Dewalt saw questions

[bigdummy30]

Anybody use either the new dwe357 compact saw or the 12v ion cordless saws COMMERCIALLY or ATLEAST professionally??thinking of picking up one or the other. And just wondering if the cordless has the guts to handle kitchen Carpentry work on a regular basis....I have a full size Milwaukee sawzall and older Dewalt 12 volt drill and saw so I'm wondering ...new saw or whole new line of 12 volt stuff?!?! Thanks

 

[Doxhog]

I have the Dewalt 18volt kit (drill/driver, impact, recip saw and circular saw). I am not a professional I just use my tools for homeowner/DIY/handyman projects.

I can say that the recip saw will use up the battery in a hurry if you are cutting anything thicker than 1/4".

The circular saw is nice for quick cuts or trim projects. It will go through a 2 by piece of wood but it does labor some while doing it.

I would say that if you are going to be using the recip saw and circular saw on a continuous basis then stick with the corded tools.

Cris

 

[cide1]

I own both and use them as a DIYer. They are both good for quick cuts, they are well made, the battery compatibility is nice.....but, they both fly through batteries, and the circular saw doesn't turn the blade very fast. As a pro, I think you will be frustrated if you need to use them for any period of time.

 

[DanMasshardt]

I don't use commercially but have the 18v dewalt sawzall and 6.5" circular saw. I've used the circ for plywood and 2x4s and really like it for about everything. Both are good tools but burn through batteries at an alarming rate. I was talking last week to a friend who does use the sawzall commercially. He said he keeps 6-8 batteries for it.

They are not tools to be used constantly IMO. But ate good for what they are.

It seems like 12v would be too little for a real saw. What about the new 20volt lithium?

 

[RCStocker]

I have diffenent cordless tools and have the Dewalt Saw and The Miluwaukee While they are both good saw they don't have a lot of battery life. They are great for when you don't want to drag out a cord and don't have power. They cut much slower. They have a much slower feed rate. I tryed cutting up old fence boards because I din't want to drag out a coad. I got out the cord and use a wormdrive saw. Even the circle saws work much better. I would never buy another one. I picked my up in a pawn shop cheap because I had the batteries and chargers for the drills and impact. Dewalt is over priced and not all that good in my book. I would never go with them again.
That is my 3 cents worth as a contractor for the past 40 years.

 

[LSU]

Not commerical but some weekends it seems like that.

I'd avoid a cordless dsaw. I've had a couple of them and it seems that I spend more time waiting on batteries than I do using it. I've used every type of brand and battery known to man. My current drill/driver is a Rigid.

If you have 110V power on the job site, go with the cord.

I'm down to only cordless drill and driver. I've given up on anything else w/o a cord.

I've had 4 different sets of cordless tools (two that had saws) and it seems the batteries die way too soon.

Unless you're working in a remote place with no power, go with the cord.

I also think the corded drills pack more of a wallop when you need it.

 

[cheechi]

I wouldn't recommend a cordless circ saw in general. If you already have it fine, if not I don't think it's a worthwhile purchase. My cordless circ saw is worth having blades for. I have actually used it here and there but it wasn't that I desperately need that particular tool.

If it came in a kit you were going to buy anyway, I'd recommend you do the same. You'll find a use for it in some tight space.

OP wasn't asking about a cordless recip. Since it was brought up, I'll mention that my 18v recip is great, but again I don't think it's a replacement for a corded one, especially if you have one of the more powerful ones you will probably be disappointed with how long and how much effort it takes.

Personally if I were doing it for money the Milwaukee 15 amp is the one I'd choose, and if I really needed to get into some weird space that the compact could get, look at the corded Porter Cable that bends and twists into all weird angles. I haven't seen that compact DeWalt in use to compare but I can tell you there's a whole lot of demo you can do with that PC one.