Carpenter Reciprocating Saws: Controlled Strip-Out or Full-Size Demolition
DCS367B addresses compact DeWalt access; DCS389B needs FLEXVOLT power. Milwaukee 2821-20, Makita XRJ05Z and Bosch GSA18V-110N suit their existing battery owners. Choose around supported access, blade reach and the material being removed.
5 picks · 5 full reviewsUS-focusedResearch-based recommendations
Product image: DeWalt. Check the listing for included accessories.
Strip-out requires a plan for concealed services, supports and the remaining structure. A reciprocating saw is not a finish-cutting substitute or permission to cut an unidentified fixing or structural member.
HOW TO CHOOSE
What matters for the work
Identify what is being cut
Check the work area and permitted removal before buying a demolition blade. Timber, embedded fixings and metal need suitable accessories. Access is the full tool-plus-blade envelope, including movement beyond the workpiece.
Compactness and production are different priorities
A compact body can help between studs; a full-size machine may make more sense for repeated accessible removal. Do not equate a shorter housing with lower vibration or a higher stroke figure with a measured speed advantage.
Price the required power
FLEXVOLT 60V operation requires a compatible FLEXVOLT battery, not an ordinary 20V MAX pack. M18, LXT and Bosch 18V are separate systems. Add suitable blades and charging capacity before comparing bare-tool offers.
We compared manufacturer specifications and documented features. We have not hands-on tested these products. Read our recommendation method →
Detailed picks
Useful differences, meaningful drawbacks and the specifications behind each recommendation.
OPTION 1
Product image: DeWalt. Check the listing for included accessories.Compact DeWalt renovation access
Compact DeWalt renovation access
DeWalt
DCS367B 20V MAX XR Compact Reciprocating Saw
Best for: DeWalt owners removing suitable identified material in constrained working spaces.
DCS367B is the compact DeWalt option for supported removal where a full-size saw body is awkward.
Choose DCS367B for a genuine compact-access need on DeWalt power; do not treat it as a finish saw or a vibration-free upgrade.
Compact body
Four blade orientations
Variable trigger and LED
Platform
20V MAX; tool only
Body length
14.5 inches; manufacturer
Blade clamp
Four positions
Main tradeoff: Compact does not mean vibration-free
Should an apprentice buy every tool in this comparison?
No. Identify the work you are expected to do, what your employer supplies and the equipment already available. Buy a complete setup for the recurring task; add specialist tools as the workload requires them.
