Here’s a first-look at the new Dewalt 20V Max ATOMIC Compact Series cordless circular saw (DCS571). Full details aren’t available yet, but I thought you’d appreciate the preview.
The Dewalt Atomic cordless circular saw features a 4-1/2″ blade, built-in dust collection port, large trigger switch, and electronic blade brake. The auxiliary handle is removable, if desired.
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Dewalt says that their new Atomic cordless circular saw can cut through 2×4 dimensional lumber, and is also designed for making rip cuts in sheet goods, such as 3/4″ OSB. It’ll likely handle cutting plywood with ease as well, but you’ll probably want to source a finer-tooth blade for that.
As a reminder, like the other Dewalt 20V Max Atomic cordless power tools announced so far, the new compact circular saw is engineered with a brushless motor.
Price: $149 for the bare tool(DCS571B) , $269 for the 5.0Ah kit (DCS571P1)
Buy Now: Kit via Amazon
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Amazon
More Dewalt Atomic Series Cordless Power Tool Coverage:
- Dewalt Atomic Drill and Impact Driver Preview
- Dewalt Atomic Series Official Announcement
- Home Depot Describes Dewalt Atomic Series as an Exclusive
First Thoughts
Although this is a new product under Dewalt’s 20V Max cordless power tool line, there are other 4-1/2″ circular saws currently on the market. However, I don’t recall seeing cordless rear-handle circular saws of this size before.
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4-1/2″ isn’t a very ubiquitous blade size, at least not in the same way as 7-1/4″, 6-1/2″, and even 5-3/8 and 3-3/8″ sizing, but replacement blades are out there, with some brand and style varieties.
Looking at the ToolGuyd archive, the Grizzly mini track saw has a 4-1/2″ blade size, as does the Rockwell mini circular saw. There’s also the Porter Cable PCE380K, which sells for ~$115.
The new Dewalt Atomic cordless circular saw can cut 2x material in a single pass, and can make rip cuts. The built-in dust port is a welcome feature.
I wonder whether user will really want to remove the auxiliary handle, but similar tools don’t even have an auxiliary handle at all. I’m not complaining – it’s good to have the option to add or remove the auxiliary handle as needed or desired.
For years, the impetus has been towards bigger and more powerful cordless circular saws, with brushless motors allowing the jump to high-performing 7-1/4″ saws, and now rear-handled worm-drive-like saws. But, their efficiency and smaller form factor now allows for smaller cordless circular saws like this one.
Thoughts?
Philip Proctor
Don’t need it so I won’t buy it. It would be handy cutting Hardie plank siding.
fred
Most of the recommended blades for cutting fiber-cement siding have something like 4 to 6 teeth – coated with diamond grit. I don’t believe such a blade is available in a 4.5 inch diameter.
Altan
I have TCT blades for wood for 4.5″ and 5″ grinders and the bore size is 7/8″ (22.23mm), what is the bore size for this tool?
Jeff
Arbor size is 3/8 inch which is why I am taking it back. Can not find masonry blade to fit this saw and even a replacement blade for wood like the one that comes with the saw is not readily available at stores.
Altan
This is a quality 5″ blade for wood, bore size is 7/8″
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carbide-Cutting-40-Teeth-Aluminium-Nonferrous/dp/B07CL72RDL
Raoul
That looks like it might be useful with metal, masonry, and other kinds of blades. I wonder if it can withstand that stuff. The blade guard looks plastic so maybe not.
PHILIP JOHN
Yes. The zip cutting blades for sheet steel.
Adam
What about metal studs? 20gage to 16gage?
JoeM
Yeah! That’s almost exactly what the Dremel SawMax and UltraSaw are! Except… This is done RIGHT… Trim, flooring, all that kind of stuff… Now the detachable handle makes some sense… Making cuts inside cabinetry. Take the handle off, it fits in tighter spaces, just like they advertise the Dremel ones do.
