[.uk] DEWALT DW309K 11.8 Amp Heavy Duty Reciprocating Saw Kit

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Not DeWalt's Best Tool:
I like DeWalt's stuff, really, but this tool has too many problems with its new features. I don't like how the shoe falls out so easily from the unit; the first time I'm on the peak of a roof and that happens, I'm going to be really upset! The quick release doesn't have a positive feel even when the unit is new. Making sure it's latched when wearing gloves is iffy at best. Finally, and the worst bugaboo, is that the saw doesn't even move when the speed control is at 1 or below. At 1.5 it sorta kinda moves. So a good chunk of that adjustment space is useless. I think I'll return this one and buy a Sawzall.

raw powah!!:
This baby has the goods under the hood! It also has some junk in the trunk, as in: it's quite heavy. Even still, it makes my hands and arms numb with extended use. I have not used this saw for days in and days out as some have(I have to have arm transplants if I did!) so I can't say how it holds up in those type of conditions, but I've demoed a kitchen, cut off car exhausts and turned an ancient picnic bench into kindling, all I can say is...the thing cuts! Just keep the fresh blades coming as the big demo blades I use dull quickly. Unlike some others, I haven't had any problems with the quick release blade lever, even with gloves. Mine still works as slick as the day I got it. The variable speed is nice, though more often than not, I have it cranked to the top. I find the trigger to be difficult to hold down for long cuts due to the vibration. If the trigger guard just below the trigger were shorter I think that would solve the problem. The one thing that really blows about this tool is the shoe adjustment! It only goes in and out maybe two inches at the most and that's about half as long as would be useful. To top that off, when trying to move it out, the shoe invariably come out of the end of the tool. While I'm sure it's nice to have it be removable, it would be a lot nicer if you had to perform a different operation to take it off. To sum up: Seemingly burly build quality, tons of power alas with tons of vibration, poor shoe design.

It's a BEAST (from one amateur's point of view):
I finally had to give my brother his saw back today. < > I'm going to miss the big beast. Okay, I'm no pro -- just a very enthusiastic amateur. On the other hand, since I have no idea what the correct way to use the saw is, I may well put it through a harder, albeit shorter and less frequent, workout than the pros do. A couple comments: If you need to pull the blade out of the cut before you've gone all the way through the material, be sure to let go of the trigger first, or this puppy will twist your blade into a fair imitation of a question mark. As far as changing blades goes, I can't imagine anything easier. Just flip up the little lever, give the saw a tiny shake, and the old blade falls harmlessly to the ground. Shove in a new blade, push the lever back down, and it's off to the races again. I'm not really sure why anyone would *want* to touch the old blade -- gloves or no -- before it cools off, but I agree it would definitely be a hazard. Sure, it vibrates like a Harley with a bad timing sprocket, but for this amateur that's part of the appeal -- i.e., when I fire that thing up I just KNOW I'm doing some really MANLY stuff! {g} Great saw. Wish I had one of my very own.

DeWalt saw:
This saw is great. I regulaly cut concrete core steel clad raised floor tiles. The basic Milwaulkee Sawz All used to beat me to death doing this. But the reciprocating counterweight seems to work quite well.

Couldn't Live Without it!:
I love this Dewalt DW309 HEAVY DUTY Reciprocating Saw. I Purchased mine 12/1998 and have put it through the mill. If I could only have one electrical tool, this would be it. I do everything with it.