If you’ve spent any time in the yellow-and-black ecosystem, you know the drill. You start with a drill, then a driver, and suddenly your garage looks like a DeWalt showroom. But when it comes to the heavy hitters—the tools that actually have to work for a living in the dirt—things get a bit more complicated. Specifically, the DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw (the DCCS672) sits in a weird spot. It’s a 60V MAX FlexVolt beast, but is it a "real" chainsaw or just a fancy battery-powered toy for weekend warriors who don't want to mix gas?
Honestly, the answer depends on whether you’re clearing a fence line or trying to fell a century-old oak.
Most people look at the 18-inch bar and think it’s a direct replacement for a 50cc gas saw. It’s not. But for about 80% of the people reading this, it might actually be better. Let’s get into why.
The Reality of the DeWalt 18 Inch Chainsaw Power Curve
Power isn't just about how fast the chain spins. It’s about torque.
Gas saws have a "power band." You rev them up, they scream, and they chew. The DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw uses a brushless motor that delivers torque instantly. You pull the trigger, and it’s at full speed. No yanking a cord until your shoulder pops. No worrying if the carburetor is gummed up because you left ethanol fuel in it over the winter. This is the biggest selling point. You can leave this tool on a shelf for six months, grab it, and it works. Every time.
But here is what most people get wrong: they think more volts always means more "oomph."
The FlexVolt system is clever because it switches voltage depending on the tool. In this saw, it stays at 60V. That’s enough to push an 18-inch bar through hardwood, but if you bury the nose and lean your entire body weight into it, you will stall the motor. It’s a safety feature, sure, but it’s also a limitation of battery tech. You have to let the tool do the work. If you’re used to a Stihl or a Husqvarna where you can really dog it into the wood, you’ll have to adjust your style.
Weight and Balance: A Double-Edged Sword
It’s heavy.
With a 15.0 Ah battery—which is what you really want for any serious runtime—the DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw feels substantial. It weighs in at roughly 15 pounds. For context, a gas-powered Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss weighs about 12 pounds "powerhead only." Add fuel and a bar, and they’re pretty close. So, don't buy this thinking it’s going to be a featherweight.
The balance is actually quite good, though. DeWalt put the motor in a spot that keeps the center of gravity between your hands. This matters when you’re limbing trees for three hours. If a saw is front-heavy, your forearms will be screaming by noon.
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The Oil Leak Myth (and Reality)
If you read reviews on forums like Arbtalk or even just the big-box store comments, you’ll see people complaining that their DeWalt saw leaks bar oil like a sieve.
Is it true? Yeah, kinda.
Almost all chainsaws leak a little oil. It’s the nature of a gravity-fed or pump-fed lubrication system. However, the DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw seems to have a vent design that can weep if you store it on its side or if the temperature swings wildly.
Expert tip: store it with the oil cap facing up, or just drain the reservoir if you aren't going to use it for a month. It’s an annoyance, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The actual oiling mechanism while cutting is solid. It keeps the chain cool, which is the main job.
Cutting Capacity: What Can It Actually Do?
- Softwoods (Pine, Cedar): It eats these for breakfast. You can buck 12-14 inch logs all day on a single 9.0 Ah battery.
- Hardwoods (Oak, Hickory): This is the test. It will do it, but you'll notice the battery drain significantly faster. The heat builds up.
- Felling: Yes, you can drop a tree with this. I’ve seen people take down 20-inch diameter pines with the DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw. Is it the right tool for a pro logger? No. Is it enough to clear a fallen tree off your driveway after a storm? Absolutely.
One thing to watch out for is the chain speed. It’s slower than a gas saw. You won't get that "butter through a hot knife" feeling on the initial bite. You have to be patient.
The Battery Ecosystem Trap
Let’s be real. You aren't buying this saw in a vacuum. You’re buying it because you already have DeWalt batteries.
If you don't have FlexVolt batteries, this saw is a massive investment. A single 12.0 Ah or 15.0 Ah battery can cost nearly as much as a small gas saw. But if you’re already on the platform, the "tool only" version is a steal.