And, yeah… Having it battery powered is kinda like the Holy Grail for these. THIS one, I may buy. I see the point of the tiny saw this way. I never saw a point in the Dremel or Bosch versions of this, and they CERTAINLY don’t come cordless like this.
Thanks Stuart!
Reggie
If it don’t flush cut what is the real point?
Flotsam
I have the Dremel Ultra Saw and it is for small trim work as well. It is pitiful for dust collection so i am glad DeWalt at least considered that issue with this design.
This saw looks like it is solely designed for cutting wood while the Ultra Saw has a decent plan for tile, metal, flush cutting etc.
Rick
Dont see the point of using one one of these inside a cabinet to begin with. The handle is long and will be awkward to cut anything. You also have to contend with overcut, or go back and finish off with a jig saw anyways. Why you would want to use a spinning blade in a confined space is up to you, but the only time Im making cuts in cabinets is to allow plumbing through, in which case, a hole saw is way cleaner and less dangerous.
Boggsy
I’d prefer a cordless version of Harbor Freight’s double cut saw, but that kinda beasty would need to be Flexvolt for sure.
This is cute though, extra cute with the upcoming backpack vac.
John
We use the ultrasaw for half of my job in my profession. I would buy this saw yesterday to get away from the cord.
Steve
Got one it’s awesome
Matt
I see potential… With the 4 1/2″ blade size can we assume grinder blades will fit?
Stuart
I don’t think so. I’m nearly certain such usage wouldn’t be recommended. Even if there weren’t safety concerns, the arbor size is surely different. 4-1/2″ circular saw blades (such as this Porter Cable) have a 3/8″ arbor. Cut-off wheels have 5/8″ arbors.
Altan
3/8″ arbor is probably to maximise the cutting depth, 7/8″ which is used in grinders would reduce the cutting depth at least 1/2″.
This is a very good tool, I liked it, just the base plate should be a bit better quality, not with rounded edges, then it would be a more professional, LED light would be also good, and the blade guard could be made of metal.
I would like to be able to use it in an emergency to cut tiles and metal sheet, to cut masonry with this tool would be overexpectation I think. Different blades for different materials with this bore size would be a good option to have.
fred
If this Dewalt’s arbor is 3/8 (or 10mm??) – you’ll need a reducing bushing.
The spindle thread on most 4-1/2 inch grinders is 5/8-11
Louie Orama
Stuart, I want to thank you personally for following up on this Atomic Series; I have the Craftsman Bolt On with the 3-3/8 blade for the trim saw. But no depth adjustment, no vacuum attachment and the depth is fixed at just under an inch. Also, not Brushless. I tried (since first seeing your post) to discover what the blade size will be and a representative @ DeWalt first told me 7-1/2. When I responded that 7-1/4 is the normal size and that this is a COMPACT saw, they responded, “then it is PROBABLY 5-3/8”. Again, thanks so much. I am DEFINITELY getting this tool and can now get ahead of the game by purchasing blades.
Stephen McGuire
I bought this saw as part of a bundle. I like the saw BUT replacement blades are virtually unavailable. I cannot find a Dewalt wood blade for it even on Amazon. I cannot find a spec on Dewalt for the arbor size. Very frustrating. I can certainly measure it but obviously I was trying to do this on line, with the tool in my truck lol. As others have noted the trigger mechanism is awkward as hell
fred
For many years my 4-1/2 inch corded saw ( a Rockwell Porter Cable 9314 worm gear saw) was my go to tool for many trim tasks – and mostly for breaking down sheet goods. It was only replaced in that task about 5 years ago when I bought a track saw. My saw has a 3/8 inch arbor – and I have a Forrest WW04H407080
40 tooth blade mounted.
https://www.amazon.com/Forrest-WW04H407080-Woodworker-64-Inch-Circular/dp/B000OMR19M
Other blades that fit it include:
Oshlun SBW-045018 – 18T rough cutter and Oshlun SBNF-045030 – 30T aluminum cutter, a Freud-Avanti TK001- 36T and a Tenryu PT-115336-1 36T
Porter Cable blades (not sure what’s still available) included: #12009 20T, #12870 20T, #PC412TCT – 24T, #12060 32T rip blade, B-4503-C 32T plywood blade, #12057 120T plywood blade, #12121 128T – reverse tooth Plexiglas blade and #12122 136T laminate blade.
