DeWalt DW 718 User Manual

If you have questions or comments, contact us.

1-800-4-DEWALT • www.dewalt.com

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 Joppa Road, Baltimore, MD 21286

The following are trademarks for one or more D the “D” shaped air intake grill; the array of pyramids on the handgrip; the kit box configuration; and the array of lozenge-shaped humps on the surface of the tool.

EWALT power tools: the yellow and black color scheme;

Definitions: Safety Guidelines

The definitions below describe the level of severity for each signal word. Please read the manual and pay attention to these symbols.

DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result

in death or serious injury.

WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result

in death or serious injury.

CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result

in minor or moderate injury. NOTICE: Indicates a practice not related to personal injury which, if not avoided, may

result in property damage.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS OR ANY DEWALT TOOL, CALL US TOLL FREE AT: 1-800-4-D

EWALT (1-800-433-9258)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: Read all instructions before operating product. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, ﬁ re and/or serious injury.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

Double Insulation

Double insulated tools are constructed throughout with two separate layers of electrical insulation or one double thickness of insulation between you and the tool’s electrical system. Tools built with this insulation system are not intended to be grounded. As a result, your tool is equipped with a two prong plug which permits you to use extension cords without concern for maintaining a ground connection.

NOTE: Double insulation does not take the place of normal safety precautions when operating this tool. The insulation system is for added protection against injury resulting from a possible electrical insulation failure within the tool.

CAUTION: WHEN SERVICING USE ONLY IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT PARTS. Repair or

replace damaged cords.

Polarized Plugs

Polarized plugs (one blade is wider than the other) are used on equipment to reduce the risk of electric shock. When provided, this plug will fit in the polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not change the plug in any way.

Safety Instructions For All Tools

This miter saw accepts the DEWALT worklight and laser attachments.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of eye injury, ALWAYS use eye protection when operating

the miter saw.

• KEEP GUARD IN PLACE and in working order.

• REMOVE ADJUSTING KEYS AND WRENCHES. Form habit of checking to see that keys and adjusting wrenches are removed from spindle before turning tool on. Tools, scrap pieces, and other debris can be thrown at high speed, causing injury.

• KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas and benches invite accidents.

• DO NOT USE THE MACHINE IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. The use of power tools in damp or wet locations or in rain can cause shock or electrocution. Keep your work area well-lit to avoid tripping or placing arms, hands, and fingers in danger.

• KEEP CHILDREN AWAY. All visitors should be kept at a safe distance from work area. Your shop is a potentially dangerous environment.

• MAKE WORKSHOP CHILDPROOF with padlocks, master switches, or by removing starter keys. The unauthorized start-up of a machine by a child or visitor may result in injury.

• DON’T FORCE TOOL. It will do the job better and be safer at the rate for which it was designed.

• USE RIGHT TOOL. Don’t force tool or attachment to do a job for which it was not designed. Using the incorrect tool or attachment may result in personal injury.

• WEAR PROPER APPAREL. No loose clothing, gloves, neckties, rings, bracelets, or other jewelry to get caught in moving parts. Non-slip footwear is recommended. Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair. Air vents may cover moving parts and should also be avoided.

• ALWAYS USE SAFETY GLASSES. Everyday eyeglasses are NOT safety glasses. Also use face or dust mask if cutting operation is dusty. ALWAYS WEAR CERTIFIED SAFETY

EQUIPMENT:

• ANSI Z87.1 eye protection (CAN/CSA Z94.3)

• ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) hearing protection

• NIOSH/OSHA/MSHA respiratory protection

• SECURE THE WORKPIECE. Use clamps or a vise to hold the workpiece on the table and against the fence or when your hand will be dangerously close to the blade within 6" (152 mm). It is safer than using your hand and it frees both hands to operate tool.

• DON’T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Loss of balance may cause personal injury.

• MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE. Keep tools sharp and clean for best and safest performance. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. Poorly maintained tools and machines can further damage the tool or machine and/or cause injury.

