This saw is great. The counter-balance system really smoothes out the saw. It doesn't vibrate back and forth as most other saws do. The quick change blade system is really easy to use. Just lift up the lever, and switch blades. I've only had it for a couple of months, but it effortlessly cut through concrete nails, steel, galvanized steel, cedar 4x4 posts... I don't know why I waited so long to buy one.

When the saw gets caught in material a few times it starts haveing problems with the guts!! I've had to take mine apart half a dozen times now and put the parts back in the slots they belong in!! Mostly where the fork fits into a small hole! Hope they fix this problem before I decide to buy another.

A top notch saw in most cases, having more power and a smoother action than most, of not all of its competitors. The area where it falls flat is, ironically, is in its main selling point--its quick release mechanism.pThe quick release tab can't be easily accessed while wearing work gloves (major flaw given that the blade is often too hot to handle without gloves) and the mechanism itself (where the blade attaches to the saw)is bristling with engineered and ineffecient bric-a-brac. When cutting through a roof, for example, tar and other materials will be caught by the mechanism and jammed into the saw until the quick release no longer works and must be cleaned out.pFor an example of how a saw should be built, go to the Milwaukee 6521-21. The quick release on this saw is a model of effeciency. Blades can be changed easily while wearing work gloves and the saw won't get gunked up.

I like DeWalt's stuff, really, but this tool has too many problems with its new features. I don't like how the shoe falls out so easily from the unit; the first time I'm on the peak of a roof and that happens, I'm going to be really upset! The quick release doesn't have a positive feel even when the unit is new. Making sure it's latched when wearing gloves is iffy at best. Finally, and the worst bugaboo, is that the saw doesn't even move when the speed control is at 1 or below. At 1.5 it sorta kinda moves. So a good chunk of that adjustment space is useless.

I think I'll return this one and buy a Sawzall.

This baby has the goods under the hood! It also has some junk in the trunk, as in: it's quite heavy. Even still, it makes my hands and arms numb with extended use. I have not used this saw for days in and days out as some have(I have to have arm transplants if I did!) so I can't say how it holds up in those type of conditions, but I've demoed a kitchen, cut off car exhausts and turned an ancient picnic bench into kindling, all I can say is...the thing cuts! Just keep the fresh blades coming as the big demo blades I use dull quickly.Unlike some others, I haven't had any problems with the quick release blade lever, even with gloves. Mine still works as slick as the day I got it.The variable speed is nice, though more often than not, I have it cranked to the top.I find the trigger to be difficult to hold down for long cuts due to the vibration. If the trigger guard just below the trigger were shorter I think that would solve the problem.The one thing that really blows about this tool is the shoe adjustment! It only goes in and out maybe two inches at the most and that's about half as long as would be useful. To top that off, when trying to move it out, the shoe invariably come out of the end of the tool. While I'm sure it's nice to have it be removable, it would be a lot nicer if you had to perform a different operation to take it off.To sum up: Seemingly burly build quality, tons of power alas with tons of vibration, poor shoe design.

This baby has the goods under the hood! It also has some junk in the trunk, as in: it's quite heavy. Even still, it makes my hands and arms numb with extended use. I have not used this saw for days in and days out as some have(I have to have arm transplants if I did!) so I can't say how it holds up in those type of conditions, but I've demoed a kitchen, cut off car exhausts and turned an ancient picnic bench into kindling, all I can say is...the thing cuts! Just keep the fresh blades coming as the big demo blades I use dull quickly.brUnlike some others, I haven't had any problems with the quick release blade lever, even with gloves. Mine still works as slick as the day I got it.brThe variable speed is nice, though more often than not, I have it cranked to the top.brI find the trigger to be difficult to hold down for long cuts due to the vibration. If the trigger guard just below the trigger were shorter I think that would solve the problem.brThe one thing that really blows about this tool is the shoe adjustment! It only goes in and out maybe two inches at the most and that's about half as long as would be useful. To top that off, when trying to move it out, the shoe invariably come out of the end of the tool. While I'm sure it's nice to have it be removable, it would be a lot nicer if you had to perform a different operation to take it off.pTo sum up: Seemingly burly build quality, tons of power alas with tons of vibration, poor shoe design.

This saw is great. I regulaly cut concrete core steel clad raised floor tiles. The basic Milwaulkee Sawz All used to beat me to death doing this. But the reciprocating counterweight seems to work quite well.

I love this Dewalt DW309 HEAVY DUTY Reciprocating Saw. I Purchased mine 12/1998 and have put it through the mill. If I could only have one electrical tool, this would be it. I do everything with it.

Great tool! Lot of power.Heavy, but once you use it you'll know why it has to be. Watch it if the blade catches in the material your cutting,she'll really kick you. Can't do without it. When the other dudes bring out there small sawzalls,I got to laugh watching themstruggle to cut threw stuff.