DeWalt 60V MAX Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Worm Drive Saw Kit

Why I reached for this rear‑handle saw

The first time I pulled the trigger on DeWalt’s rear‑handle worm‑drive style saw, I was setting rafters and needed long, accurate bevels in wet 2x material without wrestling a cord. This saw delivered the kind of torque, tracking, and line of sight I typically expect from a corded worm‑drive—just without the tether. After several weeks of framing, demo, and some shop work, I have a pretty clear picture of where it shines and where you’ll want to temper expectations.

Build and setup

Out of the box, the kit is complete: 7‑1/4 in carbide blade installed, a big FlexVolt 20V/60V 9.0 Ah pack, fast charger, wrench, and a contractor bag. The saw’s magnesium shoe is the first thing you notice—stiff, flat, and it glides well on plywood and framing lumber. Mine arrived square to the blade; a quick check against a machinist’s square at 90° and 45° showed it was spot on, and it’s stayed that way bouncing around in the truck.

The rear handle layout and blade‑left orientation feel immediately familiar if you’ve used worm‑drive or hypoid saws. If you’re coming from a right‑blade sidewinder, expect a short adjustment period. Controls are straightforward: large bevel and depth levers that clamp positively, a clear bevel scale, and positive stops at 22.5° and 45°. The saw is pre‑drilled for an inventory tag, which is handy on a busy jobsite for keeping tools accounted for.

Ergonomics and weight

This is a substantial saw. The tool weighs around 10.8 lbs bare, and with the 9Ah pack clipped on, it feels every bit a pro‑grade rear‑handle. That mass pays off in tracking and a smoother cut, especially on rip cuts and when plunging into dense stock, but you will feel it overhead and during repetitive lifts. Two‑handed operation is natural, and the rear handle gives excellent leverage to keep the cut on line.

Grip and trigger ergonomics are solid. The main handle angle keeps my wrist neutral, and the auxiliary front grip is large enough for gloved hands. The rafter hook is excellent—big, rigid, and easy to swing out without hunting for it. It sits the saw securely on 2x lumber, site‑built staging, and engineered I‑joists.

Power and cutting performance

This saw is built around a high‑speed brushless motor and spins at a brisk 5800 RPM. In practice, that translates to fast, confident cuts across typical framing and sheet goods. I’ve ripped and crosscut wet 2x10s, ripped 3/4 in OSB, notched 4x4 posts, and made a stack of bevel cuts for fascia. The saw doesn’t bog down in the cut; it holds speed and feels like it has a good reserve of torque when you lean into thicker or denser stock.

Worm‑drive style saws are prized for tracking, and this one is no exception. The blade‑left layout and rear handle put your eyes right over the cutline if you’re right‑handed, and the high‑flow dust blower does a good job of clearing chips from the kerf. I’ve been able to follow a snapped chalk line confidently without reaching for a guide. The lower guard action is smooth and resists hanging up on bevel starts and compound cuts.

Depth of cut is generous: 2‑7/16 in at 90°, and 1‑7/8 in at 45°. That means full‑depth cuts through standard 2x material even at common bevels, which matters when you’re notching or fitting rafters. Blade changes are quick thanks to a positive spindle lock and onboard wrench storage—a small touch that prevents a lot of rummaging.

The electronic brake is fast and consistent. On release, the blade stops in roughly a second, which makes repositioning safer and speeds up repetitive cuts. It’s the kind of feature that becomes non‑negotiable once you get used to it.

Bevels and accuracy

The saw will bevel to 53°, with positive detents at 22.5° and 45°. The levers clamp firmly, the scale is legible, and most importantly, the bevel stays put during the cut. I’ve made long 45° rips in fascia and never had the setting drift. The shoe’s front edge is straight and true for riding against a guide rail or a shop‑made straightedge. The factory cutline indicators are accurate with the included thin‑kerf blade; if you switch to a heavier blade, plan to verify and mark your preferred reference.

