circ saw?

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buck91

buck91

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Looking to invest in a circular saw for home use and would like to hear suggestion s for options. Could go plug in or battery but I don't have much in the way of batt operated tools right now so I'm leaning towards either a 1/2 18v drill/saw Congo pack or a stand alone plug in saw.

Used will be mostly plywood/Usb/etc ripping and cutting for shelving and the like as I have a 10" miter saw as well as some hand saws and I don't expect to use it where a/c isn't available but I do need to upgrade to a bigger drill so the combo pack is tempting still...
 
I'd suggest a corded circular saw. The battery operated ones are great for small projects but ripping plywood taxes them fast.

I'm partial to Milwaukee but put your hands on a saw and feel it out. Some just seem to fit better than others. Check out how easy it is to adjust the blade depth/angle. Some have a built in lock to make it easier to change the blade and built in miter gauges.

Good luck.
 
My dad says the circular saw burns up the battery really fast, a corded model would be better. Some of the consumer models have a safety switch on them and don't last long. The one I have is a skill and it works great [disabled the child lock]. I'm not a carpenter
 
There are lots of fine saws for the avg home owner on the market. Most of which will last a lifetime. Stick with corded as the batt packs don't last.
For my fence company, I use Makita and I also use Ridgid from Home Depot. Both are reliable saws.
 
Yup, corded will be the way to go, as others have said.

What's your budget? That will dictate what you get.
 
I also agree with corded. I have a Milwaukee and would buy the same one again. For non framing use I prefer a "sidewinder" style saw. Around here framers only use Skil 77 worm drive or some variation of it. Makita also makes a nice worm drive. Worm drives have a lot of power but are heavy and twist sideways when they start which I don't care for.
 
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
I'd suggest a corded circular saw. The battery operated ones are great for small projects but ripping plywood taxes them fast.

I'm partial to Milwaukee but put your hands on a saw and feel it out. Some just seem to fit better than others. Check out how easy it is to adjust the blade depth/angle. Some have a built in lock to make it easier to change the blade and built in miter gauges.

Good luck.



Unless cordless is a have to have for you, as mentioned above, corded is the way to go. Last a looong time. A decent cordless is 18/24volt and about a C note for a battery replacement. They sure don't last long if cutting 2x framing (douglas fir is wet!!) wood.

I have a DeWalt that has lasted me years. Few years of framing for a contractor and through building my own house. DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita are all tops in my book.
 
Ridgid 7 1/4 for 99 bucks is what I have. Used it a lot. Real powerful, feels solid. Magnesium shoe too.
 
I bought a Porter Cable in 1991 and have used it to build several buildings, the cord is cracked, but other than that, still going strong. Not sure what they offer now.
 
I don't use my Circular Saw as much as I used to, because we now have portable compound miter saws, demolition saws, portable table saws etc. that make cuts that would previously be made by the old circ saw.
Consequently, my circ saws last much longer than they used to (Plus, they tend to be much more powerful and have better bearings etc. than was commonly available 20-30 years ago)

But here's my 2cents.
A few years back I bought a Dewalt 15amp and returned it the next day! IMO it was Powerful, but too heavy, worse the balance was very bad. Making a stright cut across a 4x8 sheet of ply, at full reach, using one hand, the saw would not track straight.

I traded the Dewalt for a Cheapie, a Canadian tire Motomaster (I think they were Royobi) and it has been great!

I also have to use a Makita from time to time. It's a nice saw BUT The 'T' handle (left hand grip) is off-set too far from the blade guard.
This means, if you want to hold back the underside, rotating blade guard to make a plunge cut or prevent the guard catching as you start a cut, it becomes very difficult, EVEN DANGEROUS, as you have to remove or extend your left hand from the 'T' handle.

Half the saw is the Blade you use in it!
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Skil 77



Pffffffftt. Total tank. I've used worm drive saws before and I tried to like them but they weigh too much and the blades on the wrong side which blasts sawdust in your face.
Typical merkava recommendation though.
 
I've had my eye on that Dewalt that was mentioned earlier, seen a couple deals on a Porter Cable 18v combo set with the 1/2 drill and the cordless circ saw. Probably going to jump on that.

I figure for the price of 1-2 replacement batteries for my 3/8 14.4v drill I get to upgrade to a 1/2" 18v drill plus it comes with a circ saw as well. Might have to upgrade to a better plug in saw down the road, but not until I tackle a big project...
 
I'll be the dissenter and say I really like my Craftsman C3 circular saw. It was OK with the NiCad batteries, good with the big LiIon and awesome with the 4.0 Ah LiIon. I've built a workbench (cut all the 2x4's), ripped and crosscutted plywood with it, and done a bunch of other homeowner type projects.

Yes, you won't get far on a NiCad but with a LiIon you can get through a sheet or 2 of plywood before it needs to be charged. I wouldn't use it for framing or building a deck but as a complement to my table and chop saw it's fine.

I've also heard very good things about the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel circular saw. Great power, good battery life, and if you go M18 it's another tool. As I transition from C3 to M18 it will be on the list once my Craftsman bites the dust.
 
Originally Posted By: itguy08
I'll be the dissenter and say I really like my Craftsman C3 circular saw. It was OK with the NiCad batteries, good with the big LiIon and awesome with the 4.0 Ah LiIon. I've built a workbench (cut all the 2x4's), ripped and crosscutted plywood with it, and done a bunch of other homeowner type projects.

Yes, you won't get far on a NiCad but with a LiIon you can get through a sheet or 2 of plywood before it needs to be charged. I wouldn't use it for framing or building a deck but as a complement to my table and chop saw it's fine.

I've also heard very good things about the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel circular saw. Great power, good battery life, and if you go M18 it's another tool. As I transition from C3 to M18 it will be on the list once my Craftsman bites the dust.


M18 Fuel based tools are on my list also.
 
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