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This is the best circular saw I have ever owned. The main thing about any power tool is don't bog it down, keep up the RPM's and blow out the dust from the motor every once in awhile and any brand will last for years. As I am getting older, I wanted a light tool and still have plenty of power. Light and powerful. You can spend more, but this Dewalt saw is all you will ever need.
This saw was purchased to replace an underpowered Black & Decker, which bogged down when ripping hardwood trim for bookcases and cabinets. Since the saw has good power, I use it to rip plywood panels to size before precision trimming. The power of this saw is excellent, although DeWalt's own rip fence flopped around in the slot so badly that the trim cuts were practically useless. I tried putting tape around the rip fence to steady it in the slot, but it didn't help much. For basic construction and framing, this saw would probably be more than adequate, but not for precision trim cuts. As others have reported, the shoe flexes too much (probably because DeWalt tried to keep it as lightweight as possible), and when combined with the shaky rip fence slot, it will probably give rough edges to your trim.
I bought this saw instead of the comparable Hitachi because it was a bit lighter and more powerfull. The product details said it has an electric brake, an essential safety feature in my opinion, but it DOES NOT. I will be returning mine and purchasing another, but not from Amazon.
Luckily, I haven't noticed the flex in the base that was mentioned by a previous reviewer. I have used this saw for several small projects and am very happy with it.I do recommend adding the Dewalt edge guide, which is available from Amazon. It slips into a slot on the base and is held in place by a bolt. The edge guide helps in starting and keeping the cut square.
As I made a few test cuts the saw would not keep a 90 degree angle. This saw is a step up from my old black and decker, and the saw has plenty of power. The connection would flex and I would end up with a cut that was beveled 2 or 3 degrees. But.the sole plate connection is way too flexible. It is only connected to the body of the saw by a piece of plastic housing that is about an inch wide. To me that is unacceptable for a tool costing this much. I'm taking this saw back and see if I can trade it in for the DW364.
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