Dewalt has issued a safety notice and “stop sale” to retailers for their DWS780, DWS779, and DHS790 12″ sliding miter saws, due to a potential safety issue with the rear guard.
We recently reported that the Dewalt DWS780 and DWS779 have disappeared from major online retailers in a highly unusual manner. Now we know why.
Thank you to Dave for providing a copy of the retail Stop Sale notice, and for everyone else that provided details and confirmation.
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Dewalt’s notice says they identified a potential safety issue with the rear guard that may lead to an injury hazard.
The DWS779 and DWS780 are 12″ sliding miter saws, and the DHS790 is the FlexVolt 120V Max model. Both FlexVolt SKUs, DHS790AB for the bare tool, and DHS790AT2 for the kit, are affected.
The Stop Sale notice says that models with date codes 2019 04 through 2022 03 are affected (April 2019 thru March 2022). It also says that many miter saws made during this period have been repaired and are satisfactory for sale, denoted by a green marker next to the serial number or carton barcode.
A reader (thank you Pete!) says that Dewalt customer service described the issue for them in more detail:
The issue (a manufacturing defect with the rear guard breaking in a small number of saws) affects the DWS780 DWS779 and DHS790 and can occur when the blade throws a piece of wood on the guard.
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We reached out to Dewalt last week asking for more information, but have not yet heard back. This is understandable, as the Stop Sale notice, dated May 25, 2022, is a communication from Dewalt to their retailers.
Dewalt says they have reported this issue to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and are working to conduct a voluntary consumer level recall of the products. More information regarding repair, servicing, or replacement of owners’ saws is likely to follow.
Saws with date codes of 2022 04-CJ and later are not affected by the issue.
Ken
Any update on the DW735 since it seemed to be at least partially pulled in the same way? Looks like it is up everywhere but amazon right now.
NC
Where do I find the manufacturing date? I bought mine during the timeframe they stated. I found the serial number on the top of the arm, but no date. Thanks in advance.
Stuart
It might not be on the serial number plate, in which case you’ll have to wait until a formal recall where the serial number ranges will likely be listed.
R. Presley
Left of the tag with the serial number in the black area is where I found the date code for mine.
DAVID WILSON
Good eye. That is where I found the date.
Stuart
Nothing yet. It could a coincidence or random occurrence with little significance.
If I had to guess, I’d think maybe they’re building up inventory for winter holiday sales. But there could also be any number of other potential reasons for the planer listing to have been taken down.
Bonnie
As far as I could tell it was only ever pulled from Amazon. DeWalt was still showing Lowes as in-stock on their website during the initial conversation. I’d chalk it up to a back-end problem on Amazon.
Wherdgo
They are out at Lowe’s and Home Depot too. I went in a store to buy one for Memorial Day, since I couldn’t purchase it online, and the associate confirmed they’d been recalled.
Bonnie
?
The DW735 is still showing as in-stock at home depot, 175 of the base model and over 300 of the X model.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-15-Amp-Corded-13-in-Planer-DW735/100011483
Chris A.
That’s the two speed three knife planer, not the miter saw. It is a monster I might add.
Tom
It’s on the motor cover, stamped to the left, mine says 2013 12
Anthony Davis
The saws were pulled from Home Depot and lowes as well. I tried to buy a saw and stand in stock at both stores when this began and they couldn’t sell it it me at the register.
Mark S
I just bought a DSW780 from Northern tool this past Sunday.
TDP
I contacted Dewalt’s service department via their online chat service. and pasted what they had the following to say about my DWS780 – Type 21 below.
I contacted them by visiting toolservicenet.com then clicking the “support” bubble at the bottom right of the screen. A bot will answer your first query scroll to the bottom of its response and you can click a link that connects you with a human representative.
Dewalt’s response:
“We have found a manufacturing issue regarding the rear guard on a small number of models DWS779, DWS780 and DHS790 within the date range of 2019 04 through 2022 03. At this point the products are not part of a formal recall. As long as the rear guard is present on your saw and has no cracks it is OK to use. We are developing a repair kit we can send out to you at no charge. We will create the order to be sent as soon as possible”.
Micah
thanks for sharing this!
Ronald Hudson
Have an MDSR780 Mitter Saw
Gregory
I JUST called my local Lowes. They are GONE everywhere due to the issue. The Lowes member I was talking to said he was just talking to his Dewalt rep and might be a few months before they get the saws back in stiock
Big Richard
I just hope this doesn’t delay the release of their new 60V miter. I have to think it will though. Bummer.
