This is a handy little saw that packs more punch than I expected.pI bought this saw as part of a combo pack with an 18V drill, charger, and two batteries. It was a steal at $200. I had been using a 7-1/4" Skil with an incredibly short cord. I have a small shop and cutting 4x4 and 4x8 plywood panels on my table saw is simply not an option. I've been breaking down 3/4" plywood sheets in the garage without a problem. I built a firewood holder and the saw had no problem cutting through 2x4s. It's nice not to worry about cords.pIt's light, well balanced, and quiet. It does cause a bit of tearout, but I assume that is the case with most circular saws. pSo far the battery life and power have been more than adequate. Last weekend my I built a workbench for my dad using 2x4s and some 3/4" plywood. The saw made around 12 - 15 4ft /8ft cuts on the same battery. The charger fully charges the battery in less than an hour.

I initially bought this for repairs in my mother's rental house while the electricity was turned off. I've since used it around the house. I'm glad I have it, but one should be aware of the drawbacks before buying.
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br /Advantages:
br /- Like any cordless saw, gives you much more flexibility
br /- Compact
br /- Extremely handy to just grab a saw for small jobs without locating an outlet, extension cord, et cetera
br /- Extremely handy for cuts on the roof or other awkward locations
br /- A really good addition to your current Dewalt 18V tool stable
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br /Disadvantages:
br /- This is not a Skil 77! It can't handle all jobs.
br /- Blade tends to bind on long cuts. I found that being patient and moving the saw slow and steady made a lot of difference. It takes practice, but can be done. You also need to arrange the piece being cut (i.e. plywood) so that it doesn't warp as the cut progresses.
br /- The selection of 5-3/8" blades at your local hardware store may not be very good. Having clean, sharp blades makes this saw a lot more pleasant to use.
br /- This saw seems to have more tear-out/splintering on the back side than I get from corded tools.
br /- Switch is awkward some times, but safe.
br /- The case seems pretty bulky for what's inside
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br /Summary:
br /Using this saw for the right jobs will be rewarding. It requires practice and a different attitude than a heavy-duty corded saw, but once that's mastered, it's pretty convenient. Recently I used it to lop off 2-1/2" branches from a fallen tree (2 cuts) - so much easier than stringing 150 feet of cord, and safer than using a chain saw for everything. So - if you recognize the limitations, it's pretty useful, especially with a vehicle charger for remote jobs. Three-and-a-half stars would be my rating if possible.

I am now on my second saw. I used (abused) the first one so much that I needed to buy a new one. That probaly tells you all you need to know about my opinion. A few suggestions: keep a sharp blade available. The case has a handy bolt for keeping spare blades. I always keep a couple freshly sharpened blades ready. The saw is a bit underpowered -- a trade off with weight and battery life. It really helps the saw make it through a tough cut if the blade is sharp. The battery drains pretty quick, but it does charge up quick as well. I keep a battery in the charger. I am a trim carpenter and this saw really helps me get a job done faster. Before I bought this tool I was constantly trekking back and forth to the miter box or killing my old wrist with a heavy 7 1/4" saw. I have used the saw when building a couple of decks and the tool can get the job done -- but it is definitly above grade. I hope that helps.

I bought this in 2004 as part of the drill/saw kit mainly because I needed another drill. I thought that the saw wouldn' t see much use. Turns out, I use this saw more than I thought I would. I have used it to trim off door bottoms, cut in foundation vents, trim off roof decking, cutting out hvac register vents, corner boards, fence work.....the list goes on. Keep the blade sharp, have a backup battery and go. The safety is a pain, but it does keep you on your toes. Great saw.

My first word when I ripped my first board with this Trim saw was "Wow!" The ease of use, it's ability to slice through a piece of lumber, or a long cut through plywood, without any effort was amazing. The total balanced feel of this trim saw is outstanding, and even nicer to have the blade on the left which permits a better viewing angle of the wood being cut.
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br /This trim saw is also cordless, and it uses the same 18v battery pack that my other DeWalt power tools use. This makes it even more versatile where electrical outlets are few and far between, or when running an extension cord creates tripping hazards or other safety issues.
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br /Bear in mind that this is a Trim Saw; it was not designed to slice through huge rough 4x4's in one swipe. But it will perform quite well for most of anyone's DIY projects around the house or farm. You get a lot of saw for the money, and the DeWalt company stands behind everything they build.

I replaced a 'made in china' with this trim saw.
br /It's a trim saw and does exactly what it's designed to do. i.e. make easy ,quick cuts in cabinetry,plywood,and or up to 2"x3"s
br /Need a framing saw,buy that.