DEWALT DCS355B 20V XR Oscillating Multi-Tool (Tool Only)

I purchased this tool to help with the installation of a new dishwasher in our kitchen. Since there are many companies out there who make oscillating multi-tools, I should point out that I did not purchase the DeWalt based on any comparison of other brands vs. this, so much as ‘DeWalt brand loyalty’. I have a collection of various DeWalt tools from the 20V MAX system so my motivation for purchasing the DeWalt was because I already have the batteries and chargers from other tools. That said, like all my DeWalt tools the build quality seems excellent and the tool has a reassuring and solid feel to it. Blade installation using the quick-release lever is great (just a few seconds), and does not require any other tools. I also really like the ‘soft start’ trigger which allows the tool to start up very slowly if the trigger is only gently squeezed, as this helps ensure an accurate start to a cut without risking the tool skidding across the surface. Our new dishwasher required an opening in the side panel of the kitchen cabinet next to it to allow for water, drain and electrical connections. Furthermore, the dishwasher needed to be pushed almost flush to the wall to prevent the front of it sticking out beyond the front lip of our worktop, which meant having to try to cut out a hole flush with the back and floor panels of the kitchen cabinet. After trying to do this manually for a few minutes with a small pocket saw and scrubbing my hands against the back of the cabinet, I realized ‘life is too short’ and went ahead and purchased this tool. In the end, this proved to be the perfect tool for the job since no other type of tool can cut a straight hole into a wooden side panel right up against corner (a multi-tool can, due to its offset blade design). I don’t know how long I might have spent trying to fumble around cutting that hole by hand, but with this DeWalt tool the whole job was over in a couple of minutes. A nice neat hole, perfect edges, and exactly where I wanted it. One mildly annoying discovery was that even the bare tool that I purchased does comes with blades. It was not apparent from the pictures on Amazon that this was the case, and so I also purchased the DEWALT DWA4216 5-Piece Oscillating Accessory Kit. In the end, this was a needless purchase, because all I really needed was at least one blade, and the bare tool does come with blades. A friend of mine who does woodworking jobs in his own home came to visit recently and I showed him this tool. One comment he made was that the DeWalt was very quiet and refined compared to the noise of other multi-tools he had seen and used in the past. I admit this is a completely subjective statement, and it wasn’t even me that had the experience of other brands to compare against, but I thought I’d mention his comments if that helps at all. Although this may seem like an extravagant purchase for one kitchen appliance installation job, I have already identified other jobs I can now do with this tool that would otherwise have been done (in a much longer time) by hand.

As so many others have said, an oscillating multi-tool is an amazingly useful, versatile tool and once you get one, you quickly realize you should have bought one ages ago. ;-) Within a couple of days after receiving this Dewalt tool, I found myself reaching for it multiple times and had already used it for cutting, scraping, sanding and more. I also quickly realized how glad I was that I'd opted for a cordless multi-tool over a corded one. It was so easy to maneuver and so nice not to have to deal with tripping over and juggling a power cord. I was a bit surprised by how quickly it burned through a 1.3 ah battery but, a 5ah battery kept it going longer than I ever needed it to go at one task, and having at least one other battery lets you keep charging and changing them out for as long as you need to keep working. I liked how quickly the spring-loaded clamp mechanism allowed me to change accessories and the LED headlight is awesome. As for the paddle speed control vs. a speed dial (like on most other brands), I liked the functionality and ability to adjust and fine tune speed instantaneously. I did find that with the paddle switch, keeping an absolutely constant speed was a challenge and required extra attention when changing angles due to unintended changing grip pressure. That said, I never found that a precisely constant speed was critical to achieving quality results. Of course, the lock button gives you to option of locking into full speed, which works fine for lots of tasks. Still, it will certainly be a plus if Dewalt can figure out (for future iterations of this tool) how to engineer the speed controls so you can lock into any speed you choose.

The build is typical of Dewalt quality you'd find in other cordless tools. Excellent fit/finish and solid construction that is comparable to German tooling. I bought this because I was tired of struggling with the Dremel corded model. The Dremel transferred an unacceptable amount of vibration into the body/grip (and making your hand feel like you had a severe case of Parkinson's after downing a pot of coffee). The Dremel cut poorly and heated up significantly. I only used it when I had no other reasonable course. Enough about the Dremel - The Dewalt is a huge improvement! I immediately noticed that most of the vibration/oscillating transferred to the tool, not the body. Cuts were very smooth, easy and controlled. No worries about being battery powered - there's plenty of force to slice through hard maple or gummy pine. Speed is controlled through trigger position, which I wasn't sure I would like. Turns out that I'm liking it. The speed isn't analog, in other words there are slight 'steps' in speed. However, they are quite small steps, and I don't expect any problems with finding the sweet spot. It also has a nice LED light that lights up your work nicely. The quick tool change is sweet. Squeeze the lever, make a tool change, release lever. Much quicker than the old allen screw/washer deal, which is also incorporated into the tool for 'non-Dewalt accessories'. The manual mentions a cutting guide, which I didn't receive so am assuming it's an accessory, although the manual doesn't mention it being an accessory. Battery life - it depends on the load placed on the motor. I'm fairly pleased with battery life using a 3Ah battery. So I'm planning on this guy giving me many hours of happy destruction. Nice job, Dewalt

I purchased this to replace a worn out 12 volt Bosh oscillating tool. This unit is bare tool only so no battery, charger or case. I only have 5 amp hour batteries and this makes the tool very heavy in comparison to the smaller Bosh but I can go all day at projects and never need to recharge. Things I like would be the the quick blade change. It save a lot of time and no tools needed. Things I don't like is the variable speed trigger as apposed to a set dial. It is difficult to hold the trigger part way at a constant speed to cut through wood without it starting to burn. It does have a trigger lock/hold but only works in the full off or full on mode. The tool itself is well made and works as it is supposed to and if it come down to it, I would buy it again despite the variable speed trigger Side note, I also purchased one of the cheap blade kits from amazon and they all worked perfect with the quick change system.

Muy buen producto ,mejor precio muy útil en trabajos del hogar

I have so far been impressed with the usuefullness of this tool. It is one of those tools that is nice to have in your tool box for when your need to scrape some grout off, cut drywall or cut the odd small piece of wood. The design of the tool I have found to be very comfortable in the hand. With the quick release lever it makes for quick cleanup or transitioning from one job to another. Those jobs where you need to cut or scrap for an extended period you can lock the trigger in the on position. I found that feature to be one of the most useful. This tool is fairly lightweight but still with enough mass not to jump or kick around on you when using. I would say overall this tool is everything it is suppost to be and completes the tasks its needed for effectively.

Muy practica y funcional

Dewalt makes good tools. The 20v max system is one of the best. I use mostly Dewalt, Milwaukee and Makita. But I’d say the Dewalt system is the best bang for your buck, for your average dIYer. The OMT itself feels good in your hand. With the right blades it cuts awesome and for a long time. I use the 3ah batteries and it seems to last a while. Had to cut a few 2x4s right in half with it a couple times because I didn’t want to go back to the truck to get the cut off saw. Took 10 or 20 seconds to make each cut but it did the job. I know this isn’t the most common use for it but hey. Also works good for cutting out chunks of 1 1/2 abs sewer pipe that is plugged. Hard to get a hand saw up in there without taking down all your strapping. But with this I was able to cut out the plugged section and with a couple joiners, some glue and a new section of pipe my friend was back in business