Dremel Saw Max vs Ultra Saw – Which is the Better Option?

A compact circular saw is handy for DIY jobs: quick cuts in sheet goods, tile, and trim, often in tight spots. Dremel makes two popular corded models.

Dremel Saw Max vs Ultra Saw, which is better? Here is how the two compare side by side.

OUR TOP PICK

Our winner is the Dremel Ultra Saw. It has a stronger 7.5-amp motor, a metal foot and guard, and a drive train Dremel says lasts 3x longer than the Saw-Max’s.

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Main Differences Between Dremel Saw-Max vs Ultra-Saw

Both the Saw-Max and Ultra Saw are mini versions of the larger traditional circular saws, but the similarities end there. The main differences between the Dremel Saw-Max vs Ultra-Saw are:

• The Dremel Saw-Max uses 3-inch wheels, while the Ultra-Saw uses 3.5- and 4-inch wheels. Both cut about 3/4 inch deep.
• The Dremel Saw Max has a 6-amp motor, while the Ultra-Saw has a more powerful 7.5-amp motor for tougher jobs.
• The Saw-Max has a plastic foot and guard. The Ultra-Saw has a metal foot and guard that Dremel says resist the heat of grinding and cutting metal.

The Saw-Max is fine for small, light cutting tasks. The Ultra-Saw is the better option when you need more power or want to do surface prep, such as removing paint, rust, or thin-set mortar.

We talk a little bit more about these differences further down on this article.

Dremel Ultra Saw vs Saw Max Comparison

Product	Details
1. Dremel Ultra Saw	1. Dremel Ultra Saw Top Pick	- Powered by a 7.5-amp motor - Rated speed of 13000 RPM - Two cutting wheel positions - 3.5” and 4” wheels, 3/4” cut depth - Plunge, flush, and surface prep - Metal foot / guard	Check Current Price
2. Dremel Saw Max	2. Dremel Saw Max	- Powered by a 6-amp motor - Rated speed of 17000 RPM - 3” blade diameter and 3/4" cut depth - Adjustable depth control - Clear line of sight and precision - Two cutting wheel positions	Check Current Price

1. Dremel Saw Max – Easiest Model to Use

The Dremel Saw Max is a good quality tool system that gives you the ability to make all your common cuts with confidence. It can easily cut through everyday materials, such as wood, plastic, drywall, plywood, and more.

Specs

• Powered by a 6-amp motor
• Rated speed of 17000 RPM
• 3” blade diameter and 3/4″ cut depth
• Adjustable depth control
• Clear line of sight and precision
• Two cutting wheel positions

The Saw Motor

The Dremel Saw Max is a popular handheld 3-inch circular saw running on a 6-AMP electric motor. With a no-load speed of 17,000 RPM (revolutions per minute), this saw is a powerhouse that will deliver more than you ask. We found the saw pretty strong and will rip through most of the materials you throw at it.

Wheels included vary by kit; a typical kit includes wheels for wood and plastic, metal, tile, and flush cutting.

The Cutting Depth Capability

The maximum cutting depth is about ¾ inch, enough for most plywood, paneling, and sheet metal. For thicker stock, use a full-size circular saw rather than trying to cut from both sides.

An Ergonomic Design

One of the most obvious things about the Dremel Saw Max is its unique design that feels natural when you are ripping materials with it. Although the saw is small, the handle is large enough, allowing you to work with one hand as you rip materials with the saw. Furthermore, you can also hold it using both hands for greater controllability. You can also add another handle near the front end, so that one hand grabs the main handle, while the other holds the removable handle.

Switch System and Controllability

One area where Dremel did a great job with the Saw Max is controllability. Like many ultra-modern power tools, the Saw Max comes with an easy to use activation switch and an additional one that you must always hold to keep the machine running. We liked the design because you only run the machine when cutting your materials.

Because the wheel only spins while the trigger is held, the saw stops as soon as you let go.

Light and Compact Construction

The Saw-Max is compact and light, so you can use it for a long time without fatigue and reach tight areas that a full-size circular saw cannot.

