DeWalt 20V MAX 1-3/4 in Brushless Compact Band Saw

A compact metal cutter I actually carry every day

I’ve been using DeWalt’s compact band saw for a few months on electrical and light fab work, and it’s earned a permanent spot in my everyday kit. This is the small, one‑handable 20V model with a 1-3/4 in cutting capacity, brushless motor, and an integrated guard. It’s built for overhead and one‑hand cutting of small-diameter metal—think conduit, threaded rod, rebar, balusters, and strut—and that’s exactly where it shines.

Design and ergonomics

At about 6.6 lb bare, the saw is genuinely light for a band saw, and the balance is excellent. The top handle sits naturally over the cut line, so I can steer with my index finger on the variable-speed trigger and steady the nose with my other hand—or run it single-handed when I’m on a ladder. The integrated guard doubles as a guide, so the front of the saw tracks steadily on round stock without hunting.

The body is tightly packaged: no snaggy edges, rubber overmold where you want it, and a metal hang hook that’s actually useful. On lift work, the lanyard loop is a welcome touch. I’ve clipped it in and hung the saw from a harness when moving between bays, which is safer than trying to pocket it or balance it on a rung.

The LED work light is bright and well-placed. It fills the cut area rather than blasting one hotspot, and it helps on dark ceilings or inside mechanical rooms where I’m cutting overhead.

Speed control and cut quality

Speed control is handled by both a variable trigger and a speed dial. The dial sets the ceiling; the trigger lets you feather within that range. That pairing matters more than it sounds: I can set a conservative top speed for stainless or hardened rod so a twitchy trigger doesn’t overspeed the blade, then feather for the first bite. For mild steel and conduit, I bump the dial up and run the trigger full.

Cut quality is very good for a compact saw. On 1/2–1 in EMT and black iron, the saw produces square cuts with minimal burrs. On 1-5/8 in strut, the shoe and guard give enough reference to hold things straight, and the blade tracks predictably. Compared to a cutoff wheel, it’s quieter, there are no sparks, and cleanup is faster. If you’re doing finish work in occupied spaces, that’s a big deal.

The 1-3/4 in capacity is honest. It’ll take 1-5/8 in strut, 1-1/2 in tubing, and common sizes of threaded rod without drama. If your daily work involves 2 in conduit or larger pipe, this isn’t the right size—step up to a mid-size or deep-cut band saw. But for the small-diameter jobs most trades see all day, this compact is the better carry.

Blade selection and changes

Out of the box, it ships with a 14/18 TPI blade. That’s a fair general-purpose choice, fine for conduit and mild steel. For thicker stock or cleaner finishes in steel, I’ve had better results with quality bi‑metal blades in the 14–18 TPI range. The saw takes 27 in to 27-1/4 in blades, roughly 1/2 in wide and 0.020 in thick.

Blade changes are straightforward. Flip the metal latch, pivot the guard, pull the release lever to slack the blade, and roll it off. A single-point tracking adjustment makes it easy to fine-tune. Tracking held for me through multiple blade swaps, and I haven’t had an issue with the blade walking off the wheels.

One practical note: 27 in compact blades aren’t stocked everywhere, and they’re not interchangeable with the more common 32-7/8 in compact format. I keep spares in the van and in my pouch when I know I’ll be doing a lot of cuts. Plan ahead and you won’t be stuck improvising.

Power and runtime

Brushless power is more than adequate for the tool’s intended range. The motor holds speed without stalling as long as you let the blade do the work. I’ve cut runs of 3/8–5/8 in threaded rod, 1/2–1 in EMT, and 1-5/8 in strut without wishing for more torque. As with any band saw, feed pressure matters; pushing hard slows the blade and shortens its life.

Runtime depends heavily on material and blade choice. With a 5Ah pack, I get through a day’s worth of punch‑list cuts or a couple of hours of steady shop use on light steel before needing a swap. On overhead work, a compact 2Ah battery keeps the tool nimble and still delivers respectable runtime. There’s no onboard battery gauge, so I pair it with packs that have indicators.

Safety and control overhead

The integrated guard isn’t just a safety feature; it makes one-handed cuts practical. The guard’s front shoe sits down on the work, stabilizing the saw so I can keep my off hand on a ladder or hold the material in place. That said, the guard does limit how close you can get to a wall or ceiling; this isn’t a flush-cut tool. If you need to cut tight to a surface, be prepared to mark and cut with the stock off the structure.

The LED helps you aim your mark when you’re up near a ceiling grid. Combined with the hang hook and lanyard capability, the package feels thoughtfully designed for at-height work.

Maintenance and durability

So far, it’s held up well. The pivoting guard is metal where it counts, and the latch feels sturdy. The wheels haven’t shed rubber, and the tracking adjuster hasn’t drifted under normal use. I blow out chips at the end of the day and wipe the wheels if I’ve cut anything particularly grimy. The included blade-tracking wrench stores cleanly in my bag, and the tracking only needed a touch-up once after a blade swap.

For inventory and theft deterrence, the saw accepts DeWalt’s Tool Connect chip (DCE042). If your crew runs the ecosystem, that’s a nice addition for asset tracking.

DeWalt backs it with a 3‑year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction period. I haven’t needed service, but the support window is above average for a compact saw.

Where it fits in the kit

This compact band saw replaced a cutoff wheel for most of my small metal work. It’s faster, cleaner, and much safer indoors. It’s ideal for:
- Cutting EMT, IMC, and small rigid conduit
- Trimming threaded rod and unistrut
- Cutting balusters, small tubing, and rebar up to the capacity
- Punch‑list metal cuts in finished spaces

Where it doesn’t fit: large‑diameter pipe, frequent flush cuts, or fabrication that needs mitered or long-radius cuts. For those tasks, I move to a larger band saw or a saw with a proper table.

Trade-offs and minor gripes

• Capacity is the main limitation. 1-3/4 in is generous for a compact, but it’s still a compact.
• Blade availability can be hit‑or‑miss locally. I buy 27–27-1/4 in blades in bulk to avoid downtime.
• No built-in rafter hook angle adjustment—it hangs well, but the hook is fixed. Minor nit.
• The LED has a slight shadow at certain angles with larger stock, though it’s still far better than no light.

None of these are deal breakers; they’re predictable compromises of the format.

The bottom line

For small-diameter metal, this compact band saw is the tool I reach for first. It’s light, truly one-handable, and produces clean, spark‑free cuts with minimal burring. The variable speed dial plus trigger offer real control, the guard makes overhead work safer and steadier, and blade changes are quick. Pair it with quality 27 in bi‑metal blades and keep a spare or two on hand, and it just gets the job done.

Recommendation: I recommend it to anyone who routinely cuts conduit, threaded rod, strut, small tubing, or rebar and wants a safer, cleaner alternative to a grinder. If you need to cut larger-than-1-3/4 in stock or do a lot of flush cuts, look at a bigger saw. For everyone else—especially electricians, HVAC, fence, and light fab—the combination of portability, control, and cut quality makes this compact a smart, hardworking addition to a 20V kit.