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I have repeatedly told myself over the years that I don’t need a cordless jig saw. I’ve got an older corded Bosch jig saw that I am fondly attached to, and so I don’t need a cordless jig saw.
But, when is the last time I used that corded jig saw? Hmm.
I came across a promo today – more on this at the end of the post – and something clicked in my mind. I need a cordless jig saw, and it’s time to buy one.
I have used cordless jig saws over the years – test samples and similar – and have had great experiences with a Dewalt 20V Max D-handle jig saw.
My jig saw usage has changed a lot over the years. Now, I tend to use jig saws for a wide variety of cutting tasks, from cutting smaller raw materials to size, to making precise cut-outs in panels and benchtops.
Going back 10+ years, I frequently used a jig saw with a cutting guide for all manners of straight cuts. I now own – and have the space for – plunge-cutting circular saws and other equipment that work better for longer straight cuts.
If I need to cut one small board, it’s easiest for me to break out a cordless jig saw than anything else. All but gone are the days where I use a jig saw for long work and project sessions.
I have a couple of older cordless jig saw test samples that I tend to rotate, but I don’t really like any of them enough to buy a personal copy.
As mentioned in the title and shown in the top image, I went with the Dewalt 20V Max brushless barrel grip jig saw, model DCS335B.
The type of handle design, D-handle vs. barrel grip, is a personal choice. I went with the barrel grip, partly because it complements the D-handle saws I already have at my disposal, but mainly because it provides for a lower center of gravity, and this can help improve user control.
Both of Dewalt’s brushless jig saws have speed control dials. The D-handle jig saw (DCS334) has a variable speed trigger and lock-off button, while the barrel grip saw (DCS335) has an on-off switch.
I’m going to give this one a try.
Price: $199
Why Dewalt? I didn’t consult any reviews, I didn’t look at head to head comparisons, and I didn’t entertain the idea of requesting review samples so that I could do the same.
I am confident in the brand, I have had great trouble-free experiences with their D-handle cordless jig saws, and I have been expanding my 20V Max tool kit.
Over at Ohio Power Tool, they have a new promo where you get a free Dewalt PowerStack starter kit with the purchase of select bare tools.
Read More: New Dewalt PowerStack Battery Tech
I don’t need any more chargers, but I could definitely use more PowerStack batteries.
Dewalt’s marketing claims really sunk in. I don’t need 5Ah runtime on a cordless jig saw, at least not for how I would use it, but I can absolutely use high capacity battery-level power.
High output compact 3Ah and 4Ah batteries are an option here. Dewalt’s 2-pack of compact 3Ah batteries is still $99 as part of ongoing holiday season promotions.
Not to mince words, Dewalt’s PowerStack battery has a very high cost per amp-hour right now. A single battery is priced at $119, and a 2-pack is $179.
As this is a 1.7Ah battery, the price comes out to be $52.6 per amp-hour when you buy the more economical 2-pack.
$12-13 per amp-hour is an excellent price and usually the lowest I ever see Dewalt 20V Max batteries selling for. At $99, the 3Ah battery 2-pack bundle is a great value at $16.5 per amp-hour.
More than $52 per amp-hour?
But, the benefits are real. I have been using a test sample of Dewalt’s PowerStack battery, and I really like it a lot.
I avoid using compact 1.3Ah, 1.5Ah, or 2.0Ah batteries with heavier duty power tools. They might work in a pinch, but 5-cell batteries are rarely ideal for cutting tools. Larger form factor batteries have changed things, but they are also larger and heavier.
The PowerStack battery is a great fit for fastening tools, and I started to draft a post about the promo. Two thoughts popped into my mind – I could use the cordless barrel grip jig saw was the first thought, followed by PowerStack would be perfect for this!
I took a moment to price-shop around, and this seems like a very good deal.
I wasn’t planning on buying a cordless jig saw, but this convinced me it’s time to get one of my own. Now that I’ve been thinking about my purchase – I placed the order before starting this post – I’m really curious to see how well the jig saw performs with the PowerStack battery compared to a D-handle with typical 10-cell battery.
I wouldn’t have purchased a PowerStack battery just yet, as the price is a bit too high for the benefits – in my opinion and for how I might use it. But a FREE battery? I’ll take it. I don’t need any more 4Ah or 5Ah batteries, but given my brief experiences so far, I’d like more PowerStack batteries.
I say all this because the jig saw alone didn’t prompt my purchasing decision.
When I spoke to a local Dewalt rep a few weeks ago, they repeatedly emphasized that the PowerStack battery delivered 5Ah battery-level power. Yes, it has compact battery-level charge capacity and runtime, but it can deliver the power heavier duty tools need.
PowerStack is a smaller and lighter battery for sprinting-type tasks, and not for marathon-length projects. I could use this, especially in a cordless jig saw.
And that’s how I was finally convinced to purchase my first-ever cordless jig saw.
I fully expect some readers to argue against my choice. Is this the best-ever cordless jig saw, or tool and battery pairing? Probably not, but it seems like a good fit for me.
Here are the other Dewalt 20V Max brushless bare tools that are eligible for a FREE PowerStack starter kit, including the newest Atomic series 3-speed impact driver and Atomic series brushless impact wrenches.
I bought a personal copy of the DCF850 impact driver over the holiday shopping season, and already own the compact reciprocating saw – both tools will also benefit from the PowerStack battery’s small size and power output. I almost bought an Atomic impact wrench over the holiday season, when they had a different free battery promo, but I really didn’t need or want another 5Ah battery.
The jig saw was a rare impulse-buy for me. I’ll take a day to think things over – there’s a good chance I’ll expand my Dewalt 20V Max and Atomic series tool kit further.
Note: Dewalt is a recent ToolGuyd sponsor, but that did not factor into this purchase decision or write-up.
