18V circular saw trade

[joe_pinehill1]

All my cordless tools are Milwaukee and love them. I'm thinking about an 18V circular saw, and the Ryobi at half the price is attractive. Does anyone have one? I know Ryobi is Milwaukee's lower end line.

Its a trade of money, quality, and I'd have a new set of batteries I couldnt use with the other tools.

 

[Cope]

Hold out for a Milwaukee.

 

[RAYJAY]

USE THE RYOBI EVERY DAY HAS NOT FAILED ME IN 2 years of ownership

 

[reader2580]

I have both a Ryobi 18 volt circular saw and a Makita LXT 18 volt circular saw. I was working somewhere once and tried to use the Ryobi circular saw. It had so little power I had to give up and go get my Makita circular saw.

Now, my Ryobi saw is an older blue model and the newer ones may very well be better.

 

[joseywales]

I was just searching this topic here, with a similar question, but first I'll ask he OP: Which size saw are you talking about: 5 1/4" or 6 1/2"?

Now, the reason I'm here is that I have both Ryobi 5 1/4" and 6 1/2". They are both unopened. the 5 1/4" came in a set, but I could sell it off cheap, if I'm not going to use it. The 6 1/2" I could just return to the store. The reason I say that is that I have the B&D 18V Firestorm, which is 7 1/4". Ryobi doesn't have that size. the 5 1/4" came in the combo set and I grabbed the 6 1/2" for $70, but do I really need it?

I went on a Ryobi spree and am thinking about returning the newer version of the vacuum as well, only because I'm not sure I'll use it.

 

[RAYJAY]

mine is the 6 1/2 green one, cut everything from osb to hardi plank siding.

the factory blades **** as on all saws, use a diablo blade and it will cut like butter

 

[joseywales]

mine is the 6 1/2 green one, cut everything from osb to hardi plank siding.

the factory blades **** as on all saws, use a diablo blade and it will cut like butter

Agreed. Even my Makita 3 1/2" saw has a carbide blade. And I bought 3 extras 10 years ago!

 

[speed bump]

I would buy the Milwaukee followed by some big batteries. My dad loves his 6.5" DeWalt with 4.0 AHr batteries so much he doesn't carry his Skil 77 anymore. That wasn't the case when he had the Craftsman 19.2V tools (basically the same thing as the Ryobi tools).

 

[IndyGarage]

I had a Ryobi Cordless saw - it was junk

I have a Milwaukee 28V - it's great.

I have a Panasonic 14.4V - The blade is small, but it cuts great

I have a Makita 18V - It cuts great.

I would not ever go for the Ryobi over Milwaukee.

 

[anndel]

Get the Milwaukee since you have their battery system already.

 

[reader2580]

My Ryobi is the 5-1/2" version. I used it with lithium battery. Maybe it sucked because of the blade.

 

[jd_1138]

I second the Milwaukee suggestion, but as an alternative maybe check out the corded Rockwell 4.5" compact circular saw. I bought one last year and love it. It is half the size and weight of the 6-7 inch saws. Just way easier to use. You can use it one handed. Goes through sheet goods and 2x4's and 2x6's easily. Less amps than a regular saw but the blades are thin so it takes less power to go through.

I paid $80, but I think Worx has a similar one for $50.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

The only possible solution to your dilemma would be of course BOSCH! Your welcome.

 

[Firebrick43]

I have the Milwaukee 7 1/4 fuel and the power is insane. Had a skill 77 before but sold it. No issue to cut 4 sheets of 5/8 OSB. 2x12 stringers no issue either. I have the 9.0 battery and life is all day long for most work, about 5 hours cutting OSB constantly for a guy nailing down the sheets.

The power with a 9.0 battery right before it quits is better than a 5.0 freshly charged. The 5.0 is still impressive however.

 

[ishiboo]

I would recommend the M18 7-1/4" Fuel. You want good power in a circular saw... personally I think it's not just a performance issue but a safety issue. The last thing I cut with mine was solid oak doors down. Just about anything will cut a sheet of OSB or plywood.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

I'm heavily invested in the Ryobi line (good price point and capability for my personal needs), but if I were you I'd go Milwaukee since you are already set up with that battery line. No need for another platform, with different batteries and chargers.

 

[JRC3]

I have Dewalt (18 to 20 volt adapter) and Ryobi. I use the Ryobi a lot because I have a few big batteries for it. I just built stairs for my garage attic last weekend and trimmed wet PT stringers and cut 10x2 treads, no problem. I have and love my big Milwaukee worm saw but didn't feel like plugging it in.

I'm in no way discounting or saying it's as good as the Milwaukee, but I find it odd that my results differ so much. Could be the good blade...And my straight cutting.

 

[2oolhound]

I try to buy only tools that match which batteries I already have. You never can have too many batteries.

 

[fourjeepin]

I try to buy only tools that match which batteries I already have. You never can have too many batteries.

Agree with this. Having a tool with different batteries stinks as you can never have too many. Stick with one line or build an adapter. I have Ridgid primarily, but also have a Ryobi hedge trimmer with a homemade adapter. A fresh Ryobi battery would almost trim all of my bushes. The same Ridgid will do them all. And the Ridgid 4.0 still shows a full charge afterwards.

 

[kctyphoon]

If u have Milwaukee u only need a bare tool.. the Ryobi would need charger and batteries too.. how much money are you gonna save going that route??

Also here's an option. Milwaukee still has the promos kits in hd that have the 9.0 starter kit with 9.0 battery, and fast charger - with either the 7.25" circular saw, or sawzall for free. You can find the kit, keep the saw and sell off the battery and charger for close to $150 probably.. keep the saw for for the $100 out of pocket.

Here - free shipping too
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Volt-9-0Ah-Starter-Kit-48-59-1890PC/300134851

The saw as a bare tool is $229.. if you're willing to buy that, that you'd be a fool not get the promo kit for another $20