Dremel is one brand to trust when it comes to cutting tools and circular saws. We will take a look at the comparisons between Dremel Ultra Saw vs Dremel Saw Max below. They are two of the most popular models from Dremel. However, despite the similarities, one comes with more power than the other, along with some notable improvements.
What we will discuss below:
- The dimensions of each circular saw
- The build quality and durability of the circular saws
- Which model that is easier and safer to use
- The features and capabilities of each circular saw
- The cutting power of Dremel Ultra Saw vs Dremel Saw Max
- The included accessories in each bundle
- Whether Ultra Saw or Saw Max is better for the money
Design
First of all, let’s put Dremel Ultra Saw vs Dremel Saw Max next to each other to compare their designs. Note that Dremel Ultra Saw is a newer model that is based on Dremel Saw Max. As the effect, you can easily find similarities in their body shapes. However, the Ultra Saw comes with notable improvements compared to the Saw Max.
Most of the dimensions remain the same, except the weight. Each unit measures 13 inches from top to bottom. Ultra Saw from Dremel is slightly heavier at 4.625 kg, whereas Saw Max is slightly lighter at 3.85 kg. The weight difference is indeed very noticeable. Each of the two models is equipped with a 7-ft power cord, which is long enough to allow easy movement when working on a large project.
If you are an experienced user who has worked with heavy tools for some time, you probably won’t face any trouble in using Ultra Saw. However, for a novice user, the weight of Ultra Saw may make the tool a little difficult to handle. For a novice user, Saw Max is easier to handle, even though it is also pretty heavy.
So, why is Dremel Ultra Saw heavier than Dremel Saw Max? There are two main culprits. They are the metal wheel guard and the motor.
Ultra Saw has undergone a major improvement in the casing material. Ultra Saw comes with a metal wheel guard and foot plate, whereas Saw Max only has a plastic wheel guard. The metal wheel guard makes the unit significantly heavier, but it is also much stronger and more durable. It also means enhanced protection for your hands. Never again you need to worry about the guard breaking apart due to heavy impacts or sharp debris.
Ultra Saw also comes with a more powerful motor and a more durable drivetrain. The Dremel company even claims that the drivetrain on Ultra Saw can last three times longer than the one on Saw Max. This is quite a bold claim, considering that Saw Max itself is already a good product with decent durability and longevity. Nevertheless, for heavy-duty purposes, Ultra Saw can make a better bet.
The handle of Ultra Saw is similar to that of Saw Max. The ergonomics are great. You can hold the tool comfortably despite the heavy weight. The embedded lines ensure that the tool will not slip from your hand. In addition, both models have been designed to allow clear and unobstruced line of sight so that you can make precise cuts confidently.
Features and Capabilities
The next big difference between Dremel Ultra Saw vs Dremel Saw Max is their functions. Dremel Ultra Saw is really a big upgrade because it has been designed as a 3-in-1 tool. It can be used as a cutting tool, undercut saw, and surface preparation tool. On the other hand, Dremel Saw Max is only for cutting and not for surface preparation.
As mentioned above, Ultra Saw has a metal blade guard and foot plate, whereas Saw Max is plastic. Note that each model here has a depth adjustment control. Unfortunately, neither of them has a bevel adjustment control, which is necessary if you want to tilt the foot plate relative to the blade in order to make a smooth and clean bevel cut. So, they are not suitable for making bevel cuts.
Let’s take a look at Dremel Saw Max first. It has become one of the most popular cutting tools because of good reasons. It has enough power to allow you to cut virtually any material using just a single hand. It is still popular nowadays, thanks to the inexpensive price tag. Dremel Saw Max is reliable, easy to use, and easy to store – it is an ideal DIY tool.
Well, in terms of cutting capabilities, Dremel Saw Max is already quite versatile. It has two wheel positions, so you can easily adapt the tool for different conditions and purposes. With Dremel Saw Max, you can make straight cuts, flush cuts, and plunge cuts with ease. Some people say that it is not really all that fantastic for flush cuts, but it is definitely usable when needed.
The company is obviously trying to improve on their products to be better and better. Dremel Ultra Saw is an excellent example of this. Dremel Ultra Saw is able to perform all the things that Dremel Saw Max can do. Just like the predecessor, this unit has two wheel positions so that you can adjust it for straight cuts, flush cuts, and plunge cuts. However, just like the predecessor, this unit is not really great for flush cuts.
What really sets Dremel Ultra Saw apart is the ability to perform surface preparation. This function is incredibly useful for various projects and applications, such as installing a new flooring, re-painting a wall, and removing rust from a metallic surface.You can use it to remove rust, old paint, and thin-set.
Using Dremel Ultra Saw for this task is easy and straightforward. You just need to attach the suitable accessories, which are included in the bundle. Place the wheel on the outer side so that it can hit the surface that you want to prep. Turn the unit sideways, and hold the unit with both of your hands for the best accuracy and precision.According to the company, Dremel Ultra Saw is suitable for preparing tile, masonry, concrete, and metal surfaces.
Blade Capacity
The blade capacity of a circular saw determines the maximum depth of a cut that the saw can achieve. This is a very important aspect that often gets overlooked by a beginner. If the blade capacity of the saw is not large enough, you will not be able to cut through a particularly thick material. On the other hand, though, a saw with a smaller blade capacity is generally easier to control.
