DeWalt 14 in. (355mm) Multi-Cutter Saw

Why I reached for a multi-cutter over an abrasive saw

Switching from an abrasive chop saw to a carbide-toothed cold-cut style changed my metal-cutting workflow overnight. The DW872 sits squarely in that space: a 14-inch, 15-amp, corded multi-cutter that pairs a low 1300 RPM with a 66‑tooth carbide blade to shear instead of grind. In practice, that means faster cuts, cool-to-the-touch workpieces, and far less post-processing. After a few weeks of steady shop use and some jobsite time, here’s how it stacked up.

Build, ergonomics, and setup

Out of the box, the DW872 is substantial without being unmanageable. At roughly 47 pounds, it’s portable enough to toss in a truck, but it really rewards being bolted to a stable bench or stand. The horizontal handle is a smart touch; it keeps the wrist neutral and makes controlled, even feed pressure easier during long sessions.

Initial setup was straightforward, though not perfect. My sample’s fence and base needed attention. The cast back fence was close to square, but I still had to loosen it up, true it to a machinist square, and re-tighten before I was getting reliably square cuts. The mitre scale is more of a reference than a precision indicator. I treat it as a starting point and verify with a digital angle finder when the work demands repeatable miters.

The quick-lock vise is fast and largely effective. It slides to rough position and clamps with a cam action, which speeds production, but you do need to be mindful of how the workpiece is seated. On thin-walled tube or at steep miters, I add the included vertical clamp or a secondary C‑clamp to keep parts from creeping under clamping pressure.

Blade changes are painless thanks to a positive spindle lock and accessible hardware. The 1‑inch arbor means blades are easy to source.

Cutting performance

The motor has the right kind of grunt for a cold cut: lots of torque and a stable 1300 RPM that doesn’t sag if you feed correctly. On common shop stock—2×2×1/8 mild steel tube, 1‑1/2″ angle, and flat bar—the DW872 cuts cleanly and fast. Solid bar in the 3/8″ to 5/8″ range is very manageable. The blade tracks straight when the vise is tightened well, and chips eject rather than smearing, leaving a surface that needs little more than a quick pass with a deburring tool.

Compared with an abrasive saw, cut times are shorter and the overall experience is calmer. There’s dramatically less spark, the material stays cool enough to handle, and the kerf edge is crisper. Against a portable band saw, the DW872 is faster on batch cuts and it handles larger profiles thanks to its 14-inch blade and generous capacity. The published limits—approximately 5‑3/16″ round and 6‑1/2″ by 4‑1/2″ rectangular—lined up with what I could realistically fixture and cut.

Aluminum cuts beautifully with the right blade and a lighter feed, producing almost glassy edges. For stainless, you can make it work with a dedicated stainless-rated blade and patient feed pressure, but expect slower progress and plan accordingly if that’s your day-to-day.

Accuracy and repeatability

This is where the DW872 can divide opinion. If you’re after cabinet-saw precision, you won’t get it out of the box. Mine needed time with a square and test cuts to dial in 90°. Once trued, it held square adequately, but the Quick‑Fence’s tool-free adjustment is better for coarse changes than fine tuning. The detents are not laser-accurate, and the clamp can shift slightly if you drop heavy stock into the vise. The workaround is simple: set the angle with a gauge, snug the fence, then add a small auxiliary clamp for insurance when accuracy matters. For production cuts with generous tolerance (fence panels, framing, brackets), it’s excellent. For tight-fitting miters, I measure twice and cut once, just like I would on a chopsaw with a basic angle scale.

Base rigidity is respectable, but I could flex the assembly if I was reckless with feed pressure on awkward pieces. Bolting the saw down made a clear difference in repeatability and feel; I consider it mandatory if you do lots of angled cuts or handle long, heavy stock.

Blade behavior and maintenance

Carbide-tipped blades are the heart of the system. The included 66‑tooth blade produced minimal burrs on mild steel and stayed sharp across hundreds of cuts before I noticed speed tapering off. As with any cold-cut saw, the recipe for blade life is simple: clamp securely, feed steadily, avoid shock loading, and don’t hit welds or hard inclusions. I keep a stick wax handy for aluminum and thin stainless to reduce chip welding and keep the gullets clear.

Blades aren’t cheap, but the savings show up in reduced grinding, quicker throughput, and less rework. If you commonly cut very thin or very thick material, it’s worth having a second blade with a more appropriate tooth count.

Chip management, noise, and safety

Cold-cutting throws chips, not sparks, and the DW872 throws plenty. Chips collect around the guard and base rather than spraying all over like an abrasive saw, but you’ll still want to sweep the work area frequently. A shop magnet and a bench brush are your friends. There isn’t a full dust/chip collection system built in, so plan your workflow around cleanup.

Noise is lower-pitched than an abrasive saw but not exactly quiet. The sound pressure is listed at 95 dB(A). Hearing protection is non-negotiable, and I prefer a face shield over safety glasses when cutting, particularly with thin wall tube that can shed longer chips.

Capacity and practical versatility

Capacity is a strong suit. The saw swallows common fabrication sizes that bog down smaller portable options. The quick-lock vise accepts round, square, and rectangular stock without fussy adjustments, and the included vertical clamp is handy for shorter cutoffs. I’ve had success ganging small pieces together to improve clamping and throughput, provided everything is seated against the back fence.

For field work, the weight is a factor. Lugging a 47‑pound saw up stairs is a workout, but the tradeoff is stability once you set up. On a benchtop, the footprint is reasonable, and the handle orientation makes it less fatiguing over a long day compared to vertical-handle saws.

Reliability, service, and warranty

So far, the motor feels overbuilt for the job, with no bogging or hot smells after extended use. The spindle lock engages positively, and the guard mechanism is predictable and smooth. DeWalt backs it with a limited 3‑year warranty, a year of free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction window. That’s comforting for a tool in this price bracket, especially given the cost of replacement blades and the expectation of shop duty.

What I’d improve

• Fence scale and detents: I’d like a crisper, more precise angle scale and more secure detents. As is, you’ll want external gauges for accuracy-critical work.
• Base stiffness and squareness: It’s serviceable but benefits from being bolted down and checked for square. A thicker, flatter base casting would improve out-of-the-box results.
• Chip control: Even a simple removable tray or better-directed collection would help with cleanup.

Who it’s for

If you’re moving from an abrasive saw or portable band saw and want faster, cooler, cleaner cuts on mild steel and aluminum, the DW872 is a meaningful upgrade. Fabricators, fence and railing installers, and job shops that batch-cut common profiles will appreciate the speed and cut quality. If your work hinges on tight miters and repeatable high-precision angles, you can get there—but you’ll spend time squaring the fence and verifying settings, or you’ll supplement with a more precise setup when tolerance demands it.

Recommendation

I recommend the DW872 for users who value throughput, clean cuts, and the cold-cut advantage, and who are comfortable verifying and dialing in their setup. The motor and blade combination is excellent, the ergonomics are thoughtful, and the capacity covers a wide swath of real-world metalwork. You’ll need to invest a bit of time to square the fence and you should plan to bolt it down for the best results. If you need out-of-the-box mitre precision above all else, there are more specialized options. For most fabrication and installation workflows, though, this saw pays its way with speed, edge quality, and less time at the grinder.