Customer Reviews
The closest thing to the perfect circular saw you'll find... 
2006-09-04
I researched a tested a number of circular saws before eventually choosing the DW364. I use the circular saw for light framing work, finish carpentry, and cabinet-making and I wanted a good, jack-of-all-trades tools that would be appropriate for the variety of projects I would use it for. After looking at comparable saws from Bosch, Makita, Hitachi, Porter-Cable, and Milwaukee, I short-listed the workhorse Makita 5007 and the DeWalt as the two that I would like to own. Initially, Makita's no-nonsense, field-proven design and reputation for reliability were winning me over, but I took a chance on the superior ergonomics and features of the DeWalt and didn't look back.
There are two really standout features of this saw; the first is the precise and heavy-duty depth adjustment. Why don't other tool-makers build their saws this way? The stamped the sheetmetal rail and thumb-knob found on other saws is adequate at best, and unstable at worst. One of my 'tests' involved setting the depth gauge to it's shallowest setting, putting the saw on the floor, and leaning in to the handle with all my (220 lb) weight. Only the Makita and the DeWalt didn't deflect under this abuse, but the elegance of the DeWalt's design and the fact that the rear-pivot design keeps the attitude of the handle in roughly the same place, regardless of the depth setting, gave it a leg-up over the Makita.
The second standout feature is the large and rigid hard-anodized aluminum shoe. The DeWalt's shoe appears to be about 30-percent bigger than those found on comparable saws and, unlike the Makita's die-cut aluminum shoe, the edges are machined smooth. Does this really affect the day-to-day performance of the saw? Probably not, but it is a nice detail. The DeWalt's shoe also appears to virtually scratch- and gouge-proof. I've seen my share of field-worn Makita 5007s to know that the their shoes are susceptible to gouging with use and abuse. For a framing saw, this is non-issue, but I'd hate for my saw to accumulate nicks and gouges that might scar the surface of finish cabinetry materials. Again, it is a nice detail that helps the DeWalt stand out from the rest. I tend to prefer cast shoes or even the stamped-steel ones found on many worm-drive saws but, as stamped aluminum ones go, this is the best.
No saw is perfect, and this one has its faults. The chassis doesn't seem quite as sturdy or well put together as that of the Makita, but it is certainly comparable to those of the Bosch, Porter-Cable, and Milwaukee saws I looked at, and this saw is big and heavy for a sidewinder. But is seems to tackle anything you through at is with flying colors. Using the included 24-tooth framing blade it powers through wet 4X4s like a worm-drive; throw on a 40-tooth, thin-kerf Freud Diablo and you can precisely rip sheets of delicate 1/4" Baltic birch plywood with aplomb.
This is probably the closest thing to the perfect circular saw you'll find. It has fulfulled all of my original purchase objectives and every time I use it, I am impressed with what a great design it is and how well it just works. If you only have room for one saw in your tool cabinet, I can't see how you'd go wrong with the DW364.
Good design, bad delivery 
2006-08-19
After a great deal of research, I decided the DW364 offered the best design (greatest adjustment flexibility, good power, sturdy materials, and best reviews of the top-rated saws) for a price that is within budget. However, my new, unused saw is at the Dewalt repair store having a few parts replaced. The saw I received couldn't be adjusted to make a 90 degree cut. After briefly reviewing the trouble, the repairman's first comment was (paraphrased): "badly designed part; will have to replace it." I also asked him to replace the shoe, which wasn't flat. Everything else looked OK. All of my other Dewalt tools worked correctly out-of-the-box. I hope to have a great saw after the repairs. Why should a new saw need repairs?
Finest professional grade circular saw at any price 
2006-05-24
Update 8/19/07 - I have recently discovered that there is a fence/shoe adjustment that allows you to precisely align the blade and shoe for all of your speed square cuts. To my knowledge - this feature is not available on any other saw.
Several years ago I had a chance to use a friend's Dewalt DW364. It was so amazing that I hoped my venerable Makita 8 1/4" contractor saw would die. The Makita is still running strong (it's 22 years old) but I finally bought a DW364 anyway.
This saw was not designed for the homeowner but for the professional carpenter.
It will be too heavy for the casual board cutter and the great design features will only be apparent to skilled pro's.
Circular saws have been built following the same basic design for years. Expensive circular saws had strong, durable motors and heavy duty fences while the cheapies had poor fences and poor motors. The depth and angle adjustments in either group were at best a suggestion of precision.
Dewalt to their credit decided to build a better saw and succeeded masterfully. The other saw manufacturers are still doing things the same old way.
What's great - Heavy duty fence, clear view of the cut point from the left hand side of the saw, notch to position power cord so it is out of the way on rips, clear and precise depth and angle adjustment, unbelievably smooth and powerful motor.
What's not - it's heavy yet it's mass makes it stable, although not as stable as a worm drive.
Caslo
Best circular saw on the market 2006-03-17
Its a bit heavy, but it is also the best circular saw I've ever owned!
Bought My First One In '93,,,,, 2005-09-11
Way back in '89 I destroyed a worm gear drive saw. I replaced it with a major brand, big discount store, consumer grade saw,,, then 2 more. Finally I realized that I had spent as much as a nice commercial grade saw would have cost, in just 4 years !! So I began studying and researching and found this saw. I never did like the way that the worm drive saw would torque to the side when I pulled the trigger. The saw wasn't hard to control after the initial start-up but that sideways jump annoyed me. So I didn't even consider another worm drive saw. This saw looked rugged enough and the base plate was precisely adjustable for paralell to the blade. I was sold. It self destructed in '04.
I did a short overview of what was available and still couldn't find anything I liked better,,so, in '04 I bought another one. This time though the saw has been upgraded to 15 amps from the previous 13 amps, and I couldn't be happier. 10 or 11 years from now if this one goes out again, I'll buy another one gladly. The smoothest running, straightest cutting, easiest to control saw I've ever seen has no competition. Well,,, maybe the 8 1/4 inch version of the same saw.
Great Saw 2008-04-27
This is certainly one of the best saws I have ever owned. It has enough power to cut through even the wettest pressure treated wood without kicking back or bogging down. I checked the saw blade for square to the shoe and it was perfect. The bevel and depth degrees are clearly marked and easy to adjust. The saw is a little heavy but that can be an advantage when cutting sheet goods.
Best circular saw out there... 2008-01-10
I bought another one of these to replace one that was stolen. It's bulletproof, dead accurate, and really really hard to break.
Sweeeettt Saw 2007-02-02
I'm not a contractor, just a DIYer. This saw is probably too nice for me, but I love it. I cuts great with good balance. Ripping large pieces of plywood has never been easier. It does a good job of keeping the sawdust away from your face. The case is also convenient and built well. Go ahead and treat yourself to the last circular saw you will probably ever buy.
great saw 2007-01-09
I bought this saw for my husband for his birthday and he was quite suprised at the quality, the feel of the saw in his hand and the overall sturdiness of the tool. We have only used it a couple of times but he is thrilled at the prospect of doing household projects and not having to haul everything tothe woodshop
Nice try. 2006-11-10
Not bad, but not as good as I had expected. The height adjustment is rough, adjusting the blade for trueness is a total pain. They state that the blade is factory adjusted and ready to go. No way. When you try to adjust the blade to Zero degree's it has plenty of play in one direction but none the other way so you end up forcing the base plate to just barely get it straight. Could have done better on smoothing the metal, sounds like sand is in the works when you adjust the height.
