Dewalt has been a little slow in expanding their 20V Max cordless power tool lineup, but new designs have been steadily coming down the pipeline. The newest 20V Max tool is a compact cordless reciprocating saw, DCS387, which resembles the DWE357 compact corded saw that came out nearly three years ago.
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The new DCS387 is 2.5″ shorter than Dewalt’s premium cordless reciprocating saw, model DCS380, allowing it to go where other saws cannot. Dewalt says that, in addition to the saw being able to fit into tighter areas, the new compact reciprocating saw offers better control than the DCS380 and other traditionally styled reciprocating saws.
Dewalt built the new saw with a traditional 4-pole brushed motor and not a brushless one. Maybe a brushless version is in the works, but that’s doubtful.
Features and Specs
- 4-position blade clamp
- 1-1/8″ cutting stroke length
- 0-2900 SPM variable speed
- 14.5″ long
- 5.0 pounds
- LED worklight
- Pivoting shoe
- Ergonomic soft-grip handle
The bare tool, DCS387B, will be priced at $129, and the kit, DCS387P1, comes with a kit bag, charger, and (1) DCB205 5.0Ah Li-ion battery pack.
Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
Buy Now(Bare tool via Amazon)
Compare(Corded version via Amazon)
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First Thoughts
As mentioned, the new compact saw is powered by a 4-pole brushed motor, and not a brushless one. I am mentioning this twice because a common question will be why isn’t it brushless.
Dewalt might very well plan to release a brushless design in the future, but for the time being, no such plans are evident. As it is, the new compact reciprocating saw design offers advantages over other saws in certain areas, such as fitting into tight work areas and corners.
If Dewalt is working on a brushless corded saw, it will be an upgrade or replacement for the standard-geometry DCS380. Or at least that’s my opinion.
In the press release, it says that this saw has balance of performance and compact design. The DCS387 has the same cutting stroke length (1-1/8″) and approximately the same top speed (2900 SPM vs 3000 SPM) as the DCS380 saw, but I have the feeling that it’s going to be slightly less powerful. Maybe that’s not the case, but if so that would give Dewalt a reason to continue selling the DCS380 saw.
The last image should give you a better sense about the size and scale of the new saw. A different of 2.5 inches might not seem like much on paper, but it does change how the tool is held and used.
Dewalt’s DWE357 corded saw is a solid performer, and is every bit as compact, ergonomic, and nicely balanced as I anticipated prior to seeing it in action a while back. I have no doubts that the DCS387 will provide similar advantages, except it’s powered by a Li-ion battery pack instead of AC power.
If you’re looking for something even more compact, but with a tradeoff between cutting performance and size, you might want to consider the Milwaukee M18 Hackzall (prices via Home Depot).
DanG
Sorry to Change the subject but today and tomorrow are SK Days at Harry’s!
Joe M
I have to say, I’m a DeWalt guy, and I’m KINDA sold on this one. I like it. If it wasn’t for two factors, I would go right out and buy this when it is released in Canada.
One) It has a pivoting shoe instead of the adjustable one on the DCS380. Minor quibble, but it’s a quibble. Not really much of a problem.
Two) I already own the DCS380 and am quite happy with it. So I don’t need this new one.
If these weren’t the case, I would dive right in. Everything else on this saw would have me sold.
Matt Steele
I have the DWE357 corded saw with this form factor, and I like how it gets into tight spaces. Easier to control and get leverage in tight spaces than a Milwaukee Hatchet sawzall. Just want to throw in a rep for the design, which I thought was weird at first, but has grown on me.
Cameron
good lord talk about a niche tool…..why this of all the tools they could bring to the 20v line…..we already have a recip saw you gotta cover more bases before you start doubling up in my own humble opinion……for what its worth…..not much
john
I love my dewalt tools. If you look in my work truck all you see is black and yellow but I think I’ll pass on this one. I have been waiting all year for a brushless circular or reciprocating saw and this is what they put out. What’s going on dewalt.
Mike
The reason they went brushed,is because brushed motors are more durable than brushless as if you drop it off a ladder it will still work unlike the brushless plus there other model beat out milwaukees brushless model and they improved this model
Larson
Mike,
Just curious because I’d never heard that before, do you have any more information regarding the physical aspect of brushed being more durable?
My guess was a more compact saw is probably highly requested since other companies have ones and it was easy for them to modify the corded one and keep the same form
Mike
It’s not the motor that goes bad on a brushless but the electronics that don’t hold up to drops I mean one drop might not kill it but several will that is the one downside of brushless plus the cost the outway the performance dewalts brushed circular saw is almost as good as Milwaukee’s fuel circular saw the difference isn’t even noticeable and dewalts recipricating saw is on par with Milwaukee’s brushless
joe
Who has the guts to engineer a folded motor (parallel) to the blade mechanism like a tortilla? Would make it thicker in the front handle but in exchange for a shorter length….the reason motors are placed at an angle like this tool is to reduce the legth…which is a good trade off with a good powerful motor.
Why not even give it a belt hook? C’mon dewalt…innovate harder lol.
Joel
Hey Stuart,
I was searching for DeWalt Black Friday deals on Amazon today and stumbled upon a couple of listings for a new brushless compact reciprocating saw.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M3VH9KI
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M69K91R/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
It’s not listed on Dewalt.com yet.
Thanks for all your efforts to help keep us tool lovers in the know.
Joel
Stuart
That’s news to me, thanks!! I’ll see what I can dig up.