Dewalt is soon coming out with a new Xtreme Subcompact 12V Max cordless band saw, model DCS375.
This does not come as much of a surprise, give that Dewalt came out with a compact Atomic-series band saw a few months ago.
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Features include a compact design optimize for one-handed and overhead cutting, a variable speed trigger, integrating hanging hook, tool-less blade change mechanism, LED worklight, and on-board wrench storage.
Cutting capacity is said to be 1-5/8″, which is 1/8″ less than that of the Atomic 20V Max model.
The DCS375 has a brushless motor and works with any Dewalt 12V Max Li-ion batteries.
- Brushless motor
- 1-5/8″ cutting capacity
- 27″ band saw blade size
- Variable speed trigger
- 0-380 FPM (ft/min) speed
- Integrated guard
- Hanging hook
- LED worklight
- Replacement 18T blade: DWAPB27183
Price: $179 for the bare tool
Buy Now via Lowe’s – Coming Soon
Discussion
As with the Dewalt Atomic 20V Max cordless band saw, DCS377, the new Xtreme 12V Max model is compact and designed for one-handed use. There are some notable differences.
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First, the Xtreme band saw has a slightly lower cutting capacity – 1-5/8″ compared to 1-3/4″.
From a comparison of the product images, it appears that the Xtreme 12V max band saw also lacks the speed adjustment dial that’s present on the Atomic saw. It still has a variable speed trigger switch, and so the adjustment dial might be a feature many users would never miss.
Lastly, the Atomic version bare tool is priced at $199, and the Xtreme saw is $179.
You’ll need a battery and charger. At the time of this posting, Lowe’s has a very good Dewalt Xtreme bundle set deal where you get a drill/driver, reciprocating saw, tool backpack, (2) 2Ah batteries, and charger for $149.
Or, if you have any Dewalt 20V Max/12V Max dual-voltage chargers, you only need to buy a 12V Max battery. Here are some options:
Read More:
Dewalt XTREME Cordless Drill, Reciprocating Saw, Tool Backpack Bundle Deal
Jared
Good looking tiny saw. Can you lock the trigger on? I anticipate that wouldn’t be considered safe and the answer will be no.
Those latches make me think of storage products.
Stuart
It does not look like there’s any lock-on function.
Jared
Thanks! I figured.
Peter Fox
Well I have to give Dewalt some credit, they are starting to appear to care a bit more about their stagnant 12V product line. I wonder why it took them 9 years to get a 12V compact band saw to compete with Milwaukee? Hopefully this the start of a trend for them.
That if I was looking to buy a 12V compact band saw I would probably get the newer Milwaukee M12 Fuel as it has a much larger cutting capacity at 2.5″ square. I have used the original Milwaukee M12 and although it is quite handy the small cutting capacity at 1.625″ square is quite limited.
While I like my M18 fuel deep cut but it is definitely not a one hand tool.
MM
That’s basically my take on it too. If I were in the market for a compact bandsaw I’d take the M12 as well for the larger cutting capacity. If I had to go Dewalt I’d buy the 20V version. The 12v isn’t any more compact, it’s simply less powerful.
Shane
I’m disappointed that dewalt took so long to do anything significant in their 12 volt line. Even when m12 was pumping out some exciting tools, I still held off 2 more years before succumbing to m12’s unquestioned dominance in 12v tools. I really loved the balance and feel of dewalts impact and drill. Now at 30+ tools into the m12 line it’s hard to muster any excitement for dewalt now. They just seem like a “ Johnny come lately“ expanding their 12v platform.
Peter Fox
I kind of feel the same way about Bosch. I bought into the their 12V platform shortly before Milwaukee really started to push their M12 platform. They have some really good tools and even a few unique ones that I really like. Unfortunately even though they were the first to come out with a 12V (10.8V nominal) Lithium Ion platform they have fallen quite far behind Milwaukee.
I started picking up M12 tools about a year ago and now have about an equal number of red and dark blue 12V tools. It was really easy to make the decision as I already had several M18 tools and my chargers already supported the M12 batteries. Bosch is not out of the running for me yet but my first choice will be M12 unless there is a really compelling reason to consider Bosch.
