DEWALT DW703 Heavy Duty 10-Inch Compound Miter saw

The DW 703 is great for my immediate needs. It's lightweight but sturdier than the Hitachi 10-inch saw, something one can carry from worktable to pickup tailgate with the easy-carry handle, simple to use, is accurate, and changing the saw blade relatively uncomplicated, unlike the least expensive 10-inch Delta model I tried. In addition, the blade that comes with it cuts moulding like a knife slicing cold butter....clean and smooth without any splinters. I used tape on the moulding at first to eliminate any splinters, but realized that wasn't necessary, as there were no splinters without it.

The bevel clamp knob on the back is accessible, easy to work, and very stable, adding to the feeling of security when making bevel cuts. Both miter and bevel scales are easy to read and accurate. Although some reviewers have commented that the markings are only painted on and will wear off in time, I plan to take the added step of coating the markings with a clear sealant for added life.

Probably the best feature I've found is the light grip required on the operating handle. I can't see getting carpal tunnel syndrome from overuse of the handle, for it is truly comfortable to use, unlike some of the ones i tried that required both a hard grip on a safety device as well as a tough pull-down on the handle.

It's too bad that Hoover didn't buy out Black and Decker/Dewalt, for then this saw might have had a decently engineered dust spout and bag. For this reason, I am giving the saw only four stars.


The Best 10" Saw, No Question   June 16, 2001
Freddie Dorrance III Denise (Owings Mills, Maryland USA)
69 out of 70 found this review helpful

I am a hardwood flooring contractor. I have used just about every saw out their in my 25 years in the flooring buisness. This mitre saw, just flat out beats the rest, I have been a big Makita fan for years. The 10" Dewalt is more accurate and is as smooth cutting of a saw, I have ever used. This saw is a must for the professional. You won't be dissapointed.


Not a Delta....   November 7, 2003
Terry A. Strother (Baltimore, MD)
56 out of 75 found this review helpful

I purchased this saw to replace a 10 year old Delta that was worn out. With all of the hype from dealers and other tradesmen I thought I would go for the DeWalt. It works well and can perform most tasks without difficulty on moulding, 2x4's and 2x6's but 4x's forget it. The guard sits too low to allow clearance and the motor labors on most pressure treated stock, even 2x4's. And, yes I know how to use the saw correctly. The thin cast table does not provide much stability. Perhaps I should have opted for the next or 2 steps up. This saw would probabally work well for a "Harry Homeowner".... You basically get what you pay for.


DeWalt's the best   December 30, 2001
34 out of 34 found this review helpful

A very portable solid saw. Looked at all the others like Delta, Craftsman, etc. and this saw was lighter than the rest. A must for me because it gets moved around alot. Also, the numbers on the miter gauge were not made of cardboard and tacked on like on other saws but, made of metal and easier to zero in on. A friend of mine had his Craftsman gauge fall off after only one week on the jobsite. I looked at many different saws and the DeWalt 703 saw is just built better and able to do more than the competition. Some other companies make lesser expensive saws but, you get what you pay for. Spend a little more and get the DeWalt. You won't regret it.


Great Value for the Money   January 11, 2005
Western Woodworker (Puyallup, WA USA)
26 out of 26 found this review helpful

After using this saw heavily for over a year (both for rough construction and woodworking), it's time for an honest review. This saw certainly is a great value, but it helps to know its little quirks, to get the most benefit from it. For general construction and framing, the miter and bevel settings are not too critical, and they were accurate out of the box for me. To cut a 4x4, you only need to manually raise the blade guard and hold it up, to get the workpiece up against the fence for cutting. The supplied blade will cut tons of softwood for framing, and the saw's portability makes it easy to carry anywhere. For woodworking, however, you will probably want to zero the miter and bevel adjustments for best results. The manual recommends using a square to check the blade's angle for the bevel, but you will discover that it's next to impossible to raise the blade guard, hold a square, and adjust the locking nut and bolt, all at the same time. A much better method is to cut a 2x6 and then flip one side upside down, putting the cut end up against the other cut end. If the bevel is not square, there will be a gap at either the top or bottom of the cut sides, and you can adjust the locking nut and bolt to eliminate the gap. In the same way, the miter adjustment can be checked by crosscutting a 2x6, flipping one side, and checking for gaps against the fence, or facing the operator. If you plan to make picture frames, router templates, etc., you can get both the miter and bevel accurate enough to perfectly crosscut an 11" wide workpiece, simply by flipping the workpiece upside down, after cutting one side. But don't expect to do this on the "out of the box" settings! DeWalt should be commended for making such a quality saw at a reasonable price, and whether for construction or woodworking, you will not be disappointed with this one.