Dewalt has come out with a new 20V Max brushless 6-1/2″ circular saw, model DCS565B. Yes, you heard that right – Dewalt has finally upgraded their 20V Max cordless 6-1/2″ circular saw with a brushless motor.
And, apparently there is a lot of excitement surrounding it. Who would have though that, given how many powerful 7-1/4″ circular saws that users could choose from these days?
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Well, I can see the appeal. With a 6-1/2″ cordless circular saw, there’s less blade for the motor to turn, and so it should in theory draw less power, stretching out battery runtime.
Plus, a smaller blade size means a smaller saw.
Looking at the side of the new Dewalt DCS565B circular saw, what do you see?
I see a folding rafter hook, staring at me.
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It also looks like the new Dewalt cordless circular saw will come with an optional dust chute, for connecting to dust extractors or at least better controlling sawdust ejection even if just by a little bit.
I also spy an LED worklight, whose purpose is to better illuminate your cut line.
In case you didn’t think it was real, I spotted a couple of them at the local Home Depot. At the time of this posting, it is not listed on their website.
Oh – and the left-facing blade is also going to appeal to many users’ preferences.
See Also: Let’s talk about circular saw blade preferences
Dewalt DCS565B Features & Specifications
- 6-1/2″ blade size
- 4950 RPM
- 2-1/8″ max cutting depth at 90°
- 0-50° bevel angle
- Rafter hook
- LED worklight
- Optional dust chute
- Electric blade brake
- Weighs 7.1 lbs
Price: $169 for the bare tool
COO: Mexico (according to box label)
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Home Depot
Discussion
I really liked Dewalt’s original 20V Max DCS391 6-1/2″ cordless circular saw, and it was my “editor’s choice” in our 2015 “best cordless circular saws” guide.
Wow, a lot has changed since then. Now, just 5 years later, and there have been so many advancements. There has been an almost absurd number of new brushless circular saws that have launched since then.
The new saw doesn’t look all that different from the original brushed motor model.
There are definitely some small changes and optimizations, as one would expect from many years of market research and further tool developments, and Dewalt made sure to add a rafter hook.
Although the product listings I found don’t explicitly say so, it looks to me that this saw also has the magnesium shoe that I favored on the older brushed motor model.
Magnesium shoe? Rafter hook?
I found an online listing for a Dewalt Atomic 20V Max cordless power tool bundle that features this saw. That listing has since been removed, but they used the image of the older saw as a placeholder.
Would the new DCS565B cordless circular saw be an Atomic-series model with compact size, and compact size often being tied to power or performance compromises? It doesn’t look like that’s the case. This saw features slightly lower max motor speeds than the brushed model, but by a seemingly negligible amount.
From what I can tell, Dewalt put all the bells and whistles they could into this new 6-1/2″ cordless circular saw. This is something that brands typically do for their 7-1/4″ saws, but when’s the last time I brand refreshed their 6-1/2″ saw?
Larger and more powerful saws deliver greater performance, but it’s very good to have a modernized 6-1/2″ model, especially for users who want a more compact saw with a left-facing blade.
There’s been mounting excitement surrounding this quiet release, and I can see why. *thumbs up* Dewalt – this seems like a “we listened to our users” kind of tool.
schill
“Looking at the side of the new Dewalt DCS565B circular saw, what do you see? I see a folding rafter hook, staring at me.”
I guess I have been reading “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See?” a lot recently, but this sounds very familiar.
And the saw might be what I was waiting for. I’ve been thinking about the older version for a while.
Stuart
I can’t say it was unintentional.
Michael F
The fathers on the site know what’s up.
Clay
Def, even though it has been a while. I guess after reading it a few hundred times…
Javier A.
*raises hand* Haha, another Dad who read same thing…
Koko The Talking Ape
Thanks again for putting this up early, Stuart. This saw looks pretty awesome.
Stuart
You’re welcome! I was hoping to dig up more details, but it looks like this is all we know so far.
Big Richard
Early? This has been all over the socials for a couple weeks already. I almost picked it up at HD the other week, it was maybe like the 15th or so when I saw it? It was even mentioned in the comments on a previous Amazon deal post on Oct 12th:
https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-fall-savings-cordless-power-tool-deals-amazon-10122020/
Koko The Talking Ape
On his post about HD BF deals, I was asking about this saw, and Stuart said he would post article a few hours early. That’s what I meant. 🙂
Big Richard
Ohhhhh, I feel ya.
Steve
I like the 6 1/2″ saws as a homeowner. I have the DCS391 as my cordless circular saw. I have a corded 14 Amp 7 1/4″ for anything that I very rarely do that needs that much blade or power, but a lot of that stuff I cut with the 10″ mitre or table saws I have anyway. The 6 1/2″ works great for cutting sheet goods and is easier to handle because it’s smaller and I kinda like the sight line on blade left. It’s perfect for when you just want to grab and go on a quick cut too. People love these small, more agile, saws. I’m glad to see they are improving them.
