.  Since 90 percent of my cutting can be accomplished with the capacity that it offers, I haven't found myself using my 10" once.  It has the same dust shroud as that 10" you posted and it works quite well when hooked up to the Festool vac.  It is really accurate and easy to adjust.  With my Sawhelper attached I can cut a 4 x 12 in 2 passes should the need arise.  Clearly not for guys that do a lot of huge crown, but since I don't, it works well for me.  Best part is that you can carry it in one hand.  I have not been a fan of Dewalt in the past, but in the past 6 months I have bought 2 Dewalt saws (the other being the 745 with the Rousseau table) and I gotta say, their designers seem to have stepped up their game.

 

[Ivans Dad]

I agree on the dewalt stuff.  Not everything is great but the 8 1/2" slider and the newer more compact table saw is great.  Having said that I do now own a kapex and the dewalt is my backup  ;D

 

[Spike]

The DeWalt 8 1/2" Model DW712 is a fantastic saw except for it's loud motor and abrupt start (no soft start).  The 712 is made in Italy and the only DeWalt saw made in Italy...go figure. I use the 712 for site installation and the Kapex stays in the shop.

Put a Forrest Chop Master and zero clearance insert plate on the 712 and you have an extremely accurate winner.

 

[TENRYU AMERICA]

Tom,

I think if I wanted a baby miter saw, (and I do, I do)

I would run for this Makita

Per

Hello Per

I use the 7-1/2" miter as a demo for our blades. Great saw, and it fits in the trunk well. Easy to carry also.

Iain

 

[MiterMaster]

I have that 7 1/2 Makita too, it's a very nice saw.  But, I'm going to sell it, no need for it any longer.  I was using a 12" Bosch SCMS, and would use the 7 1/2 Makita to cut small, delicate trim (as the Bosch would send the tiny trim off-cuts flying out the rear).

But, now that I have the Kapex, I no longer need any of the others. 

Mike

 

[Dan Clermont]

The dust chute on the DW717 doesn't look like it would catch much dust, not compared to the KAPEX . Another nice feature with the KAPEX is the ability for the saw to be placed right up against the wall allowing the user to work in a hallway or small space. Also don't see any user adjustable lasers but without close inspection of the saw can't comment further on that.

Dan Clermont (who at this time still owns the Makita LS 1013)