Dewalt is a legendary brand when it comes to power tools. The introduction of the DCS393 Circular Saw got me excited as it was another product in the lineup which consisted of the DCS391 Circular Saw. I then wondered what the differences were between the two products.
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The major difference between Dewalt DCS391 and DCS393 is the speed of the blade. The DCS391 has a maximum no load speed of 5150 RPM, while the DCS393 maxes out at 3700 RPM. The foot of these saws is made of different materials as well, affecting the weight of both these products.
| DCS391 | DCS393 | |
| Motor | 20V | 20V |
| Power source | Battery | Battery |
| Blade | 6.5 Inches or 7.25 Inches | 6.5 Inches |
| Bevel cutting range | 0-50°(degree) | 0-50°(degree) |
| Speed (No load) | 5150 RPM | 3700 RPM |
| Weight | 7.72 lbs | 7.62 lbs |
| Product dimensions | 8.5 x 15.5 x 10.5 inches or 11 x 8 x 10 inches | 12.5 x 9 x 10 inches |
| Warranty | 3 Year Limited Warranty | 3 Year Limited Warranty |
I was curious to learn more about the differences between these two products as I wanted to know if it was worth making the upgrade. I, therefore, decided to do my research to get a better understanding of the individual products and share the information I obtained with you.
This will help you understand not only the differences but also the similarities between these two circular saws from the Dewalt brand.
Differences Between DCS391 and DCS393
- Speed
The speed of the motor determines how many times the blade can be rotated by the motor for the given battery output. The DCS391 has a maximum no-load speed of 5150 RPM. This makes it a great saw to have for heavy-duty applications, while also allowing users to cut through materials quickly and more efficiently.
On the other hand, the DCS393 has a maximum no load speed of 3700 RPM. This makes it convenient for amateur users looking to make DIY household items and furniture.
However, the lower speed means the blade struggles to make cuts when the cutting depth crosses the 6-inch mark, making it less reliable for those with a requirement for regular heavy-duty cutting operations.
- Foot of the saw
The foot of the circular saw is the part that rests against the workpiece when the blade spins through the material. It consists of a plate that rests on the material that is being cut.
The plate also acts as a guide for users while they move across the surface of the workpiece. The DCS391 has an alloy molded foot, while the DCS393 has a steel foot.
The alloy molded foot of the DCS391 offers better control and balance while cutting, making it ideal for those who require more precision and stability while operating the saw. However, this makes it a little more susceptible to vibrations, which can be felt by the user.
On the other hand, the DCS393 has a steel foot which does a great job of minimizing the vibrations felt while operating the saw.
However, many users felt the blade had a higher tendency of going off balance, which was especially true when the saw had to be moved across the surface.
- Weight and dimensions
The DCS391 has a weight of 7.72 lbs while the DCS393 has a weight of 7.62 lbs. The DCS391 is also slightly wider than the DCS393 in terms of the overall dimensions of the tool.
The main reason why the DCS391 is marginally heavier and larger is because of the more powerful motor onboard this model. It also uses a different material for the foot of the saw, thus contributing very minimally to the increased weight.
However, the increased weight allows for the saw to be more stable when the blade is in operation. As a result, the user can make more accurate and precise cuts with their DCS391.
Similarities Between DCS391 and DCS393
- Power Source
The DS391 and DCS393 are both battery-powered. They are both compatible with the Dewalt XR range of batteries, with a maximum output voltage of 20V from the battery.
As a result, both the models can be used with the numerous batteries from this range, which come with different amperage options depending on the duration you want the charge to last.
The XR battery series offers decent life and offers sufficient runtime for the circular saws it powers. They are however not included in the pack and must be bought separately, which may annoy some customers looking to invest in a new circular saw.
- Blade dimensions, bevel and warranty
The blade on both these models is a 6-½” carbide-tipped blade that offers good speed and makes the cutting process efficient. The blade also provides a smooth finish while cutting, ensuring the user gets a good quality of work while using this product.
The blade is equipped to cut at angles too, with a maximum bevel angle of 50°. As a result, the user can make compound and angled cuts with the help of this saw, giving them additional flexibility while using this saw.
As both products are manufactured by Dewalt, they come with a three-year warranty on the tool. They also have a 90-day money-back guarantee if the customer is not satisfied with the quality of the products they have purchased. Customers can also avail a whole year of free service from the manufacturer.
- Design and ergonomics
Dewalt power tools are unmistakable thanks to their bright yellow and black livery. The same goes with these two circular saws, which makes it a very attractive purchase for new customers looking to own a reliable product from a great brand.
The product is also compatible with a number of Dewalt accessories that are provided by the manufacturer, making it ideal for those looking to expand the use of the product in the long run.
Both products have oversized handles and wide ergonomic grips that allow the user to grip the saws easily with just a single hand. The safety switch is designed for both left and right-handed users, ensuring improved comfort and safety while operating the trigger switch that powers the blade.
They also have a plastic blade guard to protect the users from accidental contact with the blade when not in use. Both saws come with an Allen key that attaches itself to the body of the tool, allowing users to quickly swap blades for multi-purpose applications.
