DeWalt 7-1/4 in. Worm Drive Circular Saw with Electric Brake

First impressions

I put the DeWalt worm-drive to work on a small porch rebuild and a round of sheet goods for built-ins. Out of the box, it feels purpose-built: stout enough to inspire confidence, but notably lighter than most worm-drives I’ve used. At 8.8 lb, it undercuts the fatigue factor you expect from this drive style, yet it doesn’t feel flimsy. The magnesium footplate and aluminum/magnesium mix keep the weight down without sacrificing stiffness, and the adjustment levers snap home with a reassuring, low-play feel. The left-side blade is immediately familiar to anyone who’s run a traditional worm-drive, and the sightline advantage is real.

Power and cutting performance

The 15 A, 120 V motor has the torque you buy a worm-drive for. It launches into 2x SPF, PT, and LVL with authority, and it holds speed well under load. Rated at 4,800 RPM no-load, it’s not trying to be the fastest spinner on the rack; instead, it digs in and stays planted. Ripping 2x stock edge-up with a 24T framing blade was steady, and crosscutting doubled 2x plates was uneventful—no bogging, no chatter. In plywood and OSB, it tracks predictably and doesn’t require a heavy hand to keep it on line.

At 90°, you get a 2-9/16 in max depth, which clears standard framing without drama. At 45°, it still delivers 2 in of cut, enough to bevel 2x material in a single pass. Don’t expect to one-pass a 4x4—that’s not what a 7-1/4 in saw is for—but this saw extracts every bit of capacity you’d reasonably want from the blade size.

Ergonomics and balance

The handle geometry feels right. The rear handle sits at a natural angle for pushing through long rips, and the front pommel is shaped to let you steer with fingertips instead of fist-gripping. Weight distribution is forward-biased in a way that keeps the shoe planted without feeling nose-heavy. That matters when you’re dropping onto an edge to start a cut; the saw settles rather than tipping.

The left-blade layout gives right-handed users a clear cutline view without a contortion act, and left-handed users get comfortable body clearance away from the cord and motor housing. Either way, the sightline is excellent, aided by the narrow guard nose and a shoe that tracks flush against guides and straightedges.

Bevels and adjustments

Bevel capacity tops out at 53°, with positive stops at 22.5° and 45°. The detents are crisp, and the lever takes a firm squeeze—no accidental creep when you’re muscling through wet lumber. The bevel scale is easy to read and corresponded well with a digital angle gauge in my checks. On-site, I relied on the 45° stop for birdsmouths and deck skirt miters, and the saw returned to square reliably after a handful of bevel cuts. Out of the box, the shoe was square to the blade; a quick check against a machinist square confirmed it, and it stayed true after some knocks.

Depth adjustment is smooth, with enough friction that it doesn’t drift. The depth scale is serviceable, but I still set by eye for critical cuts. Guard action is predictable; it retracts without catching on edges and doesn’t lag when exiting the cut.

Electric brake and safety behavior

The electric brake is fast and consistent. On release, the blade stops within a second or so, which matters more than you think when you’re climbing down ladders or moving between stations all day. It also makes re-positioning for notches quicker and safer. Kickback resistance is as good as the operator’s technique and blade choice, but the motor’s steady pull and the shoe’s rigidity help keep things honest.

As with any 15 A corded saw, plan your power. If you’re on a 15 A breaker and share that circuit with other tools or lights, you can trip it under heavy load. On a dedicated outlet or 20 A circuit with a suitable cord, the saw runs flawlessly.

Accuracy and cut quality

With the factory 7-1/4 in carbide blade, cut surfaces in SPF and plywood were clean enough for framing and subflooring. Swapping to a higher-tooth-count blade tightened up edges for cabinet plywood. The shoe rides flat and stays flat—no perceptible flex when spanning joists or landing on narrow rips. I found the kerf tracking to be honest to the notch; once I aligned to my mark, the saw held the line without wanting to wander, even when cutting across knots or dense grain.

Cord, hook, and mobility

DeWalt’s TOUGHCORD strain relief does its job. I’m not gentle with cords, and the long, flexible relief prevents abrupt kinks and tugs from telegraphing into the handle. The cord length (about 9 ft) is workable on a bench and tolerable on a deck, though you’ll still want a light, flexible extension cord for full freedom.

The extra-wide rafter hook is a small but meaningful upgrade. It spans up to 2-3/4 in material, so it hangs securely on doubled studs, engineered joists, and staging rails. It’s stable and doesn’t rattle loose mid-cut.

Blade changes and accessories

Blade swaps are straightforward. The top-access spindle lock is well placed, where your thumb expects it, and the included wrench fits the fastener cleanly. There’s no drama or knuckle busting. The saw accepts DeWalt’s DWS5100 dual-port rip guide (sold separately), which turns it into a credible sheet-goods ripper without a track saw. Paired with a straightedge, the saw tracks true; with the rip guide, repeatability improves dramatically for narrow rips.

With a standard 5/8 in arbor, you can run specialty blades—framing, finish, fiber cement, or diamond—for the material at hand. The motor’s torque makes slow, tough cuts feel controlled rather than labored.

Where it shines

• Framing and deck work: Plenty of torque, stable shoe, excellent sightline for fast, accurate cuts.
• Sheet goods: Left-blade visibility plus optional rip guide makes ripping manageable on sawhorses.
• Bevel cuts: Reliable detents and a generous 53° range cover most on-site angles without fuss.
• Repetitive workflows: The electric brake speeds up safe repositioning and reduces downtime between cuts.

What could be better

• Power draw realities: On a shared 15 A circuit, you can find the breaker’s limit. Plan your power.
• Cord length: Nine feet is fine, but a bit more reach would reduce extension cord dependence.
• Accessory not included: The rip guide acceptance is great, but it’s an add-on, not in the box.

These aren’t deal-breakers; they’re the practical trade-offs of a powerful corded saw.

Durability and maintenance

The magnesium footplate has stayed flat and unmarred after concrete splatter, dropped lumber, and a few clumsy set-downs. Fasteners haven’t loosened, and the guards still cycle smoothly. The motor hasn’t exhibited any brush noise or hot-running tendencies under sustained ripping. The overall impression is of a tool meant to live on sawhorses and in jobsite grime without babying.

Final recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt worm-drive for framers, remodelers, and serious DIYers who want worm-drive torque without lugging a boat anchor. It couples a strong 15 A motor with a true-to-line shoe, excellent left-blade visibility, and practical touches like a fast electric brake, a sturdy wide hook, and a thoughtful spindle lock. The 2-9/16 in depth at 90° and 2 in at 45° cover standard framing cleanly, and the 53° bevel range with solid detents makes angled work efficient. Pair it with quality blades (and the optional rip guide if you rip often), give it a dedicated circuit or a stout extension cord, and it will reward you with smooth, confident cuts and less fatigue than typical worm-drives. If you need cordless convenience, this isn’t it; if you prioritize cut performance, accuracy, and jobsite-ready durability, this saw earns its spot.