Can DeWalt Really Pull Off a 12-Inch Miter Saw Using a 20V Max Battery?
If you’re on the hunt for a new miter saw, there’s a good chance that DeWalt has one in its extensive lineup that’ll suit your needs. DeWalt’s latest 20V Max XR 12-inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw is getting a lot of attention—and for good reason. Today, we’re taking a closer look at what the DeWalt DCS785 has to offer so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your tool arsenal.
DeWalt 20V 12-Inch Sliding Miter Saw Performance
- No-Load Speed: 3800 RPM
- Max Bevel: 45° (Left and Right)
- Miter Range: 50° (Left), 60° (Right)
Cutting Power
At its heart, the DCS785 features a brushless motor that churns out 3,800 RPMs, which is identical to that of its corded predecessor, the DWS780. This saw employs cut helical and bevel gears rather than a direct drive or belt drive system that you might find on other miter saws. These gears offer smoother operation, less vibration, lower noise, and greater torque transfer from the motor to the blade.
All of these factors allow the DCS785 to power through challenging cuts like compound miter and bevel cuts with ease. This saw also has an impressive cut capacity.
| Cut Capacity | |
|---|---|
| 0° Miter | 12.2 in. (W), 3.5 in. (H) |
| 45° Miter | 8.6 in. (W), 3.5 in. (H) |
| 45° Bevel Left | 12.2 in. (W), 2.1 in. (H) |
| 45° Bevel Right | 10.9 in. (W), 1.6 in. (H) |
Along with its impressive horizontal cut capacity, you also get solid vertical clearance against the fence. You have the room to cut up to 6.5-inch baseboard or nested crown with minimal adjustments.
This saw performed exceptionally well during our testing and easily completed a series of common and more specialized cuts, like compound miter cuts in 2x material. The actual cutting power was right on par with what we experienced from the Flex 24V 12-inch Miter Saw and Hilti’s SM 60-22. However, it still wasn’t able to de-throne our reigning cordless champion, the Bosch GCM18V-12GDCN, in terms of cut quality.
DeWalt tells us you can expect up to 371 cuts in 3 1/4-inch MDF base molding and 153 cuts in pressure-treated 4×4 lumber using the kitted 8.0Ah PowerPack battery.
That battery designation is important. DeWalt’s tabless PowerPack batteries can deliver more current than round cell designs, which is why this saw works so well on a 20V Max battery. If you use a standard pack, you may notice the cutting power isn’t quite as confident.
Miter and Bevel Adjustment
DeWalt’s bevel and miter adjustment systems are mostly unchanged from previous models, and for good reason. The miter adjustment trigger and locking lever are right at the front of the table, while the bevel screw and bevel override remain on the backside of the saw.
As for actual bevel and miter range, this saw can miter 50° left and 60° right with positive stops at 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45° with an additional stop at 60° to the right.
As you would expect, the DCS785 can bevel 45° left and right, and there are bevel pawls at 22.5° and 33.9° on the left and right.
You can also reverse the 33.9° pawl so the bevel will stop at 30° for specialized trim applications like crown molding
DeWalt 20V 12-Inch Sliding Miter Saw Design Notes
- Model: DeWalt DCS785
- Power Source: DeWalt 20V battery
- Weight: 51.7 lbs
Size and Weight
There’s no denying that this is a big saw. With the fence panels fully extended, it measures 39 1/2 inches wide and requires 9 3/4 inches of clearance for the rails to travel. When it’s locked down for transport, it is 32 3/4 inches wide and about 21 1/2 inches deep. Granted, the DCS785 isn’t designed to be compact, but it’s worth noting if your storage space is limited.
Sliding Rails
This saw features a horizontal dual-sliding rail system. It glides very smoothly and feels more sturdy than many of the entry-level models we’ve tested in the past. The only downside to this design is that it takes up quite a bit of space, so it’s not ideal for benchtop applications where you don’t have much room to spare.
We’d love to see them release a forward-sliding model, like the Makita 40V max XGT GSL04, because it requires less space behind the saw and can sit flush against the wall. It’s a really nice feature to have, and DeWalt miter saws tend to be at an easier price point than their teal competition.
Dust Collection
Total dust collection is nearly impossible for miter saws simply due to the nature of the tool. Thanks to this saw’s flexible dust funnel, the DCS785 collects dust moderately well, but there was still a noticeable amount of sawdust left on and around the saw.
However, when we paired this saw with a vacuum, everything changed. Even after making several cuts in a pine 2×10, there was hardly a speck of dust remaining on the saw. DeWalt includes a vacuum adapter that can fit 1 1/2-inch and 2 1/2-inch hoses.
LED Cut Line Indicator
Cut line indicators are an incredibly handy feature on a miter saw because they take the guesswork out of aligning the blade on your material. DeWalt’s design uses a bright LED light to cast a shadow of the blade onto your board.
Some manufacturers opt for a laser guide, but I like the LED design because it’s simple, adds a little extra illumination to your cutting area, and doesn’t require calibration. Plus, it’s visible outdoors, which is an area where laser guides have struggled in the past.
Battery Recommendation
While this saw is compatible with all DeWalt 20V and FlexVolt batteries, DeWalt recommends only using 8.0Ah or larger batteries. Doing so will give you the best balance of runtime and performance.
Additional Features
- Adjustable depth stop
- Electric blade brake
- Rear stabilization bar
- Onboard tool storage
- Adjustable fence
- Removable material clamp
- Pre-drilled holes for bench mounting
DeWalt 20V 12-Inch Sliding Miter Saw Price
The DeWalt DCS785 retails for $699 as a bare tool and $879 as a kit that includes an 8.0Ah PowerPack battery and charger. DeWalt backs this saw with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
The Bottom Line
The DeWalt DCS785 proves itself to be a robust and highly capable cordless miter saw, offering power and precision that rivals corded models. It offers all the bells and whistles that Pros expect and delivers the cutting performance they demand. While its overall size may limit portability for some folks, the DCS785’s overall power level and versatility more than make up for it. Plus, it’s exciting to see DeWalt add a 12-inch miter saw to the 20V lineup. So, whether you’re cutting trim, framing new construction, or tackling complex compound angles, the DCS785 is up to the task.
