Looking for a good corded circular saw

[Wamsutta]

What you need is a saw that's balanced very very well. The Makita 5007F and 5007FA may have an outward appearance of being no-frills and boring, but it's balanced very, very well. I know it's right bladed and you're looking for a saw with a left blade, but the 5007F is an excellent example of a saw that's very easy to handle one-handed.

 

[BFHtime]

I have stalled many different circular saws but I have never seen a worm drive saw stall. I look at this as a safety issue, for those times a kick back could occur.

A factor in comfort of using a saw has to do with the depth adjustment, and how some saws change the angle of the plate, in relation to the motor; vs other saws that keep the same angle regulars less of depth. The later do not change as quickly, but seem to be quicker to adjust to when first using the saw.

For the op check out the different ways you could hold the saw with you off hand. Different saws have different ways of gripping.

 

[DPG]

If you are out to make a living with a hand held corded saw then the Skill 77 and it's variants are hands down #1. Proven over and over for many years. In the OPs case, I would look on ebay for a Porter Cable 345. I am not so sure that it is made anymore. It is a excellent high quality light weight saw with the blade on the left side.

 

[KnurledNut]

Without reading all this thread, based on personal experience:
Sidewinder: Makita
Wormdrive: Mag77

 

[gworrel]

Before you buy anything, make sure you pick it up and make sure it is comfortable in your hand. I had a Bosch (if I remember right) that had a blade guard that would hit my middle knuckle every time I used it just from normal use. It was either a bad design or my hands are too big. I don't use my left hand at all when I make cuts. I am only an occasional user but I finally got sick of it and bought a Milwaukee that I have been very happy with. Sold the Bosch on eBay to someone who hopefully has smaller hands.

 

[BioNerd]

Oops

 

[BioNerd]

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.

For homeowners? Get the grizzly, its less than 300 track included. Festool is like 700 track not included.
50-60 bucks for 55" grizzly track if you want to put two together, more than 200 bucks I think for the festool.

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.

Track saw all the way. Circular saw will be not just unsafe but way less efficient for you.

 

[weerez935]

I had not thought about a track saw but that saw seems to be a pretty good solution for me.

 

[rice rocket]

For homeowners? Get the grizzly, its less than 300 track included. Festool is like 700 track not included.
50-60 bucks for 55" grizzly track if you want to put two together, more than 200 bucks I think for the festool.

You just makin' it up as you go?

The Festool saw is $615, comes with a 1400mm track, and a SYS-4 systainer, it's not possible to buy the saw w/o the track and systainer.

1400mm/55" tracks are $125, the 1900mm/75" tracks are $195. You can also substitute Makita tracks for a few bucks less, but the difference isn't significant.


I got my TS55 REQ for $464 during their reconditioned sale. Comes w/ a new splinter guard (which isn't available on the Grizzly saw) and a brand track. Condition was excellent, barely used. 1 year warranty vs 3 year when purchased new, but hey, it was $150 cheaper.

They were doing 40% off late last year too, which would've dropped it to $369. Same deal, new track, new splinter guard, but that's apparently never going to happen again though if you're to believe what they say at Festool corporate.

The Grizzly saw is $260 bare, $60 for rails, figure out your own storage.


Not saying the Grizzly saw isn't a good deal because it is, especially when you can't catch the Festool saws (you have to be on top of their site when they're running the sale b/c they go quickly), but get your facts straight, eh?

 

[Fugio]

About 25 years ago I started working construction and destroyed 3 circular saws in one year. One was a Rockwell. The other 2 were major brands, but I can't remember which ones.
I was out of money so I bought an OLD Black and Decker for $18 at a pawn shop just to get me through until pay day. 20-something years later and I'm STILL using it as my main saw.
Over the years we've killed just about every brand of saw you can think of, both Sidewinders and Worm-Drives. But the old B&D just keeps plugging away somehow. It's become a running joke around here.

So just get one that feels good in YOUR hand and has a price, quality, and warranty that work for you. That's all I can say really.

 

[-Brent-]

In the OPs case, I would look on ebay for a Porter Cable 345. I am not so sure that it is made anymore. It is a excellent high quality light weight saw with the blade on the left side.

Those are all I'll run. Love them.

 

[weerez935]

You just makin' it up as you go?

The Festool saw is $615, comes with a 1400mm track, and a SYS-4 systainer, it's not possible to buy the saw w/o the track and systainer.

1400mm/55" tracks are $125, the 1900mm/75" tracks are $195. You can also substitute Makita tracks for a few bucks less, but the difference isn't significant.


I got my TS55 REQ for $464 during their reconditioned sale. Comes w/ a new splinter guard (which isn't available on the Grizzly saw) and a brand track. Condition was excellent, barely used. 1 year warranty vs 3 year when purchased new, but hey, it was $150 cheaper.

They were doing 40% off late last year too, which would've dropped it to $369. Same deal, new track, new splinter guard, but that's apparently never going to happen again though if you're to believe what they say at Festool corporate.

The Grizzly saw is $260 bare, $60 for rails, figure out your own storage.


Not saying the Grizzly saw isn't a good deal because it is, especially when you can't catch the Festool saws (you have to be on top of their site when they're running the sale b/c they go quickly), but get your facts straight, eh?

Grizzly is 245 with 55" track and clamp pack here:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/t25552

One day I'll own some festool stuff but being in grad school I try to get bang for the buck.

 

[BioNerd]

You just makin' it up as you go?

The Festool saw is $615, comes with a 1400mm track, and a SYS-4 systainer, it's not possible to buy the saw w/o the track and systainer.

1400mm/55" tracks are $125, the 1900mm/75" tracks are $195. You can also substitute Makita tracks for a few bucks less, but the difference isn't significant.


I got my TS55 REQ for $464 during their reconditioned sale. Comes w/ a new splinter guard (which isn't available on the Grizzly saw) and a brand track. Condition was excellent, barely used. 1 year warranty vs 3 year when purchased new, but hey, it was $150 cheaper.

They were doing 40% off late last year too, which would've dropped it to $369. Same deal, new track, new splinter guard, but that's apparently never going to happen again though if you're to believe what they say at Festool corporate.

The Grizzly saw is $260 bare, $60 for rails, figure out your own storage.


Not saying the Grizzly saw isn't a good deal because it is, especially when you can't catch the Festool saws (you have to be on top of their site when they're running the sale b/c they go quickly), but get your facts straight, eh?

Yes, I was pulling prices from when I shopped around.

Get my facts straight? Festool is for girls. Lol!

You should post those deals in the forum!! I would've got the festool instead if it was that cheap. That way people may assume im a better carpenter!

Seriously, im thinking to invest in systainers, so keep us posted.