Quiet and Compact Cordless Bandsaw
This compact portable bandsaw is a better option than other metal-cutting tools.
Given that pretty much every conceivable tool is available now in a cordless model, the trend has turned to compact versions. A recent entry into this field is DeWalt’s 12v cordless bandsaw, model DCS375. I’ve been a satisfied user of the DeWalt 12v platform for several years and had a good experience using the saw’s bigger 20v brother courtesy of an electrician friend, so when I saw this tool, I bit.
This compact portable bandsaw is a better option than other metal-cutting tools. First of all, it’s surprisingly quiet, especially when compared to a grinder with a cut-off wheel or a metal-cutting circular saw, both of which I’ve come to loathe due to the racket they make. Also, the cuts are cleaner and the material stays cooler—there’s no shower of sparks when cutting ferrous metal. At around $8, the blades are fairly inexpensive and seem to last a reasonably long time, especially when cutting lighter-gauge metals such as thin-wall conduit. And because the entire blade is in contact with the work, it wears evenly, unlike blades for a reciprocating saw without an adjustable shoe; only a portion of those blades tends to wear out before they’re toast.
The 12v bandsaw could almost be described as tiny, which translates into less fatigue for the user. Coupled with a 5-Ah battery, the tool weighs around 8 lb., but it feels lighter thanks to its nice balance. And given that it’s just over 12 in. long, it can be brought directly to the work, such as already installed conduit, strut channel, threaded rod, and more. I’ve been happy with its performance and the run time of the brushless motor, though I’ve admittedly not had the need to push it too far. I’ve used it to cut conduit, aluminum extrusions, and rebar; in fact, I carry it with me when picking up rebar so I can chop it down from the 20-ft. pieces sold by my supplier to more manageable lengths.
Notable features include an onboard LED that illuminates the area around the blade, a variable-speed trigger, toolless blade changes, and a front-mounted hook similar to the rafter hooks commonly found on circular saws. Since it has just 1-3 ⁄ 4 in. of cut capacity, I consider it a bit of a niche tool. It’s likely not going to be sought out by commercial electricians, fence installers, or those who often work with much larger components. But I think it shines as a supplement to a larger bandsaw, whether corded or cordless, or even as a primary tool for carpenters and remodelers who have the occasional need to cut smaller-profile metal objects or are simply fed up listening to the scream of a grinder. And at $180, it won’t break the bank.
—Greg Burnet, carpenter and woodworker.
Photos: courtesy of the manufacturer
From Fine Homebuilding #316
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