Photo: DeWalt
What We Like
- Compact and lightweight
- Integrated cutline positioning system
- Adjustable miter detent plate with 11 positive stops
- Cam lock miter handle
- Machined-base fence and precise miter scale
What We Don’t Like
- Single bevel
- No battery or charger
- No electronic brake
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a compact and lightweight miter saw for light-duty use, DeWalt’s DCS361B should be your go-to option. Being battery powered, the tool can be used anywhere and is therefore highly portable. For small remote projects, this saw is recommended.
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DeWalt DCS361B Review
Photo: DeWalt
DeWalt is a well-known power tool brand and has a wide range of miter saws in its lineup. These include corded and cordless types, which are suitable for different types of uses.
For the cordless type, the DCS361B stands out because it is compact and lightweight, which makes it easily portable. Regardless of its small size, the tool has a lot to offer and this is explained below.
Performance:Suitable for Small Projects
The DeWalt DCS361B is equipped with a small 7-1/4-inch diameter blade, which is suitable for cutting relatively thin and narrow pieces of wood.
However, this capacity is boosted by a sliding rail mechanism. This gives it a maximum horizontal cross-cutting capacity of 8 inches, which is larger than the blade, and a 3.5-inch vertical capacity when the board is placed against the fence.
For 45° miter cuts, the horizontal capacity reduces to 5.5 inches while the vertical capacity for nested crown molding is 3-5/8 inches.
Other than that, the tool is battery powered and even though such tools have drastically improved in terms of cutting performance, they are still not as powerful as the corded type. As such, the DCS361B is ideal for cutting small workpieces in small projects.
That said, the saw uses a 20V battery, which provides enough power to make 183 cuts on 2×4 pine or 275 cuts on 3.25-inch pine baseboards on a full charge. Therefore, if your project is very cutting intensive, you need at least two batteries to switch and recharge as you use the spare.
While making these cuts though, accuracy is enhanced using an integrated XPS crosscut positioning system, which works by shining a bright light over the blade. This creates a shadow over the cut line, which gets thinner and more precise as the blade lowers into the wood.
This enables you to make very accurate cuts, and it does not need any adjustment because it relies on the shadow as opposed to the light itself. Therefore, even if you switch the blade, you won’t have to recalibrate the system.
You get a precise miter system and an oversized bevel scale for making accurate adjustments to enhance precision.
Design: Compact and Easy to Use
One of the most notable characteristics of the DCS361B is its compact design. It measures 25.2 x 19.9 x 15.7 inches and this can be attributed to its small 7-1/4-inch diameter blade, which requires smaller hardware to support it when cutting.
Other than that, the tool has an easy-to-use design, which is made possible by several convenience features such as a cam lock miter handle. This allows for quick and easy adjustments on the miter scale.
That said, the saw is equipped with a 96° miter range (0-48° on the left and right sides). Within this range, there are 11 positive stops and these make it easy to adjust to the most common cutting angles.
Safety Feature: Transparent Blade Guard and Dust Collection
This unit is fitted with a see-through blade guard that keeps the spinning blade visible during the cut. As such, you can react quickly by releasing the trigger if you spot any anomaly that may lead to an accident or damages.
Another important safety feature is dust collection and for this, the tool has a built-in dust port that can be attached to a dust bag or shop vac. This keeps dust particles from flying around and getting into your nose and eyes, which can cause harm.
The dust collection system also keeps the work area mess-free.
Portability: Compact and Lightweight
This product is very lightweight. It weighs only 30 pounds and combined with its compact design; this makes it highly portable. Therefore, the unit is ideal to use in remote worksites and it has a large carrying handle for easy transportation.
Additionally, since it is battery powered, you can use it almost anywhere. That said, you can still use it as a stationary tool in your workshop and its compact size means it occupies less bench space.
Price: Fairly Priced
For a cordless miter saw, DeWalt’s DCS361B is very reasonably priced. However, in comparison with other similar tools from DeWalt, the tool has a less powerful 20V electrical system while others have 60V systems.
Furthermore, this product does not come with the required battery and charger while others do. This is the case with the DCS361M1, which is basically a DCS361B but with a battery and charger. It is costlier but gives you more per set.
On the bright side, once you acquire this battery, you can use it across a wide variety of cordless DeWalt tools that have a 20V electrical system. Currently, there are over 180 tools in this segment and therefore, the battery is very versatile.
Other than that, the DCS361B comes with a few accessories such as a 60-tooth carbide tip blade, a blade wrench, and a material clamp, which give you value for money.
Verdict
A lightweight cordless miter saw that is highly portable and has a small 7-1/4-inch that is ideal for working on small projects.
The lightweight and compact design of the DCS361B makes it highly portable. Combined with its cordless power source, this miter saw can be used almost anywhere.
Therefore, if you need a portable battery-powered miter saw to use in remote worksites, this is the best tool to use.
Specs
- Product Name: DeWalt DCS361B
- Product Brand: DeWalt
- Power: 20V Battery Powered
- Max Speed: 3750 RPM
- Blade Size: 7-1/4 inches
- Miter Angle Range: 48° left and right
- Bevel Angle Range: -3º to 48º
- Positive Stops: 11 (Miter)
- Dimensions: 25.2 x 19.9 x 15.7 inches
- Weight: 30 lbs.
- Warranty: 3-year limited
Key Features
- Compact and lightweight (30 lbs.).
- Cordless 20V electrical system.
- Sliding arm with a 7-1/4-inch carbide-tipped blade.
- Adjustment-free cutline indication system.
- Adjustable stainless-steel miter detent plate with 11 positive stops.
- Cam lock miter handle.
- Machined base fence
- Oversized and easy-to-read bevel scale.
- Single bevel with a range of -3º to 48º.