There’s a specific nuance here regarding battery heat. If you’re working in 90-degree weather and pushing the saw hard, the battery will eventually thermal-trip. It shuts down to protect the cells. This is frustrating when you have three logs left to cut, but it’s better than melting a $300 battery. Gas saws don't have this "feeling," they just keep running until they seize or run out of mix.
Maintenance is Practically Non-Existent
This is where the DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw wins the long game.
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- No air filter to clean every three hours.
- No spark plug to gap.
- No pull cord to fray and snap.
- No mixing 50:1 fuel and smelling like an exhaust pipe.
You basically just have to keep the chain sharp and the oil reservoir full. That’s it. For a homeowner who might only use a saw four times a year, this is the "killer feature." Gas goes bad. Carburetors clog. Batteries just sit there waiting.
The Chain Quality Issue
Most of these saws ship with a "low-kickback" Oregon chain. It’s fine. It’s safe. It’s also kinda slow.
If you know what you’re doing and you want to increase performance, switching to a more aggressive full-chisel chain makes a world of difference. The motor has the torque to handle it, and it significantly improves the "bite" in frozen wood or hard oak. Just know that a more aggressive chain increases the risk of kickback, so don't do this if you’re a total novice.
The tool-free chain tensioning system is also a point of contention. Some people love the knob; others hate it. On the DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw, it’s actually pretty robust compared to the 12-inch or 14-inch versions. It stays tight. You don't need a scrench (screwdriver/wrench combo) every five minutes, which is a nice quality-of-life upgrade.
Safety and Noise: The Silent Killer
One of the weirdest things about using the DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw is the silence.
When you aren't cutting, it makes zero noise. None. You can stand next to your buddy and have a normal conversation without yelling over an idling engine. This is a huge safety benefit because you have much better situational awareness. You can hear a limb cracking above you. You can hear someone walking up behind you.
It’s also way better for your neighbors. If you want to buck some firewood at 7:00 AM on a Saturday, your neighbors probably won't even know you're doing it. The noise is mostly just the "whir" of the motor and the "crunch" of the wood.
Where It Fails
I’m not going to tell you this saw is perfect. It isn't.
If you are doing "storm prep" and have to cut for 6 hours straight, you're going to need a mountain of batteries. Even with the fast charger, you can't charge them as fast as you can drain them if you're doing heavy bucking.
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Also, the 18-inch bar is a bit optimistic for the motor's power output in certain scenarios. Just because the bar is 18 inches doesn't mean you should be burying it in seasoned locust all day. It’s an 18-inch bar for reach and occasional large cuts, not for professional timber work.
Actionable Steps for the Potential Buyer
If you’re leaning toward picking up the DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw, here is the most logical way to go about it:
First, check your battery stash. If you only have the 2.0 Ah or 5.0 Ah 20V Max batteries, stop. They won't work. This saw requires the FlexVolt (20V/60V) batteries. You really want at least a 9.0 Ah battery to make this worth your time.
Second, buy a high-quality fileset or a 12V sharpener. Because the chain speed is lower than gas, a dull chain will frustrate you twice as fast. Keep it razor-sharp, and the saw will feel twice as powerful.
Third, plan your storage. Get a plastic boot tray to sit the saw on in your garage. Even if yours is a "good one," that bar oil eventually finds its way out. It saves your shelves from becoming a greasy mess.
Finally, don't be afraid to use it for "surgical" work. Because there’s no exhaust and very little vibration, this saw is incredible for precise cuts in construction or timber framing where a gas saw would be too loud and smoky for indoor or close-quarters use.
The DeWalt 18 inch chainsaw isn't a replacement for a pro-grade gas saw if you live on 50 acres of forest. But for the suburban homeowner with a few big trees, or the contractor who needs a reliable "problem solver" in the truck, it’s arguably the best electric saw on the market right now. Just don't forget to keep that chain out of the dirt.
Stay safe, wear your chaps—yes, even with an electric saw—and let the tool do the heavy lifting.