Circular saw-repair or replace?

[mark198]

I have Craftsman Industrial 7 1/4 circular, about 25 years old, made in America. The base is slightly bent and it screams when I run it so I think the bearings are going. It's been a good saw and I'm a little sentimental about it, but looking for opinions on repair or replace.

I think the real question is: do they make them like they used to? Or maybe better? I would be disappointed if I found myself in the position of regularly replacing saws.

If replacement is the answer, the follow up is what model? I use the table or miter saws for many projects so I'm wondering if a cordless model is the best choice. I am invested in the dewalt 20 volt but not sure if a circular is a good choice for battery power.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Mark

 

[NORDFORD]

First, I bet you cant get the base you need so you would need to "fix" that. Bearings, etc are easy, but remember everything else is 25yrs old. Little things break when you start working on this old stuff. In the construction industry, the only guys that use corded circ saws are using them all day everyday. Framers, flatwork, bridgework, etc. I've been in the construction and industrial supply world for over 20yrs. The shift from electric to cordless has been made. And when you purchase cordless wisely, it's the better, safer decision.

The DeWalt 20V circ are very capable. I've got more tools than most, as I sell them for a living and use them for remodeling and side jobs. I drag cords for table saws, miter saws and rotary hammers. Everything else is cordless. With my DeWalt 6-1/2" circ saw, I've cut treated lumber, LVL's, too many 2x's to count and same with ripping plywood and OSB.

Do they make em like they used to? Nope. They are better.

 

[RacerX]

Most if not all of the repair parts are available and from personal experience I'd rebuild the one you have.

Newer stuff is all plastic a d bushings instead of bearings usually. No where near the quality.

"They don't make them like they used to" is very true.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[vavet]

Sounds like your uses are limited. I’d buy a new cordless if it was me. For your limited use, it’ll last long enough. If you don’t want to drop that much coin, check Craigslist and fb marketplace for used corded saws. You’ll be able to find a homeowner used saw for about $20 I bet from someone who bought a cordless combo kit and doesn’t need it.

 

[Whitworth]

Apples to apples, you could replace the saw at about $60. Go cordless add $60 more.

Is taking apart a finicky, tight assembly worth it ? I find small tool repair can be frustrating, and other than sentimental attachment there's little value repair versus your time.

 

[Prospecter]

I kept my old Skilsaw for cutting tile and stone. Bought a newer Dewalt with a brake. Loved it so much, I bought one for my daughter, too.

 

[joe49]

Worm drive? Yes, then repair it.

 

[NORDFORD]

Most if not all of the repair parts are available and from personal experience I'd rebuild the one you have.

Newer stuff is all plastic a d bushings instead of bearings usually. No where near the quality.

"They don't make them like they used to" is very true.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Sure in the junk cheap stuff. Quality tools are still, well, quality. Curious though, what’s your opinion based on?

 

[Rabid Badger]

If it's a worm drive then it's a rebadged Skilsaw. You should have no trouble finding parts if you want to keep it running.

Make sure it has proper worm drive lube in the gearbox.

 

[Legion Prime]

I bought a cordless circular saw about a year ago and I haven't touched my corded saws since. Being able to pick it up and not have to worry about cords, extension cords, getting cords out of the way of the cut, getting caught on something midcut, I would absolutely buy a cordless saw before I made my decision as to whether it's worth bothering with the old one.

 

[Montoya31]

It is easier to replace with another one, but if you like it and had done projects good, you should repair it.

 

[MarvinBerry]

I'm also in the replace camp.

You can pick up a great corded saw for $100 or less. Hitachi makes a decent one.

Cordless? Depends how much you use it and capacity of batteries on hand.

I don't use a circular everyday but it tends to see heavy use when I do. Cordless seems fine for a few cuts here & there but if your framing expect to have a few batteries in rotation.

 

[Badgerstate]

Ive got an old Craftsman worm drive saw. Ive also got a newer Ryobi cordless saw. The Craftsman is tank and cant keep up with the Ryobi. The Craftsman has become just a cool old saw that hangs up on the wall and looks cool. The Ryobi is the saw that I use every day.
Id replace it. Plastic has replaced metal in places where strength isnt critical and modern cordless saws will compete with or beat any corded saw, especially a vintage one. Not to mention you wont have the hassle of dealing with a cord.
You could get a new Craftsman saw with a 7 1/4" blade and an aluminum upper guard, lower guard and shoe for about $60 if you want, you could spend $100 on a corded Metabo MTB (also a great saw), $100 on a corded Makita or $150 on a DeWalt.
I love my Ryobi but its got a steel shoe and plastic guards, which some people dont like but if I wanted a true pro level saw, Id get the Metabo or a Makita.
People say, "they dont make 'em like they used to" and thats true but sometimes, they make 'em better than they used to.

 

[exmaxima1]

If it's a worm drive then it's a rebadged Skilsaw. You should have no trouble finding parts if you want to keep it running.

Make sure it has proper worm drive lube in the gearbox.

AFAIK at least some of them were made by Black & Decker

 

[mark198]

Thank you for all the great replies.

I wasn't aware of the 6 1/2 inch blade, I looked into it and saw lowes has one on sale for $99. I have already picked up my new cordless saw and will hang onto the old (sidewinder) as a backup or a fall back if I dislike the cordless.

I have already given the cordless a quick test, I think it will meet my circular needs.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

Mark

 

[JRC3]

Go hit the local pawnshop (LSP) for a gently used one, might even find the same model. LPSs seem flooded with circ saws and the price often reflects it.

My Milwaukee worm drive and a regular Milwaukee 8-1/4" that I've since used up were bought at a LPS years ago. As were both my current battery units.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Replace.

