M12 5 3/8 Circular Saw Tips

[jeepinerdeep]

So for background.....I am NOT a worshipper of the dead tree carcasses at all. My personal woodworking ability is best matched to framing lumber and plywood. My go to saw is a Skil Worm Drive.

Impulse buy style I picked up an M12 Fuel circular saw to tackle basic wood butchering tasks around the house and shop, those that don't require the weight and power of my Model 77.

So far I am a little under-whelmed, but I though you guys might have some tips. I cut up some 4" wide salvaged pine trim for the woodstove, no problem. Then I proceeded to hack at a heavy duty pallet ( just the cross layed parts like 1.25" x 3") and it seems to me like this thing is extremely sensitive to any kind of movement of the work, minor blade binding and even mildly aggressive starts trip the overload. I thought it would have been a little more rough and tumble.

Not impressed with the chips it throws, so maybe most of the issue is that? Is the stock Milwaukee blade that craptastic? If so is Diablo the only decent option? Doesn't seem like a popular size, I didn't even spot one at my local HD.

 

[firworks]

It's not an overload that's tripping, it's the anti-kickback system (at least I suspect). If it detects the blade starts binding it stops. It is fairly sensitive so you have to make sure you're really pushing it straight.

I'm still using the stock Milwaukee blade but so far it's done me ok. Hopefully I'll be building a bunch of acoustic panel frames from 2x tomorrow with it.

Not sure where you can snag a blade in store but check Amazon and there's a decent selection (Makita, Diablo, Oshlun, Dewalt, Lenox).

 

[bcradio]

I agree that it is just the Milwaukee cordless circular saws in general that are pretty sensitive to that. I had the same thing happen to my m18 fuel circular saw when trying to cut up a pallet just like you. It literally could not do it because it kept cutting out, and that should have been an easy task for the M18. I have the M12 Fuel and when cutting other stuff I haven't had any issues with it and it works great. I do recommend getting the Diablo blade though.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Pallet has never been easy for me to cut with the circle saw. Lots of binding it seems not matter what precautions are taken. A job better suited to a recip saw.

 

[Ign]

I cut dozens of pallets every year w my M12. The stock blade was great for me until I destroyed it.

Yes pallets bind a lot. I've learned to mitigate a lot of it. And yes, all the Fuel tools are stupid sensitive to overload. Doesn't matter M12 or M18, saw, drill, ******** or mechanical bull.

I guess you're expecting too much. I expected very little from a 12V circular saw and was very impressed. It was more rough and tumble than expected. For me.

 

[Rarified27]

I cut dozens of pallets every year w my M12. The stock blade was great for me until I destroyed it.

Yes pallets bind a lot. I've learned to mitigate a lot of it. And yes, all the Fuel tools are stupid sensitive to overload. Doesn't matter M12 or M18, saw, drill, ******** or mechanical bull.

I guess you're expecting too much. I expected very little from a 12V circular saw and was very impressed. It was more rough and tumble than expected. For me.

My M12 FUEL Mechanical Bull shuts off immediately under anyone over 250lbs.

Dang technology.

 

[Ign]

One pallet down JUST NOW. See that big thing in the background? That's where it's going in 2 minutes

 

[jeepinerdeep]

It's not an overload that's tripping, it's the anti-kickback system (at least I suspect). If it detects the blade starts binding it stops. It is fairly sensitive so you have to make sure you're really pushing it straight.

I'm still using the stock Milwaukee blade but so far it's done me ok. Hopefully I'll be building a bunch of acoustic panel frames from 2x tomorrow with it.

Not sure where you can snag a blade in store but check Amazon and there's a decent selection (Makita, Diablo, Oshlun, Dewalt, Lenox).

Thanks. I think I spend the 15 bills on a 24 tooth Diablo. The reviews on Amazon point to a similar experience as mine.

I agree that it is just the Milwaukee cordless circular saws in general that are pretty sensitive to that. I had the same thing happen to my m18 fuel circular saw when trying to cut up a pallet just like you. It literally could not do it because it kept cutting out, and that should have been an easy task for the M18. I have the M12 Fuel and when cutting other stuff I haven't had any issues with it and it works great. I do recommend getting the Diablo blade though.

I planned to do more minor building with it, so hopefully things will improve with a blade

Pallet has never been easy for me to cut with the circle saw. Lots of binding it seems not matter what precautions are taken. A job better suited to a recip saw.

I hit the main 4x4's with my Husqvarna. It was soothing.

I cut dozens of pallets every year w my M12. The stock blade was great for me until I destroyed it.

Yes pallets bind a lot. I've learned to mitigate a lot of it. And yes, all the Fuel tools are stupid sensitive to overload. Doesn't matter M12 or M18, saw, drill, ******** or mechanical bull.

I guess you're expecting too much. I expected very little from a 12V circular saw and was very impressed. It was more rough and tumble than expected. For me.

I don't plan to cut any more pallets, so here's hoping it goes better for regular work.

 

[Ign]

2 more pallets this morn. Nary a problem

And I was mistaken - I am still running the Milwaukee blade

 

[Jeeper]

Diablo blade makes much easier cuts. Put one in mine. Still not a corded circ saw but handy.

 

[Ign]

Another 4 pallets this afternoon

 

[Skiff Builder]

Make sure to set depth of cut only a 1/4" more than the stock you are cutting - reduces binding.
I'm running an M18 7-1/4 brushless and really liking it.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Diablo blade makes much easier cuts. Put one in mine. Still not a corded circ saw but handy.

I ordered one on Ebay, hopefully that does the trick.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Make sure to set depth of cut only a 1/4" more than the stock you are cutting - reduces binding.
I'm running an M18 7-1/4 brushless and really liking it.

Didn't know that, thanks.

 

[rick carpenter]

Have you tried plunge cutting pallets? If burning them, make sure they are marked HT (heat treated)

 

[RivennHewn]

Nothing a little hand-eye coordination won’t cure.

Why buy a lite-weight finish saw to cut firewood?

 

[the intimidator]

I cut all my pallets with the skill 77 no issue binding haha pallets are definatly something that will work out the best of saws. How long on average does it take with the m12? And how many can you cit on one charge? I've really considered picking one up just for this purpose figure I can double my load if their pre cut from where I pick them up thanks

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Nothing a little hand-eye coordination won’t cure.

Why buy a lite-weight finish saw to cut firewood?

I didn't, it was just a happenstance opportunity to try a new tool. If you had read the posts, you would know that.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Another 4 pallets this afternoon

Congrats.

 

[kctyphoon]

Wanna sell it? That'll solve everything.. lol

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Thread follow up........Diablo blade has less drag, much improved. I cut on some 2x6 fir today and was pleased.

 

[Voi]

I borrowed a cordless circular saw from my sister to cut up a pallet when I was visiting. It was around 15 years and it probably something like Black and Decker Firestorm. Bottom of the barrel stuff.

I had the same problem and finally set the blade depth so it didn't cut all the way through. It tracked fine without binding and there was so little material left I just broke it up with a hammer.