MM
I haven’t been following any new miter saw but I suppose I ought to start as I am planning on purchasing a 12″ model sometime in the next few months. I will be using it in my workshop so portability is not a concern for me, but I would consider a Flexvolt model as I could certainly get use out of the batteries even when I’m not using the saw, and it’s also possible for a Flexvolt model to be more powerful than corded as has been the case with other Flexvolt tools in the past.
I suppose it comes down to if the new saw shares the guard design with the existing models. If it does then I think you’re right, it could delay things. But if the new design doesn’t have the guard problem then Dewalt might try to release the new model ASAP just to meet demand.
Big Richard
From what I can tell it is just a 12″ version of the Euro/Australian spec 250mm (10″) DCS727. It could have some upgraded electronics/motor since that saw is a couple years old now, but I’m not sure.
Potato
Where did you see this? Would love to know more
Big Richard
There has been rumors of the 10″ DCS727 coming to the NA market for a while now, but earlier this year there was some internal or investor material leak with some new tools slated for release this year. Among that was what appeared to be a 12″ version of the DCS727. Much of the other tools in there have either already been at trade shows, officially announced, or even already released. So it is authentic as far as I can tell.
But things change, so nothing is really guaranteed.
John Fal
Agreed. Dewalt is slow enough on Flexvolt. They hurt the Flexvolt line already. Off topic, but the should make Flexvolt compatible 60v tools ect. for Lowes.
MotorCityCraftsman
I recently bought a Bosch 12″ glide. I absolutely love it and it greatly improved my capabilities over a previous 10″. But, my dilemma is that I now need more portability to take to work sites. Any suggestions for a 12″ Cordless? I was thinking dewalt since i have that platform, but I’m willing to invest in another brand. Or does anyone use a small generator at customer job sites? Thanks.
Julian
Aside from the fact that despite Bosch having the absolute best user manuals in the business (Festool = worst), I could not adjust the Bosch 12″ glide saw into perfection. It’s a shame too as I hacked it with a direct wired-in shadow line cut light from the older Dewalt shadow line light accessory from their earlier DW saws that could accept either the laser add-on or the subsequent shadow cut line add-on.
But the biggest problem, no pun intended, is that the 12″ glide is simply the size of an aircraft carrier with absolutely NO good way to carry it to a jobsite with one person.
Matt
I had the same issue with my Bosch 12″ glide, no matter my adjustments, I could not get the bevels set properly, so I returned it and bought another. The replacement came 100% perfectly adjusted out of the box and have been loving it.
fred
We bought several of the GCM12SD saws when they were still a “new kid on the block” That was at least 10 years ago – so I thought that the issues that we found with QC would have been ironed out by now. We had more than one that seemed to have suffered from shipping damage (flimsy packaging/box). Those were returned – and then for the next ones we decided we’d pick them up ourselves and check them out before we took them. I was told that one had fences that were not co-planar, another a dished table, another that had set-up issues requiring adjustment to true the blade. I was particularly interested because I had planned on buying one after I sold-up and retired. The good news that I heard was the some were perfect out of the box.
I bought mine – with a gravity rise stand from Amazon in 2013 – just because I was wary about the possible need for a return. Mine had a table that was very close to dead flat, perfect fences, de-minimis blade runout (I changed the stock blade to a Forrest Mitermaster) and needed no adjustments to square the blade or make accurate miter/bevel cuts.
I haven’t used mine in anything like production mode – but other than its behemoth size/weight I have no issues with it for house/cabinet trim work – but prefer other solutions for mitering small furniture trim and picture frames.
The rolling stand does help me lug it around and ramp it up into my truck – but if portability is needed this is certainly not your saw.
AB
I have the DeWalt 12″ compound miter saw 120v (60v X 2) that uses 2 Flex Volt batteries or can use the adapter that lets you plug into 120vac outlet. I also have the Flex Bolt 8-1/4″ Table Saw. I also have many of the other DeWalt cordless tools. I find using the DeWalt cordless tools is much easier than having to lug around my EQT 8KW generator. If you don’t have enough batteries to swap out at the job site pick up an inverter and plug in your DeWalt battery charger. I have a DeWalt 140 watt inverter that plugs into the power port (cigarette lighter) and can run a DeWalt xx112 charger which uses 0.7amps (I forget the first couple of letters in front of the 112). The power usage is printed on the back of the charger. The DeWalt fast charger uses 3amps so you need a larger inverter. The slow charger ending in 115 uses 1.3-1.5amps
Brandon
The Makita is the best right now. Thing is amazing. Still a little on the heavy side but any sliding miter saw than isn’t junk tends to be heavy. I just got the 36 volt last year and sold my Bosch axial glide. Zero regrets. The dust control is better than any other saw I’ve used and plenty of power. A set of 5ah last me all day. The 40 volt has the shadow line and suppose to be better but I already have a box full of 5ah Makita batteries and all my other tools are Makita so it was a no brainer. I also have a little Makita 8.5 inch slider for small punch list type jobs and it’s super light and has the same crosscut capacity as my 12 inch slider. Just can’t cut base vertical or crown nested with it.
