Dewalt quietly introduced a new 20V Max cordless brushless band saw last fall, DCS376, featuring dual switches.
The new Dewalt DCS376 band saw is similar to the DCS374 deep-cut brushless band saw that came out in 2015, but with the addition of a front handle switch.
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Dewalt says:
Tool requires dual switch activation, a Perform & Protect feature.
- 5″ x 4-3/4″ cutting capacity
- 4-3/4″ max round pipe cutting capacity
- 0-490 FPM cutting speed (foot per minute)
- LED work light
- Integrated hook
- Weighs 13.1 lbs
- 20.75″ long
- Blade size (from the user manual online): 44-7/8″ long x 1/2″ wide x 0.020″ thick
- Comes with an 18 TPI blade
The kit (DCS376P2) comes with (2) 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, and kit box. A bare tool version (DCS376B) is also available.
Price: $629 for the kit, $379 for the bare tool
Buy Now
Kit via: Amazon | Acme Tools | Tool Nut
Bare Tool via: Amazon | Acme Tools | Tool Nut
See Also
The DCS374 is similar, but without the dual switch safety feature.
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Price: $579 for the kit, $329 for the bare tool.
DCS374P2 Kit via: Amazon |Acme Tools | Tool Nut
DCS374B Bare Tool via: Amazon |Acme Tools | Tool Nut
First Thoughts
What do you think about the dual switch Perform & Protect safety feature?
Is this something you would welcome on a cordless band saw? Or would you prefer the single-switch version?
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Brian A
I think I would prefer a single switch, even though it is tough to use a bandsaw this large with one hand, still prefer not have to trigger 2 mechanisms to operate. I bet for many plumbers I know, this would be a deal breaker.
Travis
This is an optional choice when buying. The single switch model will still be sold. This is for safety regulations on commercial job sites.
John
Can’t say I’ve ever wanted or needed anything but a single switch on my corded Milwaukee for years. Don’t really understand the need for dual switch.
When using these, your hands on always on the handles so not sure why any more safety is required. A demonstration is needed to show why this design was chosen.
mattd
I do not like this, but that is because I very often use my Milwaukee on a stand as a small bench top saw so 2 switches would be annoying. I am surprised dewalt did not think of this because there is a whole marked for portaband holders/stands.
dust
Well you could just clamp two both switches. Seems like a 10 second fix. Or in the feild just wrap tape around one. I really don’t see a problem.
Mike
Timer installed on switch to prevent tie wrapping “on”. It sucks
Sam
Yeah it’s not that simple, there is procedure …. you have to pull the tricker switch first. Then grab the front hand held switch.. if either one came off, then you have to start the procedure over… pain in the butt.
Stuart
This is only one model, the other with single switch is still being sold.
PETE
Would that be similar to having a high torque drill that has an additional switch on the aux handle? Idk… this would not make me happy.
Corey
While I’m not interested in the dual switch, i could very easily see this adopted into safety culture around the mines. MSHA regularly seeks to expand on OSHA standards, and the mines tend to jump even further ahead of MSHA. For example, recently a global mining company mandated that all open face blades would be banned from sites in North America. Last I heard, the implementation is on hold after a few disagreements on an HQ conference call, but you can understand where this type of saftey one-upsmanship can lead. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that this conveniently predates a standard change in the industry that requires dual safety activations.
Paul
MSHA’s ban is on two tool items that come up frequently. First, there cannot be a trigger lock on tools that have a trigger and you have to take it apart and remove it. For instance a drill press with on/off buttons is OK but a hand drill would not be. You can have 1, 2, or 50 triggers. MSHA won’t fight the paperwork needed to get such a thing through their regulatory system so it will be just a stupid mine safety manger that doesn’t know the rules. The ban is only on trigger locks. Second rule is that grounding has to be tested annually (assured grounding in NEC terms). The rule is for fixed equipment but MSHA ignored the law and extended it to tools and extension cords illegally anyways, and it’s still tied up in court after years. OSHA requires either doubly insulated tools or GFCI’s on job sites or quarterly ground continuity testing. The knife thing does come up frequently at all large mines but it’s basically impossible. Conveyor belts and certain types of electrical cables that are used in large mines where there are no substitutes (MPR, SHD) have thickness variations for which there is no tool to follow and have to be cut with a knife. Adding any kind of guarding gets in the way of plunging the blade into the material. Plus with the wiring with up to 25,000 V wiring the cuts HAVE to be precise with no stringers, nicks, leftovers, or any other defects in the finished product. I have a whole drawer full of tools and I’ve tried every one of them on the market, none work at all on these particular common mine materials, and the custom tool departments were also a big fail in the companies that develop tools. Knife injuries are common on all construction sites, not just mines. A cut resistance level 2 glove stops everything except sticking yourself in the thigh with a knife or screwdriver and that particular injury is a matter of where you put your body. You can get those gloves at Tractor Supply and Home Depot these days for a few bucks so no longer a reason to avoid using them.
