Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW369CSK 7-1/4-Inch Lightweight Circular Saw with High Strength Base

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Do not buy this saw unless you have actually held one of them in your hands, and realize what you are buying!!! The Amazon website for the DeWalt DW369CSK is deceptive, although I am sure this was unintentional. None of the pictures show the rear left corner of the saw's composite baseplate. The rear left corner of the baseplate DOES NOT EXIST! The baseplate is not a rectangle, as one would expect. Rather it is a rectangle with a large part of one corner "missing". Because of this, the left side of the saw's baseplate is only 8 1/2 inches long. This, together with the placement of the main handle (grip) of the saw, make it more difficult to make a straight cut by running the saw's base along a fence. I called the DeWalt technical assistance hotline and asked why the base had been designed like that. The man was very nice, but he said that he didn't know, but it may have been to save weight. By the way, the DeWalt website has pictures of the saw, but none show it from an angle that lets you see the "missing" portion of the base.
If you do framing, this saw might be OK. However, if you use a circular saw to make furniture, and you use it to do precise cuts of large sheets of plywood by running the saw along a fence, then you want a saw with a base which is long, especially on the side which rides along the fence. I have since learned (by actually looking at the real saws, not pictures) that there are still plenty of these available. The DeWalt DW364 is one of them. It is an older style, which is a bit heavier than the newer 369CSK, and it does not have a detent at 45 degrees. But it is completely adjustable for squareness, and it has plenty of power, and it has a BIG FOOT. The Porter Cable saws have large rectangular bases. Some other saws have a small triangle missing from the left rear corner of the base, but no other saw that I have seen has nearly as big a cutout as the DW369CSK. The Milwaukee 2390-21 is one of them, but even with the cutout, the remaining straight portion is longer than the entire base of the of the DeWalt DW 369CSK, and you can easily keep it square as you move it along a fence. While all of the alternatives to the DW369CSK that I have listed are heavier than it is, they are easy to hold and are well balanced. I recommend that you choose one of them.
I had searched the web and read reviews of circular saws before buying (and later returning) the DeWalt 369CSK, and the reviews showed that it was light, had detents for two angles of cut, had a composite base, and cut at a good rate if given a good blade. No mention was made of the strange shape of its base.
While at Home Depot last night, I asked another shopper, who happened to be a professional carpenter about the DW369CSK. He said that he had bought one but he returned it as defective because the motor burned out quickly. He said that he got one of the Porter Cables and it works fine.
I recommend that Amazon add a picture of the DW369CSK which shows the base so a potential customer can make a more informed decision. I have made a number of purchases through Amazon and am very happy with them. This is the first item that I have returned.

I went for many years doing my hobby projects with the DeWalt 18v cordless trim saw. When the projects started getting bigger and bigger and I needed a bigger, corded saw I went right to DeWalt's site to see what was available. Being right handed and having used a left bladed saw for so long it was tough to buy a right blade. I almost went with their hybrid wormdrive with the left blade but after playing with one at the store, I figured it was too heavy and too much saw for my needs. Thus the DW369CSK, great power, ease of use and excellent quality I've come to expect from my DeWalt tools. It even made the switch to a right blade easier due to the wide line-of-sight area. It's even fairly light for full power sidewinder.
I looked at Milwaukee's left blade circ and almost went that route. Honestly, it was brand loyalty that keep me with the yellow saw. I am not dissapointed in the least, though. I only wish that DeWalt would get on the ball like Milwaukee and Porter Cable and offer a left and right bladed versions.

UPDATE: I had to come back and edit this review after a decent amount of use. For the most part, everything is fine but I have determinded that I just can't get this saw to cut perfectly square. I've messed with all the adjustments and I can only get it to about 89 degrees but not to 90. Close but not quite, as they say. For my needs, this is actually fine as I don't do any precision cutting with it, but for those that do, make sure to check it with a square and ruler before using. I've lowered it from 5 stars down to 3 as this could be a big bummer for those needing a perfect cut.

