Full Review ⭐ DeWalt DCS353B 12V MAX Brushless Lithium-Ion Cordless Oscillating Tool: (Tool Only)

The DeWalt DCS353B is a 12V max brushless lithium-ion cordless oscillating multi-tool designed for professional use. As part of DeWalt's Xtreme Subcompact series, it is an ultra-compact and lightweight tool that still packs a punch.

Weighing only 2.2 lbs with the battery, the DCS353B is designed to reduce user fatigue during extended overhead use or when working in tight spaces. Its slim grip circumference enhances comfort and control. Despite its small size, this oscillating tool delivers up to 57% more power than previous models.

The DCS353B comes as a tool only without a battery or charger. It is compatible with DeWalt's 12V max lithium-ion slide-style batteries. When paired with a 12V max 3Ah battery, users can expect up to 2.5 hours of runtime. This makes the DCS353B a versatile and portable oscillating tool suitable for professional use.

Design and Ergonomics

The DeWalt DCS353B features a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to maneuver into tight spaces and reduces fatigue during prolonged use. Weighing only 2.6 lbs with the battery inserted, this oscillating tool won't weigh you down even after hours of cutting and sanding.

Despite its small size, the DCS353B has an ergonomic grip with soft overmold that allows for comfortable handling. The grip has anti-slip ridges that provide a secure hold, even when your hands get sweaty. A bright LED light is built into the foot of the tool to illuminate dark work areas.

An adjustable tool free shoe lets you quickly pivot the cutting or sanding accessory to match the angle you need. At just 10.9 inches long, the DCS353B can fit into the tightest corners and crevices. The compact size paired with the great ergonomics makes this one of the most user-friendly oscillating tools on the market.

For those looking for even more power and runtime in an oscillating multi-tool, check out the DeWalt DCS356N 18v XR Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool. This model features DeWalt's brushless motor technology that delivers 57% more run time over brushed motors. With a max speed of 22,000 oscillations per minute, it makes quick work of any cutting, sanding, or grinding task.

The DCS356N has 3-speed settings so you can match the oscillations to the application. An integrated LED light helps illuminate your work area. At just 3.5 pounds, this oscillating multi-tool maintains the compact and ergonomic design that DeWalt is known for.

Like the DCS353B, the DCS356N has a quick change accessory system and universal accessory adaptor that allows you to use blades and attachments from other brands. If you're willing to spend a little more for the added power and efficiency of a brushless motor, the DCS356N is an excellent choice.

Motor and Power

The DeWalt DCS353B features a high-performance brushless motor that delivers efficient power and runtime. This motor provides greater power than a standard brushed motor while also generating less heat and reducing wear.

The max power output is 340 Watts which allows the tool to cut through various materials with ease. There are 3 variable speed settings from 0-22,000 oscillations per minute (OPM) to give you optimal control for different applications and materials. At the highest setting, it can produce fast cuts through wood and metal. The lower speeds allow for more precision and control when cutting delicate materials or when doing detail work.

The brushless motor combined with the 12V lithium ion battery pack provides up to 30 minutes of runtime. This gives you enough juice to work on most small to medium DIY and home improvement tasks. The lack of brushes in the motor contributes to its overall durability and longer lifespan compared to brushed motors.

Overall, the DCS353B's brushless motor delivers efficient, variable power in a compact 12V platform. This gives users the best of both worlds - portability and performance.

If you're looking for even more power and versatility in an oscillating multi-tool, check out the DeWalt DCS355N-XJ Oscillating Multi-Tool 18V Li-Ion Cordless Brushless Battery Powered. This model runs on DeWalt's powerful 18V battery platform and also utilizes a high-efficiency brushless motor. It has a max power output of 535 Watts, allowing it to tackle heavy-duty cutting and sanding applications with greater ease. The variable speed dial gives users total control with up to 20,000 OPM. At full speed, it can make quick work of cutting through wood, metal, and even masonry. The DCS355N-XJ comes with a standard oscillating head plus an angled head for flush cutting and hard to reach areas. It accepts all universal oscillating accessories to maximize versatility. With the added power and performance of the 18V motor, this oscillating tool is ideal for pros or DIYers taking on bigger projects. However, it does come at a higher price point than the 12V DCS353B.

Battery and Charging

The DeWalt DCS353B comes with a 12V MAX XR Lithium Ion battery that provides long runtime and fast charging. The battery is lightweight and compact, making the tool easy to maneuver and reducing user fatigue.

Lithium Ion batteries have become the standard for power tools due to their ability to hold a charge for extended periods without losing capacity. The 12V MAX battery has enough juice to handle most cutting, sanding, and grinding applications without dying prematurely. Runtime will vary based on the task, but users can expect around 30-60 minutes of continuous operation depending on the accessory used.

Charging the 12V battery is a breeze with the included charger. It usually takes around 60 minutes to fully recharge a depleted battery. The charger plugs into any standard wall outlet and has an LED indicator to notify when charging is complete. The battery also features fuel gauge LEDs, allowing users to check remaining runtime at a glance before starting a project.

The quick recharge time means you can top up the battery during short breaks. And since the charger and battery are compact, bringing an extra battery to swap out on longer jobs is easy and ensures you won't run out of power. Overall, the battery and charging performance make the DCS353B a highly convenient and portable oscillating tool.

