Looking for a good corded circular saw
- Thread starter weerez935
- Start date
I see the one you're looking at has the blade to the left. My personal preference is the blade to the right. You should handle both types and try to figure out which you'd be more comfortable cutting with.
I'm currently using this one. Pretty basic saw. Light is a nice feature.
A decent buy for 99.00 IMO.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-15-Amp-7-1-4-in-Circular-Saw-5007F/202873973
Whatever you get, pick up another blade. The one's that come with the saws aren't very good.
I'm currently using this one. Pretty basic saw. Light is a nice feature.
A decent buy for 99.00 IMO.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-15-Amp-7-1-4-in-Circular-Saw-5007F/202873973
Whatever you get, pick up another blade. The one's that come with the saws aren't very good.
oldwino
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It's hard to beat a Skil 77. Professional saw that with 40 hr week use it will last for years. A little heavy thou
Moose364
Well-known member
Like CTYankee said make sure you like where the blade is. Im right handed so I like the blade on the right also, I have a Dewalt I picked up in a pawn shop for $50.00 that has served me well.
I like the left blade designs. I have the CS5 and its been a good saw.
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=CS5
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=CS5
Last edited:
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Makita. When I decided to buy many years ago, it seemed that every carpenter around here was using the Makita, so I figured it was good. I like it. Bought the no box version. The cardboard box finally gave up the ghost, I found a decent orange B&D metal circular saw box empty at the flea market for a couple of bucks, so it stays in there now.
Charles
Charles
Thanks.
I actually have a unique situation, which is why I was looking at sidewinders. I have no fingers on my left hand so I want to be able to place my left (nub) on the nob and my right on the actual handle. From the ones I've handled I like the blade on the left.
I'm just confused because every brand has about 15 models of circular saws and reviews are far and few.
My dad says get dewalt or ridgid.
Milwaukee has the highest reviews but is the most expensive.
Bosch has the worst reviews but at least on here appears to be regarded well.
I actually have a unique situation, which is why I was looking at sidewinders. I have no fingers on my left hand so I want to be able to place my left (nub) on the nob and my right on the actual handle. From the ones I've handled I like the blade on the left.
I'm just confused because every brand has about 15 models of circular saws and reviews are far and few.
My dad says get dewalt or ridgid.
Milwaukee has the highest reviews but is the most expensive.
Bosch has the worst reviews but at least on here appears to be regarded well.
Moose364
Well-known member
Amps = Power. that is one thing that your seeing, next is metal guard over blade some of the lower price one's have a plastic guard, and Im not sure if it still applies but some of the higher end contractor models didn't have any safety button to push in order to squeeze the trigger. mine does not have a safety switch which I love. but I have not looked at the new one's in a few year's
evintho
Well-known member
Keep an eye on CL. Lotsa decent contractor stuff on there for cheap. Just make sure it hasn't been completely abused! Picked this up on my local CL for $50 and yeah, I know the blade is on backwards!
Rickenbackerman
Well-known member
I bought (new) a Makita similar to the one CTyankee posted, but older, and it's been solid. never even had to change the blade or do anything other than use it.
Last edited:
sam.coll
Well-known member
Cant beat a 7 1/4 Makita for quality or affordability IMO
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
woodstockva
Well-known member
I just got a new Skilsaw Sidewinder SPT67WM-22.....it has a lot of power & the Diablo blade that is included is really nice and cuts great.
I am not a carpenter, so I wouldnt have any daily use reports....but my dad & I have both used it, and it is a very nice saw.
They run about $130 online.....not sure if they are in-store yet.
http://www.skilsaw.com/product-spt67wm22/
I am not a carpenter, so I wouldnt have any daily use reports....but my dad & I have both used it, and it is a very nice saw.
They run about $130 online.....not sure if they are in-store yet.
http://www.skilsaw.com/product-spt67wm22/
kctyphoon
Banned
i just bought the 6.5" Milwaukee fuel.. left blade.. its light, and suppose to cut just as fast as a corded saw.. might be a little easier one handed since its a bit smaller and lighter, with no cord to trip over?? i havent been able to use mine yet other then a half dozen cuts though a scap piece of wood, and the blade did not slow even slow down while it was making a cut.. very impressed with it..
