Black & Decker/DeWalt DW364K 7-1/4" HD Circ Saw Kit,

Update 8/19/07 - I have recently discovered that there is a fence/shoe adjustment that allows you to precisely align the blade and shoe for all of your speed square cuts. To my knowledge - this feature is not available on any other saw.Several years ago I had a chance to use a friend's Dewalt DW364. It was so amazing that I hoped my venerable Makita 8 1/4" contractor saw would die. The Makita is still running strong (it's 22 years old) but I finally bought a DW364 anyway.This saw was not designed for the homeowner but for the professional carpenter.It will be too heavy for the casual board cutter and the great design features will only be apparent to skilled pro's.Circular saws have been built following the same basic design for years. Expensive circular saws had strong, durable motors and heavy duty fences while the cheapies had poor fences and poor motors. The depth and angle adjustments in either group were at best a suggestion of precision.Dewalt to their credit decided to build a better saw and succeeded masterfully. The other saw manufacturers are still doing things the same old way.What's great - Heavy duty fence, clear view of the cut point from the left hand side of the saw, notch to position power cord so it is out of the way on rips, clear and precise depth and angle adjustment, unbelievably smooth and powerful motor.What's not - it's heavy yet it's mass makes it stable, although not as stable as a worm drive.Caslo

I bought this saw thru Amazon almost 2years ago. Had shopped for a saw for quite some time, always waiting for the one electric saw I had to die. Well finally after probably 18years, It totally died. Not worth fixing (B&D Skill saw). Never able to find this one in a store, decided to order it. Has some weight to it, but need that when cutting dimensional lumber. Especially treated wood like when building a deck. The metal base plate is one reason I wanted this one, and many stores had the one with the plastic/composite plate. As a general contractor who uses these tools quite often, I need something reliable, durable, and not flimsy. Nothing like having a primary tool go down because it "fell" or was "accidentally" dropped and a major piece broke because it's plastic. With this, it's been dropped and "kicked" around (not abused but usual work environment treatment), it's weight and size make it great to cut lumber with - and reliably. REMEMBER: Its not just the tool that get it done, but the blade on the saw! If you got a crap blade, you're gonna put more strain on your saw, use good blades. Check your blades and teeth.

The downside is that it is quite heavy, though that can be a advantage to keeping the saw stable when starting a cut. The aluminum base seems very rigid and gives confidence on keeping the cut on course. Nice hard case with space for a few additional blades though you have to be careful stowing the cord to keep it away from the blade. Hard case is much better than the bags supplied with my other DeWalt purchases. Warning - no fence is included - you have to buy the over-priced $20 DW3278 fence separately.

I love it. It is heavy and much larger than expected but a very good circular saw, and significantly quieter than my old saw. It doesn't surge when started and it easily tracks a straight edge. All-in-all, I am very pleased. One important note: it does not fit the E. Emerson Tool Co. XCSP All-In-One Contractor Saw Plate even though it's one of their recommended saws. However, it's so smooth and steady that it follows a straight edge very nicely so a contractor plate isn't necessary. I used a Diablo 60 tooth 7 1/4" blade for cross cutting plywood and the results were excellent. I totally recommend this saw as long as it isn't too heavy for your type of use.

There are a few saws in this class that essentially do the same thing. There may be a slight difference in weight, a brake or not a brake, and this model has a case. This saw has good power and a nice case to keep things neat and tidy. There are a couple of caveats. Adjusting the depth of cut is a little tricky and a bit difficult to get to just where you want it. And the depth of cut has to be at the max in order to fit in the case. Lastly, the brake doesn't appear to do a whole heck of a lot. As a saw it is perfectly fine and the case is worth the extra dollars.

Out of the box this is cutting almost 1/4" to the right of the 0 degree line (and two people tested it). I used up all of the shoe adjustment and can only get it to cut within 1/16" of the line on test cuts. Debating return if the local recommended DeWalt service center can't adjust correctly (and without it costing me extra). Beside that... looks good, feels solid, operates quieter than previously owned saws and love the electric brake. Just a shame its so out of alignment from the factory.To add... local service center would send saw out to DeWalt (estimated turn around was a few weeks), so I opted to request an exchange through Amazon (who has been great dealing with). Second saw arrived in two days and I was excited again, but only for a short time. The second saw also cut to the right of the guide line, but this time it was only initially 1/8" out of alignment. I attempted to adjust (COME ON!!! ADJUSTING A NEW SAW!) The adjustment only adjusts the shoe from the back. Now the saw is measured 5 1/2" from blade to edge of shoe near the rear, but remains 5 5/8" from the blade to the edge of the shoe in the front.This one is going back too! Done with DeWalt tools, its a shame I have so many of them. Running to the local Home Depot.To finalize... priced saws and Home Depot and Lowes. To my surprise Lowes had the same saw! My curiosity burned and I grabbed it. Once home I measured the distance from the left edge of the blade to the left edge of the shoe, which the instruction manual emphatically states should measure 5 1/2". The saw is precisely 5 5/8" when measured from the front and rear edge of the blade.

Would not cut withthe shoe. had to return saw. looks like thisis a common problem withthis saw. it was 3/116" off with no ability to adjust the shoe. factory issues.

No surprises, works as expected, satisfied