DW718

12" (305 mm) Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

• TURN THE MACHINE “OFF”, AND DISCONNECT THE MACHINE FROM THE POWER SOURCE before installing or removing accessories, before adjusting or changing set-ups,

when making repairs or changing locations. An accidental start-up can cause injury. Do not touch the plug’s metal prongs when unplugging or plugging in the cord.

• REDUCE THE RISK OF UNINTENTIONAL STARTING. Make sure that the switch is in the “OFF” position before plugging in the power cord.

• USE PROPER EXTENSION CORD. Make sure your extension cord is in good condition. If your product is equipped with a cordset, use only 3-wire extension cords that have 3-prong grounding-type plugs and 3-pole receptacles that accept the tool’s plug. When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. The following table shows the correct size to use depending on cord length and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next heavier gage. The smaller the gage number, the heavier the cord.

Minimum Gauge for Cord Sets

Volts Total Length of Cord in Feet (meters)

Ampere Rating

More Than

0 6 18 16 16 14

610 18161412 10 12 16 16 14 12 12 16 14 12 Not Recommended

• CHECK for DAMAGED PARTS. Before further use of the tool, a guard or other part that is damaged should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended function—check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting and any other conditions that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced. Do not use tool if switch does not turn it on and off.

• USE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES. Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may be hazardous when used on another tool. Consult the instruction manual for recommended accessories. The use of improper accessories may cause risk of injury to persons.

• NEVER STAND ON TOOL. Serious injury could occur if the tool is tipped or if the cutting tool is unintentionally contacted.

• NEVER LEAVE TOOL RUNNING UNATTENDED. TURN POWER OFF. Don’t leave tool until it comes to a complete stop. Serious injury can result.

• DO NOT OPERATE ELECTRIC TOOLS NEAR FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR IN GASEOUS OR EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES. Motors in these tools may spark and ignite fumes.

• STAY ALERT, WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING, AND USE COMMON SENSE. DO NOT

USE THE MACHINE WHEN YOU ARE TIRED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS or ALCOHOL. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in injury.

Not More

Than

120V 25 (7.6) 50 (15.2) 100 (30.5) 150 (45.7) 240V 50 (15.2) 100 (30.5) 200 (61.0) 300 (91.4)

AWG

Additional Safety Rules For Miter Saws

WARNING: Do not allow familiarity (gained from frequent use of your saw) to replace safety

rules. Always remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict severe injury.

• DO NOT OPERATE THIS MACHINE until it is completely assembled and installed according to the instructions. A machine incorrectly assembled can cause serious injury.

• OBTAIN ADVICE from your supervisor, instructor, or another qualified person if you are not thoroughly familiar with the operation of this machine. Knowledge is safety.

• STABILITY. Make sure the miter saw is placed on a secure supporting surface and does not slip or move during use. If the mobility kit is installed, raise the moveable caster(s) so saw is in its stationary position.

• FOLLOW ALL WIRING CODES and recommended electrical connections to prevent shock or electrocution. Protect electric supply line with at least a 15 ampere time-delay fuse or a circuit breaker.”

• MAKE CERTAIN the blade rotates in the correct direction. The teeth on the blade should point in the direction of rotation as marked on the saw.

• TIGHTEN ALL CLAMP HANDLES, knobs and levers prior to operation. Loose clamps can cause parts or the workpiece to be thrown at high speeds.

• BE SURE all blade and blade clamps are clean, recessed sides of blade clamps are against blade and arbor screw is tightened securely. Loose or improper blade clamping may result in damage to the saw and possible personal injury.

• ALWAYS USE A SHARP BLADE. Check the blade to see if it runs true and is free from vibration. A dull or a vibrating blade can cause damage to the machine and/or serious injury.”

• DO NOT OPERATE ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE DESIGNATED VOLTAGE for the saw. Overheating, damage to the tool and personal injury may occur.