Pros

• Delivers super-fast cutting speed for a compact model
• Provides exceptional one-handed operation
• Guiding the blade manually is extremely easy
• Features a convenient trigger switch for added safety
• Two cutting wheel positions for straight, plunge, and flush cuts

Cons

• Non-standard saw blades wear out too fast
• It gets too hot when used continuously

Conclusion

The Dremel Saw Max is engineered to be a go-to tool for making all of your small-scale do-it-yourself cuts on a regular basis.

Overall Rating – 4.5

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2. Dremel Ultra Saw – Expanded Versatility

Dremel describes the Ultra Saw as a 3-in-1 tool for plunge cutting, flush cutting, and surface preparation. It runs on a 7.5-amp motor.

Specs

• Powered by a 7.5-amp motor
• Rated speed of 13000 RPM
• Two cutting wheel positions
• 3.5” and 4” wheels, 3/4” cut depth
• Plunge, flush, and surface prep
• Metal foot / guard

A Powerful 7.5-AMP Motor

The Ultra Saw’s 7.5-amp motor is 1.5 amps stronger than the Saw-Max’s. It turns at a lower 13,000 RPM, which suits its larger wheels and heavier cutting and surface prep work.

Ergonomic Design

The Ultra Saw is slightly heavier than the Saw-Max because of its metal foot and guard, but it is still light enough for one-handed control.

The weight of the Ultra Saw is pretty balanced, allowing you to work comfortably for better results. Particularly, you will notice that the motor is positioned near the front end, meaning that you will not need to put a lot of pressure to keep the saw in position when working.

For more control on long, straight cuts, kits include an auxiliary side handle so you can hold the saw with both hands.

Cutting Capacity

The Ultra Saw has two wheel positions for straight, plunge, and flush cuts and for surface prep.

Dremel lists a maximum depth of ¾ inch, the same as the Saw-Max. Its extra power helps most with metal and masonry.

Kits include several 3.5- and 4-inch wheels, typically for wood, metal, flush cutting, and surface prep, so you can start working out of the box.

All Metallic Construction

Durability is the Ultra Saw’s main upgrade. Dremel says its drive train lasts 3x longer than the Saw-Max’s, and its metal foot and guard resist the heat from grinding and cutting metal. The Saw-Max’s plastic foot and guard can deform under that heat.

Switches and Controls

Like the Saw Max, the Ultra Saw has a power switch plus a trigger you must hold to keep it running. It also has a spindle lock for wheel changes and an adjustable depth of cut.

Pros

• Three-in-one design offers extended versatility
• More powerful 7.5-amp motor
• Two cutting wheel positions for added flexibility
• Adjustable depth guide improves control over cuts
• Provides a clear line of sight for greater precision

Cons

• Some models may come with a chipped soleplate
• No dust collection

Conclusion

The Dremel Ultra Saw was engineered for users who want more from a circular saw in terms of advanced features, superior versatility, unmatched performance, and long-lasting durability.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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How To Pick The Right Portable Circular Saw

Here are the main things that you have to take into account when picking the right product:

Motor Position

There are two types of circular saws you will come across on the market with respect to the position of the motor: sidewinders and worm drives.

Sidewinder

On a sidewinder, the motor sits beside the blade and its shaft runs parallel to the blade arbor, driving it through spur gears. That makes the saw lighter and faster spinning.

For woodworkers and others who don’t expect heavy, everyday use of a circular saw, a quality sidewinder is probably the way to go.

Worm Drive

In this type of circular saw, the motor’s driveshaft is at right angle to the blade arbor. Worm drive gears transmit the power from the motor to the blade.

The worm drive design delivers high torque for heavy framing cuts.

The durability and high torque of the worm drive mechanism has earned this type of circular saw a bulletproof reputation among woodworkers.

The fact that the blade is mounted to the left side of the motor, makes the blade and the cut line more visible when you’re using the saw.

Like a car in low gear, the saw trades speed for torque, which helps it push through thick, wet, or dense lumber without bogging down.

Cut Line Indicator and Blade Visibility

Another important consideration is the cut line indicator. This feature will help you line up the blade to the cut line, which is important when making precision cuts.