Last edited:
wild cowboy
Banned
I recently built a deck surrounding the entire house with a Ridgid 15 amp ($99) from Home Depot and it couldn't have performed any better. Highly recommended.
kctyphoon
Banned
i really think this is just gonna be a matter of personal preference.. any of them will cut well with a good blade. i have 20 year old black and deckers that are great, a newer dewalt thats also nice. i honestly wouldnt grab one over the other.. ( but might reach for my new cordless cause its a new toy)
FMC1959
Well-known member
Over time preferences change, back in the 60's and early 70's, the contractor's choice (in my area) were the [original] Rockwell and the B&D Sawcats, both were beasts.
Rockwell went **** up and B&D starting sucking, Makita was showing up everywhere. Later on Dewalt became popular and Skil has always had a presence.
Today, any 15 amp that you like the feel in your hands, the features, and the price should work well for you. The old rule of you get what you pay for generally works. Cheap saw have more plastic, cheaply made adjustment knobs and weaker motors (less than 15 amp).
Unless terribly abused a used circular saw could snag you a heavy duty commercial saw at a cheap price. The really good ones can last forever.
Rockwell went **** up and B&D starting sucking, Makita was showing up everywhere. Later on Dewalt became popular and Skil has always had a presence.
Today, any 15 amp that you like the feel in your hands, the features, and the price should work well for you. The old rule of you get what you pay for generally works. Cheap saw have more plastic, cheaply made adjustment knobs and weaker motors (less than 15 amp).
Unless terribly abused a used circular saw could snag you a heavy duty commercial saw at a cheap price. The really good ones can last forever.
FMC1959
Well-known member
Yes, a good blade is half the "battle" of the saw. Even good blades get gummed up and dull have it sharpened or get a new one.
BioNerd
Well-known member
Think in what you want it for, im a carpenter and since the tracksaws came out, I only see framers use circular saws but they could be doing the same with a chop saw.
When there wasnt tracksaws yet I was using my makita 7 1/4 in a home made track I made with 1/4 ply and a 1x fence.
All that said, ive used festool T75, T55, mafell and I own a grizzly.
I dont see the need to spend close to 1k on a tool when you can get the same result with one that costs 300.
I use a freud 48 teeth blade on my grizzly, clean cuts on finished stock.
I can only imagine buti think the tracksaw set up could be even better for your left hand situation.
Curious... What do you want to do with it?
When there wasnt tracksaws yet I was using my makita 7 1/4 in a home made track I made with 1/4 ply and a 1x fence.
All that said, ive used festool T75, T55, mafell and I own a grizzly.
I dont see the need to spend close to 1k on a tool when you can get the same result with one that costs 300.
I use a freud 48 teeth blade on my grizzly, clean cuts on finished stock.
I can only imagine buti think the tracksaw set up could be even better for your left hand situation.
Curious... What do you want to do with it?
FMC1959
Well-known member
I have never used a Skill 77, pretty sure it is more than powerful enough to do any type of circ saw job. Although you can get by 1 handing it, it is primarily a 2 handed type of saw, not good for the OP.
boiler7904
Well-known member
Given that the OP doesn't have fingers on his left hand, I'd be looking at comfort, safety, and ease of use - depth / bevel adjustment, blade changes, etc...
It's hard to go wrong with a 7 1/4 inch saw by any of the major manufacturers - Bosch, Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee (or Skil if going with a worm drive saw). I have a Milwaukee blade-right corded saw that's been great for going on 10 years but some of the adjustments are difficult with 2 hands and would be challenging at best with 1. I would buy it again with one change - I would want the version that has a blade brake. I also have a blade-right Dewalt tracksaw and a blade-left Makita 6 1/2" cordless circular saw. The Makita gets the least use because lower power and it's just hard for me to get used to having the blade on the left but I can see where other righties would like it.
Like others have said blades make the saw. I like Freud Diablo 40 tooth blades for plywood. I want to say I have 24 tooth Irwin blades for framing lumber.
