Comparing the Dewalt DCS361b vs DCS361m1 Circular Saws: Which One is Right for Your Workshop?

Dewalt DCS361b vs DCS361m1

Comparing the Dewalt DCS361b vs DCS361m1 circular saws. If you’re in the market for a new circular saw, you know that there are a ton of options out there. It can be overwhelming to decide which is the best fit for your needs. In this post, we’ll be closely examining two popular options from Dewalt – the DCS361b and the DCS361m1 – and comparing their features, performance, and overall value. By the end of this post, you should have a good idea of which saw is the right choice for your workshop. So let’s dive in and see how these two saws stack up against each other!

Overview of the Dcs361b

When it comes to Dcs361b, there is only one downside, and it does not cut metals or masonry. The DCS361B comes without a battery and charger. The Dewalt package includes a 40-tooth carbide blade, a blade wrench, a hold-down clamp, and instructions.

The Dewalt DCS361b compound miter saw is for people doing flooring, trim installation, and cutting 2x materials. It cuts with a 7-1/4-inch blade on a 5/8-inch arbor whilst the motor runs at 3750 rpm without a load. It cuts oak and framing lumber without a problem.

The maximum depth it can cut at 90 degrees is 8 inches. If the material is nested against the saw fence the maximum height allowed is 3-5/8 inches. The saw bevels only to the left, between -3 and 48 degrees. There are ten positive stops plus bevel overrides. It only bevels to the left, so the user may have to flip work pieces to finish them. It weighs 31.6 pounds and has a dust port that fits a shop vac hose or dust bag.

Miter positive stops at 10, 15, 22.5, 31.62, and 45 degrees, both left and right. Its rail lock knob locks the saw head for some cuts, and a lockdown pin secures the blade for transport. There is no electric brake, but the saw blade stops within 5 seconds of releasing the trigger. It has a 3-year limited warranty.

Pros

• Adjustable
• Visibility
• Accurate
• Compact and lightweight 
• Easy to move

Cons

• No battery and charger

Overview of the Dewalt DCS361M1 

The DCS361M1 is an improved version of the DCS361 saw since it has extras besides the tool. It comes with the DCB112 charger, a 4.0Amp-hour 20-volt MAX XR lithium-ion battery, the clamp, the blade wrench, and instructions.

Its battery has a three LED fuel gauge to indicate when the charge is getting low. Each battery weighs 1.42 pounds and has a 90-day money-back guarantee and a 3-year free service contract. The saw has a 3-year limited warranty.

Its battery pack provides an average 183 cuts of 2×4 Pine or 275 cuts of 3-1/4 pine baseboard. It features an integrated cut line cross-cut positioning system providing adjustment-free cut line indication for better accuracy and visibility for the miter saw. 

DEWALT miter saw can cup 35/8-inch nested crown and 3 1/2 base vertically. It has an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 11 positive stops for improved productivity and cutting accuracy. 

A large bevel scale makes bevel angle adjustments accurate and easy, and it has a compact, lightweight design for easy transport and storage.  The cam lock miter handle delivers quick and accurate miter angles. Its miter system and machined base fence support optimize durability and cutting accuracy.

Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Quality measuring components
• Compact and lightweight
• Easy to transport

Cons

• Poor runtime

Features of the DCS361b

Laser guide

The DCS361 has a laser guide and a light above the blade. This XPS light casts a shadow from the saw blade onto the workpiece to show where the cut will happen, increasing visibility. The only disadvantage you might have is that the light is white and it is hard to see the shadow in bright daylight. The light is for showing when the battery is getting low. Pulling the saw trigger with a low battery will make the XPS light blink. The light is also on a separate power system, meaning you can use it independently from the saw.

Base

The base of the saw is machined aluminum with rubber feet. 

Handle

It has a handle carved into the base metal for one-handed transport. The upper handle to raise and lower the blade is big enough for a gloved hand. The trigger is large and can be locked off if desired.

Miter detent plate

The DCS361b has a stainless-steel miter detent plate with eleven positive stops. Set to other angles.

Cam lock lever

The cam lock lever is large enough to grasp and control even if the user wears gloves, and it flips open and locks down quickly. There is no need to tighten it like a screw.

Features of the Dewalt DCS361M1

Battery

The 20V lithium-ion battery can provide up to 183 cuts of 2×4 pine and around 275 cuts of 3 ¼-inch crown nested. Its performance is excellent since it charges back up fast, and does not require any experience. It does need some adjustments out of the box since it is straightforward.

The design

The design is conventional and innovative. Its positive stops are slightly different from its competitors. They are easy to use and precise, and the lever moves smoothly. It does not struggle with the miter gauge smoothness.

Hand grip

The hand grip is not cushioned, which is a problem for some people. This model tends to vibrate under full load, but you can overcome that easily. The vibrations are not much intense. The model comes with a bit of weight.

Blade guard

The blade guard is transparent and made of hard plastic. That way, you can supervise the cut as it is happening.

Dust collection system 

It features a dust port and hooks up an extractor to the machine. The dust-collecting capabilities depend on the extractor’s power and performance. 

What could have been better

Dcs361b

• A battery and charger could have been in the package to avoid extra charges. 

DCS361M1

• For more comfort, the handle could have been cushioned.

Similarities

• Both are not for metal cutting or construction.
• They are cordless.
• Their engines run at 4,100 rpm.
• Their maximum depth can cut at 90 degrees is 8 inches.
• They can be cut over 300 times on 3-1 / 4-inch boards without running out of battery.

Differences between the Dewalt Dcs361b and DCS361M1

• Dcs361b does not come with a battery or charger like the DCS361M1.
• Dcs361b is lighter than DCS361M1.

The verdict

If you already have the DEWALT charger and battery, you could get by with the Dewalt DCS361B. Get the Dewalt DCS361M1 because it comes with one battery and a charger. I am sure you now understand the features that work best for you. The comparison above will assist you in your decision.