Customer Reviews

DEWALT DC305K 36-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit with NANO Technology

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Why, oh why did I put my money down on this expensive worthless tool? With over 30 years in the construction trade, I have never had a tool break as often as this one. The problem seems to be in the shaft which shears off with very light use and leaves the saw completely inoperative. I've had it repaired 3 times, the shaft replaced, and it immediately breaks again, no matter how carefully I use it. This saw has never had a chance to work hard, it just breaks down and leaves you in the lurch on the job site.

Every Time.

I purchased this saw as part of the combo kit along with the circ saw, hammer drill & lantern back when they first came out. (seems like 2 years ago?) So if the design has changed, I have a 1st generation tool(s). I was impressed with the power and run times I got from this saw and used it on the job almost every day. I work at the beach so my tools are exposed to sand and salt air every day and I'm pretty tough on them. All in all, I've been happy with the saw and the job that it does. Having two batteries is a must as you have to keep one charging while your using the other so you'll have a fresh battery when you need another. The saw broke the other day while ripping down a double 2x6. About 40" into the rip, the rod that attaches the blade holder to the motor came flying out of the saw. Seems there is a 1/2" diameter hollow rod with a 1/16" wall that attaches the blade clamp to the motor. This rod sheared off about 3" below the blade clamp rendering the tool useless. I was surprised that the tool would break at this point and further surprised that this rod was hollow. I'm curious if my corded HILTI WSR 1400 PE uses a hollow shaft? I'll look into seeing what the cost is to have this repaired or possibly purchase a new bare tool. I do like the 36 volt circ saw so it makes sense for me to keep the 36 volt system, although I do not like the drill.

I am a residential contractor and purchased 2 of these recips for my company. I own alot of dewalt tools, that I have been very happy with, I was shocked by the lack of power when I used this new 36v recip. It feels strong and well built, until you start cutting, once the blade begins to get presure on it, it will actually stop (Almost like it is geared too high?) I was using it to cut out a door jamb for the first time and when I got halfway through the shims, the blade gets binded on a little, and the recip would stop??? I was certain that it was defective, and ordered another one...same thing, I switched batterys, made sure they are fully changed, same problem. I will be returning both, and am going to research from now on before buying any further DeWalt products. I have the 36v 1/2" impact that works fantastic, very powerful, I guess I expected the same performance out of the new 36v recip.

I'm just a regular guy and do scrap metal recycling on the side, I bought this tool because it was a DeWalt but now am having second thoughts. I agree that the blade does seem to bind and stop the saw easily. At first I thought it was just me, either that or a low battery. Wish I had done my research first. So far, I've cut a steel belted tire off a rim and some medium guage rectangular tubing. To my surprise the saw binded on the small tubing when I bore down ever so slightly. I had better luck on the tire, I used penetrating oil as a lubricant. I guess I'll keep a can of spray oil in the case from now on to address the binding/stopping, or maybe I'll just try to return it for Makita. To be fair, the saw is fairly light and comfortable to hold.

UPDATE 12/26/08:

Now that I've had a chance to live with the saw, I'd have to retract my previous review. Other reviewers are correct that the 36V holds a charge very well, I have yet to even slightly discharge it while doing heavy metal cutting for an hour or more. The blade binding problem I have found, was due to my poor cutting technique and the use of too much speed on thicker metals. I still use cutting oil, but this is only to make the blade last a lot longer. The saw always cuts without straining. Yeah, I can admit when I'm wrong, I have really grown to like the saw and would highly recommend it. Don't let it's light weight fool you, the thing is plenty strong.

I'm a builder and have used Dewalt tools for all of my building and remodeling needs.

When I saw Dewalt come out with a 36 volt Sawzall, I though great this should have some power and last a long time.

I was very wrong, I have had my tool rebuilt 3 times at a cost of $169.00 each time.

The bushing in the saw wears out after 2 months of use for me.

I would give this tool (0) Stars.

Dewalts quality is going down hill and for the price of this saw it should last years.

I hope you find this helpfull in making a decision, I wish I would have had this information before purchasing.

This item is the best on the market. The 36V motor gives it enough power for use to use it in heavy-duty cutting (like through 4"steel pipe) applications with no problem. The battery life is also excellent. I recommend this to anyone who has medium to heavy-duty cutting applications. Blades are available from other manufacturers to match the saws performance. It is a God-send to us in the natural gas business. We don't leave the shop w/o it.

My 36v recip saw is a huge improvement over the 18v recip saws I have used. The biggest difference is that it does not lose rpms under a heavy load like my 18v saws have,I have used this saw to cut small trees,and I used it to cut up and tear out kitchen cabinets. I have a Milwaukee super sawzall and it is great,but the 36v is the saw I use.

I like the weight and it only weighs slightly more that my 18v Makita. I didn't like the 4 way blade clamp at first,but I found it useful during my kitchen project.

This saw and the batteries have never gotten hot,only slightly warm after heavy use. I love the nano batteries,I can grab this saw and use it without worring about the battery being dead like the nicads.

It works for me.

great dewalt product, but too expensive when you get a brand new saw kit with a battery alomost 2 years old......amazon needs to do a better job moving shelf life products..... also should find option of making this product available as a BARE TOOL only.....i would buy double the BARE TOOL product verses the kit and always have at job sites, work bench, work vehicle.... i currently own 5 DEWALT reciprecating saws either 18V or 36V....yellow is easy to spot and the grip is quite comfortable...easy to get to servicing center as well, but i do not need the problem of an aging battery from the get go on a new purchase.... free shipping was quite a benefit though...

WOW! Buying this saw saved my husband and I so much time and work! It's GREAT! It paid for itself the FIRST time we used it. We've built TWO barns using this saw, as well as using it on other jobs around the home. It cuts through a 6x6 post in less than 5 minutes! It wasn't even a struggle for the 36V! It seems pricey, but well worth EVERY CENT! Battery holds charge very well. We've not regretted purchasing this saw. The only regret we've had is not buying it sooner! We HIGHLY recommend this saw!

My dad owns a glass and door company where they install aluminum storefronts and doors in commercial buildings, and has one of these he uses on occasion. I have an 18v Craftsman myself but couldn't find it, so he let me borrow his. I went down to the salvage yard to cut a 1/4 panel out of a Monte Carlo and was prepared to have to recharge the batteries a few times like I would have had to with the Craftsman. Surprisingly, this tool cut through the metal so quick, I had the 1/4 panel out in 30 minutes. Granted an 87 Monte Carlo seems to be made of thinner metal than the older cars, but this thing beats the pants off the 18v. And I did cut through some bolts and metal plates while I was at it. There was no "binding" or stopping as these other posters write. The only thing I ever saw was smoke when I got to the thicker metal. I probably could have cut the other 1/4 panel and plenty other stuff without even charging the battery. I'm going to get one of these for myself. These are great for when you have no electricity access. All my other Craftsman tools hold up but when it comes to sawzalls this is definitely the way to go. I'm not sure what these other people were cutting... 3/8 inch thick metal??? Forged steel? For things you would normally use a sawzall on, this is for sure a powerful saw.