DeWalt 20V MAX XR Dual-Trigger Mid-Size Bandsaw

First impressions and setup

I spent a week putting this mid-size DeWalt bandsaw through typical jobsite tasks: cutting EMT, unistrut, copper, threaded rod, and a bit of angle and flat stock. Out of the box, it ships as a bare tool with a single 18 TPI, 35-3/8 in. blade and the small wrench you’ll use for blade tracking and guide adjustments. I ran it primarily on 5.0Ah and 8.0Ah 20V MAX packs.

Ergonomically, it feels like a true mid-size saw. At around 11 pounds bare, it’s not featherweight, but the balance between the forward D-handle and the main grip is good enough that I could steer a straight line one-handed—except this saw is designed to discourage that. More on the dual-trigger system in a moment.

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt in this class: tight guards, clean castings, and a rigid frame. The housing is glass-filled nylon with robust rubber overmold in the right spots, and the integrated blade guard sits closer to the line of cut than some open-frame designs, which reduces debris and exposure without feeling claustrophobic.

Controls and the dual-trigger system

This saw’s defining feature is its dual-trigger layout. There’s a standard variable-speed trigger on the rear handle and a secondary trigger in the forward grip. Both need to be engaged for the blade to run. In practice, it does exactly what it’s supposed to: it forces two-handed operation.

I see the value. Two hands on the tool stabilizes the cut, especially on round stock and overhead work. It also reduces the temptation to “pinch and go” on a ladder. The trade-off is clear too: any cut that would normally benefit from a one-handed start or a quirky hand position (like nibbling a bolt close to a wall) gets a little more awkward. With gloves on, I had no problem finding both triggers, but in tight quarters I occasionally wished I could bump the blade with the rear trigger alone. If your workflow relies heavily on one-handed use, this design will slow you down; if you care about enforced good habits and jobsite policies, it’s excellent.

The blade speed is governed by a dial that sets the ceiling and a responsive rear trigger that modulates within that limit. This makes repeatable speeds easy: set the dial where you want it, then feather the trigger for starts and plunge-ins. The listed range is 220–570 SFPM, and the spread feels right. I ran stainless near the bottom of the dial, mild steel and unistrut in the middle, and aluminum closer to the top end.

Power and cutting performance

The brushless motor is rated at 535 MWO and, paired with the 18 TPI blade, it has no trouble with common electrical and mechanical trades materials. On 1-5/8 in. strut, it tracked cleanly and didn’t bog as long as I kept the speed appropriate. On 3/4 in. threaded rod, the saw sailed through with minimal burr on the exit, and on 2 in. EMT it left a square, workable edge that needed only a quick deburr.

Where the saw shows its limits is exactly where the specifications say it will: cut capacity is 3-3/8 in. If your day-to-day cuts exceed that—3 in. pipe with heavy wall, larger angle sections—you’re in deep-cut territory and should be looking at a bigger frame. Within its size class, the torque feels stout, the blade stays on track when tensioned properly, and the saw doesn’t chatter unless you mismatch speed and TPI to the material.

The included 18 TPI blade is a sensible default for thin-wall metal and general-purpose steel. I swapped to a coarser 14 TPI for thicker stock and a 10–14 variable for aluminum. With the dial at midrange and light feed pressure, blade life was what I’d expect; push too fast at high speed on hard steel, and you’ll pay in teeth.

Visibility, debris, and the LED

The built-in LED is bright enough to help mark your line on dull shop days and in ceilings. It’s placed well and doesn’t cast distracting shadows. The integrated guard design keeps chips contained, and the vents do a decent job of clearing swarf so the wheels don’t pack up. It’s still a portable bandsaw—there’s no dust collection—and you’ll want to blow it out periodically, especially after cutting material that throws long, curly chips.

Sightlines are solid for a guarded saw. I could see the blade-to-mark contact point without craning my neck, and the shoe gives a positive reference when you need to square up.

Ergonomics and balance

Balance is always a game of inches and ounces on portable bandsaws. With a 5.0Ah battery, this one feels neutral and nimble enough for overhead conduit. With an 8.0Ah pack, the rear gets heavier, which helps during long floor-level cuts but adds fatigue on a lift. The front grip is sized and angled to keep the wrist fairly neutral, and the rubber overmold reduces the tingle you sometimes get when cutting stock that wants to chatter.

The lanyard-ready attachment point is a thoughtful inclusion for aerial work. I used a tether on a scissor lift, and the anchor location didn’t interfere with my hands or the blade path.

Blade changes, tracking, and maintenance

Blade changes are straightforward. Open the guard, release tension, swap the blade, and bring tension back up. The included wrench is for blade tracking and fence/shoe adjustments, which you’ll occasionally touch up after a blade swap or a hard pinch cut. Tracking held well for me across a few blade changes, and I didn’t see wheel drift.

Maintenance is simple:
- Keep the wheels and guard clear of chips.
- Check tracking after the first cut on a new blade.
- Match speed and TPI to the material to preserve teeth.
- Consider a wax stick on gummy aluminum.

The 35-3/8 in. blade length is common, so sourcing consumables is easy.

Runtime and platform notes

As a bare tool, it ships without a battery or charger. On a 5.0Ah pack, I got a workday’s worth of intermittent use across electrical/mechanical punch lists. Continuous cutting drains any battery quickly, but the brushless motor’s efficiency helps. If you intend to cut all day, bring multiple packs or step up to larger-capacity batteries, understanding the weight penalty.

This saw is also Tool Connect chip ready, which is handy for fleet managers. Drop a DCE042 in the slot, pair it, and you’ve got asset tracking and some management features without changing the tool’s footprint.

Safety, compliance, and build

The dual-trigger design is the headline safety feature, and it does what it says. The guard closes up the blade exposure compared to open-frame saws, and the CSA listing will matter on some jobsites. Build quality is confidence-inspiring: no flex where there shouldn’t be, tight tolerances, and a finish that wipes clean. The 3-year limited warranty puts it in line with other premium jobsite tools.

Who it’s for

• Trades pros in electrical, plumbing, and mechanical who need a mid-size, portable metal-cutting bandsaw.
• Crews with safety policies encouraging two-handed operation and tethering when working at height.
• Anyone already on the 20V MAX platform looking for a metal-cutting solution between compact and deep-cut sizes.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Users who frequently need true one-handed operation in tight spots.
- Fabricators regularly cutting beyond 3-3/8 in. capacity.
- Anyone who wants deep-cut speed on big stock—get a larger saw or a stationary bandsaw.

Tips to get the most from it

• Use the speed dial to set a ceiling matched to your material: low for stainless, mid for mild steel, higher for aluminum.
• Don’t force the cut—let the teeth do the work. Excess feed pressure kills blades and accuracy.
• Square the shoe/fence to your line; it makes repeatable, perpendicular cuts much easier.
• Keep a small blade assortment: 14 TPI for thicker steel, 18–24 TPI for thin-wall, variable-pitch for mixed materials.

Recommendation

I recommend this mid-size DeWalt bandsaw for tradespeople who value controlled, two-handed operation and need a capable, portable cutter within the 3-3/8 in. class. It delivers solid power, practical speed control, good visibility, and straightforward maintenance in a well-balanced package. The dual-trigger system is a genuine safety and stability advantage for many jobsites, though it will frustrate anyone who relies on one-handed starts in cramped spaces. If that’s you, consider a different layout. Otherwise, paired with the right blades and a couple of 5.0Ah packs, this saw is a reliable, job-ready solution.