A great marker will precisely define both sides of your saw’s blade curve. This allows you to cut either to the left or right side of your line.

In addition to a great cut line, you need superior blade visibility. All cutting projects require you to have a clear line of sight because you’re not always going to see your saw’s cut line indicator.

Blade Diameter and Depth of Cut

Circular saws are generally described by their size. For example, 3-inch, 4-inch, 7-inch and the like. This size represents the maximum blade diameter that the saw will accommodate.

For example, a 4-inch saw accepts wheels up to 4 inches. Compact 3- to 4-1/2-inch saws suit light DIY cuts, while the 7-1/4-inch size is the standard for framing and general carpentry.

Depth of cut grows with blade diameter, but it is also limited by the saw’s housing. Dremel’s 3-inch and 4-inch saws both cut about 3/4 inch deep.

So, it is important you know what thickness the saw will be able to cut, both at a 90° angle and 45° angles. Also, an adjustable depth control feature is a great asset.

Dremel Saw Max vs Ultra Saw: Other Differences

These two products are siblings, but one is an improvement of the other. Let’s find out which one of the two stands out as the better option for your do-it-yourself projects.

Here are the most important comparison factors:

Amperage of the Motor

A better representation of power when comparing Dremel Saw Max vs Ultra Saw is the amperage rating.

Amperage measures how much current the motor draws. The Ultra Saw is rated at 7.5 amps and the Saw Max at 6 amps, so the Ultra Saw has more cutting power.

Blade Diameter and Depth of Cut

The Dremel Saw Max has a blade diameter of 3 inches, while the Dremel Ultra Saw has a blade diameter of 4 inches.

Despite the larger wheels, both saws cut about 3/4 inch deep. The bigger wheel gives the Ultra Saw more abrasive surface for surface prep and a longer wheel life.

Construction

The Ultra Saw’s metal foot and guard make it slightly heavier than the Saw Max, which has a plastic guard and foot. That makes the Ultra Saw the better option for cutting metal.

Both have a compact design for one-handed control, with a power switch and trigger.

Versatility

Both the Saw Max and Ultra Saw can do straight, plunge, and flush cuts on the following materials: soft and hard wood, laminate flooring, composite, plywood, tile, plastic, PVC, drywall, and masonry.

The Ultra Saw is also built for surface prep with dedicated wheels: Dremel lists removing paint, rust, and thin-set mortar.

On either saw, wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use only Dremel wheels made for the tool. Dremel’s FAQ warns that toothed blades should never be used on these saws.

Kits & Accessories

Each saw is sold in several kits. Contents change over time, so check the kit number on the listing. Kits we have seen include:

Dremel Saw Max

The available purchase options for this model are:

• SM20-03: This tool kit contains the Dremel Saw Max, a wood and plastic blade, and a metal cutting blade.
• SM20-02: This tool kit includes the Dremel Saw Max, a hard carrying case, a blade guide, a vacuum suction accessory, a flush cut blade, a metal cutoff wheel, a tile blade, and a wood & plastic blade.

Dremel Ultra Saw

The available purchase options for this model are:

• US40-01: With this kit, you get the Dremel Ultra Saw, a diamond surface prepping grinding wheel, a flush wood cutting blade, a metal cutoff blade, a wood cutting blade, an auxiliary handle attachment, and a storage bag.
• US40-03: With this kit, you get the Dremel Ultra Saw, a masonry blade, a metal cutoff wheel, a wood flush cut blade, a wood cutting blade, an auxiliary handle attachment, and a storage bag.

Final Thoughts

The Dremel Ultra-Saw wins because it improves on the Saw-Max where it matters: more power, a metal foot and guard, and a longer-lasting drive train. The Saw-Max spins faster, which is fine for soft materials.

The Saw Max is lighter and a little more compact, and it is a good budget choice for light cutting.

The Dremel Ultra Saw is the more versatile of Dremel’s compact saws for DIY projects. The Dremel Saw Max is the lighter, simpler choice for occasional cuts.

Sources

• Dremel Ultra Saw US40-04 Corded Compact Saw Tool Kit, Dremel
• FAQ, Dremel