Nathan
so does the 716XPS still exist? it was a non-slider if I recall but it was one I was looked at.
I have high hopes for a new saw but I had higher hopes for a fire sale on the older ones.
le sigh
Stuart
Yes, the DWS716XPS looks to be readily available. https://amzn.to/3zgX4r6
Julian
Of possible related interest – my Dewalt 20v cordless 7.5″ miter saw, which is an absolute gem and capable of framing entire basement jobs, etc. , has a thin piece of rubber/misc material surrounding the back of the blade to help improve with dust collection.
That little piece on my saw had some worn little holes that hold it into place and so I called Dewalt to try and get a new one to install and those idiots wouldn’t even sell me the piece – they literally suggested I’d have to take it into a service center to have one installed.
MM
I love the DCS361. Awesome saw. I bought mine for one job with relatively low expectations but it’s proven itself again and again for all kinds of jobs ranging from cutting 2x framing to trim to ABS plastic instrument panel material.
Anyway, if the part you’re talking about is what I think it is then it’s easily found online and cheap too.
should be number 405 in this diagram if we’re on the same page. $2.99 each.
https://www.ereplacementparts.com/dewalt-dcs361b-type-cordless-sliding-compound-miter-saw-parts-c-1009_1163_570998.html
Julian
Thanks – I ended up just repairing it with some rivets and washers, good as new. FYI if yours is like mine – beware the top carry handle – mine literally broke off all of a sudden just carrying it across the room. Dewalt sent me a replacement, but the new part had the same issue – the plastic the screw goes thru on one end is very thin – design flaw to be sure. I re-enforced mine with an oblong (cut) washer to avoid it happening again…
MM
Thank you, that’s good to know. Normally I carry it by one of the grips built into the aluminum base but I do sometimes use the top handle. I’ll look into adding a washer like you did.
Munklepunk
One ofmthe best “upgrades” to these is us using a flexvolt battery. These older brushed motors really need to push. I even get more power, not a huge amount, when using my Makita 5ah batteries with an adapter.
Jefhaw
Black and Decker showing up
Miyk
Straight up, JUST got a brand new DWS779 this past week and was making a cut the first day and the next thing I know pieces of black plastic are flying everywhere. I stopped the saw and found all three pieces it broke into and I couldn’t find where it went in the manual it came with and so I just did a bunch more checking on the saw and the only place I could fit it into was some type of blade guard area where the piece would fit into….wasn’t sure HOW it placed so as long as it didn’t cause a hazard I just figured I’d keep going. I figured it was just a kickback safety of some sort and that could be managed by me mostly, So far no issues.
I happened to check my news feed and saw this article lol. Freaking crazy. Sad cuz I researched alot of miter saws and this was the one I had my eyes on, and I also prefer dewalt to any other brand.
Hopefully they can just issue a part for it cuz I’d rather not have to give it back.
Also, it makes sense why I could hardly find this saw in any store I went to and I had to buy online. Even Amazon stopped which is usually my first go to.
Dan
My 780 did the same thing last weekend .. at least the pieces go flying in the other direction. 🙂
Daniel
Unfortunately this is pretty common. I had the same issue, plastic went everywhere and I struggled to find where it came from.
For me, the plastic piece was part of the dust collection assembly, called the dust deflector, part N630004. It seems to break on every saw at some point, it is definitely a bad design.
Thankfully, replacements are either free from DeWalt support if you’re lucky, cheap from online retailers, or models are available for 3D printing.
Having talked with DeWalt, it sounds like this is NOT the manufacturing issue, but I could have misunderstood them. You would have thought a part that consistently breaks for many users would also trigger a recall…
Bruce
You are lucky yours was plastic, Mine was metal and it jammed into the saw blade totaling a £100 saw blade, and dewalt over here in the UK say it’s only a USA fault, what a joke, I’m going to take it further as this saw is too dangerous to use.
Pete
I did some further investigation into the DeWalt 780 issue and found out that the rear guard is now plastic consisting of two pivoting pieces and a leaf spring providing tension on the moving piece.
Older 780s had a metal rear guard and obviously it was not breaking.