Oscillation Angle

The DCS353B has a 4-degree oscillation angle, which is fairly standard for an oscillating multi-tool in this class. The 4-degree oscillation provides a nice balance between aggressive material removal and control.

An adjustable oscillation would allow you to dial in the aggressiveness, using lower angles for delicate work and higher angles when you need more cutting power. However, the DCS353B does not have this adjustability. The single 4-degree angle is optimized for all-around performance across different materials and applications.

For an oscillating multi-tool designed for professional use, the lack of an adjustable oscillation angle is a bit disappointing. But for typical DIY and home use, the fixed 4-degree oscillation will be suitable for most cutting, sanding, and grinding tasks. Just don't expect the extremely fine control that an adjustable oscillation can provide.

Overall, the 4-degree oscillation angle is capable but not outstanding. It's a reasonable design choice for a mid-range oscillating multi-tool aimed at home users. Professionals may want a model with more adjustability, but the DCS353B delivers respectable cutting ability across different materials given its fixed angle.

Accessories

The DeWalt DCS353B comes with a good selection of accessories to get you started. In the box you'll find:

• A cutting blade - This is a general purpose wood and metal cutting blade. It has a fine tooth design which is suitable for most materials. The blade is durable and retains its sharpness well.

• A sanding pad - This allows you to attach sandpaper to the tool for detail sanding and finishing work. The sanding pad has a quick release mechanism for fast paper changes.

• A scraper blade - Great for removing old paint, glue and other sticky materials without damaging the surface underneath. The scraper avoids scratches.

• A detail finger attachment - This slips over the front of the tool to let you get into tight spaces and precise areas. It gives you more control over the oscillation motion.

• An adapter - Allows you to use imperial sized accessories from other brands with the DeWalt's metric attachment system. Widens your accessory options.

The accessories included cover all the basics like cutting, sanding and scraping. With the addition of the finger attachment and adapter there's also flexibility for detailed work and non-DeWalt accessories. Overall it's a versatile starter kit.

Cutting Performance

The DCS353B delivers impressive cutting performance thanks to its powerful brushless motor and oscillating angle of 3.2 degrees. The variable speed trigger provides excellent control when making precision cuts in different materials.

When fitted with a wood cutting blade, the DCS353B makes light work of cutting lumber, plywood, and even hardwoods like oak and maple. It can cut through 2x material and make plunge cuts easily. The 12V battery has sufficient power for most DIY and home improvement cutting tasks.

For metal cutting, the DCS353B also performs well. With a suitable bi-metal blade installed, it can cut sheet metal, light gauge steel, aluminum, copper pipes, and even stainless steel. The tool maintains a consistent speed when cutting tougher metals to deliver smooth, burr-free cuts.

One area where the DCS353B really shines is cutting softer materials like plastics, drywall, and laminates. The oscillating action allows it to cut these materials rapidly without chipping or cracking. It's easy to achieve clean, precise cuts in softer man-made materials with this tool.

Overall, the cutting ability of the DCS353B in wood, metal, and other materials is impressive for a 12V cordless oscillating tool. The brushless motor technology gives it very good power and runtime when making cuts across a wide range of materials.

Noise Levels

The DeWalt DCS353B oscillating tool operates at a reasonable noise level, producing around 79 decibels when under load. This is comparable to other 12V oscillating tools and is not excessively loud. Some users may still want to utilize hearing protection for extended use, but for quick jobs the noise is unlikely to be an issue.

The motor itself has a high frequency hum that is less intrusive than the grinding noise generated when sanding or cutting. There is some vibration and resonance through the tool body at certain oscillation angles, but this is not excessive. Overall the noise levels are average for this class of tool and should not deter potential buyers.

Dust Collection

The DCS353B comes with a dust extraction port so you can attach a vacuum hose to collect dust while cutting and sanding. This helps keep your work area cleaner and reduces airborne dust you breathe in.

The dust port accepts standard 1-1/4 inch or smaller vacuum hoses. Dewalt does sell an optional dust extraction kit, but any good shop vac with a small hose should work fine. The dust port rotates with the tool head to maintain suction while cutting at different angles.

One downside is that dust collection requires keeping a vacuum running nearby. The hose can sometimes get in the way while working. But overall the dust extraction works reasonably well to reduce the mess created. For best results use a vacuum with good suction power.

Pros and Cons

The DeWalt DCS353B oscillating multi-tool has many benefits but also some downsides to consider:

Pros

• Powerful 12V brushless motor provides ample power for cutting and sanding
• Compact and lightweight design improves maneuverability
• Variable speed dial (0-22,000 OPM) allows optimizing speed for each application
• Quick accessory change with universal blade clamp
• LED light illuminates the work area
• Good battery life from 12V MAX lithium ion battery

Cons

• Battery and charger sold separately adds to cost
• Dust collection could be better, tends to blow dust around
• No soft start feature means full torque engages immediately
• Fixed oscillation angle limits versatility compared to tools with 3-position heads
• Noise level is quite loud, especially at higher speeds

Overall, the DeWalt DCS353B is a very capable cordless oscillating multi-tool that excels at cutting jobs. The brushless motor provides excellent power in a compact form factor. Just be aware of the limitations around dust collection and noise. For best value, consider kits that include the battery and charger.