 

[mark198]

Go hit the local pawnshop (LSP) for a gently used one, might even find the same model. LPSs seem flooded with circ saws and the price often reflects it.

My Milwaukee worm drive and a regular Milwaukee 8-1/4" that I've since used up were bought at a LPS years ago. As were both my current battery units.

I wish this was an option, the local shops around here take advantage of the less fortunate and change like new prices for things that should probably be thrown out.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[DIY_Guy79]

I have Craftsman Industrial 7 1/4 circular, about 25 years old, made in America. The base is slightly bent and it screams when I run it so I think the bearings are going. It's been a good saw and I'm a little sentimental about it, but looking for opinions on repair or replace.

I think the real question is: do they make them like they used to? Or maybe better? I would be disappointed if I found myself in the position of regularly replacing saws.

If replacement is the answer, the follow up is what model? I use the table or miter saws for many projects so I'm wondering if a cordless model is the best choice. I am invested in the dewalt 20 volt but not sure if a circular is a good choice for battery power.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Mark

Have you looked at what you can get another one for or whether you can find a replacement plate for yours? Bearings and brushes are really easy to replace for anyone with the least bit of mechanical understanding. If its sentimental, then I'd try to repair it. Cool thing about repairing stuff like that, once you repair it and get it running like new again, it will be only that much more sentimental to you knowing that you made it run like that.

If its not sentimental, maybe get a new one... Idk. Sidewinder circular saws are super cheap second hand. Worm Drive is a bit more expensive. You didnt specify what yours was. If it's worm drive it will be easy to find parts for and well worth repairing in both monetary value & sentimental.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I keep some worm drives around for heavy stuff and jobs where I feel more confident and in control using them. But I haven’t used a side winder in at least 7 or more years now that I’ve had cordless tools worth owning.

 

[Gunfixr]

I have my father's black and decker saw, entirely aluminum, from the late 60s or early 70s. Still has the box it came in, and paperwork (my dad was like that). I've almost certainly used it more than he did, and it's still going strong.
However, a few yrs ago, a close friend gifted me one of the ryobi 1 cordless sets. I've since added numerous things to it, so I don't remember if the circular saw was in the kit, or added by me later. But, I have only barely used the corded saw since.
Cordless is just so much easier.

I know, ryobi, but they have served my needs well, so it works for me.

 

[rsanter]

AFAIK at least some of them were made by Black & Decker

Many of the cman industrial tools were made bu B&D back then and they were great tools.

How about a picture so we can see what unit it is

 

[HaiKarate]

Just tossed an ancient B&D sidewinder that sounded like it was about to explode in favor of a new rear handle makita cordless (the $249 deal with 4 batteries). No complaints at all so far and I’ve used the hell out of it the past month or so.

 

[Badgerstate]

I have my father's black and decker saw, entirely aluminum, from the late 60s or early 70s. Still has the box it came in, and paperwork (my dad was like that). I've almost certainly used it more than he did, and it's still going strong.
However, a few yrs ago, a close friend gifted me one of the ryobi 1 cordless sets. I've since added numerous things to it, so I don't remember if the circular saw was in the kit, or added by me later. But, I have only barely used the corded saw since.
Cordless is just so much easier.

I know, ryobi, but they have served my needs well, so it works for me.

Theres nothing wrong with Ryobi. They may not be a, "pro" tool but they get the job done. People look down on Ryobi for the DIY thing but the simple fact is that the newer Ryobi stuff, especially the brushless and the HP line, can compete with and even outperform anything from DeWalt, Milwaukee or anything else. I use Ryobi power tools in my shop every weekend on woodworking and DIY projects and I use Ryobi lawn and garden equipment to maintain my yard. Ive had them for years and never had any of them fail on me.

 

[Rabid Badger]

AFAIK at least some of them were made by Black & Decker

Many of the cman industrial tools were made bu B&D back then and they were great tools.

How about a picture so we can see what unit it is

The Skil-made 135.27610X saws were sold from 1980 until Sears stopped selling a Craftsman-branded worm drive.

If the saw is 25 years old, it's a Skil.

 

[joe49]

Black and Decker or Skilsaw rebadge still worth repair. All great saws.

 

[mark198]

I'm not having success posting the picture of my new and old saws so I found this link showing an identical saw.

https://www.ebay.com/c/19007196506

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Tduby]

If it has sentimental value how much is retained when you replace this or that? Like George Washington’s axe that they replaced the head 3 times and the handle 5

 

[Rabid Badger]

That's a run of the mill sidewinder. Not worth the effort in my opinion.

 

[nieuport17]

Replace.
If you don’t use much get corded— battery decays.
I have a Skil sidewinder for 7 years works fine on weekend diy project.

 

[tarbellb]

Fix the old one

Bend tune the base, grab some bearings.


New corded- Makita 5007
New battery- pick a 18v line

 

[finn]

I have an old Craftsman Industrial saw of about that vintage. Still works ok, but I wanted a cordless, so I bought a Dewalt Flexvolt a couple of years ago.

My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. I’m not a carpenter, so I don’t stand in one spot cutting all day. I can finish much of my work in less time than it took me to find a cord and outlet with the old beast, and the ergonomics of the Dewalt blow away the old Craftsman.

You already have Dewalt batteries, so it makes sense to stick with them. Not sure how the non Flexvolt saws perform, but I get plenty of cuts with my Flexvolt. Plus, the Flexvolt battery can be used on my other tools. Did a deck last summer, and have to put a new roof, including rafter replacement, on a workshop after the snow goes this spring. Cords are problematic for that type work.