Looking for a good cordless framing saw

[ADSR]

I've never used the 36v DeWalt.

I just looked up the 36v platform and all I can see are 2.0Ah batteries. If that's the case, the 4.0Ah - 18v batteries have the same amount of power at 72Wh. I'm pretty sure that's a brushed motor so the FUEL should have the edge.

I literally can't imagine wanting either more power or run time than my 6.5 FUEL circ saw provides. If I wanted more run time, I could always load it up with a 9.0Ah battery so I could build three or four decks between charges.

Hey, I'm not saying the runtime on the dewalt is good, it's not bad, but not good. But the power/torque difference is night and day. IMO, the battery tech isn't up to the task of making a "real" circ saw.

 

[danski0224]

I had one of the original Milwaukee 18v NiCd saws and it would cut circles around the comparable DeWalt 18v.

While I didn't build decks, that saw was used very frequently, many days a week.

The new Fuel saw is better yet, although I prefer the stamped aluminum foot of the NiCd saw over the current Fuel saw.

I have used mine to rip about 13 lineal feet of LVL lumber a few times, and it didn't break a sweat. If I had to do that on a daily basis, I'd break out the worm drive.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a cordless Fuel saw as a go to on the jobsite, especially if corded backup is on hand for anything unusual.

 

[LB-1911]

I'd almost be willing to bet that 9 lbs is with a battery. I only have the 2730, but from what I understand, there's no internal difference between the two. One is just backwards with a slightly larger blade guard. I can't imagine that would cost 2.2 lbs.

^
Looked at one, provided link to another - correction made.

lmgtfy

9 lbs.
2731-22**
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2731-22

**M18 FUEL™ 7-1/4” Circular Saw (Bare Tool)
2731-20
7.5 lbs
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2731-20

M18 FUEL™ 6-1/2" Circular Saw (Bare Tool)
2730-20
6.8 lbs
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2730-20

 

[MushCreek]

I pretty much built my entire house using Milwaukee M18 (pre Fuel) tools. They are so much handier that the corded saw spent most of the time in the box. I've got the SawZall, circular saw, drill, and 1/4" driver.The driver got used more than anything else. In 5 years of use and abuse, the only thing I had to do was put new brushes in the driver. I have 5 batteries, and never ran out of juice. I can't imagine what the latest generation tools must be like!

 

[NitroSun]

I like the Rigid gen 5. Full 7 1/4" and a 4.0 battery will make a hell of a lot of cuts.