DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Brushless 5 in. Dual Switch Bandsaw (Tool Only)

Why I reached for this bandsaw

I keep a compact bandsaw in the truck for conduit and threaded rod, but bigger stock often forces compromises: drag out a corded deep-cut, or fight a recip saw and accept the burrs. This brushless DeWalt 20V bandsaw bridges that gap. It’s portable, has a true deep-cut capacity, and prioritizes safety with a two-handed activation system. After several weeks cutting everything from 1-1/2 inch EMT to 2-inch Schedule 40, Unistrut, and aluminum angle, I have a good sense of where it shines—and where it slows you down.

Build, size, and ergonomics

At 15.5 pounds (tool only), it’s on the hefty side for a cordless, but the weight is well-balanced around the wheel housing. Add a 5.0Ah pack and you’re still in a manageable range for shoulder-height cuts. The chassis is composite, typical of this class, with grippy overmolds that don’t get slick with gloves on. The front handle is substantial and placed where you need leverage for starting straight and keeping your line through the cut.

The integrated hang hook is excellent. It’s big enough to catch a ladder rung or strut, and it keeps the saw upright rather than twisting into the housing. The LED work light is genuinely useful in mechanical rooms and crawl spaces. It throws a clean pool of illumination right at the cut line and stays on for roughly 20 seconds after you release the trigger—enough time to inspect the kerf or reposition without re-triggering the saw.

Safety-first activation

This model uses a dual-switch, two-handed activation. You need one hand on the main trigger and the other on a secondary paddle-style switch to keep the tool running. It’s not a lockable safety you can defeat by habit; it’s intended to keep both hands on the saw while the blade is moving.

That design choice is a major strength if you’re cutting overhead or in tight quarters where kick-ins or a snagged blade could be dangerous. The saw feels very controlled, and the second switch gives a natural index point for your off-hand. The flip side is that it limits creative body positioning. Situations where you might want one hand guiding the tool and the other hand steadying material—like trimming a small stub of threaded rod near a wall—are harder here. If you regularly make one-handed, quick cuts, this activation scheme will slow you down.

Capacity and cutting performance

The cutting window is the headline feature: up to 5 inches by 4-3/4 inches for rectangular stock and up to 4 inches for round. That covers large pipe, common structural profiles, and multi-layer strut assemblies without resorting to a corded saw. The 1/2-inch blade width keeps the cut straight under load, and the 44-7/8-inch blade length is standard, so replacements are easy to find in a range of tooth counts.

DeWalt includes an 18 TPI blade, which is a smart default for thin-wall steel, EMT, and stainless tubing. On thicker bar or pipe, I swapped to a 14 TPI for faster clearing and less heat. The brushless motor is smooth and quiet for a bandsaw; vibration is minimal when the blade is tensioned correctly. I consistently got clean, square cuts in conduit and rod with almost no burred edge—far nicer than reciprocating saw finishes and with fewer sparks than an abrasive cutoff.

Speed control and blade life

The variable-speed dial is deliberately conservative, topping out at 490 FPM. That’s slower than some cordless deep-cut models, but it’s well-matched to metals work where control and blade life matter more than outright speed. On stainless and heavy-wall pipe, the lower speed range helps the blade bite without skating, and it noticeably reduces heat. For aluminum and softer metals, I nudged the dial upward and let the brushless torque do the work. The motor doesn’t surge or bog; it feeds power smoothly as the blade loads up.

Because the band tracks cleanly and the speed ceiling is modest, I saw less tooth chipping than expected when users push too hard. Let the saw’s weight apply the feed pressure and it tracks true. For repeatable cuts in plate and angle, a light scribe line and a relaxed feed rate delivered consistent results.

Blade changes and adjustments

A tool-less tension/release lever simplifies blade swaps. Release, thread the new blade over the wheels and guides, close the lever, and you’re ready. The mechanism has a solid snap with no vague mid-position, and the tracking needed only minor tweak the first time I installed a non-DeWalt blade. Guides kept the band where it belonged, even when I cut into something that pinched slightly at mid-kerf. This is the kind of system that encourages you to pick the right blade for the job because changing it isn’t a chore.

Battery and runtime

As a tool-only purchase, you’ll need your own 20V MAX batteries. On a mid-capacity pack, I had no trouble getting through a mixed batch of cuts over a morning—conduit, strut, and a few sections of 2-inch pipe—without feeling constrained by runtime. The brushless motor helps here: it sips rather than gulps when you’re cutting at lower speeds. If your day is heavy on deep cuts in thick stock, stepping up to a higher-capacity pack is worthwhile for fewer swaps, but the saw remains reasonably balanced with larger batteries.

Precision, visibility, and control

The LED helps, but so does the open throat geometry. You get a clear line of sight to the cut, and the shoe sits flat against workpieces without catching on odd profiles. Starts are easy: spin the blade just above the work, then ease in with minimal pressure. Once engaged, the saw tracks straight without fighting you. For cutting threaded rod in place, I found it easiest to set the speed lower, let the teeth engage gently, and then feed steadily—no walking or skittering once the first threads are committed.

Durability and service

The composite housing shrugged off the usual jobsite scuffs. Nothing loosened during use, and the hang hook didn’t bend or rattle. It’s CSA listed and backed by DeWalt’s 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee. Bandsaws are inherently gentler on themselves than recip saws because they cut continuously rather than hammering, so I expect long service life if you keep the guides clean and use appropriate TPI blades for the material.

Trade-offs and who it’s for

• Strengths:

  • Deep-cut capacity in a cordless platform
  • Smooth, controllable power with a useful low-speed range
  • Excellent two-handed stability and safety
  • Tool-less blade changes and a practical hang hook
  • Clean, square cuts with minimal deburring

• Limitations:

  • Two-handed activation can be cumbersome when you need a spare hand on the material
  • Heavier than compact bandsaws; long overhead sessions will fatigue you
  • Top speed is modest; not the fastest option for non-ferrous high-volume cutting

If you need one-handed operation for quick, awkward cuts, a smaller single-trigger compact bandsaw remains the better pick. If your work skews toward frequent large-diameter pipe, thick-wall tubing, or structural profiles, and you want the safety and control that come with two-handed operation, this saw lands in a sweet spot.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 20V bandsaw to electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades, and metal fabricators who value controlled, two-handed cutting and need deep-cut capacity without a cord. It’s a steady, predictable tool that produces clean cuts, treats blades kindly, and integrates well into a 20V MAX setup. The dual-switch activation is the deciding factor: it adds genuine safety and stability but isn’t ideal if your workflow relies on one-handed cuts while your other hand supports the work. If that constraint fits your jobsite reality, this is a reliable, well-executed bandsaw with the right balance of power, features, and portability.