Heavy Duty Professional Tool
Written: Aug 14 '08 (Updated Aug 15 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Power, Quality, Durability, Reliability, Adjustable Pivot, Feel of the Cut
Cons: Balance, Aluminum Base
The Bottom Line: Though not perfect, a great saw for the frequent user of tools. I would recommend this tool happily.
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| ivanho1963's Full Review: DeWalt Heavy-Duty 7 1/4" Circular Saw DW364 |
I purchased this saw in 1994 (for $110 at Home Depot), when it was "proudly made in the US." Not sure it still is. My saw is rated at 13 amps, while the newer ones - with the same model number - are rated at 15. I doubt that there's any practical difference in this, as my saw is plenty powerful.
After reading some of the other reviews, it occurs to me that this saw is being compared to household saws by B&D, Skil and the like. I would not encourage such comparisons. Household saws are less expensive, lighter, and tremendously less durable than a saw like this DeWalt. For many, perhaps most, homeowners, the household saw is a good choice. But for people like me, who undertake large projects with frequency, a professional saw is what fits the bill. For those who don't know, DeWalt is B&D's professional line of tools.
Reasonable comparisons would be to circulars from Milwaukee, Bosch, Porter Cable, etc. Yes, this DeWalt weighs a lot, and you really feel it, especially at the end of a day of hauling it up and down a ladder. However, I wouldn't downrate it because of its weight, as it is about as heavy as the competitive professional offerings. The tradeoff to its weight is that it can take heavy use and withstand a good amount of punishment.
While entrenched in my projects, I've used the saw as heavily and mercilessly as a contractor, often opting for speed over delicacy. I don't baby my tools because it isn't cost effective to do so - it often saves me time to cut corners a bit and use tools roughly - the money I save by doing my own work greatly justifies the extreme use the tools get, even if I have to replace a tool during a project.
The DeWalt's motor is very heavily built (most of the reason for the saw's weight) and has oodles of power. As a result of the motor's high torque, the blade (a 20-tooth full-kerf carbide Freud that's as old as the saw, believe it or not) seldom binds, even when used at a less-than-perfect angle. This is an area where the saw's weight is an advantage - it helps control and sometimes correct the cut.
Sight of cut is about average for this type of saw and is good. The blade sheath (nicely made of metal) is easy enough to pull back for more precision - and less safety - and has a good strong spring. The aluminum base is finely adjustable with the pivot attachments, and this can come in very handy at times when a more accurate cut than for framing is desired. The rubber power cord is of a good length and stays supple in all temperatures.
The electric brake is a safety feature now standard on circulars, and this one works quickly and flawlessly. I like the feel of the the trigger and of the large front knob, as well as the juxtaposition of the handle, but I find top-handle saws easier to control and better balanced overall.
The base is light, but it is the first thing to bend or break if the saw is dropped. I dropped it once and bent it, but I was able to remove and straighten it enough so that the adjustment pivots could compensate for the imperfection. I believe DeWalt should consider a magnesium base, as is used in Porter Cable saws - it's about as light as aluminum, and is much stiffer.
When at minimum depth, the blade still extends almost to the base, and I find it somewhat annoying to have to spring the sheath just to lay the saw flat.
All in all, this saw has performed reliably and consistently for 14 years. It is a tool designed for heavy use and I'm happy I own it. As I mentioned, there are improvements that can be made in my opinion, but it is still worthy of a good rating.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ivanho1963
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Location: New Rochelle, NY, USA
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 1 member
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