Dewalt has come out with a new higher-powered 20V Max cordless circular saw, DCS574. Thanks to Dewalt’s new Power Detect technology, the new brushless circular saw can deliver max performance when paired with a higher-capacity battery, such as their 8.0Ah pack.
Dewalt says that the new 7-1/4″ saw is up to 54% more powerful than their DCS570 brushless circular saw, also part of their 20V Max lineup.
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Using the 20V MAX 8Ah battery, the DCS574 Circular Saw will output up to 54% more power and get 60% more runtime than the standard XR Circular Saw DCS570P1.
The “standard” circular saw kit, DCS570P1, comes bundled with a 5.0Ah battery.
- 7-1/4″ blade size
- 2-9/16″ max depth of cut at 90°
- 2″ max depth of cut at 45°
- 5500 RPM
- Electric blade brake
- Built-in LED worklight
- Rafter hook
Earlier this week we posted about Dewalt’s other new Power Detect 20V Max brushless cordless power tools – a new reciprocating saw, and a new hammer drill/driver.
“Power Detect” detects the presence of a higher current battery pack to deliver more power to the motor, translating to greater tool performance.
At the time of this posting, Dewalt is not yet ready to answer media questions about Power Detect or any potential limitations. Until they can, we presume that the tools will perform comparably to like-designed “standard” tools of similar design.
Thus, until or unless we learn otherwise, we’re assuming that the new Power Detect circular saw operates like a DCS570 when paired with a lower capacity battery pack, such as a 5Ah battery), and delivers greater performance when paired with a larger battery like the 8Ah it’s kitted with.
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Spec-wise, the DCS570 and DCS574 both operate at 5500 RPM.
At the time of this posting, Dewalt Power Detect cordless power tools are only available at Lowe’s.
Price: $279 for the kit (DCS574W1)
Buy Now via Lowe’s
Compare: 20V Max via Amazon
Compare: FlexVolt via Amazon
Discussion
The new brushless circular saw seems to fill the space between Dewalt’s existing 20V Max brushless circular saw, and their FlexVolt saw.
It’s worth noting that Dewalt recently bumped up the power of their FlexVolt circular saw, DCS578.
My interpretation is that instead of simply bumping up the specs of their 20V Max saw, Dewalt is launching a separate model that is more powerful with their higher capacity battery packs.
The pricing is a bit higher for the new kit than for their “standard” brushless 20V Max circular saw kit, but that’s partially due to the premium for the 8Ah battery instead of the 5Ah battery bundled in the standard kit.
Things seem a little blurry right now. Someone asked whether Dewalt will be discontinuing the older models and replacing them with these new Power Detect tools. I don’t think so, but it’s possible. Or at least, I don’t think that these will be the only kit options. It’s certainly possible that Dewalt will have Power Detect and “standard” kits that feature the same saw.
How does this tool differ from the “standard saw?” From what I can tell – remember, Dewalt has said they’ll start answering media questions in a couple of weeks – the changes are all internally, possibly with the motor but certainly with the electronic motor controller.
If you think of electrical current as akin to water flow, the motor controller is set to open the figurative valve wider when the tool is paired with a higher capacity battery. Higher capacity batteries, or at least the current breed of larger cell Li-ion battery packs, can deliver greater current flow than battery packs built with smaller form factor Li-ion cells. So, you get greater current flow when the tool is paired with an 8Ah battery, and “standard” current flow when it’s paired with a lower capacity battery. This is something that can be done via control circuitry.
If Lowe’s is an exclusive launch partner, the DCS570 will of course continue to be offered at other retailers. Maybe that will chance if or when the DCS574 sees greater distribution.
More choices are better, and for users who want as much power as possible – and are willing to pay the premium for higher capacity batteries – this is a 20V Max option that works with your other batteries in a pinch.
One thing that’s not clear is this – how does this new circular saw compare to Dewalt’s FlexVolt saw? On paper, the FlexVolt is a little faster, but what about in respect to power? This new saw is up to 54% more powerful than the DCS570. Does that put it on-par with Dewalt’s FlexVolt circular saw? I’m sure Dewalt can put things into perspective once they’re ready to formally talk about this and the other new Power Detect tools.