Dust and visibility

There’s no vac port on this saw. Instead, you get an integrated blower aimed at the cutline. In framing lumber and plywood, it keeps the kerf remarkably clear, and that contributes to the excellent line of sight. In MDF and fine‑dust materials, expect more airborne dust—use a mask. For site framing, the blower is enough; for shop work where dust control matters, you’ll miss a vacuum connection.

There’s also no built‑in LED, which I didn’t miss outdoors, but it’s noticeable in dim basements and crawl spaces. The left‑side blade and open guard still make it easy to see your line.

Battery and runtime

The included 9.0 Ah FlexVolt pack is well matched to this tool. Runtime will always depend on material and cut type, but with a sharp 24T framing blade, I can frame for a good part of the morning—ripping sheets, trimming rafters, and crosscutting studs—before swapping packs. The fast charger brings the pack back quickly during lunch. If you’re on a heavier diet of LVL, wet PT, or constant bevel ripping, bring a second high‑capacity pack to avoid downtime.

One perk with FlexVolt is compatibility across DeWalt’s 20V and 60V platforms, so that big battery isn’t a single‑tool investment. Balance with the large pack is good; the saw sits heel‑down solidly when you set it on a surface.

Features that make a difference

• Rafter hook: Big, strong, and placed well. It’s not an afterthought.
• Electronic brake: Fast and confidence‑inspiring.
• Blade‑left, rear‑handle layout: Excellent visibility and leverage for right‑handed users.
• Onboard wrench storage: Practical, always there when you need it.
• Inventory tag‑ready: Pre‑drilled holes make fleet management easier on commercial sites.
• Magnesium shoe: Stays flat, takes abuse, and slides nicely.

What I’d change

• Weight: The heft aids cutting, but if you’re working overhead, on ladders, or making hundreds of repetitive trims, fatigue adds up. A smaller battery helps, but physics is physics.
• No vacuum port: The blower is good for framing, but I’d like the option to capture dust in shop settings.
• Orientation learning curve: If you’re used to right‑blade sidewinders, expect a few cuts to retrain your muscle memory. Once it clicks, the visibility is worth it.
• No LED: Not a dealbreaker, but a small work light would help in low‑light work.

Durability and service

Between the magnesium shoe, robust guards, and overall build, this feels like a tool built for the realities of a jobsite—dust, drops, and a bit of rain. The brushless motor should mean fewer wear items, and DeWalt backs the kit with a 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and 90‑day satisfaction guarantee. That’s a fair safety net for a workhorse saw.

Value

You can buy lighter and cheaper sidewinder saws, and you can buy heavier duty corded worm‑drives. This rear‑handle cordless strikes a compelling middle ground: the control and torque character of a worm‑drive style saw with the convenience of cordless. The kit’s inclusion of a high‑capacity battery and fast charger adds real value if you’re building out a FlexVolt lineup, and it’s ready to work immediately.

Who it’s for

• Framing carpenters and remodelers who want corded‑worm‑drive feel without a cord.
• Deck builders and roofers who benefit from blade‑left visibility and strong bevel performance.
• Pros already on DeWalt’s 20V/60V platform who want a primary circular saw with serious muscle.

Who should look elsewhere? If you primarily do overhead work, punch‑list trim cuts, or you just prefer the feel of a lighter sidewinder, consider a compact 20V saw. If dust collection is a must, a track saw or a vac‑ready sidewinder will serve you better in the shop.

Recommendation

I recommend this rear‑handle saw for anyone who values power, tracking, and line‑of‑sight above absolute lightness. It cuts fast, holds bevels true, and feels planted in the cut. The electronic brake, stout rafter hook, and magnesium shoe are all everyday quality‑of‑life wins. Yes, it’s heavier than a sidewinder and lacks a vac port and LED, but those trade‑offs are easy to accept in exchange for the control and performance it brings to framing and demo. If you’re in the DeWalt ecosystem—or planning to be—this is a dependable, jobsite‑ready circular saw that earns its keep.