DeWalt DCS578B: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-17
Summary
The DCS578B is a bare-tool 60V FLEXVOLT sidewinder circular saw (8.2 lb without a battery) whose owners mostly complain about weight, with a sticky shoe and a guard that hangs up in compound bevel cuts on some saws. The main running cost is the battery: no battery or charger is in the box, so a DCB609 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT pack and charger are bought separately. It is a good buy at about $269 or less for someone already in the FLEXVOLT 60V system, and hard to justify above $310 against 20V alternatives.
Common problems and fixes
- Upper blade guard sightline — the upper guard extends farther than ideal, limiting the sightline during bevel cuts. No fix reported. [2]
- Guard hangup in compound cuts — the guard hangs up slightly during compound 45°/45° bevel cuts; owners release the guard and re-feed. Not a warranty item — it is a handling quirk. [2]
- No dust port in the box — the saw ships without a dust port; an optional dust port accessory is sold separately. [2]
Parts and consumables
- Blade wrench — included in the box. [1]
Yearly running cost
Not enough data. The battery and charger are one-time purchases rather than an annual cost. [1][2]
When it is a good buy
- At $269 or less it is a strong pick for a buyer already in the FLEXVOLT 60V system: Pro Tool Reviews put the bare tool at $269 in June 2024, and BigR Online lists $269.99. [2][9]
- Around $299-310 the value weakens: Burns Tools lists $299 and Nail Gun Depot $309.95 (both observed October 2026), and Adam’s Tarp & Tool lists $398. [3][6][10]
- Walmart showed a $197 sale price from $299, and a Reddit user reported finding it at $149 on sale; both look like temporary deals, not permanent pricing. [11][7]
- Alternatives: the DeWalt DCS590B or Milwaukee M18 FUEL (20V) cover similar cutting work for less money, and the worm-drive DCS577B is the better choice for West Coast buyers who want the blade on the left. [2][7]