David Nguyen
That’s useful info and thank you for providing it. I just hope my local HomeDepot carry the dame bade. I stop by last week to see how the saw actually feel in the hand, and to my disappointments, the dont even have it in the store yet! So lame, considered that it been release for months already.
Corey
This looks cool. Not sure what I’d use it for, but it reminds me of the 12v recip, in that it looks unique and potentially unwieldy, but as I muse, ideas seem plentiful. I know that folding 12v saw doesn’t have the greatest rep today with its age, but I always loved the thing for running PVC, and as an improvised jig saw building PLCs and electrical cabinets. I see a lot of improvisational potential like that in this design. I’m curious about the torque behind the drive mechanism, as it appears to be a modified grinder style head. I always rotate my grinders heads 90 degrees for cutting, and I initially thought that’s what this was lol
Don
Fantastic, I have been holding off on getting a saw like this in hopes Dewalt would put one on the market. Now I just have to wait a little longer.
Jared
Interesting. Cool that Dewalt is making new tools in this Atomic line, not just smaller versions of existing ones – yeah ok, they have larger circular saws and this is just smaller, but in this case smaller will mean it’s useful for different applications.
I probably won’t buy one though. I have the cordless 6.5” circular saw and will continue using that for most 2x and sheet good cutting, then use my multi tool when I need to cut something precisely or in tight quarters. I can see someone who does lots of small 90 degree cuts really liking this though
Adam
I don’t like where the battery is. It looks like you will have to comepensate for the battery not being more directly on the motor. 20/18v running a 4-1/2″ doesn’t seem to jive in my head. A fuel m12 is an amazing 5-3/8. That would have made more sense. Lot more common blade, and you would be changing the blade considerably less often (25%+ more saw length on 5-3/8,).
If it ran well on a compact battery, I could see it be useful for cutting sheet goods, but a smaller blade seems more challenging to keep a straight line.
I believe the Atomic line will have atomically small sales. I think they should have put that effort into the almost forgotten 12v line.
Eric
I agree. The battery location is awkward. May not be an issue when you can have both hands on it. But if your reaching while cutting sheet goods it looks like it could be easy for the saw to tilt and and the blade come up out of the material. Especially with a bigger battery on there. And with the price putting it on the higher end of Dewalts 20v circ saws I don’t see many people buying it unless they need it for some special purpose. The brushless 7 1/4 saw is $20 cheaper bare tool. And if you want a kit you can pick up the flexvolt kit for an extra $30. Both of which would be much better options for most users.
ToolGuyDan
I honestly don’t see 12V as having a future. With the new atomics kitted with miniscule 1.3Ah 20Vs, the size difference between 12V and 20V batteries is nearly nil. I think Atomic is their feeler for this; will people shopping for 12V spend a couple extra dollars for 20V Atomic instead, allowing easy upsell into the rest of the 20V (and even 60V) lines? Or will the 12V folks keep their toes firmly in their own pool?
Flotsam
Interesting observation by ToolGuyDan. I would agree with that assessment especially with regard to DeWalt. Their 12v offerings have been meager and outdated for a while now. Seems like zero effort on DeWalt’s part to change that.
Milwaukee on the other hand seems to embrace 12v almost as much as their M18 line. But i see both Metabo HPT and Makita have 12v lines so maybe it is not quite dead yet.
Corey
Europe is getting brand new brushless DeWalt 10.8v’s (12v max if/when they come over here) and they look pretty great to me. Compact Drill/driver, impact, 3/8 impact and a battery with modern larger cells.
glenn
I think Milwaukee and Makita might disagree with you on the12v thing. Both have a large variety of tools available and they obviously sell well enough to continually expand their line up.
