Electric brake on circular saw - worth it?

[stickshift]

Circular saws with electric brakes tend to run $10-20 more than saws without brakes. Do you find the brake is worth the extra money? Does the brake introduce a common failure point or are they generally trouble-free?

 

[Finky198]

Don't waste your money just be careful it's a tool and it cuts

A high quality corded 7 1/4" saw from Skill, Mikita, Dewalt, or Milwaukee should last a lifetime

 

[the gypsy]

I think it is worth it, Accidents happen when people put down the saw before it stops and kicks back. Most times people remember to wait but it is that one time that you are distracted that the bake will pay for itself.

 

[Ian S.]

Doesn't a circular saw have an automatic blade guard? Why have a brake when the guard protects everything from the blade when you put it down anyway?

On the other hand, if it's not too much extra, why not?

Ian

 

[fury9]

I like the stop feature, especially on a table saw

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I have a friend that likes his brake feature, says it saves him time. It is repaired once a year. He works in custom commercial cabinetry.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

The blade guard completely covers the blade and allows you to set it down immediately. I'm safety-minded, but I see no need for this useless solution to a nonexistent problem.

 

[stickshift]

Doesn't a circular saw have an automatic blade guard? Why have a brake when the guard protects everything from the blade when you put it down anyway?

One of the functions of a brake is to act as a safeguard in case the guard gets stuck and you don't notice it and set the saw down.

 

[stickshift]

I have a friend that likes his brake feature, says it saves him time. It is repaired once a year. He works in custom commercial cabinetry.

That's what I'm worried about - a brake is nice to have, but not so nice that I want to deal with repairing it. Then again your friend probably uses his circular saw more in a year than I will in my lifetime.

 

[Wamsutta]

It's worth it on sidewinders because they're noisy and not very pleasant to listen to. Worm drives are much more ear friendly.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I wouldn't bother. As long as you are careful (which you should be when using any power tools) then you should be fine. When I am using my Milwaukee saw I hold it for a few seconds after finishing the cut and check if the guard is down, then I put it on the ground, no missing limbs as of yet.

 

[ajchien]

I don't have a brake and if I bought another one, I'd like a brake on it.

That's just my preference. Sometimes I'm set up well enough to be able to make the next cut if I can get the saw lined up, but it's hard to line up the next cut if the blade is still spinning.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Doesn't a circular saw have an automatic blade guard? Why have a brake when the guard protects everything from the blade when you put it down anyway?

On the other hand, if it's not too much extra, why not?

Because if you're cutting a lot a retractable guard can easily get stuck and not retract.

I would never buy a saw without a blade brake. It only takes ONE mistake out of hundreds or thousands of cuts- ONE time when you're tired or the saw slips in your hands while the guard is stuck for that brake to turn a major, life-threatening injury into a minor cut.

 

[BottomLineReviews]

Personally I think it's worth it.

 

[nh_yota]

I prefer a blade brake not for the safety but for the noise reduction.