Not sure if it is of any significance but the saw with the metal rear guard was made in Mexico while the ones with the plastic guard were made in Taiwan. I have no info as to when DeWalt move manufacturing to Taiwan or if they make saws in both Mexico and Taiwan. My guess is the issue is not related to manufacturing plant but to the part update from metal to plastic.
Thinking out loud and without being a materials Engineer the guns industry is using plastic parts and some of them are under bigger stress than the rear guard of a DeWalt saw and are not breaking. Possible that the manufacturing process is flawed (type of plastic used – temperature – pressure during injection molding) causing the guard to break.
Very curious if the new guard will continue to be plastic or DeWalt will revert back to tried and true metal guard as in many of their other saws.
Nick
I have a 779 and my rear guard plastic piece has broken twice. You can buy the replacement part on eBay which is a testament to the issue. (OEM part number 630004) I believe the problem is the piece shatters when hit by loose wood.
QBNWNDR
Thanks for the notice/update/warning
I don’t own one but it’s very much appreciated. I got to say Google finally sent me a notification that is worth something. Thanks again.
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!!
Drew
Can I post to the Den of Tools Facebook Group? Several people were asking this same question . Thanks!
Stuart
As long as you don’t copy/paste large sections without credit, I don’t see why not. A paragraph or paraphrasing is usually okay. Thank you for asking!
It can be frustrating when I see posts on Reddit or forums “hey look what I found” and their post is simply a copy/paste of a ToolGuyd blog post without any link or credit.
But this is also a safety notice, where it’s more important to disseminate, and so I’ll leave it to your discretion.
ChompsCroc
Countdown timer til it shows on the Dewalt site? Starting pool and accepting bitcoin ;p
https://www.dewalt.com/support/safety-notices-and-recalls
Bt
The 10″ corded job site table saw (DW745) has also become very hard to find???
Stuart
The DWE7485 is the main 8-1/4” model now.
The DW745 often showed up alongside the DWE7480 for holiday season promos. Now, both 10” models are discontinued due to industry-wide changes to table saw safety guidelines that relate to blade size and table size ratios.
In other words, there are no more smaller sized 10” table saws. The DWE7485 serves as the replacement for both DW745 and DWE7480 model table saws.
Richard Griggs
I had this issue with my saw.
Piece of wood got caught up and was thrown into the rear guard. The guard exploded violently, with pieces scattering across the workshop at high velocity. Luckily no injuries.
Mark
I had the same issue. 65 lbs to lug in and out of job. I bought the DeWalt stand DWX726.
I love it, now I can move my saw without killing myself.
Ricky
I the Rigid stand is a much better product. Bigger wheels don’t hang up on every little pebble. The licking mechanism for slide out supports is much better than the knob. I’m on the Dewalt platform and have the flexvolt 12”. Best saw I have ever owned. A couple coworkers have same saw but Dewalt mobile stand and both have had issues. One with the slide out and the other with the bicycle cable sorta wire to unlock stand. Just my experience with the stands
Jeff
Dewalt date codes used to be year then week; not sure if it when this would have changed. So if it’s April 2019 that would read 2019 14 (or higher number). 2019 04 would be January.
Joe
I contacted Dewalt customer service today and they are sending me the rear guard replacement part. It is plastic like the original. Mine broke from being hit by a small piece of wood.
Todd
My guard just fell off while cutting, debris flew everywhere and into my arm! Be careful I can’t get a hold of anyone at dewalt
Ed
I have a 779 and I recently faced the same issue with the rear guard shattered sending pieces of hard black plastic, luckily not hitting me.
I called dewalt and never sa I d anything about this being a safety issue and they would mail me the new piece no charge because it’s very inexpensive! Kinda tells you that cheap part is dangerous and should be re-engineered and manufacturered from a stronger material like metal!
Richard
It’s the rear guard. I experienced the defect on mine from 07/2020. Within the first few cuts of unboxing the saw it happened. The rear guard exploded of and when flying. I had no clue what happened and it actually ended up breaking one of the rolling wheels on the blade guard as well. I had no idea what broke off of it but now I know. Hopefully they will reimburse me for having to order a new blade guard.
Bruce
I have the 780 with the metal guard, wish it was plastic as a piece of wood hit the metal guard which then bent and slammed into the blade completely breaking it, cost me £100 for a new blade and a further £25 for a new guard.
Steve
I was researching what non-battery 12″ sliding miter saw to buy and ended up here. I’d be interested to hear from Stuart and others what you’d recommend while this saw is unavailable.
Stuart
Ridgid is usually a safe choice, but they switched manufacturers for a lot of benchtop tools recently, and the verdict is still out on the new series of tools.
If I were shopping for a new 12″ slider right now, I might look at Metabo HPT or Skilsaw.