Bertil
If this can deal with cutting metal, they’ll definitely have my money 😀
Otherwise, they’ll only probably have my money haha, I can see that there have been many times where a saw this size would have been perfect for what I was doing.
Rory
Whyyyyy?
lets make a smaller saw a heap longer and reduce the capacity of a 6-1/2″ saw for no apartment reason??
All the home user guys are like oooh its lighter… im yet to use an 18v circ saw and think “gee i wish this was smaller and lighter”
Eric
There are times that I really love my lightweight M12 fuel with the 5 3/8 blade. It’s a pleasure to use compared to a full size saw. It’s for sure a secondary saw, something you buy after you have a full size circ saw.
Rory
Yep, totally understand the m12 version but this thing confuses me.
Its almost like the dewalt factory in china said “check out this new sawmax 2000” and then dewalt ordered 20,000 units…
Dave
Huh. Nice to see the specs on this thing finally come out – I’m sure it has a use for a lot of people, just maybe not for me. The length seems off-putting, if I wanted something tiny I’d be looking at the M12 3″ multi-cutter, though I know it’s not designed for wood.
Drawback to both is that blades aren’t readily available – I know you’re (Stuart) saying there are multiple options, but I’ve never seen 4 1/2″ or 3″ off-the-shelf options at my local HD.
For a long time, easy access to blades had me dismissing 6 1/2″ saws – I had an old 5 1/2″ (I thought, but given the current conversation I’m wrong and it was 5 3/8″) Ryobi for a cordless and a big, heavy full-sized corded Ridgid worm drive. Once 6 1/2″ blades became a standard stock item I picked up a medium-sized circular saw and honestly it’s almost all I use. Big enough for 99% of the cuts I make, compact enough to use all day. If I needed more precision I could see using a smaller saw, but I find 6 1/2″ just hits the sweet spot, and I’ll sawzall/hackzall tighter stuff.
fred
Makita – seems to have gone the other way. Their ancient 9V NiCad 3-3/8″ saw was very popular (maybe because it was being sold in the “age of paneling”.) . Now their 12V CC02Z (wet saw) for tile and glass cutting – and their SH02Z wood cutting saw – are both using the 3-3/8 blade size. I don’t know how well either are selling.
Joe framer
Sidewallers use those very small Makita circ saws everywhere, they love them
Travis
Kobalt 24v has a very similar cutoff saw with a 4″ blade. It seemed well put together when I handled it. I never used it but Kobalt users give it good reviews.
Stuart
Thanks! I’ve seen their multi-material cutter before, and had 2 concerns. First, 4″ blade size availability might be limited, at least for woodworking applications. Second, without a lower guard, it does not seem meet OSHA safety requirements.
All portable, power-driven circular saws shall be equipped with guards above and below the base plate or shoe. The upper guard shall cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to permit the base to be tilted for bevel cuts. The lower guard shall cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to allow proper retraction and contact with the work. When the tool is withdrawn from the work, the lower guard shall automatically and instantly return to the covering position.
I read through OSHA accident reports recently, and there are a lot of injuries that a proper lower guard could potentially prevent.
The Dewalt, above, has a retractable lower guard that looks to function as described in OSHA safety regulations.
fred
Cutoff tools that spin cutting wheels (aka blades) that do not have teeth – seem to get away without having a retractable lower guard. This may be because the continuous rim of a cutting wheel is less grabby – with less propensity for kickback – than is a toothed saw blade. I see that the Milwaukee M12 Cut-off tool come with an add-on shoe assembly – but I still don’t think that it has a retractable lower blade guard. But again its meant as a cutoff tool – not a wood cutting saw. I also think that the blade geometry on tools like a fireman’s rescue saw are designed to work without a retractable guard.
Over the years – I’ve seen folks using small wood saw blades on angle grinders. My take was that this use was a “learning-moment” (aka trip to the ER) waiting to happen.
