DeWalt DCMST561 Review

Design and features

• Runs on the tried and tested 18 Volt XR battery system
• Patented split shaft makes storage easy
• Bump system to feed more string

Cutting a 36 cm swathe through grass and even weeds, the DCMST561 is a powerful cordless string trimmer. With plenty of metal in the construction of the mower head and shaft, it feels very sturdy and built to last.

It’s reasonably lightweight at 3.6kg without the battery installed and measures 99cm from end to end. It can switch between two speeds- low and high, and they’re selected via a little black switch on the top of the motor body.

To get the most out of each battery you can run it on low and switch up to high power to tackle stubborn weedy grass. The DeWalt DCMST561 is more than capable of trimming through most of everything else on low power.

Priced at £141.65 without a battery, it’s by no means a budget grass trimmer. You get a powerful machine for the money, though.

As you might expect from DeWalt, it knows how to craft an ergonomic handle with good grip. The rubberised rear handle is well sculpted and fits nicely in the hand, while the front D shaped handle lets you hold it the trimmer at different angles.

The most recognisable feature on this strimmer is the battery. DeWalt’s XR battery family is available in a range of capacities, and the one I tried in particular comes bundled with a charger and a 5.0Ah battery.

If you already run tools on this battery system, it makes sense to extend them to your garden equipment. A 5.0Ah battery provides plenty of power to trim around a medium size garden, but you could always upgrade. Massive 15Ah FLEXVOLT batteries are available for maximum runtime, but they come at a steep price, and they’re heavier.

Under no load, the pleasingly thick and DeWalt coloured trimming string is spun around at 4,600 rpm on low speed, and 6,000 rpm on high speed. The 2 mm twisted string can cut through grass and thick weeds.

And when it comes to storing the trimmer away, the DCMST561 has a clever trick up its sleeve. The DeWalt patented split shaft mechanism folds the shaft right in half, with a sturdy catch mechanism that keeps everything satisfyingly solid.

But that’s not its only trick- when folding the trimmer all the way in half, it clips neatly into the head guard. And using the hook on the back, you can hang it on the shed wall and keep it out of trouble. It’s a clever storage system not found on many trimmers.

Performance

• More than enough power for regular grass
• Not comfortable for long trimming sessions

With a fresh 5.0Ah battery in place, the DCMST561 can trim through just about any grass or weeds you put it in front of. It’s a shame that you can’t get hold of plastic blades like with the Stihl FSA 70 R because I’m sure this would let the DeWalt DCMST561 make short work of woody brush as well.

I tested the trimmer out on a couple of gardens with overgrown grass for their first cut of the spring season. Setup is not a struggle. Attaching the plastic guard to the trimming end is achieved with four little screws.

The middle D handle needs to be bolted to the shaft before use. It’s easily done thanks to the hex key that comes with it. The only issue I noticed was that the folding section on the shaft limits where you can place the handle.

It might be why the trimmer feels a little front-heavy. I would normally place the handle a bit lower down the shaft. The DeWalt DCMST561 was easy enough handle but not the most comfortable trimmer I have ever tested out. A combination of holding the trigger down and manoeuvring the cutting head into tight spaces was tiring on the arms after a while.

Unless you use a professional-level grass trimmer with motorbike style handles and a shoulder harness, grass trimmers never feel that comfortable.

The battery lasted for around 30 minutes on the low power setting. It was enough to edge around a medium size garden and flip sideways to tackle the edging around a pathway.

Re-stringing is very easy. When it runs out, pass new line through the cutting head until it’s equal on both sides, hold on to the cutting head end and wind up the new string with the spool grip cover. No tools necessary and you don’t need to remove the spool from the trimmer.

Should you buy it?

FAQs