Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-3/8 in. Brushless Circular Saw - DCS512B Review
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The DeWalt DCS512B is an interesting little circular saw. After using it for a while, I think the best way to describe it is that it's a great compact saw, but not necessarily a great circular saw.
And that's not really an insult. The entire reason to buy this thing is its size.
Small, Light and Easy to Grab
The biggest advantage of the DCS512B is how compact it is. With its 5-3/8-inch blade and 12V battery, it's noticeably smaller and easier to handle than a normal full-size circular saw.
For quick cuts, small projects and jobs where I don't feel like dragging out a bigger saw, I really like it. It's lightweight, easy to control and doesn't take up much room.
It's one of those tools that's convenient enough that you might grab it even when you have a more powerful saw sitting nearby.
Power Is the Compromise
The downside is pretty obvious: this is still a 12V circular saw.
If I'm doing a bunch of cutting or working with thicker material, this isn't the saw I'm reaching for. You can definitely find its limits if you start asking too much from it.
That's why I wouldn't recommend buying the DCS512B as your only circular saw. A larger 20V DeWalt is going to be considerably more useful if you need a saw for heavier work.
The DCS512B makes more sense as a second saw for someone who specifically wants something compact.
Would I Buy the DeWalt DCS512B Again?
Sure, if I didn't need a lot of power.
That's really the easiest way to sum this thing up. The DeWalt DCS512B is a great compact saw, but it's not a great saw by itself.
If you value portability, low weight and convenience, there's a lot to like here. If you're buying purely for cutting performance, I'd move up to DeWalt's 20V platform.
For me, the DCS512B works best as the little saw you grab when pulling out the big one feels like overkill.
