DeWalt compound miter saw alignment issue

[Steverino]

Hi all,

I have a 12" DeWalt sliding compound miter saw with very low use (I bought it new - no abuse or drops). It has a puzzling issue that I need help understanding...

Works fine for all cuts on the vertical. Where it gets strange is if I tilt the blade (bevel) and then pull a 90 deg. cut. The saw doesn't cut 90 - it goes off course.

I've reviewed the instructions but don't see how to adjust it - it would seem that the castings and pivot points are what control these angles and cannot be adjusted.

Would appreciate any suggestions and other's experiences.

 

[thin_concrete]

So you’re keeping the blade perpendicular to the base? What kind of variance are you getting? Have you tried one of those magnetic angle gauges?

 

[beamrider]

Model number?

 

[Steverino]

Model is DWS 709... I forgot to mention this is a double-bevel saw.

To try to clarify: the example cut would be pulling the saw straight out from the fence (90º, but with the blade tilted (bevel) off vertical say 15º.

Variance might be a quarter inch over the full draw. I do get more resistance when I try those cuts.

I have checked the blade (when set vertical) and it does appear to be accurate for 90º at the fence...

Thanks!

 

[KnurledNut]

Check the blade for square at various bevel settings.

 

[Steverino]

Thanks - yes, I have done a bit of this, but it is tricky - at least with the tools I have. I assume I will find that it is not square - or the cut wouldn't be off.

But I don't see any provision on the saw for adjusting this if it is out of square. Or maybe I'm not understanding how to use the saw properly.

 

[JoeMcGov]

How about making a "flawed" cut and then marking where the cut should have been and then photo'g it and thennnnnnnnnnnn posting it here.

 

[DFB]

It seems to work similar to my very old Craftsman sliding miter saw the carriage rides on twin rails. You CAN loosen a set screw to adjust the head angle if needed as it tracks along the rail. I remember doing mine some years ago.

RAIL GUIDE ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 4) Periodically check the rails for any debris, play or clearance. The rails can be cleaned with a dry clean cloth. The right rail can be adjusted with the set screw shown in Figure 4. To reduce MITER LOCK clearance, use a 4 mm hex wrench and rotate the set screw clockwise gradually while sliding KNOB the saw head back and forth. Reduce play while maintaining minimum slide force

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1207167/Dewalt-Dws709.html?page=9#manual

I would also caution to first make sure the fence is squared to the blade to start on both sides. I remember one time my cuts were going off and found one of the rear fence hold down screws stripped out of the threaded aluminum base on one side so the fence was slightly cocked to the blade, took me some time to realize that)