DeWalt Drywall Cut Out Tool Kit

A faster, cleaner way to make holes in walls

On a recent kitchen remodel, I traded my jab saw and hole template for DeWalt’s cordless cut‑out tool. My goal was simple: speed up rough‑in cuts for outlet boxes, switches, and a couple of new HVAC vents, while keeping the workflow as tidy as possible. After several days of use across drywall and ceiling tile (with a little plywood mixed in), this compact cutter has earned a spot in my bag—warts and all.

Build, feel, and controls

The first impression is classic DeWalt: a sturdy housing, a grippy body that’s easy to hold one‑handed, and controls that are right where I want them. The on/off switch is dust‑sealed, which matters once the wall dust starts flying. The integrated LED is brighter than I expected and lands its beam right at the bit; it’s not a work light, but it absolutely helps when you’re tracing lines inside a dim room or above a drop ceiling.

Bit changes are tool‑free. There’s no wrench to fumble. Lock the spindle, twist the collet by hand, swap the bit, and you’re back in business. The kit includes both 1/8 in and 1/4 in collets, so I can run common drywall spiral bits as well as stiffer 1/4 in shanks for tougher material.

The depth/guide adjustment ring is simple and consistent. It’s not some over‑engineered fence system; it’s a practical collar that lets you set how much bit you expose. Set correctly, it keeps you from plunging too deep, which is especially helpful around boxes with tight wire runs.

Cutting performance

The motor spins at 26,000 RPM, and the speed shows up instantly in the cut. With a sharp 1/8 in drywall bit, I can plunge inside a traced line, run the bit up to the box, and “ride” the guide point around the perimeter without the tool binding. The high RPM keeps the cut smooth and reduces the wandering you get with slower multi‑tools or a dull jab saw. For drywall, that combination of speed and control is the main reason to use a cut‑out tool in the first place, and this one delivers.

Where this tool surprised me was how controlled it feels at full tilt. There’s always some torque reaction if you bury the bit too aggressively, but the body shape and balance make it easy to steer with one hand while the other manages the hose or holds a template. On ceiling tile, it’s almost effortless; the bit glides through, and the LED helps you hit your marks without pulling out a headlamp.

Plywood is a different story. With a 1/4 in bit and a conservative depth setting, it will do the job for thin panels, but you need a steady hand and a light feed rate. This is a drywall specialist, and it behaves best when you treat it like one. For thicker plywood or long runs in wood, I’d reach for a router or jigsaw.

Dust and visibility

There’s no sugarcoating it: drywall dust is messy, and a high‑speed spiral bit kicks up plenty. The dust‑sealed switch is a good durability touch, and after multiple rooms the switch still feels crisp. The tool itself doesn’t have a dedicated dust port, so plan on your standard dust‑control routine—mask, goggles, and, if you’re indoors on finished spaces, a helper with a vac or a quick zip‑wall setup. The LED offsets some of the dust cloud by keeping your line illuminated, but if you’re cutting overhead, expect to stop periodically to clear the view.

Battery life and charging

This kit ships with two 20V 2.0Ah batteries and a fast charger. For intermittent use—the kind of stop‑and‑go cutting you do while pulling measurements or moving from box to box—one compact pack took me comfortably through a good stretch of work. On a heavy day of cutting, I appreciated having the second pack ready while the first charged. If you’re going wall‑to‑wall for hours, larger capacity packs from the same platform will stretch the runtime and reduce swaps, but they also add weight. For most remodeling and punch‑list tasks, the included 2.0Ah batteries are a sensible balance.

Charging is quick enough that I didn’t “out‑cut” the charger when alternating packs. The kit bag fits the tool, charger, and batteries without a wrestling match, which sounds small until you’re breaking down on a jobsite and trying to keep things organized.

Features that make a difference

• Tool‑free bit changes: Genuinely useful. I swap bits frequently—guide‑point vs. standard spiral, 1/8 in vs. 1/4 in—and not hunting for a wrench keeps the momentum up.
• Dual collets (1/8 in and 1/4 in): Flexibility to use common drywall bits or beefier shanks for tougher cuts.
• Adjustable depth/guide: Helps prevent plunging too deep, adds a margin of safety around wiring and boxes, and improves cut consistency.
• LED work light: Not a gimmick; it’s positioned well and helps accuracy in low‑light areas.
• Dust‑sealed switch: A durability feature that matters on a drywall‑heavy tool.
• The kit: Two batteries, a fast charger, and a bag turn this into a turnkey setup, especially if you’re not already on the platform.

What I’d change

This model uses a brushed motor. It’s powerful and responsive, but brushed motors are less efficient than brushless designs and can run warmer during extended use. If you live with this tool in your hand all day, every day, a brushless option will typically give you a little more runtime and may reduce maintenance over the long haul.

Noise is part of the category—26,000 RPM with a spiral bit is loud—so hearing protection is a must. Vibration is well controlled, but plunge entries into dense material can still jolt the tool if you force it.

I also missed a dust collection option. Some competitors offer accessories or ports to assist with extraction. Even a simple attachable shroud would make a noticeable difference in occupied spaces. Finally, the included batteries are compact, which I like for balance, but I would pair this tool with a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah pack for big jobs to reduce swaps.

Safety and technique tips from the field

• Set your depth carefully. Expose just enough bit to get through the material; you’ll cut cleaner and reduce the risk of hitting what’s behind the wall.
• Use the right bit. Guide‑point bits are your friend for tracing boxes. Switch to a straight spiral if you’re following a line and don’t want the point catching on hardware.
• Plunge gently. Let the RPM do the work—too much force will make the bit wander or grab.
• Plan for dust. Goggles, a respirator, and, when possible, a helper with a vac will improve the experience dramatically.

Value and warranty

As a kit, this is easy to recommend for anyone who doesn’t already have batteries and a charger. You’re not buying a bare tool and then hunting for accessories; you can unbox it and get to work. The warranty package—3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee—matches what I expect in this category and gives some peace of mind for a tool that will spend its life in a harsh environment.

Who it’s for

• Remodelers, drywall installers, and punch‑list pros who need to cut boxes, cans, returns, and patch‑ready openings quickly and accurately.
• Electricians and HVAC techs who want a nimble cutter that saves time on repetitive layout work.
• DIYers tackling a renovation who want faster, cleaner cuts than a jab saw without stepping up to a full router.

If you’re cutting miles of gypsum every week, consider a brushless variant and larger batteries. If your use is moderate to heavy and you value speed and convenience, this kit strikes a smart balance.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt cut‑out tool. It’s fast, compact, and thoughtfully designed for the real mess and pace of drywall work. The 26,000 RPM motor makes quick, accurate cuts; tool‑free bit changes and dual collets keep you moving; and the LED plus depth adjustment add meaningful control. The kit’s two 2.0Ah batteries and fast charger cover most workflows out of the box, backed by a solid warranty.

It isn’t perfect—there’s no dust extraction, and the brushed motor won’t satisfy every all‑day pro—but those are tradeoffs rather than deal‑breakers. For most remodelers and tradespeople, this tool speeds up a common, dusty task and does it with a level of control that makes cleaner patches and better finishes. That’s enough to earn a place in my kit.