• DO NOT WEDGE ANYTHING AGAINST THE FAN to hold the motor shaft. Damage to tool and possible personal injury may occur.

• DO NOT force cutting action. Stalling or partial stalling of motor can cause damage. To the machine or blade and/or serious injury.

• ALLOW THE MOTOR TO COME TO FULL SPEED prior to starting cut. Starting the cut too soon may cause damage to the machine or blade and/or serious injury.”

• NEVER CUT FERROUS METALS (Those with any iron or steel content) or masonry. Either of these can cause the carbide tips to fly off the blade at high speeds causing serious injury.

• DO NOT USE ABRASIVE WHEELS. The excessive heat and abrasive particles generated by them may damage the saw and cause personal injury.

• NEVER have any part of your body in line with the path of the saw blade. Personal injury will occur.

• NEVER apply blade lubricant to a running blade. Applying lubricant could cause your hand to move into the blade resulting in serious injury.

• DO NOT place either hand in the blade area when the saw is connected to the power source. Inadvertent blade activation may result in serious injury.

• DO NOT PERFORM FREE-HAND OPERATIONS (workpiece not supported by table and fence). Hold the work firmly against the fence and table. Free-hand operations on a miter saw could cause the workpiece to be thrown at high speeds, causing serious injury.

• NEVER REACH AROUND or behind the saw blade. A blade can cause serious injury.

• DO NOT reach underneath the saw unless it is unplugged and turned off. Contact with saw blade may cause personal injury.

• SECURE THE MACHINE TO A STABLE SUPPORTING SURFACE. Vibration can possibly cause the machine to slide, walk, or tip over, causing serious injury.

• USE ONLY CROSSCUT SAW BLADES recommended for miter saws. For best results, do not use carbide tipped blades with hook angles in excess of 7 degrees. Do not use blades with deep gullets. These can deflect and contact the guard, and can cause damage to the machine and/or serious injury.

• USE ONLY BLADES OF THE CORRECT SIZE AND TYPE specified for this tool to prevent damage to the machine and/or serious injury.

• INSPECT BLADE FOR CRACKS or other damage prior to operation. A cracked or damaged blade can come apart and pieces can be thrown at high speeds, causing serious injury. Replace cracked or damaged blades immediately.

• CLEAN THE BLADE AND BLADE CLAMPS prior to operation. Cleaning the blade and blade clamps allows you to check for any damage to the blade or blade clamps. A cracked or damaged blade or blade clamp can come apart and pieces can be thrown at high speeds, causing serious injury.

• DO NOT use lubricants or cleaners (particularly spray or aerosol) in the vicinity of the plastic guard. The polycarbonate material used in the guard is subject to attack by certain chemicals.

• ALWAYS USE THE KERF PLATE AND REPLACE THIS PLATE WHEN DAMAGED. Small chip accumulation under the saw may interfere with the saw blade or may cause instability of workpiece when cutting.

• USE ONLY BLADE CLAMPS specified for this tool to prevent damage to the machine and/ or serious injury.

• CLEAN THE MOTOR AIR SLOTS of chips and sawdust. Clogged motor air slots can cause the machine to overheat, damaging the machine and possibly causing a short which could cause serious injury.

• KEEP ARMS, HANDS, AND FINGERS away from the blade to prevent severe cuts. Clamp all workpieces that would cause your hand to be within 6" (152 mm) of the saw blade.

• NEVER LOCK THE SWITCH IN THE “ON” position. Severe personal injury may result.

• TURN OFF THE MACHINE and allow the blade to come to a complete stop before raising the arm and prior to cleaning the blade area, removing debris in the path of the blade, before servicing or adjusting tool. A moving blade can cause serious injury.

• PROPERLY SUPPORT LONG OR WIDE WORKPIECES. Loss of control of the workpiece can cause injury.

• NEVER cross arms in front of blade while using tool. Always make a dry run (unpowered) before making a finish cut so that you can check the path of the blade or severe personal injury may result.

