DeWalt 12 Amp Compact Corded Reciprocating Saw

First impressions and setup

Tight spaces aren’t friendly to full‑size recip saws, which is exactly why I reached for DeWalt’s compact recip saw on a recent bath remodel. Out of the bag (it ships with a soft contractor pouch and manual), the saw feels stout and ready for work rather than gimmicky. The body is short—about 14.5 inches—so it navigates between studs and around pipes in a way longer, traditional bodies just can’t. My scale put it just under 7 pounds, and the balance is centered where your front hand naturally lands on the overmolded boot. The 9‑foot cord offers reasonable reach and has proper strain relief, but plan on using an extension cord for most jobs.

Blade changes are tool‑free via DeWalt’s lever clamp, and the four-position blade orientation is the signature feature. Being able to rotate a blade 90 degrees for flush cuts or to sneak around obstacles made a real difference under a sink and when cutting close to a wall plate. The lever is glove‑friendly, positive, and hasn’t loosened up during use.

Power and cutting performance

A 12‑amp motor driving a 1‑1/8‑inch stroke at up to 3,000 SPM gives this compact saw real bite. In framing lumber with a 6 TPI demolition blade, it chewed through 2x material quickly, and it didn’t bog on doubled plates. In metal, a 14–18 TPI bi‑metal blade made clean work of EMT and galvanized pipe up to 1‑1/2 inches, though you do feel the typical reciprocating chatter if you rush the cut. There’s no orbital action, and that’s worth noting: for pure demolition speed in nail‑filled wood, some full‑size saws with orbital settings will be faster. But the tradeoff here is control, access, and reduced tendency to wander in metal.

The variable‑speed trigger is responsive and easy to feather, which matters when starting in thin metals or plastics. There’s no separate speed dial; all modulation comes from your finger. Personally, I like that for one‑handed starts in cramped spaces—squeeze a little to score the cut, then roll into full speed. If you prefer to set a max speed and forget it, you won’t find that here.

Control, vibration, and ergonomics

Despite the compact body, this isn’t a toy. It’s a two‑handed tool that feels planted when you keep the shoe firmly against the work. The overmolded grip on both the handle and the front boot area helps, and the balance is excellent—you’re not fighting a long nose or a tail‑heavy motor. Vibration is well controlled for its class. It’s not as glassy as the best counter‑balanced models, but it’s less fatiguing than many budget full‑size saws. Over a day of alternating cuts in wood and light metal, my hands weren’t buzzing afterward.

The short overall length is the winning play. I could rotate the blade sideways for flush cuts along subfloor, slip between 16‑inch‑on‑center studs without removing more material than necessary, and work overhead near joists without wrestling the tool’s body. If your work regularly involves cutting in cavities, you’ll appreciate this form factor almost immediately.

Shoe and clamp details

The shoe is fixed in length and pivots to maintain contact, which gives predictable leverage. There’s no telescoping depth adjustment, so you can’t extend the shoe to skip a section of teeth on a long blade—something a few competitors offer. After a few weeks of use, mine developed a bit of perceptible play at the pivot. It didn’t compromise cut accuracy for demolition or rough carpentry, but it’s there. I also noticed that fine debris (drywall dust, metal swarf) tends to collect in the shoe and pivot pocket, and occasionally you’ll feel grit during the pivot. A quick blast with compressed air or a brush clears it. It’s a minor maintenance habit worth adopting with this design.

On the positive side, the four‑position blade clamp is a strong suit. It locks blades securely, releases without fuss, and the ability to point the blade up, down, or sideways solves problems that would otherwise require awkward body positioning or a flush‑cut adaptor.

Real‑world use cases

• Plumbing and HVAC: Cutting ABS in a vanity cavity, notching out corroded copper near a wall, trimming sheet metal in a tight chase—this saw shines here. The compact nose lets you keep the shoe planted in cramped angles.
• Remodeling/demolition: Pulling out jambs, cutting fasteners behind trim, or roughing in openings. It’s not the fastest in nail‑embedded lumber without orbital, but accuracy and control are better than typical “saws‑all‑day” sledge options.
• Metalwork: EMT, unistrut, angle, and threaded rod are all fair game with the right blade. Start slow on thin stock, then ramp up; the trigger makes that easy.
• Overhead work: The balanced weight helps overhead, and the shorter body keeps the cut line close to your hands.

Durability and service

Build quality feels solid: housings line up well, the boot overmold is tough, and the cord jacket is flexible in the cold. Aside from the minor shoe play noted above, nothing on my unit has loosened. Motor temps stay reasonable, even during extended cuts in 2x and pipe. For peace of mind, DeWalt backs it with a 3‑year limited warranty, a 1‑year free service contract, and a 90‑day money‑back guarantee. Those aren’t just brochure lines—they matter when a tool is going to be tossed in and out of a truck daily.

The included contractor bag keeps dust off the tool but doesn’t offer real impact protection or organization. If you’re on jobsites, consider a hard case or tuck it into a padded drawer with a blade roll; blades tossed loose in the bag can nick the cord or mar the overmold over time.

What I’d change

• Add orbital action: Even a single, mild orbital setting would speed rough wood cuts without compromising control.
• Tighten the shoe pivot: Reduce play and improve debris shedding in the pivot design.
• Include depth adjust: A sliding shoe would extend blade life and add versatility.
• Improve the kit: A rigid case or at least blade sleeves would be more jobsite‑friendly.

None of these are deal‑breakers, but they’d elevate an already capable compact saw.

Tips for best results

• Use the right blade: Coarse for nail‑embedded wood, fine for metal. Let the blade do the work.
• Keep the shoe planted: It reduces vibration and extends blade life.
• Clean the pivot: Blow out dust and swarf periodically to keep the shoe moving freely.
• Manage power: A 12–14 gauge extension cord keeps amperage loss down on longer runs.
• Use blade positions: Rotate the blade for flush or awkward cuts instead of contorting your wrists.

The bottom line

This compact DeWalt recip saw trades brute‑force demolition speed for access, control, and surprising power in a short package—and that’s a trade I’ll happily make on most remodel and service work. The 12‑amp motor and 1‑1/8‑inch stroke deliver respectable speed across wood and metal, the trigger is easy to modulate, and the four‑position blade clamp is genuinely useful. The shoe could be tighter, and the kit could be better, but the core tool feels robust and well balanced.

Recommendation: I recommend this saw to remodelers, plumbers, electricians, maintenance techs, and serious DIYers who often work in confined spaces and want a compact, corded solution with real power. If your day is dominated by heavy, straight‑ahead demolition in lumber, a larger orbital model may be faster. But for anyone who values reach, control, and versatility without giving up cutting performance, this compact saw is a smart, reliable choice backed by a solid warranty.