The 369 doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but it does everything well. After much hands-on testing against the Bosch, Milwaukee and Porter, the DeWalt turned out to be the best compromise. It is light. It fits small and medium hands better than most. It has a blade brake. Excellent line of sight to the blade contact point. It has a small footplate with the left rear corner cut out. This makes it very maneuverable in tight spots. Yes, it will not follow a fence as easily as a saw with a long footplate, but a good carpenter will have no problem with this. The only thing I totally dislike is the spindle lock. It is a crude metal part with a finger-unfriendly shape and it requires a bit of pressure, so changing blades is unpleasant. Overall, this is the best circ I could find for my needs (remodeling contractor).

This is the third circular saw I've owned and it is by far the best. My first saw (a Craftsman) gave me many years of light service until it died during a bathroom remodeling project. I killed the next one (12 amp Skil) scoring concrete with a diamond blade. The blade caused too much friction for the underbuilt Skil and literally sheared the blade bearing off. I finally broke down and bought a heavy duty saw and I wish I had done so to begin with. This saw has yet to bog down on me even though I am using my old blades. The saw cuts smoothly and effortlessly and is lighter than the Skil. The depth and miter adjustments also work much more easily than on my old saws. The electric brake is also a nice feature, but not crucial to me. All this for a reasonable price. My only gripe is that the forward handle is a bit too far away from the blade to comfortably hold onto while holding the blade guard lever for making plunge cuts. I highly recommend this saw or at the very least get any 15 amp saw for the power. Eventually you'll need it so don't waste your time or money on the less powerful saws.

My boss purchased this saw as an extra saw on site. Most of the crew own DeWalt circular saws, but quickly found faults with this one. First, as mentioned, the base is missing a corner for some unknown reason. Second, the base is cheap plastic, and I can guarantee that it won't last more then a month or two. Third, it won't cut straight due to the slight wobble of the blade. Last, but not least, if you use the saw for more then 30 seconds, it smells like burning wires. I'm shocked that DeWalt puts their name on it.

This is CERTAINLY not a saw that should be used by professionals or anyone who needs to rely on their cuts and the saw that makes them. This is really not much more then a weekend do-it-yourselfer's saw.

My Milwakee that I had for about 8 years developed problems after cutting a particularly tough peice of pressure treated lumber. I needed a saw imediately to finish a deck I was working on. I could not find a saw that I felt comfortable with until I came across the DeWalt DW369CSK. It is light weight and is comfortable in my hand. The cutting guide takes a little getting used to, but other than that this saw has it all. There is enough power to easily handle the toughest job, and the construction of the saw is equally impressive. A saw is a very personal thing and the DeWalt is everything I could want in a circular saw.

I'm a NY framer who uses his saw literally 365 days a year. I had owned a Bosch 1758 prior to owning the DeWalt DW369CSK. After learning that Skil manufactures Boschs' circular saws I decided to put down the Bosch and go with the crewe favorite. I'm not a big fan of Skil..considering that their products are not made well at all and for a guy whos living is made based on functioning tools.....i scrapped the Bosch/Skil. Whether you're a home owner/do it yourselfer or a professional framer or contractor, the DeWalt satisfies and proves it's worth every day..every time. Anthony

No compaints at all with this saw. It's lightweight (composite guide), does not scratch or mar the material, and powerfull enough for what I was doing (3/4" maple plywood).

I recently purchased a Dewalt circular saw to replace my 35 year old Craftsman one. What a difference! I especially appreciate the saw depth adjustment on the Dewalt. Before my purchase, I did read some negative reviews on Amazon to do with the fact that the base of the saw is not rectangular. One corner is "missing". I went ahead with the purchase anyway and have found that the saw follows a guide well in spite of the cut-back corner.

The saw was shipped on time and I recieved it before Christmas. It was a gift for a family member.