Which one is Better & Why
The Dewalt DCS391 and Dewalt DCS393 are great circular saws from a reliable brand that offers great value for money along with good performance. However, at the end of my research, I felt that the Dewalt DCS391 was the better of the two products for the following reasons.
- Speed
In the world of power tools, there is no such thing as too much speed. The Dewalt DCS391 has a maximum no-load speed of 5150 RPM, which is ideal for a number of applications.
While it may seem overkill for basic woodworking and DIY applications, I found it very handy to have as it made my cutting process a lot more efficient and enjoyable. It also helped me tackle the tougher hardwoods with ease, without compromising the smoothness and accuracy of the cut.
On the other hand, the 3700 RPM no-load speed of the Dewalt DCS393 was sufficient for basic applications. However, it struggled to make deep cuts beyond 6”, which was slightly frustrating after a point.
I had the same issue with hardwoods, as the blade hacked through certain portions of the workpiece. This ruined the end finish of the product, which was not the end result I had hoped for.
- Stability
Stability is a very crucial aspect when it comes to circular saws, as it is the saw and its blade that move while the workpiece remains stationary.
The slightly heavier Dewalt DCS391 felt much more stable thanks to its alloy molded foot, which gave me the feeling that the saw was a lot more planted while making the cuts.
It also had a positive impact on the accuracy and precision of the cuts, especially when using the bevel feature. The blade strayed less from the intended cut, making me satisfied with the cuts I got at the end of the day.
The Dewalt DCS393 was a little more cumbersome while using it. The stainless steel shoe minimized vibrations but made the blade veer off the intended line of cutting, which ruined a couple of workpieces.
The accuracy was also not as good as the DCS391, which made it a decisive factor when it came to choosing which model was the better circular saw. You can check the latest price of this circular saw from Amazon. (Click here to go to Amazon)
Buying Guide of a Circular Saw
Buying a new circular saw can seem to be a daunting task, especially for those with little to no experience while handling power tools. Therefore, I have added this short buying guide to help you understand the various aspects of the tool that you should know about while making the purchase.
- Power source
Circular saws have two main ways to draw power to the motor. They are corded and cordless. Corded motors are connected to the 120V mains power outlet with the help on an electrical cord.
Since they are connected to the main power supply of your house or workshop, they have an infinite run time and are equipped with more powerful motors that consume more power. However, the downside of such saws is their reduced portability and range around the worksite.
The cordless motors depend on a portable battery that can be attached to the saw. These saws are compact and lighter compared to the cordless models, making them ideal for those with a need to transport the saw and use it across different job sites. However, these saws have reduced runtimes and are less powerful due to the battery source.
- Drive mechanism
There are two main drive mechanisms for a circular saw, worm-drive and sidewinder mechanisms.
The worm-drive mechanism has the motor placed at a right angle to the spinning blades. As a result, it requires a gear mechanism to transfer torque from the motor to the blade. While this increases the weight of the saw, it also produces more torque and lesser noise than the sidewinder mechanisms. This makes it ideal for heavy-duty cutting work.
The sidewinder mechanism is the most commonly used drive mechanism in circular saws. It has a direct drive system, with the shaft from the motor being connected directly to the spinning blade.
As a result, it allows for more compact designs of the saw while reducing the overall weight as well. However, the saw is a lot noisier and less powerful than the worm-drive mechanism.
- Features
The most common features to be included with a circular saw are saw foot, bevel cuts and stops, and some safety features.
The saw foot is a crucial aspect of the circular saw, which rests on the workpiece that is to be cut. The material of the foot not only increases stability while cutting but also ensures improved accuracy and user comfort while operating this saw.
The bevel cutting option is provided by some saws to make angled cuts using a circular saw. This gives an additional degree of flexibility in the cutting process. Bevel stops help make quick adjustments to the blade, increasing the convenience of making angled cuts.
Safety features are essential to keep the user safe in the case of accidents or equipment malfunction. This includes electric brakes and spindle/shaft locks. The electric brakes decelerate the blade quickly, helping stop it in a couple of seconds to prevent serious injury.
The spindle/shaft locks ensure that the blade change process is easy and with onboard tools, without creating too many hassles for the user while completing the process.
- Blade
The blade is the most important aspect of picking up the right circular saw for you. You must be aware of the three main factors while choosing a model to suit your requirements; blade speed, material, and dimension.
The speed of the blade determines how fast the blade can be rotated by the motor. One must ensure that the blade can accommodate the maximum speed of a given circular saw. One can also check the number of teeth on the blade to get a better idea about the smoothness of the cut.
The material of the blade determines the types of materials you can cut using a circular saw, as well as the quality of the finish. The most common materials used in blades include stainless steel and carbide tipped for greater strength.
The last factor that is important is the dimension of the blade. A larger blade can allow you to cut through materials faster while reducing time and effort.
Another important aspect to check is the arbor of the blade, which is the hole through which the blade is mounted onto the motor. This is crucial to ensure the compatibility of the blade with the saw.