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION regarding the safe and proper operation of power tools (i.e. a safety video) is available from the Power Tool Institute, 1300 Sumner Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2851 (www.powertoolinstitute.com). Information is also available from the National Safety Council, 1121 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca, IL 60143-3201. Please refer to the American National Standards Institute ANSI 01.1 Safety Requirements for Woodworking Machines and the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA 1910.213 Regulations.

WARNING: Do not connect unit to electrical power source until complete instructions are

read and understood.

WARNING: Always wear proper personal hearing protection that conforms to ANSI

S12.6 (S3.19) during use. Under some conditions and duration of use, noise from this product

may contribute to hearing loss.

WARNING: NEVER MAKE ANY CUT UNLESS THE MATERIAL IS SECURED ON THE TABLE

AND AGAINST THE FENCE.

WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• lead from lead-based paints,

• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and

• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber (CCA).

Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

• Avoid prolonged contact with dust from power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and

other construction activities. Wear protective clothing and wash exposed areas with soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or lay on the skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals.

WARNING: Use of this tool can generate and/or disburse dust, which may cause serious

and permanent respiratory or other injury. Always use NIOSH/OSHA approved respiratory protection appropriate for the dust exposure. Direct particles away from face and body.

For your convenience and safety, the following warning labels are on your miter saw.

ON MOTOR HOUSING:

WARNING: FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY, READ INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE

OPERATING SAW. WHEN SERVICING, USE ONLY IDENTICAL RE PLACE MENT PARTS. ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION. DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN OR USE IN DAMP LOCATIONS.

ON MOVING FENCES:

ALWAYS ADJUST FENCE

PROPERLY BEFORE USE. CLAMP

SMALL PIECES BEFORE

CUTTING. SEE MANUAL.

ON GUARD:

DANGER–KEEP AWAY FROM

BLADE.

ON UPPER GUARD:

PROPERLY SECURE BRACKET WITH BOTH SCREWS BEFORE

USE.

ON TABLE: (2 PLACES)

WARNING: FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY, READ INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING MITER SAW. KEEP HANDS OUT OF PATH OF SAW BLADE. DO NOT OPERATE SAW WITHOUT GUARDS IN PLACE. CHECK LOWER GUARD FOR PROPER CLOSING BEFORE EACH USE. ALWAYS TIGHTEN ADJUSTMENT KNOBS BEFORE USE. DO NOT PERFORM ANY OPERATION FREEHAND. NEVER REACH IN BACK OF SAW BLADE. NEVER CROSS ARMS IN FRONT OF BLADE. TURN OFF TOOL AND WAIT FOR SAW BLADE TO STOP BEFORE MOVING WORKPIECE, CHANGING SETTINGS OR MOVING HANDS. DISCONNECT POWER BEFORE CHANGING BLADE OR SERVICING. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, RETURN CARRIAGE TO THE FULL REAR POSITION AFTER EACH CROSSCUT OPERATION. THINK! YOU CAN PREVENT ACCIDENTS.

ON BASE: (2 PLACES)

FIG. 1

DW7080

(END PLATE)

LOCKNUTS

DW7051

BRACKET

KNOBS

DW7187

DW7082

Electrical Connection

Be sure your power supply agrees with the nameplate marking. 120 volts, AC means that your saw will operate on alternating current. The switch is suseptible to failure if direct current is used. A voltage decrease of 10 percent or more will cause a loss of power and overheating. All D

EWALT tools are factory tested. If this tool does not operate, check the power supply.

Accessories

WARNING: Since accessories, other than those offered by DEWALT, have not been tested with this product, use of such accessories with this tool could be hazardous. To reduce the risk of injury, only D

EWALT, recommended accessories should be used with this product.

Recommended accessories for use with your tool are available for purchase from your local dealer or authorized service center. If you need assistance in locating any accessory for your tool, please contact D call 1-800-4-D

EWALT (1-800-433-9258) or visit our website www.dewalt.com.

EWALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 East Joppa Road, Baltimore, MD 21286,

Optional Accessories (Fig. 1)

The following accessories, designed for your saw, may be helpful. In some cases, other locally obtained work supports, length stops, clamps, etc., may be more appropriate. Use care in selecting and using accessories.

Laser Guide System: DW7187 Laser is available at extra cost from D

retailer. Instructions for installation are included with the accessory. Read and follow all directions for safe installation and use.

Extension, Work Support: DW7080

Used to support long overhanging workpieces, the work support is user assembled. Your

saw table is designed to accept two work supports; one on each side.

Adjustable Length Stop: DW7051

Requires the use of one work support (see drawing). It is used to make repetitive cuts of

the same length from 0 to 42" (107 cm).

Clamp: DW7082 (similar model included)

Used for firmly clamping workpiece to the saw table for precision cutting.

Dust Bag: DW7053 (Included with some models)

Equipped with a zipper for easy emptying, the dust bag will capture the majority of the

sawdust produced (not shown).

Crown Molding Fence: DW7084

Used for precision cutting of crown molding.

Miter Saw LED Worklight System: DWS7085

Lighting used for greater visibility and cutting alignment during operation. Easy to install. SAW BLADES: ALWAYS USE 12" (305 mm) SAW BLADES WITH 1" (25.4 mm) ARBOR

HOLES. SPEED RATING MUST BE AT LEAST 4800 RPM. Never use a smaller diameter blade. It will not be guarded properly. Use crosscut blades only! Do not use blades designed for ripping, combination blades or blades with hook angles in excess of 7˚.

APPLICATION DIAMETER TEETH Construction Saw Blades (thin kerf with anti-stick rim)

General Purpose 12" (305 mm) 40 Fine Crosscuts 12" (305 mm) 60

Woodworking Saw Blades (provide smooth, clean cuts)

Fine crosscuts 12" (305 mm) 80 Non-ferrous metals 12" (305 mm) 96 NOTE: For cutting non-ferrous metals, use only saw blades with TCG teeth designed for this purpose.

EWALT Service Centers and your home improvement

BLADE DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 3

DWS7085

DW7084

FIG. 2

FIG. 3A

Unpacking Your Saw

Check the contents of your miter saw carton to make sure that you have received all parts. In addition to this instruction manual, the carton should contain:

1. One DW718 miter saw.

2. One D

EWALT 12" (305 mm) diameter saw blade.

3. One blade wrench in wrench pocket shown in Figure 9.

4. One DW7053 Dustbag (some models).

5. One material clamp.

Specifications

CAPACITY OF CUT

50º miter right, 60º miter left 48º bevel left and right 0º miter Max. Height 3.7" (94 mm) Result Width 12.9" (328 mm) Max. Width 13.6" (345 mm) Result Height 2.9" (74 mm) 45º miter Max. Height 3.7" (94 mm) Result Width 9.1" (231 mm) Max. Width 9.5" (241 mm) Result Height 2.9" (74 mm)

FIG. 3B

FIG. 4

BEVEL LOCK

HANDLE

BEVEL LATCH

LEVER

[one each side]

BEVEL SCALE

(one each side)

LOCK DOWN

BLADE

WRENCH

BLADE

GUARD

FIG. 5

MOTOR

ENDCAP

FENCE

ADJUSTMENT

KNOB

(one each side)