Adam
This saw is perfect for working on heavy trim details while up a ladder or up in staging. Worth having a few in our trailer. We bought a couple of those new Milwaukee ones to try out for just that use and they didn’t really do the job. We will be keeping the Milwaukee ones for tile work but they tended to melt pvc trim over cutting it, kind of like what a multi tool does. I am hoping these would work like a cordless skilsaw but give better control and reach when you are working on a ladder or staging. We are heavily invested in both red and yellow and use both systems daily , this looks like a great addition.
fred
The old PC Plexiglas cutting blade in this size does a pretty good (not perfect) job of cutting PVC trim without melting:
https://www.circlesaw.com/thin-kerf/porter-cable-12121-4-1/2-plexiglas-circular-saw-blade-3/8-arbor/
PETE
Man, that makes my wrist hurt just looking at it!
Brian A
Great another limited availability blade size in a new tool. The industry needs to stop making anything that is not 5 3/8, 6 1/2, 7 1/4, 10, 12, 15. All these wacky sizes dont help on finding a blade locally, selection, and price.
jeff
This one is especially frustrating because the arbor size is 3/8 inch.
Nathan
So for all the naysayers I would say read Fred’s comments again. (thank you fred)
I see alot of potential for using that – in place of things I have done using my OMT and a guide. Now I have a dewalt cordless OMT and it’s guide and I like using it for some things.
BUT – I can’t break down a 4×8 sheet with it. well not cleanly. And I’m still in the market for a newer circular saw to replace my 30 year old craftsman. Honestly the only real thing wrong with that saw is that the base plate – being stamped steel and old as hell – it’s quite as square and plumb as I’d like. New saws run over my straight edge (the empire one) fairly smooth and cleaner.
This with dust collection – the second handle – and the ability to still cut down a 2×4 – is very capable for my needs. I don’t really need a full size hand held circular saw – I have mitre and table saw for most other needs.
This is also more nimble for things like cutting off panels on an installed item, cutting flooring or trim work etc.
So I ask if this was a red item and priced at 89 dollars would you all find it more attractive – since I bet there will be one.
Rick
I only see a few practical purposes for this. If its light enough, and given the way it hangs, I could see it being possibly used on a belt, and its got a nicer belt clip style (not the clip, but the HD wire style) . This would be a big step up as far as working ergonomics for people working on siding, roofing, or sheathing as you would not have to “bend” down every time you needed the saw for a quick trim.
The smaller size with the right blade could also be used for a more portable tile cutter with dust collection. I know many people use a grinder for this now. It can also be useful for hardi board or cement board.
But for the cost of blades vs full size blades, its a hard sell for general use. its at least 2x as expensive for less than half the amount of life per blade
Joe framer
Interesting, but looks very long,. A lot of guys comment they use it for trim. I personally don’t understand how you use any circular saw of any size for trim.?
We only use mitre saws for trim. Sheet goods? This saw can’t be powerful and a 20v or 60v circ saw is going to be incredibly faster .
I hope dewalt makes a small 12v saw to go with their new 12v line, for sidewallers. Or some work when your working out of a man lift.
fred
Probably a matter of semantics. I’m old enough to remember carpenters using Stanley and Millers Falls miter boxes and hand backsaws on jobsites – because the powered miter saw had not yet been invented and radial arm saws (Raymond Dewalt’s invention) were too cumbersome. The cordless screwdriver was a hand-powered Yankee and the cordless drill – a North Brothers bit brace if you were well heeled.
I think the Rockwell P-C 4-1/2 inch worm gear saw that I own was bought in the 70’s and it had been revamped several times over – possibly first introduced in the 50’s. Folks used it for “trimming” – things like clapboards, wood shakes, fascia boards and casing – sometimes guided with a square or miter square. Once powered miter saws came on – they certainly did take over.
Mike
‘Atomic’ – sounds like a HF brand name, or from back in the 50s 60s when a lot of products had nuclear or space related names 😉
John Flores
Im in the hvac field so its perfect for my needs. Sometimes i have to cut a old tongue and grove ceiling to add a register box and the reciprocating saw is too much and a full size circular saw is too much so this will be just right.
