How Good Is the DeWALT 7-¼” Cordless Miter Saw?

This nifty saw, reasonably priced, makes it pleasant and easier to JUST DO IT YOURSELF! We recently added the DeWALT DCS361B 20V Max Cordless 7-1/4" Sliding Compound Miter Saw to our toolset.

#dewalt #20VCordlessSaw #mitersaw

We already have a very nice 10” Makita corded sliding compound miter saw, so why did we add this? It may have something to do with DirtFarmer Jay being a tool addict, but there is a better rationale for purchasing this saw than that.

Our bigger saw is part of the essential tooling in our main shop. It’s mounted on a saw cabinet and it’s a hassle to break it down and load in the truck for any remote job. It’s heavy too! And, most of those remote jobs are small, needing only moderate-sized cuts and not a lot of them at that.

That’s where this saw comes in. It’s part of the DeWalt 20V Max and XR cordless tool system, so all the 20v batteries and chargers we have work just fine to support this saw. I use either a 4 or 5 Ah battery and I can run just about all day on that one pack. Even so, I carry a pack or two extra, along with a charger.

The saw is compact and pretty easy to transport. It stows nicely in a locked 45-degree position, along with the saw in the down position, and the slide locked. There are nice built-in carrying and hanging handles in the saw platform. The angle markings, detents, and lock handle all present themselves nicely and are easy to use. The saw is lowered into the work using a “D” handle that is comfortable and allows you to use the saw without rotating your wrist. The bevel lock and gauge are easy to use and see as well (for those of you that like to flat-cut crown molding!). The battery pack port is readily accessible and the battery locks in securely but disengages smoothly.

There is a light that illuminates the cut line pretty well, and that comes in handy when the worksite starts to get dim at the end of the workday. The included dust collection bag fits a 1-¾” (44.5 mm) port and works just about as well as any of these kinds of saws (not that well, unless connected to a vac).

Our saw was made in Mexico, at one of the DeWALT facilities there. The fit and finish are very nice, and it came with a Freud 7-¼” 60-tooth narrow kerf ultra-fine cutting blade, a contrast to some other tools that come with the cheapest blade available. You also get a blade wrench (which stows nicely onboard the saw) and a material clamp.

As for cutting capacity, you can cut 8” at 90 degrees, and 5-½” at 45 degrees. Thickness is up to 3-½”. For a complete listing of cutting capacities at various bevels, miters, edge, and flat cuts, visit https://bit.ly/DFJDeWaltDCS361BSpecs.

While we wouldn’t use this saw to cut studs or in a high-production setting, it does great with trim and short-burst jobs. If you do side-jobs, handyman work, or do warranty work on finish items, this is a tool to seriously consider. Getting it packed, transported, set up, and taken down at the end of the day is all easier because of it’s small footprint and low weight.

We purchased our saw and there is no promotional benefit to us should you decide to purchase this tool. It’s our pleasure and part of our mission to find good tools and pass them on. And remember, use of these types of cutting tools carries inherent risk which you assume. Read the manual and safety advisories and work safely, including good lighting, safety glasses, and no being fatigued. Tools have no brain of their own, so you have to use yours! Be safe so you can enjoy your craft ongoing. The small size of the saw may tempt you to not to give this unit the safety respect it deserves. It is powered well, and the blade is very sharp.