I think you can rest assured that the base on the DW369 is pretty tough. In a 2007
Tools of the Trade article, the reviewer offered the following about composite bases and the DW369:
"For those skeptical of composite plastic bases, let me tell you that I was, too, when they first came out. After trying unsuccessfully to break a DeWalt base with a framing hammer, I became a believer. No other base type could stand up to that much abuse and still remain serviceable."
The article is available at the following link:
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1492&articleID=685600Saws with electric brakes have a secondary set of motor field windings which are shorted out when the trigger is released. Essentially this winding configuration turns the motor in to a generator with a heavy electrical load (a dead short) that makes it hard to turn, causing the dynamic braking effect. The gauge of wire and the number of turns used in the secondary winding determine the current generated during braking and the aggressiveness of the brake. From my experience, I have found that tools with extremely aggressive brakes often exhibit severe brush arcing (when braking) resulting in extremely short brush and commutator life. Dewalt has likely designed the brake on the DW369 to be slightly less aggressive in order to maintain long motor life while still providing the convenience of an electric brake.