Corey Moore
Maybe it’s just because I know this has been much requested by DeWalt users, but I can’t see this being a lower tier offering, if even for the unusual features like the rafter hook. So I’d assume this will be atomic, especially given it’s lack of XR branding. Too well executed to be bottom tier, isn’t flagship, atomic seems right to me. Or they could just make another random line name for it lol Half joking, but can’t say I’d be surprised.
JoeM
“Although the product listings I found don’t explicitly say so, it looks to me that this saw also has the magnesium SHOW that I favored on the older brushed motor model.”
Found another, Stuart… You seem really excited to get the articles written!
As to the saw… The fact that they didn’t bother to fit it into the XR, Atomic, or FlexVOLT Advantage/Power Detect lines tells me something different. They’re phasing out the Brushed motors in the original lineup. Future 20 Volt Max tools, straight up, will be Brushless. They couldn’t call this the DCS391 or 393 Type 2, because it has too many other differences. It’s an all new saw.
That all said… I’ve barely used my 391, I love it, I’ll keep it until I make it explode in some sort of weird experiment… But this DCS565 has EVERY feature I’d want in an updated DCS391, or its crippled steel-stamped shoe wearing brother the DCS393. I WILL happily wishlist this new 565 for myself, and STILL want the FlexVOLT, XR, and FlexVOLT Advantage 7 1/4″ saws. XR and FlexVOLT WormDrive saws? Sure. I live in Canada. If given the chance, I’m not going to say “No” to a smaller saw I can use on Canadian Pine, OR a bigger, more aggressive saw I may want to use on some Maple or Oak hardwoods. We’re Canada. We have some of the best supplies for these beautiful woods in the world. Having a SELECTION of saw options to work with their Boards, Posts, AND their PLYWOODS is a luxury that being Canadian makes worthwhile.
Wanting a selection of various saws to work with in Canada is… just… Heritage at this point. The upgraded base line saw? Bring on the Ply and the Particle boards of all sorts. The smell of cut wood in the air is calling! (Also a weird Canadian thing… I’d explain, but you’d KNOW I was weird, instead of suspecting it… It’s a Canadian thing.)
Koko The Talking Ape
So, I guess you’re Canada? 😉
JoeM
Aren’t you, too Koko? Is it an Ontario vs Alberta thing? All the builders I know, family or otherwise, seem to share this kind of… admittedly weird… logic about using more than just a different blade for different Canadian sourced woods… My adoptive brother John works with a construction company that is upgrading the 400 series highways, as a pipe layer… when he goes home to his Dad’s home Auto Shop he’s got at least 4 different saws hanging, not to mention a table saw. And he’s surrounded by forrest on the property. Woodworking with Canadian woods is pretty wild in HIS blood too.
And, yeah… Beautifully made cars and paint jobs too… but they do renovations, and now kids’ play houses for their daughters, using their own culled trees. Even the odd make-shift garage for moving projects in the auto shop into a holding area while they do some work on converting the space into the next step in the project.
You don’t have this kind of… Fluid, Manic, love of projects where you are? That would be shocking to me.
Koko The Talking Ape
As it happens, I am Canadian, but my parents brought me to the US when I was 2. I still have my Canadian citizenship, and actually I’m thinking about moving “back.” The US just doesn’t handle health care well, and regardless of the coming election, it will be years or decades before they do as well as Canada. So.
Stuart
Thanks, *fixed!*
Some of those misspellings are close enough that I never catch them, regardless as to how many times I proofread.
JoeM
Admit it… You’re also excited to get some of these articles out! Plus you have kids, so, tired eyes come into play here.
We’re your community here Stuart. We got your back. Don’t worry.
Toolfreak
As a 6-1/2″ saw owner (not this one) it’s nice to see a brand new product with that blade size.
I dunno about the left side blade though, I thought I preferred that iniitally, but while I do have left side cordless saws, they’re mostly useful for left handed cuts or where you otherwise need the blade/shoe positioning to make the cut. The rest of the time, the right side blade has it’s own issues, but it beats getting a face full of sawdust.
If anything, given it’s DeWalt, I would have thought they’d make right-side and left-side versions of the saw, especially in their regular 20V line.
JoeM
I have wondered why they don’t already do this, actually. Aside from inverting the molds for the casings, shoe, and handle placement… They’re the same saws left or right… Admittedly their more powerful saws do seem to be capable of guiding themselves from behind with very little effort… Still, dust ejection does seem to factor in here, and you’d think mirroring the saws might… I don’t know… Pay for itself in the long run?
