mbshop
Well-known member
It seems that have had a need for a small circular saw. A std size one is to big and unwieldy for me. Any recomendations ? Thanks,
small circular saw
- Thread starter mbshop
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Empty Pockets
Well-known member
Several manufacturers make a cordless, I have an 18 volt one. If you need corded, Porter Cable has a 6 1/2 inch saw, Model 660B
JABgj
Well-known member
I have a selection of Ryobi 18V cordless tools and like the circular saw for light duty use.
Voi
Well-known member
What depth of cut do you want? Left or right side blade?
And does corded or cordless matter?
And does corded or cordless matter?
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bcradio
Well-known member
M12 Fuel
rustyjames
Well-known member
I recently bought a 12 volt Milwaukee cordless and it works great.
readhead
Well-known member
I have several worm drive saws and I picked up a Rigid 6 1/2" for the very same reason. Blade is on the right but it has excellent visibility. I went with a cord.
I have a corded makita with about a 4" blade. nice & lite and powerful for the size
ambenz
Well-known member
Go to the store and checkout the cost of blades and get an idea.
You can get a cheap saw and then go out and get blades when you realize those size blades are expensive!
Checkout the blades first.
I have a corded 7 1/4 aluminium and plastic saw, it is pretty light.
It was a hand me down from a Aunt.
You can get a cheap saw and then go out and get blades when you realize those size blades are expensive!
Checkout the blades first.
I have a corded 7 1/4 aluminium and plastic saw, it is pretty light.
It was a hand me down from a Aunt.
ishiboo
Well-known member
M12 Fuel 5-3/8" would definitely be my thought. I have the M18 5-3/8 metal saw and it kicks ***... cuts through 1/4" plate like butter. Plan on getting the M12 for cutting sheet goods.
metaldad
Well-known member
makita makes a 3 1/2 cordless .
Two Door
Well-known member
If you are talking about this one - https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-Compact-Framing-Circular-Saw-R3204/205076385, I agree. I needed to do some work over my head, while standing on a lift, and my full size Milwaukee was wearing me out. After using the Ridgid I promptly sold the Milwaukee.
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I have a $80 Rockwell 4.5" circular saw and I LOVE it. It's awesome. You can hold it and use it with one hand. It is corded, but it hasn't been an issue yet. More powerful since it's corded. Worx also makes a version of it (I think made on the same line) for less money.
It cuts sheet goods, trim, and 2x4s. It's not heavy duty though. If you're going to be making a lot of cuts of something like 2x8s then use a full size 7.25 inch circular saw. But for smaller jobs like building a new shed door it's perfect. I rebuilt a shed door at a friend's house with it recently.
It cuts sheet goods, trim, and 2x4s. It's not heavy duty though. If you're going to be making a lot of cuts of something like 2x8s then use a full size 7.25 inch circular saw. But for smaller jobs like building a new shed door it's perfect. I rebuilt a shed door at a friend's house with it recently.
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I bought a reconditioned Worx 4-1/2" blade saw on Ebay for like $45 with free shipping...not sure what kind of deal they have now. It will cut through a 2x4 no problem at 90 degrees. I have only tested it out once but it seems pretty strong. They also make similar saws with a 3-3/8" blade.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I will disagree with 2 things.
- Make sure it can cut 2by material. You will be amazed how handy that is.
- Skip the cord ! Battery operated is more than adequate, even cutting 2x4, 2x6 and 2x8.
Get a carbide tooth blade for general cutting and a high tooth count blade for finer cuts.
If you don't own any battery operated tools, be careful on your selection, because you will be committed to that brand !
Me too. Great little saw. One thing often overlooked is rpm. Smaller blades need more rpm in order to provide good cut speed and smoother finish.
The Makita is about 10K. Most others are less than half that.
jimreed2160
Well-known member
I have been using the cordless Porter Cable and really like it. Best part is that the battery lives on a flashlight that I use a lot so it is always handy and charged.
bert1913
Well-known member
Furious Filipino
Well-known member
I’ve gone down this path a few years ago. Here are a few things to consider:
The minimum diameter I’ve seen cut 2x material perpendicular is the 4-1/2” Rockwell/Worx circular. Otherwise, it’s a minimum 5-3/8” from the 12v-18v models.
