Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW378G 7-1/4-Inch High Torque Framing Saw

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Had to retire my Skil worm drive after 11 years of faithfullservice. Liked the interesting design and the fact that it waslighter than old faithful but after about a month it was clear this was not a professional quality tool. Problems with the guard, and gears and a table that wouldn't stay locked. Almost impossible to find parts for this tool, rather heartbreaking when I had a box full of Skil parts right in the van. After the switch went out I gave up - returned it - and got a shiny new Skil HD77M, with the magnesium table. Just as light as the Black & Decker/Dewalt and not a single hiccup since I unwrapped it from the box. Wish every tool was built that tough.

I've owned this saw for a couple of years now and really like this thing. I frequently use it to cut stucco and cement. I am always amazed at how fast I can cut through cement with this saw. I just finished building a deck and I had to cut 2' x 2' holes in the patio. It cut like butter. No bogging down. The only thing that slowed it down was the hot warped blade because this thing cut so fast. I find that I like the rafter hanger that you can flip out. It's handy to have a way to hang your saw and not have to hang it from your cord. You can't go wrong with this saw.

Update: It's been another 1 1/2 years and this saw still works great. I still find that I need a regular circular saw though. The torque on this saw is so strong that it will really twist in your hand when you pull the trigger. I prefer to use the circular saw on precision work, like doors. But that's the nature of a worm saw. Nothing slows this saw down. It's durable too. I'm hard on my tools. This has met the task.

I'm a general contractor in Colorado and Skilsaws have been what the guys and I have liked. The Skil original is indestructable but heavy, the Mag is lighter and nicer to work with but still not as light or as powerful as the Dewalt. The Dewalt is so light you can cut above your head when need be and is not too light that you have to push it through a 2x on a downward cut. The angle of the handle and the balance are a little different than the skil but its easy to get used to. The built in rafter hook is also great. I've used this Dewalt for a year and a half just like I did my Skils with no sounds or problems. It's another tool improved upon by Dewalt. I would highly recommend it to anyone buying a new saw.

I bought my DeWalt warm drive right after it came out, and my friends at the job were making fun of it because it was so light and felt fragile. So I've build a few houses, many remodels and thousands of cuts and dozens of blades later the saw stills performs like it did over three years ago. Yes it did quit on me once because it was drenched with water and snow one day over here in the mountains or was it frozen because of the negative temperatures? I let it warm up a little, cleaned the bushings and bam! it was working again. The cord is a little ripped and I will have to clean (for the second time) the guard spring compartment from all the fine dust the prevents it from snaping back easily. I first chose this saw because my arm couldn't take the weight of the Mags anymore. Seriously I was not expecting it to last as much as it did when I bought it. This saw has made me so much money I am surprised it is still going strong.

I love this saw. I bought it when it first came out and have used it continuously since I got it. I build custom homes in Vail and have been around worm drives for a long time. The saw is extremely well balanced and has tremendous power. I've cut everything from steel to heavy oak timbers and it just keeps going like the energizer bunny!

Since I wrote my first review,I've had a little trouble. The gears went out. Black and decker fixed it within two weeks. It still rattles alot. I'm not very happy about it. My advice : Buy the mag 77

I used this saw for a framing job and I was hooked. The blade guard acts more smoothly and precisely than I had ever hoped. The magazine articles tauted the fact that the guard was superior to others, and they were right. Cuts were precise, and easy to follow. The power is excellent, and the little things like a stud hook, and the non-stick base help to set it apart from all the rest - nothing even comes close. I would stack this up against any Skil or Milwaukee any day of the week.

I have had this saw for 2 years now. Bought it refurbished cause didn't know if I would like it. I bought several saws since this one. But I always find myself looking for this saw. The hook comes in handy when I am cutting truss tails. And when I am cutting stair stringers I just hang it on my saw horses. That way I don't have to bend over to get it or have it laying on my work in the way. Very quiet and powerful. Just hold the blade away from your work when you first start, it likes to jump. This saw mowes through treated lumber. Micro lambs are cake for it. I have 10 saws and this one is my favorite still. My dad has been building for over 20 years and he told me not to buy a Hypoid cause of the weight. This thing only weighs about 2 or 3 lbs more then most regular circular saws.
My dad used it on one of my jobs and then I always found him sneaking off with it. It was his favorite saw on my site. I found myself fighting with him over it a couple times. Great saw would buy again.

This is a cool saw; I have built three large room additions since I bought mine. It's a smooth cutter and well balanced. The angle of the motor looks a bit different but it feels comfortable to use. The rafter hook is great and I use it constantly. This saw is very light compared to the all-metal Skill brand. When I am on the job, the other saws sit in the truck and mine gets a real workout. I should charge rent. The grooved coated base plate really helps provide an even gliding movement. The angle adjustment lock works well. I had to do a little calibrating to get an exact 90%, but there is a setscrew that once set, is very accurate. The price is right. I am online now to buy a second one for one of one of my best carpenters and he only wants the best [isn't that right Joshua]. This new one is $20 less than the one I bought for myself one year ago. Thanks! Also I like the color. Yellow is cool!

Skip Mathews Steed Company_Remodeling steedcompany@earthlink.net

I bought the Dewalt framing saw 3 years ago because I wanted a saw with the blade on the left side and I didn't really like the Sawcat I was using at the time. The Dewalt took some getting used to, (it tends to twist on startup because of the power it is packing.) but once you adjust you will wonder why someone didn't build this saw 20 years ago. This saw will cut wet, rough sawn lumber easily. I have found the sawhook to be a necesary item, as the saw will not balance on a sawhorse. A well done, powerful saw.