Matt
It’s twice as much for the tooling, twice as much inventory to hold, and you need to find a retailer to want to two both versions on the shelf. Maybe they did the research and most customers wanted the left-hand version or conversely, maybe the retailer only wanted a left-hand version.
It’s only pays for itself to make both if customers buy both.
JoeM
Good point. Though, I would imagine dropping a little voucher to swap for the other direction might resolve that for the consumer. Then the unused, popular ones go back on the shelf to be sold, and the side-oriented one they swapped it for gets used. Or better, someone owns both, just in case they encounter a need to have more control over their cuts.
Just spitballing here, it just seems logical to me that DeWALT would have the option for preference more readily available with the new platform estensions.
Toolfreak
I get why they wouldn’t make left and right blade saws in EVERY line due to costs, but I would just think at least in the regular 20V line, or the XR or something aimed at professionals/contractors, there would be identical but left/right blades in a cordless saw because contractors, carpenters, etc. would surely want both saws for jobs.
I’m pretty sure the old 18V Ni-Cd line had identical left/right blade saws.
JoeM
I totally agree, Toolfreak. The majority of the FlexVOLT lines, and 7 1/4″ saws are blade-RIGHT I believe. But the smaller ones can probably afford to be made in both, just in case. They’d get sales either way, sometimes double.
But that seems too logical for marketing departments these days, doesn’t it?
Kentucky fan
The original brushed design is very popular with contractors in my area. I know a few that even use the old 18volt version. When cutting 2x material all day it is easier to use a lighter saw and the difference in cut speeds between brushed and brushless is negligible until you get into longer cuts.
I would bet those same contractors will buy these by the dozen when available for sale.
Alexander
I was thinking about purchasing the now old dcs391, not even paying attention it is a brushed model. I think this new brushless model is the one available for free if you buy the 6 and 4 amp starter kit for 199 on the black friday deals. i was confused when the 6 1/2 saw shown says “169 dollar value” when the dcs391 was never that price. it also says brushless so it has to be the new one.
Big Richard
The deal you are referring to is for this new brushless DCS565 model. If you type in its SKU listed in the ad, it will bring you to the DCS565 page. It’s listed as “out of stock” online, but most stores have it in their overstock racking.
George
Richard. Thanks a lot. I was at home depot and saw this saw. Was ready to buy. Then decided to Google it and seen your comment. now I have the batteries too for 199. Awesome deal.
David Zeller
Looking at the side of the saw, what do I see?
I see a sliding rafter hook, staring at me.
One of your best writings ever. Very Seussian.
Doug N
Or Eric Carle…
Stuart
=)
I need to do this more often!
The Brown Bear book phrasing just popped out when captioning the images in the post. It felt natural so I kept it in.
Nathan
Interesting development. the dust chute is nice wonder how well it works. I could see using that in place of a track saw .
OldDominionDIYer
Nice offering, but with all the upgrades I wonder why they stuck with the plastic blade guard? These are a great size for quick jobs so handy not to bulky and lightweight. Always have a place for a capable smaller circular saw in my inventory!
Toolfreak
Weight and cost. It probably only saves an ounce or two, but it adds up around the saw when plastic is used instead of metal. Might only make it half a pound lighter, but then they can brag if it’s the lightest 6-1/2″ cordless saw in it’s class or something along those lines. Same with cost, it only saves pennies for each plastic part vs. metal, but adds up with production quantities.
OldDominionDIYer
I guess that’s probably the reason, it’s just that DeWalt is supposed to be a “Premium/Pro brand” and I have seen this guard broken or cracked on 2 of the 5 older versions I saw in use. The blade guard gets banged around quite a bit and the saw rests on it all the time which is why I wish they had made it out of magnesium as well. Even with the extra plastic this unit is still heavier than the Milwaukee 6-1/2″ saw (which has a magnesium blade guard), so why not make it more rugged and durable, just saying, not a big deal, it looks like a great saw. I just was a bit bummed they stuck with a plastic blade guard is all. Very nice unit overall.
Mike
Dude plastic is more durable than magnesium, drop it and cracks easier than plastic which flexes magnesium doesn’t
Shaun
Garbage they should have added a metal guard. When I saw the guard was plastic I was instantly turned off by that. Seems to me Milwaukee is better at listening nowadays. even tough system 2.0 is still not as good as packout. Hate to be a downer everything I own is Dewalt.
Michael Fox
I really wish Milwaukee would update their M18 FUEL 6 1/2″ saw (2730-20) with some of these features (mainly the dust extraction port) and make it track compatible. I need a larger saw than the one I currently use for home gaming but the 7 1/4″ rear handle seems huge for my needs. This seems to fit a really nice niche, good on Dewalt.