Anson Maddock
Thank You for this information.
Corey
Yup lol I’ve been an electrical mining contractor for a decade, and sound like you are or have been in safety and health and/or a msha instructor. The other fun fact they like to hammer on (pun intended) would be using a tool beyond it’s design, such as welding a bar to a socket to create a one size breaker bar, cheater bars on crescent wrenches, hammering with things that aren’t hammers on things that aren’t engineered striking tools, ect. Bypassing a saftey device is generally a separate offense, but I’ve always thought that is an obvious continuation of beyond design. We actually just spent close to $10k to outfit 3 crews with cutting alternatives in case this open face blade site ban does happen, and you’d be surprised what’s out there. Knipex has an interesting adjustable depth ripper, raychem has a heat trace all in one 2 size guarded scorer/ripper, and greenlee’s old spin/score for small cables has some updated guard options that will do small-medium Tek cable. Those and DeWalts 20v mcm auto stripper and I feel that at least in the worst case my crew will be 99% covered for now. I recall the times when cut sleeves were mandatory along with a supervisor permit to use razor knives, but that’s what precluded the universal cut gloves being standard issue for all contractors and miners ppe. The pendulum swings wide, but I subscribe to the idea that it’s slowly and over time adjusts to understandable perimeters.
evadman
When safety devices get in the way of using a tool, they will be bypassed and possibly make the tool even less safe. In this case, it means that a carpenter or electrician with one hand would need to find a different brand or bypass the 2nd switch.
Travis
And this would not be the model being purchased by a carpenter or most electricians. The single switch model would be purchased.
Iron-Iceberg
I will see a lot of Dewalts with tape around the handle.
Nathan
Yeah I susupect you’d see someone zip tie the other handle but I do think for most use cases it’s not in the way at all.
I mean you’re going to grip the handle anyway – sort of like the backstrap safety lever on some hand guns.
I would have to see someone use one – one handed to see how that would play out. Other than on a stand, maybe. In which case maybe Dewalt has a new stand coming out too.
Otherwise- I see this as needed for liability – and I bet money there are some shops that would buy this because it ticks some boxes for either their insurnace or future OSHA inspections.
Meanwhile – Was the old saw brushless – It doesn’t seem to say that.
Stuart
Yes, if in doubt look at the handle. Dewalt brushless power tools all have the same handle styling, black with yellow accents. Well, at least those that have full-hand grips; the sander and other uniquely shaped tools are excluded.
JoeM
I’d have to see it in action. The fact that it’s a brushless version of the deep-cut saw makes it tempting, but exactly HOW they did the front handle safety makes this a questionable buy for anyone, in my personal opinion. If it truly is as easy as tying it off, then it isn’t a safety feature, it’s a wasted feature. If they’ve included a recessed button on one side or the other, requiring it be pressed (Kinda like the lock button on a circular saw) then I am wondering what market they actually expect this tool is for.
I don’t like all the comments about these tools being benchtop replacements, or being used one-handed… But that’s a safety issue that would probably cause a war with the older posters here… I will say that a brushless version of the cordless bandsaws is a welcome step forward. I’m just not sure if THIS is the step I’d want to take as a consumer.
Corey
The original deepcut has always been brushless. I’ve owned two thanks to sticky fingers, and brushless is why I upgraded from the non brushless compact back when my first one of those was stolen, too lol
Chris
This seems like a useless feature to me, and some of these comments are ridiculous.
One handed operation with a bandsaw is easily doable on a jobsite with very little risk involved.
I’ve cut plenty of EMT, PVC, and 2x wood one handed with my milwaukee 5″ equivalent and (aside from the weight) this tool is ideal for its accuracy, slow blade speed, and ability to balance once you start a cut.
These are not chainsaws, circular saws, sawzalls, angle grinders, or any other 2 handed high speed cutting devices that are prone to bouncing or deflecting off the material and putting you at risk.
You would be hard pressed to cut your leg open with one of these without actually trying.
Just to reiterate, I advocate safety on a job site and wholly believe in using proper PPE (Safety glasses, face shields, respirators, gloves, ear protection, etc.) and have been part of safety teams on large job sites. I have an OSHA 10 and 30 card and I still think this is a useless feature.
Jim Felt
These responses are very interesting. I’m glad none of our tools have two switch on/off but I’m sure it’s going to be more common as less trade union training and more law school graduates align (or collide) in the future. No?