Dremel Saw Max uses its own 3-inch cutting wheels, which are smaller than the ones used by Dremel Ultra Saw. With this blade capacity, Dremel Saw Max can only cut through thin metallic sheets and wooden planks. The maximum depth that it can handle is only ¾ inches. Fortunately, the circular saw has an adjustable depth control, so that you can get the cut depth that you need with good precision.
There are specific cutting wheels with different edges for different materials: carbide wheels for wood and plastic, diamond wheels for tiles, masonry cut-off wheels, and metal cut-off wheels. It goes without saying that this model doesn’t have special wheels for surface preparation, as Dremel Saw Max is not designed for that purpose. Make sure that you use the right wheel for your project in order to get the best result.
Dremel Ultra Saw, on the other hand, uses 3.5-inch and 4-inch cutting wheels. These cutting wheels are larger than the ones used by Dremel Saw Max. A cutting wheel with a larger diameter will allow you to rip through a large material more quickly. Unfortunately, the maximum cutting depth is still¾ inches due to the design of the unit. Dremel Ultra Saw also has an adjustable depth control for precision cuts.
For sure, Dremel Ultra Saw has specific cutting wheels with different edges for different materials. There are two different wheels for wood, one is for straight cuts and the other is for flush cuts. There are diamond blades for tiles, masonry cut-off wheels, and metal cut-off wheels. Finally, it has a paint-and-rust abrasive wheel and a diamond abrasive wheel for surface preparation.
Cutting Power
Dremel Ultra Saw vs Dremel Saw Max have different motors and drivetrains. Ultra Saw offers more power and durability, so it is the ideal choice for heavy-duty purposes. However, if you only need to cut relatively light materials, such as some wood and plastic, Saw Max is probably sufficient.
Dremel Saw Max is armed with a powerful 6-amp motor. As a matter of fact, this model actually has a higher maximum speed, which is 17,000RPM. However, keep in mind that the cutting power is affected more by the motor’s amperage instead of just the RPM. So, although the maximum speed looks really high, it is actually not as powerful as the Ultra Saw.
Still, Dremel Saw Max is able to cut through a variety of materials just fine. According to the manufacturer, this model is suitable for cutting plywood, composites, soft wood, hard wood, plastic, PVC, laminate flooring, drywall, tiles, masonry materials, as well as ferrous and non-ferrous materials.
On the other hand, Dremel Ultra Saw boasts an even more powerful motor, whose amperage is 7.5 amps. The maximum speed is capped at 13,000 RPM. Apparently, the maximum speed is lowered in order to prevent hazardous effects and accidents.
The more powerful motor allows Dremel Ultra Saw to cut through various materials with ease. Just like the predecessor, this model is designed to cut plywood, composites, soft and hard wood, plastic, PVC, laminate flooring, drywall, tiles, masonry materials, and ferrous and non-ferrous materials.
You will notice that Dremel Ultra Saw cuts through the harder objects, such as hard wood, masonry, and metallic sheets,with significantly less effort. This is a great advantage if you often work on such materials. The enhanced drivetrain also ensures that the saw will last for a long time even with frequent heavy-duty uses.
Nevertheless, both Dremel Ultra Saw and Dremel Saw Max have worm-drive motors. In other words, the cutting wheel is placed at an angle from the motor, and there are gears used by the motor to increase the torque. Worm-drive motors are ideal for heavy-duty purposes. This design is generally more powerful than the other, more common sidewinder design, which places the blade along the same axis as the blade. In addition, this design tends to work more quietly.
Included Accessories
Dremel Ultra Saw vs Dremel Saw Max are available in several different bundles that include different accessories. However, in general, Dremel Ultra Saw comes with more accessories than Dremel Saw Max. Nevertheless, if the cutting wheels that you need aren’t included in the bundle, you can easily find them in many local and online stores.
There are 2 options when choosing Dremel Saw Max.
- The first is Dremel Saw Max SM20-02. This is the complete bundle that includes the cutting guide, carbide blade, flush-cut carbide wheel, tile diamond wheel, metal cut-off wheel, dust port adapter, storage case, and user manual.
- The second is Dremel Saw Max SM20-03. This bundle only comes with the essentials. There are just two blades included, which are the wood/plastic blade and the metal blade.
Dremel Ultra Saw also has 2 options.
- The first is Dremel Ultra Saw US40-01. The most important thing of this bundle is that it includes the concrete surface prep wheel and the auxiliary handle. It also includes the wood cutting blade, wood flush-cut blade, metal cut-off blade, and storage bag.
- The second is Dremel Ultra Saw US40-03. This bundle does not include the surface prep wheel. However, it comes with two metalcut-off blades and one masonry wheel. It also includes the wood cutting blade, wood flush-cut blade, auxiliary handle, and storage bag.
Ultra Saw vs Dremel Saw Max
Conclusion
Both Dremel Ultra Saw and Dremel Saw Max are both great cutting tools, but it is obvious that Dremel Ultra Saw is the best one. It gives a great value for the money. It has a better build quality, with a metal wheel guard and foot plate. It has a 3-in-1functionality as a cutting tool, undercut saw, and surface preparation tool. And, perhaps more importantly, it comes with a more powerful motor and significantly more durable drivetrain.