If you need to bevel 2x at 45 degrees, then you are back to a 7-1/4” saw.
I cut a lot of plastic sheet, so I have a low rpm cordless Makita 3-3/8” that gives me way more control and feel than the next size saw I have wich is a 5-1/2” Ryobi.
The minimum diameter I’ve seen cut 2x material perpendicular is the 4-1/2” Rockwell/Worx circular. Otherwise, it’s a minimum 5-3/8” from the 12v-18v models.
If you need to bevel 2x at 45 degrees, then you are back to a 7-1/4” saw.
I cut a lot of plastic sheet, so I have a low rpm cordless Makita 3-3/8” that gives me way more control and feel than the next size saw I have wich is a 5-1/2” Ryobi.
ddawg16
Well-known member
I have the Ryobi 5.5". Using the Li battery, it's light and easy to use...especially when you're up on a ladder 20' up.
The Ryobi comes with a decent carbide blade.
The Ryobi comes with a decent carbide blade.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
5-1/2" 18V Ryobi with a thin kerf blade and a 4.0Ah battery. 
Plenty of power, good balance, easy to adjust the depth of cut and angle. The cut indicator is right on the money, and the shoe is exactly 1" from the cut on the left side- makes it easy to use a saw guide.
Good value for the price, and the batteries are interchangeable with 40+ other tools in the Ryobi 18V platform.
Great for the DiY'er. More pros would probably use them if they were red instead of lime green.
Plenty of power, good balance, easy to adjust the depth of cut and angle. The cut indicator is right on the money, and the shoe is exactly 1" from the cut on the left side- makes it easy to use a saw guide.
Good value for the price, and the batteries are interchangeable with 40+ other tools in the Ryobi 18V platform.
Great for the DiY'er. More pros would probably use them if they were red instead of lime green.
928'er
Well-known member
I've got the Craftsman 12v Nextec (made by Chervon) that uses a 3 3/8" blade. Nice lightweight (~3lb with battery) saw for the little stuff, but I think it's been discontinued - like most Nextec tools....
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I'm in construction, going on 40 years, and I have the corded Rockwell too.
It's a real nice saw, runs smooth and balanced good.
I wish I had it back in the 70's when everybody wanted wood paneling...
it's no match for a regular corded worm drive saw in any way, for cutting 2x lumber it's like sending a boy to do a man's job.
It's a real nice saw, runs smooth and balanced good.
I wish I had it back in the 70's when everybody wanted wood paneling...
it's no match for a regular corded worm drive saw in any way, for cutting 2x lumber it's like sending a boy to do a man's job.
I ordered my Rockwell version at Home Depot's website. I did the ship to store thing. eBay has the Worx version for like 50 with free shipping.
Coach James
Well-known member
I have a Porter Cable 18V, not Li-ion. Has a 5.5 " blade. I seldom use my corded circular saws anymore. In the last month I rebuilt my front porch railings and am now replacing boards on my back deck. All the cutting of deck boards and 2x___ was done with the PC saw.
The only think I dislike about it is that there is a safety switch you have to push in and hold before you can squeeze the trigger.
Coach
The only think I dislike about it is that there is a safety switch you have to push in and hold before you can squeeze the trigger.
Coach
Went to lowes today but few choices to look at. Ghe dremel one was a no go, terrible feel and very unbalanced as the trigger is to far back. Thet had a porter cable one but in all the time I was there not one sales person asked if I needed help even though they were walking around me. I left. Went to walmart and was surprised to see that they had a worx one. I opened it and handled it. Not bad. Price was 58.00 but did not have the extra blade that their site shows for that price. I still want to handle the porter cable and rockwell ones before my final decision.
Michigan Mike
Well-known member
I worked construction all my life. Residential used almost exclusively the rockwell or Porter cable [same saw]. went into commercial and it was all worm drive skilsaw. I had no problem with the size or weight with any of them. I retired. Six years down the road I bought one of the 6.5 Ridged saws. It is all I use any more. It will do almost anything the others will. If I need them I still have bigger saws. But when I use them they sure feel big and clumsy.