Circular saws are wonderfully versatile tools, especially when you cut the cables and go cordless. The ideal job for any circular saw is making cross cuts in constructional timber, so I started testing with CLS that measured 37 x 135 mm. Ultra thin kerf 165mm 24tooth carbide tipped blade allowing for efficient run time and fast, smooth cut finish allowing 55mm depth of cut The DeWalt DSC391N Circular saw is supplied body only. A 165mm blade combined with 3700rpm powerful motor means this 18v cordless circular saw will make light work of any cutting job. The next challenge was on much harder wood. Some English oak timbers I milled up several years ago had dried nicely and proved ideal for pushing this cordless saw a bit harder. I tried out the same test: cuts at 0° free hand and with a roofing square, then set to 45° to force the saw to work a lot harder.

Highly efficient PM58 DeWalt fan cooled motor with replaceable brushes that are capable of delivering up to 3700rpm for very fast cutting applications using the 165mm TCT blade DeWalt are well known for their saws. And I’ll say it right now, the DeWalt DCS391 Circular Saw is one of the best battery powered circular saws I’ve ever laid hands on. It’s just so easy to use and a joy to handle. It makes crosscuts through soft and hard woods without complaining, and even beats the excellent Makita DHS680Z when it comes to rip cuts.

The DeWalt DCS391 is one of the best lightweight circular saws you can buy. It fills the gap between using a heavy duty table saw and wearing out your arm with a regular panel saw. Incredible balance, comfort and performance are just three things that this saw has got going for itself. Even though the only saw on my list to come in a “proper” hard case is the Makita HS7601, the sturdy carboard boxes that some saws were shipped in were good enough for a temporary home. This isn’t the heaviest duty circular saw I’ve used, so it would need its own case before long. Powerful & Highly Efficient PM58 DEWALT fan cooled motor with replaceable brushes delivers up to 3700 rotation per minute for fast cutting action I honestly can’t understand why DeWalt would put the dust extractor where they did. If you’re planning on working indoors with this saw, it’s going to make a mess whether you’re using a dust extractor or not.

Seeing as this is a blade designed to cut through timber only, I didn’t try it out on any other material. You could probably use it to cut plastics or even soft metals, but it wouldn’t be a fair test of a wood cutting blade. The DeWalt DCS391N 18V XR Cordless 165mm Circular Saw is a powerful and versatile tool designed for cutting through various materials. It features a high-performance motor that delivers impressive cutting performance and speed. The saw has a 165mm blade diameter, allowing for deep cuts and excellent cutting capacity. Please note that this product is sold as a body-only version, meaning it doesn't include batteries or a charger. It is compatible with the DeWalt 18V XR battery system, offering flexibility for users who already own DeWalt cordless tools. DCS391N-XJ Features: But what I really don’t like that when you loosen off the fastener, it drops all the way to 50° rather than 45°. It’s good that you can get up to 50°, but you’re much more likely to need a 45° bevel. You need to stop and line it up each time, there isn’t a detent that helps you catch the common bevel angles you might need like 22.5°either. DeWalt have gone down the premium route when it comes to the baseplate. It’s made from cast magnesium, which is light as well as incredibly tough. Magnesium shoes are usually the most expensive option on a circular saw, as it’s lighter than steel and more durable than aluminium. Keyless bevel angle and depth of cut adjustment with easy to read scale for maximum cordless versatilityPart of the intelligent XR Lithium Ion Series designed for efficiency and making applications faster They certainly know a thing or two about making a comfortable handle. The rubberised overmoulded grip stretches from the bottom of the trigger grip and envelops the entire “T-shaped” front grip as well. It’s a cinch to hang on to, even without my trusty nitrile coated work gloves on. Durable tool design on these DCS391N circular saws include cast magnesium base for repeated accurate cuts, an ergonomic handle set with a rubber overmould for increased user comfort and safer use Intelligent trigger action and keyless bevel angle and depth of cut adjustment with easy to read scale allow for maximum cordless versatility when using these DeWalt circular saws If DeWalt were to fix this dust port issue and upgrade the motor to a brushless one, I’d probably rate it higher than the brilliant Makita DHS680Z. It cuts through timber so easily and confidently, that if you already own DeWalt batteries, this is a no-brainer to get hold of.

After several weeks of testing the DeWalt DCS391 Circular Saw out against regular construction timber, hard oak and even a bit of super tough Iroko, I’m almost a DeWalt convert. It’s hard to fault the grip, power and handling you get from this cordless saw. It’s a premium product with just a few problems. The blade that comes with this saw is the DT1209. It’s designed to work specifically with the DCS391 and is optimised for cross cutting. But rip cuts (where you cut along the grain of the wood) are a big part of any challenge, so I also set the saw up to cut along the length of constructional timber using a fence. I’ve got a love/hate relationship going with the bevel adjustment on this saw. I’m a huge fan of the fact that it marks out each degree from 0 – 50°. That’s brilliant for when you need to make an odd bevel cut. It’s US tool brand DeWalt are nearing their 100 th birthday, and in that time, they’ve done a lot for the professional and DIY tool market. Inventing the radial arm saw is just one of their proud achievements, and their range of powerful XR battery powered tools are some of the best on the market. Ultra thin kerf 165 mm, 24 tooth carbide-tipped blade allows for efficient run time and fast, smooth cut finish at maximum 55 mm depth of cutA brushless electronic motor runs more efficiently than brushed types. This can help reduce the tool's energy consumption. The problems with the dust extractor placement don’t stop there unfortunately. When plugged into a dust extractor hose, there’s barely enough room left for your hand on the handle! I’m surprised at this design decision as it’s not very user friendly or well thought out. And if you’re a left handed user, it’s virtually impossible. The rip cuts I made into some softwood board were surprisingly easy. I didn’t expect this performance from a lightweight battery operated saw. The guide rail is marked with measurements and feels solid enough when clamped down as well. It leaves a nice thin kerf and was easy to push through the timber.