DeWalt DWS535 Review: A Worm Drive Saw Worth Getting?

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DeWalt DWS535 Review: A Worm Drive Saw Worth Getting?

Made with a balanced weight and great features for the weekend warrior, the DeWalt DWS535B 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw is a convenient tool for most jobs and household projects, coupled with ample power and handling comfort.

Whether you’re making cabinets or tackling simple DIY repairs, this circular saw will come in handy. However, if you want to know more about its features, pros, and cons, then read my review below to help you decide whether it’s for you or not.

 

Reviewed Product

DeWalt DWS535B 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw

A well-designed worm drive circular saw with superb safety features and a longer cutting capacity than most others in its class.

 

As a worm drive circular saw, it excels in usability thanks to its balanced weight, electric brake, and sufficient motor power, which is just right for the most common DIY projects such as cabinet work or anything that involves 3/4-inch plywood.

Specifications

This worm drive saw has a 7 1/4-inch carbide blade, making it an average length as with most circular saws of its kind. It has a 15-amp motor that will run up to 4,800 RPM of no-load speed.

Aside from that, it has a bevel capacity of 53 degrees with detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees, to adhere to your different cutting needs. As for its cutting capacity, it will take up to 2-3/4 inches of materials due to its wide saw hook design.

Quality

As with most DeWalt products, it is backed by a 3-year limited warranty with 1 year of free service and a 90-day money-back guarantee to give you peace of mind.

With that said, when it comes to quality and durability, this circular is made from a combination of magnesium and aluminum, so it has a balanced weight and therefore, a durable build. The footplate or the shoe has a full magnesium build as well, resulting in stability and accuracy when handling your material and safely making precise cuts.

Another plus point when it comes to keeping the circular saw long-lasting in terms of durability is the electric brake. This feature stops the blade immediately, causing fewer spins and less load, stress, and heat to the motor.

What’s more, a feature that I like with this circular saw is the TOUGHCORD protection system that reduces the likelihood of cord jerking, which is an annoying inconvenience on the jobsite (or even in home improvement/remodeling projects). It provides up to four times the cord jerk protection as models without TOUGHCORD.

Usability

When it comes to usability, the DWS535 has an electric brake, which helps speed up the process of changing your blade. This is important if you are meeting an important deadline or you simply want to get the job done quickly (and safely).

What the electric brake does is stopping the current blade immediately so you can safely pull it out and change it to the appropriate blade.

Aside from that, I like that it is compatible with the DWS5100 dual-port rip guide for added accuracy. This is important for DIY enthusiasts or workers who are handling stair projects.

Should You Buy the DeWalt DWS535 Worm Drive Circular Saw?

The DeWalt DWS535 is a great worm drive saw for you if you will be working with the most simple to advanced DIY woodworking jobs, such as cabinets and stairs (if you have the rip guide mentioned above). The power is sufficient and the electric brake allows you to quickly change blades on the fly, making it a convenient tool to have.

If you are still unsure about the decision, go through the below list of the pros and cons of the tool.

Pros of the DeWalt DWS535

Let’s start with the pros.

It has a good cutting capacity.

With up to 2-3/4 inches of cutting capacity, it surpasses most worm-drive saw cutting capacities, which are typically only around 2-7/16 inches. If you will work with long pieces of wood then you’ll most likely need this kind of saw to get the job done faster (and with better accuracy).

It uses the TOUGHCORD protection system.

Cord jerk is a common problem on a jobsite or even during the home remodeling process. It not only puts the tool at risk of damage from being dropped, but it also risks you and others. To prevent accidents, the TOUGHCORD system will help you out.

With this system, you get up to four times better cord jerk protection, which also helps keep the worm drive saw durable for long-term and heavy-duty use.

The unit has an electric brake.

This electric brake will make blade changes convenient and safe while also preserving the motor lifespan. Not all worm drive saws have electric brakes, so if you’re looking for a quick blade change system in a tool, this is a plus point.

For projects that involve changing between different kinds of blades, such as when you are handling different types of wood (or material), having an electric brake comes in handy.

It is compatible with a rip guide.

If you happen to have the DWS5100 dual-port rip guide from DeWalt, you’ll find making staircase cuts a simpler task with this circular saw. It makes this worm drive saw a great choice for home remodeling or similar projects.

Cons of the DeWalt DWS535

Even though the DeWalt DWS535 is a great tool, there are a few cons worth noting as well.

The wrench doesn’t have an onboard holder.

While it has a wrench to change the blade, it would’ve been more convenient to have an onboard holder. This isn’t a serious con, as you can still use the wrench for changing the blade, but keep in mind that it could be prone to being misplaced.

It doesn’t have a brushless motor.

Unfortunately, the DWS535 still runs on a traditional motor so you’ll have to replace the carbon brushes when needed. If you aren’t very meticulous on the brushed vs. brushless motor debate then this isn’t a con for you.

What Are the Alternatives to the DeWalt DWS535?

Alternative to DeWalt DWS535 If the DeWalt DWS535 simply isn’t your cup of tea, worry not – here are other similar worm drive saws that are worth mentioning:

A considerable circular saw that’s similar to my pick above is the Makita 5377MG 7-1/4-Inch Magnesium Hypoid Saw, which also has a 15-amp motor and a similar speed of 4,500 RPM. Perhaps the unique design of this unit is the built-in fan design, as well as the sealed gear housing. They are quite similar in terms of magnesium build yet it will only cut up to 2-3/8 inches of material and it has a 51.5-degree bevel capacity.

Another similar choice is the Bosch CSW41 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw, which is at a similar length and bevel capacity of 53 degrees. However, this unit from Bosch has a higher no-load speed and a well-designed guard for small pieces.

Yet another similar choice is the Skil SPT77WML-22 7-1/4-Inch Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw, which has a 53-degree bevel capacity plus a 24-tooth carbide Diablo blade for accuracy. However, it has a cutting depth of 2-3/8 inches, which is shorter than my main pick.

For more options, check my article with the best worm drive saws on the market.

Summary

To wrap it up, the DeWalt DWS535 is a great choice for handling DIY projects at home or on a jobsite. Since it has rip guide compatibility, it is also ideal for handling stair projects. With its wide cutting capacity, you’ll handle longer materials easily and conveniently.

 

Reviewed Product

DeWalt DWS535B 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw

A well-designed worm drive circular saw with superb safety features and a longer cutting capacity than most others in its class.