TRIGGER

SWITCH

FENCE

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

LEFT 45º BEVEL

ADJUSTMENT

LEFT 45º BEVEL

PLATE LOCK NUT

LEFT BEVEL

RAIL LOCK

KNOB

ADJUSTMENT

MITER LATCH

OVERRIDE

LATCH PLATE

SCREW

POINTER

MOTOR

RAIL SET

SCREW

BENCH MOUNTING HOLES

MITER LOCK

0º BEVEL LATCH

PLATE

0º BEVEL

LOCK NUT

HOUSING

TABLE

MITER

SCALE

FIG. 6

HANDLE

RIGHT 45º BEVEL

LATCH PLATE

RIGHT 45º BEVEL PLATE LOCK NUT

LIFTING HANDLE

MITER LATCH

OVERRIDE

OPERATING HANDLE

INDENTATION

MITER

POINTER

MITER LATCH

BUTTON

RIGHT 45º

BEVEL

ADJUSTMENT

SCREW

RIGHT BEVEL

POINTER

KERF

PLATE

MITER LATCH

BUTTON

MITER LOCK

HANDLE

BELT COVER

RAILS

THUMBSCREW

GROOVING STOP

BEVEL LATCH

PLATES

DUST SPOUT

HAND

MITER

SCALE

45º bevel - Left Max. Height 2.4" (61 mm) Result Width 12.9" (328 mm) Max. Width 13.6" (345 mm) Result Height 1.9" (48 mm) 45º bevel - Right Max. Height 1.7' (43 mm) Result Width 12.9" (328 mm) Max. Width 13.6" (345 mm) Result Height 1.1" (28 mm) Your saw is capable of cutting baseboard moldings 0.8" (20 mm) thick by 6.5" (165 mm) tall

on a 45º right or left miter. NOTE: Your saw is capable of cutting the following once a special setup procedure is followed

Refer to Special Cuts. 0º miter height 1.5 (38 mm) width 16.1 (409 mm) 45º miter height 1.5 (38 mm) width 11.7 (297 mm)

DRIVE 120 Volt Motor

1600 Watts In 15 Amp Motor 3600 RPM Cut Helical Gears Multi-V Belt Roller Bearings Automatic Electric Brake Carbide Blade

Familiarization

Your miter saw is fully assembled in the car ton. Open the box and lift the saw out by the con venient carry ing handle, as shown in Figure 2.

Place the saw on a smooth, flat surface such as a workbench or strong table. Examine Figure 4 to become familiar with the saw and its various parts. The section on adjus-

tments will refer to these terms and you must know what and where the parts are.

CAUTION: Pinch Hazard. To reduce the risk of injury, keep thumb underneath the handle when pulling the handle down. The lower guard will move up as the handle is pulled down which could cause pinching. The handle is placed close to the guard for special cuts.

Press down lightly on the operating handle and pull out the lock down pin. Gently release the downward pressure and hold the arm allowing it to rise to its full height. Use the lock down pin when carrying the saw from one place to another. Always use the carrying handle to transport the saw or the hand indentations shown in Figure 4.

Bench Mounting

Holes are provided in all 4 feet to facilitate bench mounting, as shown in Figure 4. (Two different sized holes are provided to accommodate different sizes of screws. Use either hole, it is not necessary to use both.) Always mount your saw firmly to a stable surface to prevent movement. To enhance the tool’s portability, it can be mounted to a piece of 1/2" (12.7 mm) or thicker plywood which can then be clamped to your work support or moved to other job sites and reclamped.

NOTE: If you elect to mount your saw to a piece of plywood, make sure that the mounting screws don’t protrude from the bottom of the wood. The plywood must sit flush on the work support. When clamping the saw to any work surface, clamp only on the clamping bosses where the mounting screw holes are located. Clamping at any other point will surely interfere with the proper operation of the saw.

CAUTION: To prevent binding and inaccuracy, be sure the mounting surface is not warped or otherwise uneven. If the saw rocks on the surface place a thin piece of material under one saw foot until the saw sits firmly on the mounting surface.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Changing or Installing a New Saw Blade (Fig. 3)

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn off the tool and disconnect it from the power source before attempting to move it, change accessories or make any adjustments accept as written in laser adjustment instructions.

CAUTION:

• Never depress the spindle lock button while the blade is under power or coasting.

• Do not cut ferrous metal (containing iron or steel) or masonry or fiber cement product with this miter saw.