I have heard all kinds of complaints about different brands over the years – crooked rails, gritty rails, etc. Dewalt’s were solid recommendations – and will likely continue to be after the blade guard issue is remedied.
Some authorized independent retailers still look to have some Dewalt miter saws in stock, and I would presume these are newer inventories that were checked and found to have already underwent the necessary repairs.
Goober
Old Man Winkle what lives two spots over from me had his blow up. Little cheap looking piece in ahind the blade guard shattered like it was hit with a shotgun. I tole him he shoulda bought the Ridgid fer less money but he worships that yeller stuff.
Bruce
This is the reply I got from Dewalt.
This saw is clearly dangerous and they don’t care.
Dear Bruce,
Thank you for your email.
We are sorry to hear about your experience with the DWS780 Mitre saw. We are aware of an activity in the USA where a Service communication has been made identifying a small number of product impacted by a rear guard manufacturing issue
Is there a recall for the MITER SAW model DHS790, DHS790AB, DHS790AT2, DWS780 or DWS779? – DEWALT
This communication is specific to the USA and to DWS780 product supplied from a manufacturing site in Taiwan. This communication has not been published on the UK Service website.
I trust the above details respond to your enquiry regarding the Service team communication in the USA.
I would suggest you taking the saw to your nearest authorised service agent who can repair this for you. You can find them by using the below link.
https://service.dewalt.co.uk/DEWALT/GB/en-GB/AgentLocator/SearchAgentLocators
Please feel free to contact us should you require any further help or information.
Kind regards,
Philip Moore
After Sales Service Team UK & ROI
Dave Caneen
I submitted the “form” on Dewalt’s support website that describes the problem with the saws, but currently not a formal recall.
I got a response saying that my saw was out of warranty and to go to a parts catalog to order replacement parts. Obviously this support person doesn’t have a clue.
I don’t hold out for any useful information to come out of Dewalt support.
Robert LaRiccia
So far they have pretty much been running me through the “Dewalt are a bunch of retards asking me for pictures, serial numbers and excessive information, I keep waiting for them to ask me for a penis print”. Mine came apart and struck me in the face, glad I was wearing safety glasses. I contacted them and they sent me the base part but not the complete assembly. When I contacted them again, the cycle of retardation started all over with request for excessive information even though they have my contact on file. I wrote again letting them know if they do not reply with a fix I want to put together a class action lawsuit. Anyone else here getting the run around by Dewalt. Over 30 years I have purchased approximately 30k in their tools . . . . their customer service is absolutely ineffective and an abject failure.
Bruce
Yes they are giving me the runaround
.
Steve lowe's employee
The 780s are back on the shelf in lowe’s
Bruce
DeWalt Recalls More Than 1 Million Miter Saws Due to Injury Risk
The rear blade guard can break or detach during use
https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/home-product-recalls/dewalt-miter-saw-recall-blade-guard-can-break-or-detach-a4305133440/
Kevin Bedwell
Mine broke off about 2 weeks after purchase. Also, the guard itself has always been very wobbly. Apparently the whole spring/pivot assembly is poorly designed. Is there anyway I can get a reacement that doesn’t keep needing to be tightened up weekly?
Dave
There is now a formal recall. Search for Dewalt Recall, there is a form to fill in and get on the list to get repair parts.
David Caneen
Dewalt has produced a repair kit and can be ordered at https://www.dewalt.com/miter-saw-recall.
Stuart
Yes, thank you!
(I did post about the matter, here – https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-miter-saw-recall-2022/ )
Will
Has anyone received their recap replacement part. I’ve emailed dewalt multiple times over months and never did get a part.
Dan
Before they had the official replacement form active, I had an email chain for the replacement that they stopped responding to and did nothing further with. I resubmitted the claim with the official recall form and got the parts in about a month, if I recall correctly.
If you used the official form, then it may just be a waiting game. They might have run out of initial stock and need to make more.
Here’s the link:
https://www.dewalt.com/miter-saw-recall
Dave
I got mine.
There was a web page form to complete. I think I posted it in this forum several month ago when Dewalt formally discussed the problem.
Jack Smith
About the third time I use my saw I had this piece break, cheap plastic. DeWalt sent an email saying that it was recalled so I went through the steps and they sent me a new one, they were pretty slow to ship it I just used the saw without the piece. The new piece is metal I don’t expect it to break.
Bruce
Mine was metal here in the UK and it twisted and stopped the blade dead breaking the metal piece which flew off into the workshop and it trashed a £100 saw blade. I got a replacement off of ebay and its plastic would never have a metal one again.