DeWalt’s Xtreme 12V Oscillating Tool Has Something For Everyone
Woodworkers, DIYers, and working professionals will find the DeWalt DCS353 12V Xtreme oscillating tool offers plenty of options for completing projects. Whether you use it for trimming wood, sanding down furniture, or cutting into metal, DeWalt promises pro-grade results. We dive into this tool and its attachments to help you decide if you should add it to your toolbox.
DeWalt DCS353 12V Xtreme Oscillating Tool – The Big Deal
The 12V Xtreme delivers up to 18,000 OPM with a 3.2-degree oscillation angle. It uses a variable speed trigger so you can tailor the speed to the job at hand.
At 9.5-inches in length, the DeWalt DCS353 tool shaves almost 2-inches off the length of the DeWalt 20V XR oscillating tool and DeWalt Atomic oscillating tool. It maintains the same top OPM speed as well but eliminates the three different speed settings. DeWalt claims that the tool’s compact design and pro-grade construction help you complete a wide range of jobs. The familiar design reminds us of the Porter-Cable cordless oscillating multi-tool.
The bare tool comes with three attachments. You get a woodcutting blade, a wood/metal cutting blade, and a universal accessory adapter. The adapter accepts most accessory brands, which helps if you don’t have many DeWalt-specific accessories lying around.
Changing the blade is simple, too. As with the 20V model, the 12V Xtreme oscillating tool uses DeWalt’s Quick-Change system. A quick squeeze releases the accessory and lets you pop in another without needing a tool. This has the added benefit of keeping your hands away from often hot accessories.
DeWalt 20V XR vs Atomic vs 12V Max Models
| DCS353 12V | DCS354 20V Atomic | DCS356 20V XR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed (OPM) | 0-18,000 | 0-18,000 | 0-13k/17k/20k |
| Modes | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Oscillating angle | 3.2 deg. | 3.2 deg. | 3.2 deg. |
| Battery | 12V | 20V | 20V |
| Trigger | Short dual-grip | Dual-grip | Dual-grip |
| Length | 9.5 in. | 11.2 in. | 11.2 in. |
| Weight | 1.85 lbs. | 2.33 lbs. | 2.33 lbs. |
| Price (bare tool) | $129 | $149 | $159 |
Additional Features
- Trigger locks on/off
- LED light for working in low-light conditions
DeWalt DCS353 Price
The DeWalt DCS353 Xtreme 12V oscillating tool is available as a bare tool (for $129) and as part of a kit. With the kit, you get the tool, a battery, charger, and a kit bag for around $169. DeWalt backs your purchase with a 3-year limited warranty and 1-year free service contract.
Specifications
- Model: DeWalt DCS353
- Weight: 1.85 lbs
- Length: 9 in
- Height: 3.8 in
- Battery voltage: 12
- Oscillations per minute: 18,000
- Variable speed: Yes (trigger)
