As part of our paid partnership with Home Depot, they sent over a Dewalt 20V Max cordless saw and ToughSystem tool box kit (DCKTS253D1) for review consideration.
The kit comes with combo-kit versions of their cordless circular saw and reciprocating saw, a charger, a 2.0Ah battery, and a ToughSystem tool box.
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Both are solid saws, although they do lack some of the features of Dewalt’s more premium offerings.
The bundle is a really good value.
I have tested both saws before, and they’re good performers – for brushed saws – and the premium version of the circular saw was my editor’s choice in a past “best cordless circular saws” review. (Yes, I know, that’s one of several roundups that needs to be updated.)
Since I have used both saws before and with a good opinion of them, I passed the kit along to a local electrician for his assistant, who works a lot of jobs with him. The assistant – the electrician’s uncle – was about to start some home remodeling, and I am curious to see what his thoughts are, especially considering that the electrician’s trucks are exclusively stocked with Milwaukee cordless power tools.
I couldn’t just give this kit by itself, I also passed on a higher capacity battery pack. The 2.0Ah battery that’s included in the combo bundle should be considered as a “starter” battery. It’s a very good pairing for compact Dewalt power tools, such as their smaller drills, impact drivers, LED worklights, or tools that will be used lightly. For light work with the included saws, sure, the 2.0Ah battery will be okay. But for regular use or projects where more than just a couple of cuts are needed, a higher capacity battery pack is strongly recommended, and maybe even essential.
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But, you can always buy a bigger battery if or when needed. I am sure that a lot of users will be happier for the lower price tag.
This kit was a 2018 holiday season special buy, and you can still find it at a lot of stores. You can opt for delivery too, but with a fee for express delivery. My zip code shows a $35 delivery fee. What this means is that you can only get it from stores, either in person, or for $35 the delivery will come from a local store that has it in stock.
Price: $199
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
At the moment, bare-tool versions of the premium saws are $129 at most dealers. The saws in the bundle are slightly lower featured – the reciprocating saw has a 2-way blade holder instead of 4-way, and the circular saw has a steel shoe instead of a magnesium shoe.
The ToughSystem tool box can be found for $45-$55.
The 2.0Ah battery retails for $69.
I think that Dewalt could have gotten away with only offering the bundle with the saws and tool box, as I feel like the charger and battery are almost an extra bonus. I wouldn’t say that you’re getting a $455 value, which is advertised on the packaging, but you are certainly getting more than the $199 sticker price would ordinarily suggest.
I’ll be checking in with the recipient in a few weeks to see how well the saws worked out for them. To be frank, I’d be surprised to hear anything but praise. While not the best of the best, the saws have proven to be reliable workhorses. They’ve been available for a while, and I don’t recall hearing any complaints about them at all.
Thank you to Home Depot for supplying the sample!
Cr8on
I’d also add that the stock 6 1/2″ blade is useless and would recommend a 24t DeWalt precision or Diablo blade. And yes the 2.0 battery is far from ideal with these saws, the 4.0 is practically required.
Stuart
Agreed, but that’s usually the case with most saws.
Richard
Agree you need for amps or more to run the saw for a lengthy. Of time
Corey
The 4ah battery doesn’t provide any more amps than the 2ah lol it’s rated to provide a single amp for twice as long as the 2ah is capable of.
fred
You say :The 2.0Ah battery that’s included in the combo bundle should be considered as a “starter” battery.”
I’d say it is a “non starter” for the tools that it is paired with. I’m surprised that Dewalt would actually pair it with this combo. It would be interesting to know how long the circular saw will cut 2x lumber using this battery.
Cr8on
The short answer is not many and not very well… If I’m framing I use 3-4 6.0ah in a work day.
D N
I disagree, I ran one while charging a 5 ah battery, and it made tons of cuts while the 5 was charging. I didn’t run out of juice in that time. I would not go be a carpenter with a 2 ah, but I wouldn’t count it out.
Fm2176
I gave my saws away (despite having paid too much used from an older gentleman at a flea market), so I can’t second this for these models, but based on experience with another brand’s circular amd reciprocating saws using 1.3Ah batteries, I think the 2Ah is adequate for minor use. Until I upgraded, I didn’t mind the small amount of cuts I could get with the (also passed on) old stuff.
Jared
One 2.0ah with two saws is an odd pairing – but that’s quite a lot of stuff for $200. I’m guessing this is aimed at someone who already owns Dewalt tools and, like Stuart mentioned, the battery and charger are just bonuses to make the kit price more attractive. A pair of 4.0’s would make more sense, but then the kit would be more $$.
fred
Of course you’re right. But I think it is disingenuous of Dewalt – to make the novice buyer think that they are getting a fully functional kit – when they are getting one crippled by a battery not suited for the tasks that the tools are designed to accomplish. I know that marketing sometimes rules the roost but I expect better of Dewalt.
Raoul
Funny how back in the day most tools came with a case.
fred
They were usually made out of painted steel – with a piano hinge – catches – spot for a lock and room inside for accessories. But to be fair – not everyone wanted the case (we did not use them for many of the tools in the shop/factory floor) and they were an added expense. Now bundling tools with LBoxxes, Sortimo cases, Packout boxes etc. seems to be coming back in style.
Jim
To be fair! Ha, Letterkenny!
Matthew
This kit appears to be aimed at those that got a drill or drill and impact kit as a gift. The 2 most common saws with an extra battery, charger and a tough case for $200 seems like a good deal if you already have your drill or drill and impact. They aren’t the top of the line but they are capable tools.
Kenneth Phillips
I have the same 2 saws. Not purchased as the kit shown. For those interested, hopefully the circular saw comes with a guide. Mine didn’t, and the guides that come with the xr and other models don’t fit. I own a lot of the dewalt 20max line. However, as far as this circular saw.. unless I was shorted and my saw was missed. This dewalt 20vmax is a failure.
Jared
I have the same circular saw except with the magnesium shoe. Just FYI this Amazon listing for the “Rip Fence # 381091-00” lists the DCS391B as being compatible: https://www.amazon.ca/Dewalt-DW936-Replacement-Cordless-381091-00/dp/B009L32P50. I don’t own it though – I just use a 48″ clamp-on cutting guide when using it to saw up plywood.
Tim
I saw it at big orange for $179 a few weeks ago but passed on it due to the 6.5 blade size. It looks like it’s only about 5/16″ difference in cut depth. Maybe I was over-thinking it?
Joe framer
I would never recommend the dewalt non xr tools to buy… either buy 20v max full size top tier or flexvolt tools. Anything less and I’d go with Ryobi.
….these two tools are no better then Ryobi…and of course that 2ah is anemic…
.. Ryobi has a 5 tool deal for $219 and two batteries…
Matt
I like the idea of supplemental combo kits and am surprised more brands haven’t adopted an approach like this especially during the holiday season.
Drill and impact combos dominate the shelves and that’s not always what I want to see on special every holiday season. They have gotten long in the tooth. I dont need to buy an impact every year.
So let’s see some some saw combos with high capacity Batts. For the pro who owns the core tools. Let’s see oscillating tools and jig saws or Sanders and cut out tools. M12 ratchets and stubby impacts. Lighting combos. Let’s expand the horizons baby step by baby step