DeWALT DC385K 18 Volt Ni Cad Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit

Customer Reviews

Good saw, bad clamp

2007-04-27
I got this saw as part of the DC4KITA set. It's done ok so far I like it, but my only problem with it is the way the clamp is attached to the shaft (a simple, small drive and spring pin). Over time it has worked loose letting the blade flop around allot more than I'd like under use. I have replaced the clamp/shaft assembly (not sold individually BTW) and had a guy weld it to the shaft so that wont happen again. It's got plenty of power and the battery life is fine considering it's power. It's proven itself however in the fact you can put the blade in sides ways. That helps a lot if you trying to cut vary close to the edge of something, or the battery's orientation makes it bunglesome to use (in a crowed trussed ceiling for example).

Dan the Man

2007-03-29
Wow!!! I wish I'd had a reciprocating saw years ago, but to be battery powered on top of the many features is an extra plus. The battery holds up. I wish I could afford two batteries, but the one that come with it holds it power for quite a while. DeWalt has done it again.

P.S. I'm not the best speller so plese excuse any misspelled words.

Product:: excellent . Shipping & delivery: traumatic

2007-01-09
The person I gave this gift to is very happy with it, and says it is an excellent product; he loves it.

The product was a Christmas gift to be given on 12/10/06. I was notified of shipment by Amazon on 11/20. It did not arrive in a timely fashion. Tracking provided "shipped by DHL". I did not know what those initials stood for and it took me 2 days to track them down. There is no way to ask Amazon that I could figure.

Info showed product had been attempted to be delivered. Not so: there was no notice. DHL went the extra mile and informed me that Amazon uses a special "DHL Home" service, so DHL turns the product over to the local USPO, which never attempted delivery and never notified me.

I finally located the reciprocating saw on 12/10/06. But it was not easy: there was no "DHL" indication on the package -- instead it said "Airborne Express." Which had been bought out by DHL and no label change had been made.

Amazon was no help; there is simply no way to contact them or telephone them. I had not known this until this problem arose. I will never again order an expensive item from Amazon. The trauma was great, the time expenditure was great, the rage and frustration was great. I have communicated my displeasure to my friends (and the busy USPO customers in line as well). Could find no way to tell Amazon, though.

Product: Fine. Amason: Dreadful.

Dewalt 18v Cordless Reciprocating saw

2007-01-04
I am a woman who builds alot of stuff and works in the woods alot. I hate handling a big ol' chainsaw and this bad boy helps to cut down branches and trees up to 5in diameter for me when working on an outdoor project with no electricity available!! WOW!

Excellent reciprocating cordless saw

2006-03-13
I had bought a Sears 19.2V cordless reciprocating saw which came with 2 batteries. However, the batteries would not hold a charge (both of them) and the brief time it work the saw seem to bog down. Believe I paid about $110 for the Sears. After the returned the Sears unit I purchase the Dewalt and couldn't be happier. Used it to cut wood and metal with excellent results. It's heavier than the Sears model but the Dewalt really works well and the battery has staying power. I paid $179 for the Dewalt with free Amazon shipping. As always its best to spend a little more money and get a quality unit.

Saw

2008-07-07
Its awesome, still works no problems. Its tough and the battery lasts a long time.

Its Dewalt, so you could drop it from a ladder and it will still work. Just make sure your over grass when you do drop it.

great tool

2008-01-28
i have used one of these tools for about five years. i have had the same tool, but many batteries. i use it and lend it all the time. we often use it to cut pipelines that still have a lot of water in them, so this thing gets wet and muddy all of the time. so far i couldn't be happier with my dewalt cordless saw. i must have for a pipeliner.

Batteries only last about 5 minutes. Poor blade release!

2008-01-26
My cordless reciprocating saw lasted 9 months. I do mostly bath renovation work. This unit used to come with me everywhere to do the demo work but I found that the batter life is only 5-7 minutes. I used to have 4 batteries with me so I wouldn't have to stop and wait for a charge. Then I found that if the blade release mechanism gets dusty (what kind of tool doesn't get dust????) the ball bearings inside the chuck don't move easily and you have to use a glove and your hand to pull out the blade. God forbid your blade breaks off and the tip stays in the chuck, your there all day with needle nose pliers taking it out. I've used WD 40 to lube the chuck. Yeah, that works for about a few blade changes then once it gets full of dust, your back to using your hands and gloves to remove the blade. What a dissappointing tool. If I can give you some advise, it's to spend a few extra $$ and either buy the Milwaukee. It's a much better chuck design and the batteries last me 10-13 minutes.

Great Saw

2007-12-19
A saw like this always comes in handy during framing, and this saw performs really well. The quick change blade feature is really nice too.

Tough and great for the quick job

2007-12-11
I have a 110v 13amp Milwaukee Sawzall but this is the saw I grab first. It performs just as well and I don't need a cord. If I think the cut is going to take longer than 4 minutes of heavy cutting (2 batteries) then I grab the Milwaukee. I've had mine for 4 year with no problem. The downfall is the blade clamp uses the old sys of an allen key and it comes loose. Milwaukee clamp is much better.