It's hard to go wrong with a 7 1/4 inch saw by any of the major manufacturers - Bosch, Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee (or Skil if going with a worm drive saw). I have a Milwaukee blade-right corded saw that's been great for going on 10 years but some of the adjustments are difficult with 2 hands and would be challenging at best with 1. I would buy it again with one change - I would want the version that has a blade brake. I also have a blade-right Dewalt tracksaw and a blade-left Makita 6 1/2" cordless circular saw. The Makita gets the least use because lower power and it's just hard for me to get used to having the blade on the left but I can see where other righties would like it.
Like others have said blades make the saw. I like Freud Diablo 40 tooth blades for plywood. I want to say I have 24 tooth Irwin blades for framing lumber.
woody 73
Well-known member
I own several corded circular saws but trying to give you one to look for is hard because everyone is different. I can leave you with some information as a guide but the best thing advise I could give you would be to try them all at your local Lowes, HD, hardware store or lumberyard sales in order to get a feeling for what will make you a happy camper.
http://www.comparing.guru/pages/nsearch?seedid=330&origin=bing
http://www.comparing.guru/pages/nsearch?seedid=330&origin=bing
Cope
Well-known member
I have an old Milwaukee, but I don't like the new ones. I agree on the Makita as a good choice.
Trey T
Well-known member
I was looking at getting the Festool track saw but how does the Grizzly track saw compared to the Festool? I'm just a home owner w/ beginner furniture building skill.
Thanks for the suggestions
I'm getting into a bit of beginner woodworking and making furniture for the house as well as making some storage for the shop. The plan is to use the circular saw to cut stock down to size.
Aside from simply cutting stuff down to size I've considered making a French cleat type shelf as well.
For reference the builds I'm planning on this year are:
Toy chest for my daughter
Shelves for the shop
A tv stand (attaching top to ikea cabinets)
A dresser
Maybe a workbench
Probably a few other projects like ripping ply that I already have to make an attic space in the shed.
Basically cutting stock to length/ width.
I bought my craftsman branded skil 77 in 2001/2. It saw daily use for over 2 years and has been a hardworking weekender ever since. I changed the oil once as directed, and checked it 2 or 3 times while it was seeing daily use. It still runs perfect!
jwsia
Well-known member
Another vote for the older style Milwaukee. I like how the bed stay flat with the body when adjusting the depth
Ainsley
Well-known member
I have and like my Makita corded circ saw. It has a light and more importantly a brake.
That said, I find myself reaching for my Makita cordless circ saw more and more. Unless I was doing some serious framing I'd pretty well always lean towards the cordless.
That said, I find myself reaching for my Makita cordless circ saw more and more. Unless I was doing some serious framing I'd pretty well always lean towards the cordless.
This
strutaeng
Well-known member
My vote goes for the worm gear saws. I have Bosch and have learned to love it. However, when I got 10 years ago I thought it was too heavy. Here are my observations of worm gears circular saws.
The advantages:
More torque from the worm gear reduction
Worm gears are lubricated and oil can be changed out
Less noise than sidewinder
Blade on the left where you can see it
Heavier (good for kickback)
The disadvantages:
Heavier
Longer front-to-back than sidewinder
Slightly slower blade RPM
More expensive than sidewinders
I hope this helps
The advantages:
More torque from the worm gear reduction
Worm gears are lubricated and oil can be changed out
Less noise than sidewinder
Blade on the left where you can see it
Heavier (good for kickback)
The disadvantages:
Heavier
Longer front-to-back than sidewinder
Slightly slower blade RPM
More expensive than sidewinders
I hope this helps
I disagree with the 2 handed statement. I have a Skil 77 and although it does torque sideways more at startup than a direct drive saw, once spinning I find it easier to use one handed. I think this is due to the extra length. It is substantially longer and much easier to cut straight with, IMO.
Saws are essentially cheap. A good corded saw will last your whole life. Don't worry about the last $25 or $50. My personal recommendations are (a) Milwaukee for a sidewinder and (b) Skill 77 or the Bosch...same tool...for a worm drive. Buy any of those saws and you are good to go.
captain14
Well-known member
When you go back to the store ask if you can hold them without being secured to the chain and explain yiur needs. The most they can say is no. If yiu go during the day you may run into a sales rep from one of the vendors. They can help you out too. Look for the color specific truck in the parking lot.