Having a robust 12V product offering is as important as having a robust product 18V/20V. I have never even considered Dewalt 20V due to the lackluster 12V product line. I know they make equally great tools I just find having both 18V/20V tools and compact/specialty 12V tools to compliment them to be more compelling in my case.
Jim Felt
I’ve a bunch of Bosch 12v and several 18v as well. Including direct import models. However…
I now only use their brushless rotary hammers. Otherwise it’s almost exclusively Milwaukee in my present day usage.
What an odd North American corporate fail. Geez.
Robtr8
Yup, big pile of M12 simply because they are unique tools that don’t come in Xtreme. Yet. But the minute they show up, I switch in a heart beat. Love the 1/4” impact and drill. Just got the 1/2 impact, that thing is no joke. Looking forward to the 3/8”.
Corey Moore
My atomic should be showing up in 2 days lol Cool to see someone’s actually steering the ship over at DeWalt these days, but as with the one-handed recip I think I’m gonna be equally satisfied with choosing the 20v and retaining the ability to use high capacity packs on a saw. I am curious what kind of performance folks are getting with the 12v saws on 5ah packs, but mine will continue to live on the drill and 1/2″ impact wrench. Unrelated, but that new 1/2″ gun has quickly become my go-to favorite for anything and everything. Big hopes for whatever they’re doing with 12v, been super impressed so far.
Big Richard
Also unrelated, but ultimately related to your comment, they have a 20v version of the 1/2″ “stubby” impact coming soon – DCF923. Not sure on specs yet but it does feature multiple speeds, which the 12v DCF901 lacks.
Like you, I tend to lean more towards the 20v version when the tools are so similar (like the one handed recip or this band saw). But that is mainly because their 12v line is still lacking, and I have far more battery options on 20v. If they continue to expand I would be more inclined to carry the smaller, lighter, cheaper 12v versions of these “light duty” type of tools. Also have high hope for this line.
MM
This is something I’ve been suspecting for a little while now. About a month ago the existing 20V midrange impact wrench was marked down by a pretty large amount, so that got me thinking that a new model or two might be in the works, especially with the 12V stubbies they announced a little while back.
I also completely agree about the 12/20V difference. I like 12V a lot of the time when the tools are actually more compact, but if it’s like their recip saws, OMTs, or compact bandsaw I don’t see any reason to buy the 12V model when the 20V is the same size, more capable, and offers the option of running on much larger AH batteries.
Dave the tool
Dewalt still makes a 12v lineup?…lol Too little and far too late. Milwaukee M12 all the way!
Chris
aLl tHE wAy 🙄 I am slowly dumping my M12 tools because their simply ergonomically terrible and overrated tools pumped up by YouTubers
Rog
I thought I was the only one who feels the ergonomics of the M12 stuff (namely the drills/drivers) is bad. I don’t have the world’s largest hands so maybe that’s the root cause but they all feel unbalanced and top heavy.
It’s a shame, cuz I desperately *want* to like them and was interested in the line…
MM
I find the M12 tools to be comfortable to use, but I’m a tall guy with big hands so the fat grip feels comfortable to me. I can certainly see how many users would find the ergos to be awful though. And speaking of ergos, I really hate how the M12 installation driver has membrane switches on the top to reverse direction instead of the traditional “crossbolt” near the trigger, though it is otherwise an awesome tool.
I do think that the Dewalt tools have better ergos which is one of the reasons why most of my cordless tools are 20V Max/Flexvolt. But what I really don’t like about Dewalt’s 12v lineup (other than the lacking selection) is the battery design. I think Milwaukee’s idea of having the battery inside the grip makes a lot more sense for compact tools. While I prefer Dewalt’s grip ergos, I feel that M12’s are good enough, and I’d rather have the more compact battery and the larger selection of tools than the more powerful but less compact Dewalt 12v line.