Removing the Blade

1. Unplug the saw.

2. Raise the arm to the upper position and raise the lower guard (A) as far as possible.

3. Loosen, but do not remove guard bracket screw (B) until the bracket can be raised far enough to access the blade screw. Lower guard will remain raised due to the position of the guard bracket screw.

4. Depress the spindle lock button (C) while carefully rotating the saw blade by hand until the lock engages.

5. Keeping the button depressed, use the other hand and the wrench provided (D) to loosen the blade screw. (Turn clockwise, left-hand threads.)

6. Remove the blade screw (E), outer clamp washer (F), blade (G) and blade adapter (H), if used. The inner clamp washer (I), may be left on the spindle.

NOTE: For blades with a blade hole of 5/8" (15.88 mm), the 1" (25.4 mm) blade adapter (H)

is not used.

Installing a Blade

1. Unplug the saw.

2. With the arm raised, the lower guard held open and the guard bracket raised, place the blade on the spindle, onto the blade adapter [if using a blade with a 1” (25.4mm) diameter blade hole] and against the inner blade clamp with the teeth at the bottom of the blade pointing toward the back of the saw.

3. Assemble the outer blade clamp onto the spindle.

4. Install the blade screw and, engaging the spindle lock, tighten the screw firmly with wrench provided. (Turn counterclockwise, left-hand threads.)

NOTE: When using blades with a 5/8" (15.88 mm) diameter blade hole, the blade adapter will not be used and should be stored in a safe place for future use.

5. Return the guard bracket to its original position and firmly tighten the guard bracket screw to hold bracket in place.

WARNING:

• The guard bracket must be returned to its original position and the screw tightened before activating the saw.

• Failure to do so may allow the guard to contact the spinning saw blade resulting in damage to the saw and severe personal injury.

Transporting the Saw

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ALWAYS lock the rail lock

knob, miter lock handle, bevel lock handle, lock down pin and fence adjustment knobs before transporting saw.

In order to conveniently carry the miter saw from place to place, a carrying handle has been included on the top of the saw arm and hand indentations in the base, as shown in Figure 4.

ADJUSTMENTS

NOTE: Your miter saw is fully and accurately adjusted at the factory at the time of manufacture. If readjustment due to shipping and handling or any other reason is required, follow the steps below to adjust your saw.

Once made, these adjustments should remain accurate. Take a little time now to follow these directions carefully to maintain the accuracy of which your saw is capable.

MITER SCALE ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 5)

Place a square against the saw’s fence and blade, as shown. (Do not touch the tips of the blade teeth with the square. To do so will cause an inaccurate measure ment.) Loosen the miter lock handle and swing the miter arm until the miter latch locks it at the 0 miter position. Do not tighten the lock handle. If the saw blade is not exactly perpendicular to the fence, loosen the four screws that hold the miter scale to the base and move the scale left or right until the blade is perpendicular to the fence, as measured with the square. Retighten the four screws. Pay no attention to the reading of the miter pointer at this time.

MITER POINTER ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 6, 7)

Loosen the miter lock handle to move the miter arm to the zero position. With the miter lock handle loose allow the miter latch to snap into place as you rotate the miter arm to zero. Observe the pointer and miter scale shown in Figure 6. If the pointer does not indicate exactly zero, loosen the screw holding the pointer in place, reposition the pointer and tighten the screw.

BEVEL SQUARE TO TABLE ADJUSTMENT (FIG. 8)

To align the blade square to the table, lock the arm in the down position. Place a square against the blade and table taking care to have the square not touch a blade tooth. Loosen the bevel lock handle and ensure the bevel latch has firmly snapped into place at 0º. If the saw blade is not exactly perpendicular to the table, loosen the three nuts which hold the bevel detent plates to the table. Adjust the center nut to allow slight drag between it and the table. Gently tap the motor or the belt cover to move the upper assembly until the blade is square to the table.

+ 4 hidden pages

DeWalt DW 718 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual