Circular saws

[davidtu]

I want to get a corded circular 7.25" saw for use for cutting down panels, I will probably mount it on a vertical guide.

I want to pick one up used, but I am not sure what features I need to consider. Does brand matter much (for this purpose)? Skil is generally considered a crappy brand (it seems) but how are their circular saws?

Thanks!

[steve-u]

Depending on your budget there is a vendor on Ebay with a very high rating selling Porter Cable right and left blade reconditioned saws for $85 shipped that comes with a full warranty. If you wat to spend less look at the Makita 5740 recon circualr saw from Toolking for $63 shipped with warranty. The Makita is a very light saw but still powerful though not quite in the league of the 15 amp saws like the PC or Milwaukee. Having said that depending on how much you are going to use it a used Skil saw in good condition would probably work fine, particularly there better models. I have a 25 year old Black and Decker middle line saw that has served me well. I still have it because it only weights about 7.5 pounds which is a big plus in some situations. FYI the PC saw can be hooked to a vacuum or direct sawdust to the direction you desire.



http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=3353

http://search.ebay.com/porter-cable-...circualrQ20saw

[steve-u]

Depending on your budget there is a vendor on Ebay with a very high rating selling Porter Cable right and left blade reconditioned saws for $85 shipped that comes with a full warranty. If you wat to spend less look at the Makita 5740 recon circualr saw from Toolking for $63 shipped with warranty. The Makita is a very light saw but still powerful though not quite in the league of the 15 amp saws like the PC or Milwaukee. Having said that depending on how much you are going to use it a used Skil saw in good condition would probably work fine, particularly there better models. I have a 25 year old Black and Decker middle line saw that has served me well. I still have it because it only weights about 7.5 pounds which is a big plus in some situations. FYI the PC saw can be hooked to a vacuum or direct sawdust to the direction you desire.



http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=3353

http://search.ebay.com/porter-cable-...circualrQ20saw

[Sawatzky]

I have a skil brand skilsaw. I think it is the one that usually sells for about $40.00 or so. It is by no means a professional tool, but it works fine for me. I replaced the blade with a 60 tooth and use it all the time for cutting down sheet goods. With a saw board it works great. The edges may not be as perfect as with other more expensive saws, but the edges of plywood are usually covered with molding anyway when my projects are done. Since I have a table saw and only use my skilsaw for rough cutting, I am not too concered with having a high quality saw like the PC. I have had the skil for over 2 years and it has worked great!

[pirinst]

My best experience with circular saws is when

I replaced the crappy rivets with bolts/nuts at all the pivot points.

Then it didn't matter, really what brand saw it was-at plywood depth the

movement of the saw in relation to the plate was gone and a good blade

would then follow straight.

[mattc183]

I think any circular saw would be fine they are all pretty tough. But for a
dedicated panel saw I would look for a saw with a blade brake. I would also
consider wieght and noise levels.
I would also consider trim saws and festool system (seriously).

mattc

[LarryG]

This isn't what you asked, but as food for thought ... since you said you're going to mount the saw on a vertical guide, have you considered using your router instead?

Although I own a circular saw, I often reduce panels to size using a router. The bit provides a perfectly clean cut; and although the 1/4" straight bit I use wastes more material to the "kerf" than does a saw blade, being able to take the panel directly to its final size with no further trimming required on the TS more than offsets this.

One drawback is that thick panels require more than one pass. But if you don't do a HUGE amount of this type work, the extra time required isn't too onerous.

[cwsmith]

Perhaps it's just my particular point of view, but why are you looking at "used", especially if you're asking about the reputation of something like a rather inexpensive "Skil" saw? You'll probably pay almost as much as a new one with warranty.

Frankly, I've become a Ryobi fan. I have an almost 40 year old Craftsman 7" circular saw that I can't seem to kill. It was made by Ryobi, for Sears. We're talking well under a $100 for their best model, brand new w/case and 2-year warranty. The Ridgid 15-amp with it's 3-yr warranty, 90-day return, and Limited Lifetime Service Agreement is $109 and Makita, Bosch, Porter-Cable, and DeWalt 7-1/4 circular saws are right around there, give or take $30.

Point is, if you're going to use it with any seriousness, I'd recommend new over used, especially considering that you'll be depending on the accuracy and dependability that your task requires; and, the difference is going to probably only be $50 or $60 for a similar quality saw. You should also consider that you'll also have a much better choice of models and features.

For whatever it's worth,

CWS

[drumpriest]

I have a ryobi 13 amp that I got for 20$. I put a 15$ freud 40T blade on it and it makes great cuts in veneered ply for roughing out panels, which is what I use it to do.

[coach]

I spent a little more than some on the PC 325mag. It is a little spendy, but I've come to appreciate the brake and the dust collection. I primarily use it on an EZsmart guide, but it does see some time for hand-held use. I think Hitachi sells a saw with a brake, but I couldn't find one.

[LinuxRandal]

Sidewinder or Worm Drive

I started out with a Skill sidewinder (housewarming present). It was good for construction but could have been better with a better blade.
When I next needed one I had several factors to consider, but it came down between the Bosch CS20 and the Porter Cable 325Mag. As the toolless blade change, didn't mater, and Bosch was coming out with a dust collecton attachment (have it), I went with the Bosch, because it had a greater depth of cut, and I could walk out the door with it. (It's used with a Eurekazone system, why I needed greater depth of cut). The Bosch also blows the dust away from the cut line, with a dust shield, the Porter cable is similar in function, but a different way.
Due to need for yet, greater depth of cut, I am getting a 8 1/4 Dewalt (384?) with the blade brake, to use with the system.
I have used a friends 324mag (no blade brake) and would say the brake is worth it, for Plywood.
I have also used the general (don't know model #'s and even those might be OLD), Milwaukee, Dewalt, and my Worm drive Skill 77 for general construction. I can say that Diablo blade, DOES make a difference.

Just plywood? Ebay 325mag for $145, or Amazon for $151.

[davidtu]

what does the blade brake do? why is it advantageous.

thanks to all for your excellent comments!!

[LarryG]

what does the blade brake do? why is it advantageous.

Stops the blade spinning within a second or two after you release the power trigger, rather than taking many more seconds to slowly spin down. Allows the saw to be safely put down sooner. More important for a pro carpenter than for a hobbyist, but still a desirable feature for anyone.

[LinuxRandal]

Besides the safety aspect of it, if works great for start and stop plunge cuts.

Picture building a wooden car for kids. The top is one sheet of plywood, that you want to put a sunroof in.

[ewingda]

If you are looking to get a saw on the cheap you can get a Ryobi for $50 at your local HD. That one is bare bones 13 or 14 amp. I have the model above 14 amp with laser for $70. I have user it for all kinds of work on the house - siding (w/ backwards plywood blade), framing, ripping, panels, etc. I just used it to cut a 45 deg angle on cement blocks for my patio - with a $15 diamond blade.

If you go that route spend the extra $10 for a good blade - The dewalt blades are pretty good. Not nearly ad good as the Freud's but they do the job well. The blade on the Ryobi was so-so.

Good luck.

Dave