Mike
The battery in the handle is the worst design feels like shit in your hands, Dewalt, Makita and Metabo feel way better
Kingsley
It’s cool that there’s more 12v stuff coming out. I just hope there’s a compact 12V/20V 65w USB-C PD adapter on the way. I have a homemade one, but it’s a bit bulky to carry in my laptop bag. Also, it gets pretty hot with 12V, so I normally use a 20V slim 4ah (It charges my MacBook once and a half)
Nathan
So if there are supposed to be atomic 20v tools for the 12V extreme tools. Where are the 20V atomic screw driver, and 20V atomic impact wrench (the new 250ft lbs wrench)
I’m probably going to get into 12 V batteries just for those 2 tools.
Big Richard
I don’t think every compact tool will have both a 12v Xtreme and 20v Atomic version. There also is still not a Xtreme circular saw or OMT, while there are Atomic versions. However, a new “stubby” 20v impact wrench is coming sometime (DCF923) if you don’t mind waiting. Hopefully come out around the same time as the fabled 12v and 20v ratchets.
Greg
You’ll see the Xtreme saw and sds plus drill before summers over for the the 12v line
Big Richard
There’s an Atomic 5/8″ SDS (DCH172) as well, already available in Canada. Should be stateside in September.
https://www.dewalt.ca/products/power-tools/rotary-and-demolition-hammers/atomic-20v-max-58-in-brushless-cordless-sds-plus-rotary-hammer-tool-only/dch172b
Greg
I have the 20v atomic already the 12 v is going to be very similar to that just like the bandsaw
Louie Orama
Big Richard, I’ve been reading into the reviews and as soon as I saw your name, I was going to give you your kudos and accolades for almost being omnipresent when it comes to being a reviewer who seems to always be there when a question needs a reliable answer. I think the world of you, brother…
Now, my story (which I may have divulged bits and parts in the past)…
Grew up very late. Prior to growing up, did call centers (and PEDs, to say it lightly) and at about the age of 38 (I’m 46) I got a job doing restoration (water/fire/sewer…) and had no tools. Thought it to be cool to get the Black and Decker Matrix to start against my brother’s advice (side note-still have the entire set-all 14 attachments and they go for a pretty penny. They started to show me their true colours when it came to performance, so I just “chose” DeWalt.
As of now, I have 19 FlexVolt, all of the Xtreme and about 45-55 XRs. Over that time, I kept hearing about how poor DeWalt was when it came to producing their 12 and 40 volt line.
I also buy and sell tools. And discovering the M12 FUEL “unique” tools out there (Hatchet/installation/soldering/torque wrench, et cetera), I chose to invest, ESPECIALLY when I buy and sell tools and get the ones I keep for barely anything.
Again, I have all of the Xtreme (including the 901—which has 4 HUNDRED FT-LBS while the highest M12 FUEL has 250. I also believe DeWalt is taking Xtreme VERY serious. Matter of fact, they DO have an Xtreme circ (5-3/8”) which Stuart filled everyone in on. That and the band saw make the total 10 so far, so I’m looking forward to any-everything when it comes to Xtreme. Wouldn’t be shocked to see that number over 15 by the holidays.
Also, BigRich, other than ToolGuyd, where do you go for news and press (besides DeWalts news and press?
Thank you for everything you do…
Javier A.
Bring on more 12V Xtreme stuff – with the exception of the drill (3/8″ chuck is a fail, and it’s not as powerful as my Milwaukee 2504-20) all of the 12V Xtreme tools have displaced M12 tools in my shop.
Greg
Dcn623 new 20v pin nailer on hd website in Canada
MM
Looks awesome! I love my other dewalt nailers, a pinner is the only one missing. It appears to be more powerful than the M12 given that it’s rated for 1.5″ pins where the Milwaukee is not. Unless the initial reviews reveal some kind of issues I’ll be snapping one of those up.
Big Richard
Pretty pumped for that 20v pin nailer since it leaked back in March. I’m surprised it hasn’t been bigger news, seeing as how many people have been asking for it over the years. Same with their ratchets. People just don’t get excited about new tools the way they used to.
MM
I’m surprised about that too. I saw a lot of hype when the M12 pinner was released but I haven’t seen or heard much about this. I am into M12 but this is a tool where I’d much rather have the Dewalt version so I hope they hurry up and get those things out soon.