OldDominionDIYer
Actually that is the only thing the Milwaukee doesn’t already have (dust extraction port) It already had the LED light, Rafter hook, magnesium shoe and it still has a magnesium blade guard (which DeWalt still didn’t include) It’s lighter than the DeWalt and carries a longer warranty. The Milwaukee still has a very competitive saw. I’m not sure about others but this size saw is great for small tasks where you don’t need the power of the bigger saws. For me, in this situation, I never would even consider breaking out a shop vac, making the connection for a quick cut, but I get that everyone’s situation is different.
Big Richard
It does have a magnesium shoe and is listed on their website, it’s been on there for a couple weeks now actually – I do think they removed it for a few days last week, but it was back on their yesterday already. It’s also listed as “out of stock” because it is not part of the current planogram floor plan. Most stores have it in their overstock racking.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-MAX-Brushless-Cordless-6-1-2-in-Circular-Saw-Tool-Only-DCS565B/314001465
Stuart
Thanks – I checked yesterday and it was removed when I was writing up the post.
Peter
I hope Bosch is seeing this.
Matt
“there’s less blade for the motor to turn, and so it should in theory draw less power, stretching out battery runtime.”
I don’t think that’s how it works. Mostly, your power draw is going to be application based. If you are ripping 3/4″ plywood, it will make very little difference whether it’s a 6-1/2″ or 7-1/4″ blade. You need roughly the same power to cut that size wood. Same with any 2x lumber. Not until we are cutting at the full cut capacity of the blade are you going to see much of a difference in power draw. So I wouldn’t expect some big difference in runtime unless the application matrix is significantly different (i.e. the typical expected use of this saw is different so the runtime is based on mostly cutting a smaller material size).
Stuart
On one hand I’m thinking about the moment of inertia being higher for a larger blade, both when under and or under load.
But consider also two hypothetical saws with the same rotational speed. The 7-1/4” saw is going to have a faster linear cutting rate than the 6-1/2” saw, resulting in higher power draw.
I am making a lot of assumptions here, but i think it’s fair to say that smaller saws are usually more energy efficient. Larger saws will have higher performing motors, and generally also higher no-load power consumption.
Mike
I’m glad they kept the same style as the brushed model, to me that was a perfect design, I own the brushed model and I own the blade right brushless model and the brushed model cuts a little faster than the bigger blade right, I only use the 71/4 for ripping and plywood because I don’t want all that sawdust in my pocket and boots for cross cuts I use the 61/2
mike
why is it 200rpm slower than the brushed version at 5150rpm???
Steve G
Finally. A unicorn! Been waiting for this for a long time.
Next there will an adaptor for flexvolt table saw. Or maybe only one unicorn?
Joachim Osmundsen
I want it. The only issue I have with this saw is the plastic guard. This guard looks weak, and prone to failure. I’ve had a circular saw before where I experienced this while cutting a piece of hardwood. A piece got thrown around by the speed of the blade, hitting the guard so hard that it broke off the part that you push down on. I wish Dewalt would add a alu guard on, and add 10 $ to the price.
Cr8on
I have been begging for them to make this for years!!!!!!
MFC
I seriously just bought the dcs391 and dcs578 because I didn’t think they’d ever do it. It has sawdust on it from one test cut. HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS SIMPLE THING???
Ok, calm down. Breathe.
So, I wonder what kind of power we might see. I don’t care about runtime so much as an increase in power so that I can use it to cut stair stringers and pt lumber.
OldDominionDIYer
Can’t help but wonder if there’s an adaptor you can install when not using the dust port connection because based on the photos without the dust connection the saw dust will come out really high up on the upper blade guard, likely making a helluva mess!
James
Yay a brushless option with blade on the left
Brian
Nothing against the Dewalt but the Makita 6 1/2″ brushless circ saw is one of the best cordless power tools ever made. Just sayin’
J. Newell
Late comment, but this is one of the “free” tools offered now at HD with the 4+6ah battery/charger kit at $199
Stuart
It is!
Get 2 FREE Power Tools Offer
Looks to be sold out online, might come back in stock again.
Tebo
So just bought this and am wondering if anyone knows what rip fence would work for this?
Stuart
I’m not having an easy time finding an online version of the user manual. When you receive it, that’s the first thing to check, and if it doesn’t have it, Dewalt might be able to tell you.
Looking at the user manual for the non-brushless DCS391, it doesn’t say.
Looking at Amazon, there’s a rip saw that works with Dewalt corded saws, but a lot of reviews say it doesn’t work with their cordless saws.
I’m sorry, but your best bet would be to contact Dewalt and ask for a specific part number.