Chris
??? blade right. Yuck!
Stuart
It’s traditional for 7-1/4″ saws of this style.
Robert
Yep, see☝️☝️☝️. Everyone I know wants a powerful and balanced blade left 7 1/4 sidewinder. I am still using my antiquated dcs391 for 95% of all of my framing. The dcs577 for the other 5%.
To my knowledge, only Ryobi has one.
Nick
If they can’t do a blade left sidewinder I’d at the very least like to see an updated (brushless) version of the 6 1/2 saw with a sky hook. Doubt we’ll see it any time soon
AD
Hahah, I love it when people admit they can’t use a tool. I can work with anything. Give me a saw and I’ll cut a board. I don’t care if it’s on the left or right side of the motor. Big LOL.
Robert
I was really hoping for a blade left announcement…
Why is it that most manufacturers don’t make blade left 7 1/4″ side winders?
Rman
I’ve been a carpenter from the late 1970,s and always used a blade right type sidewinder corded circular saw. I’m from Nj this is what I learned on with a circular saw. Not sure if it’s an east coast but I still can’t use a left side blade saw properly
Why bcuse I place the weight of the saw on the uncut side of the wood I was cutting. Using a square to guide the saw I only had to look once to start the cut. With the left side blade the weight of the saw is on the cut off end so it requires a lot more attention towards the end of the cut not to let the saw bind or twist as the cut is completed.
Clifford Alloway
Good points
Nathan
I think it really depends on if you’re LH or RH. I too learned and still use a blade right device and I’m mostly ambidextrous but I saw RH’d. Always.
Big Richard
You ask how it compares to the FlexVolt saws:
DCS570 XR – 900 MWO
DCS574 XR Power Detect – 1386 MWO (estimated based on claimed +54%)
DCS575 FlexVolt – 1600 MWO
DCS578 FlexVolt gen II – 2352 MWO (estimated based on claimed +47%)
These are MWO ratings, meaning the max watts output of the motors. Dewalt also rates the gen II FlexVolt DCS578 at 2456 UWO, which is close to the estimated MWO. It is unclear if the % more claims are based on MWO or UWO, but either way this gives a good baseline for where it stands.
Clifford Alloway
Everyone should learn to use both hands for cutting. Sometimes you need to use a different hand for certain cuts. I’ve used both styles of saws and don’t mind either left or right. I prefer the blade on the right but I’ll use whatever is there. Instead of complaining, adapt.
Btw, these saws are very popular with a lot of people and dewalt has very good line of sight.
Big Richard
Same, I use both. Keep a 24t blade on the less powerful 6 1/2″ blade left for rougher cuts and a 60t on the more powerful 7 1/4″ blade right for precision cuts. I go between the two without any thought. Once a tool is in my hands its just auto pilot. I also can walk and chew gum at the same time, so maybe I’m a wizard.
Steve Goodman
Agreed. Always good to use both left and right. I have red and yellow saws. Love my FlexVolt power but current fuel Milwaukee’s have better ergonomics. Will be buy new FlexVolt gen 2 the day it comes out and would buy left side FlexVolt the day is comes out as well.
Chris I
Call me crazy, but this saw would seem to be most firing with an 8ah battery pack since that’s really the sole marketing point of the new saw
ca
I think it does come with an 8 Ah pack, if that’s what you’re getting it.
Will
Sadly they want $179 for one 8ah battery and only sell one battery kits. They sell flexvolt kits in 2 battery kits so why not these? Maybe they could throw in a 6ah in a 2 battery kit since those should work as well using the same 21700 cell.
Chris I
My bad. I saw the kit listed with 5ah battery, then clicked on the Lowe’s link and it has an 8ah battery.
clf28264
I have the older 7 ¼ and it’s been a wonderful addition to my home shop. Just so fast to set up and get working vs grabbing an extension cord and my corded saw. I’ve also never had power issues for cuts but the 5 ah batteries are a bit small for lots of my carpentry needs. Hopefully the newer batteries add even more run time.
Nathan
What I see more importantly is that the price of the older brushless circ saws should be coming down. which is all the saw I need.
dani
Can someone direct me on what vacuum attachment works with this tool please? DCS577 just does not work. thank you!!