Robert
So… Disappointed.
If this is aimed at a diy market, the 20v 6.5″ is plenty for everything this saw can do and is cheaper.
If this doesn’t have the ability to use cutoff and tile blades then this seems pointless. If they had a wet/dry saw with a water port, that’d be awesome. It’s be more powerful than the Makita or the new little Milwaukee 12v cutoff saw.
I have 2 of DeWalt’s 6.5″ brushed saws for everyday framing and sheathing, their 7.25″ Flexvolt blade L saw, jigsaw, oscillating saw, Flexvolt and XR recip. saws, etc.
BUT I STILL DON’T HAVE A REGULAR BRUSHLESS 6.5″ OR 7.25″ BLADE L SAW!!!
Ever since I discovered the blade L saws I’ve never even considered buying a blade right saw again.
Why do they refuse to make a lightweight standard design, brushless, blade L saw?
The flexvolt monster saw is great for cutting pressure treated lumber and beams, but I would love a saw with a little more kick than the 6.5″ and yet maintain the blade L configuration and weight.
Basically the XR blade R saw in a blade L configuration.
This new saw looks like it is just as long as a regular saw, which means it can’t get into tight places, and just has a cheap little blade that will wiggle all over the place because if the leverage if the handle and the tiny shoe.
I have to say that my dream would be to talk to the upper management in DeWalt. Because me, and a whole lot of other guys, have some tools we want that aren’t available in the DeWalt platform.
I use to be all Yellow, now I’m forced to be half yellow, half red, with a little smidge of green.
Jason. W
Back when I did fire and water damage restoration I would have loved this. Doing 2-4 foot flood cuts around the perimeter of entire rooms/houses was a annoying job. It’s just drywall but still a tesious job. Being tethered to a chord made it worse.
I had a Rockwell versa cut that I used. Did the job well! After I got mine all the other techs saw the benefit and bought one too.
Perry
I posted in the forums a while back asking for a smaller blade cordless circ saw that could still cut 2×4’s.
This isn’t it.
The main feature I wanted at the time was space savings in the work van and the ability to cut in tighter areas. That big long handle negates both of those needs. I’ll probably continue using my makita 12v for most smaller cuts and the 6-1/2 for the rest.
Altan
DeWALT cordless heat gun: https://www.facebook.com/sydneytools.com.au/photos/a.634716593265522/2463994550337708/?type=3&theater
Altan
Cordless Glue Gun with DeWALT/ Makita/ Milwaukee batteries:
https://propdrsolutions.com/product/dewalt-battery-powered-glue-gun/
In one of the photos you can see that there are different models of it which work with Makita/ DeWALT/ Milwaukee batteries.
Chuckdawg61
Exactly what I’ve been waiting for. I’m a red guy, but I’ll buy this when it’s available.
Jeremy
I have been waiting for Dewalt to come out with this saw ever since I used kolbalt’s version. If I didn’t already have a lot of Dewalt battery’s and tools I would have gone with kolbalt’s set ,my friend has had his for years and the grinder and sander and impacts get used 8 hours a day if not more.
Joshua
Come on seriously guys?? You cant have it all in one tool, transformers arent real. I have a mag 77 for production framing, i have dewalt 6-1/2 20v saw, for my exterior carpentry projects (fences, decks, etc) and now I have this little compact circ saw which has been perfect for cutting sheet goods, cutting off ends that I run wild, (like a horizontally planked gate for instance), and getting in tight spaces for when I do interior work. The vacuum dust extraction is a huge plus.
This is a fantastic tool for punch-list work in remodels and repairs. Guys saying this tool is pointless clearly just dont have a need for one which is fine but dont ruin it for the rest of us who make a living by being productive and this tool definitely excels at that under the correct applications.
Jonathan Guzman
Can I use this tool to trim or cut resine sinks and countertops? I do cabinetry but sometimes I need to cut the bathroom sink to made it fit in the space between walls, I am using an corded grinder but I it’s the only tool without battery, so I want to go completely cordless.