Marty
No tradesman would buy this. This is intended for commercial construction to comply with safety regulations. You can’t zip tie or tape the front switch in the activated position because it requires activation everytime the trigger is pulled in sequence.
Marty
This is specifically designed for large commercial contracting companies to give to their employees in order to mitigate injuries and comply with insurance or other safety regulations.
Rory
Creating solutions for problems that dont exist.. how many portable bandsaw incidents involved the operator cutting themselves…??
Stuart
Just because you don’t see a reason, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Jim
As a Safety Manager for a large general contractor, I know of dozens of injuries and amputations from workers trying to one hand a two handed portable bandsaw. Most involve someone trying to cut emt overhead while they hold one end of the material.
Not surprised by the typical responses “ Creating solutions for problems that don’t exist” or “ I have done it this way for (insert # of years here) and nothing ever happened to me” usually while sitting in the first aid trailer listening to the injured worker explain to his supervisor how he injured himself.
There is a reason that companies spend a lot of money adding safety features to tools, it’s because enough people are getting hurt using a tool improperly to make them add a feature to prevent it. Will people bypass it, sure. Will it save some people from injuring themselves, yes.
Just a side note, I just bought one of the DEWALT deep cut saws last week for my crew. Had I known this new version was available, I would have bought it instead. We did training on it, to make sure they all know how to use it the right way.
Stuart
Thank you for sharing that!
I was unable to find any specific examples on OSHA’s injury report database, but knew that there must be a reason for this new safety feature.
Rory
i agree with all of the above examples – would it be fair to say that it was the material falling on the user rather than the saw doing the injury though?
Often manufacturers develop new tech hoping it will be adopted – if all sites mandate dual switch activated bandsaws and dewalt are the only manufacturer it means dewalt nets more sales.. its a common marketing trick – create a demand that only you can supply…
JoeM
I would like to see an actual video of how this dual-switch works. I can already see the Trades and Industrial side of it, but what about a little DIYer like me? I don’t disagree with having safety measures, I just want to see it activated and in-use to see if this is the Bandsaw I want to buy for what I’d use it for.
Knowing the benefits of the XR Brushless line, I want to like the first Brushless Bandsaw of the XR line… But I won’t just like it blindly. I want to know, with my own eyes as the witness, that their dual switch method isn’t something done stupidly.
Stuart
This isn’t their first brushless band saw.
JoeM
… Well I’ll be damned… The 374 is Brushless… Nevermind this one then. The 374 suits me better!
Paul C
Not sure if Dewalt did this but on industrial tools with two-hand requirements (presses for instance) the electronics these days usually has a sequence built in. It has to see both triggers open then both close before operating. Holding one down doesn’t work.
Bill
I just learned that because these portable bandsaws all have rubber covered wheels and guid bearings, you can’t use cutting oils. I’m considering getting the older Dewalt version, model DCS374, and would like to know how much of a problem this is when cutting metals?
Stuart
When in doubt, check the user manual or contact Dewalt tech support. But, in my experience and from what I’ve seen, cutting oil is NOT needed, and probably not recommended.
As far as I’m aware, most applications will be in cutting small diameter or relatively thin-walled materials – pipes, unistrut, threaded rod, and other such materials, and not solid bar stock or other materials that would ordinarily be cut on a horizontal band saw.
Michael
You say that, but I’ve thrown everything at my M12 bandsaw that’ll fit in it, and it eventually gets through it all. 3/4″ sq cold rolled bar, 1″ round aluminum, & 1-1/8″ dia steel rod of some sort…it may take 2-5 minutes of cutting, but it’ll finish. When it’s the most convenient thing you’ve got, it has to do.
That said, it does shine on lighter, and especially hollow, materials.
Julian Tracy
At first glance, I thought it was an either/or switch arrangement.
As though they were also introducing a stand for the saw that’s alliw for drop-saw cutting (like a mitersaw) and the front handle would facilitate that.
Stuart
The “dual switch” part confused me a little at first too, but the product pages all specifically have a line mentioning that “Tool requires dual switch activation, a Perform & Protect feature,” which makes a lot more sense.
Steven
Osha must think we must all be incompetent illtrained accident prone tradesmen. I am so very fortunate that I dont operate in commercial work. Residential work at best is about 70% efficient, Commercial is gonna go down to 35% if not 25%. Commercial bibs should skyrocket with all this silly mandated protocol. But yeah, we gots all these “cool tools” to make our jobs easier, faster….for when you actually get shit done at the 25th percentile.
Todd Peeler
This dual action saw totally sucks !! It will stop halfway through a cut, & you have to do the stupid sequence…. I’m trying to figure out how to bypass it.