Ryobi Circular Saw Trouble

[docrowan]

I've had had a Ryobi CSB140LZ 7 1/4 inch circular saw for several years now, but haven't used it a great deal. Straight out of the box, the cut depth adjustment stuck and was hard to move, even if I completely unscrewed the wing bolt. Also the sole plate seemed to drag on the workpiece. I waxed it (with automotive wax - I didn't know about this forum at the time) and it helped for a few uses, but then it started dragging again. It also leaves black marks on my workpiece most of the time. Finally, as I've started learning more about precision in saw setup from this forum, I started looking at the angle adjustment, and found the scale is off some 5 degrees and the zero adjustment screw won't even touch when the angle is a correct 90 degrees to the blade. It appears that the aluminum housing is slightly cracked where the pivot point for the depth adjustment pins in. To the best of my memory, I never dropped the saw, at least not off a house or anything. Oh, and the laser is so far out of adjustment I don't even bother with it.

I had a cheaper Skil circular saw that I gave away during a mission trip. I really liked that saw, it worked great, not a precision instrument, but it would cut a straight line and zip a two by in half in nothing flat. Well, this saw was the replacement. Does anyone have any experience with this saw? Did I just make a poor purchase out of ignorance or is this an unusual lemon from a usually good line of saws?

[Imadunatic]

Well, I own that saw, and while I dont expect it to be as nice as the contractor grade saws, It is typically the only way I break down plywood, and most of the time, the way I finish cut all plywood (unless it will fit on the BT) As far as the black marks, im not sure. I built a cutting guide out of tempered masonite and a jointed piece of cedar, waxed everything HEAVILY and it cured all of that. However, that will only help with plywood. I dont trust the angle guage, I typically throw a square on it before making any critical cuts and I try to not change it except as a last resort. I would take it apart completely and visually inspect all parts, it sounds like your baseplate could be sprung, which is almost the kiss of death for this saw, you'll never be happy with it if it is indeed sprung.

Let us know if you figure something out.
Kevin

[sparkeyjames]

I have a old 15 years I think Black and Decker 7.25 inch circular saw and it has been perfect. Mind you it does not get a whole lot of use and I keep it clean. It rips plywood like a fiend. The angle adjustment is easy to move and is spot on. For a saw that cost just under $25 it has been a find as far as I'm concerned. I just bought a few decent blades for it and have been happy ever since. As far a Ryobi tools go I have a power hand planer and a 6 inch random orbit auto polisher buffer and have had no problem with either one. Sorry you seem to have gotten a lemon. It happens.

sparkeyjames

[docrowan]

I figured out why I'm having trouble with my circular saw - I tend to rest it on my sawhorse after I'm done cutting with it. It's fallen a few times and it must have fallen right on the base plate. Anyway the saw blade is not square to the base plate. I started checking for that after I read another posting on this site about a similar problem. It's more than an 1/8" off from the forward edge of the blade to the back edge. I frequently use it to cross cut 2X4's and I always use a speedy square as a guide - so naturally the saw doesn't want to track right. I plan on doing the same thing Kevin mentioned, make a masonite and hardwood zero offset saw guide to break down plywood panels, so I'll have to buy a new saw. There's no way to fix or adjust sucker, and with the crack in the housing, I doubt even replacing the whole base plate will do any good.

With my next circular saw, I'll try to set it on the ground or floor between uses. But since I'm obviously rough on them, I'll be looking for one that has a sturdier saw plate design. I don't want to pay stupid tax twice.

[sparkeyjames]

Make a saw cradle on your sawhorse.

I myself hate bending down to the ground to pick up a power tool. I have not yet done so but the idea is create a cradle on your sawhorse to pop the saw into when not in use.


sparkeyjames

[LinuxRandal]

On the higher end, Bosch has some saws (at least the CS10 and CS20) that have a hook/hanger for hanging it from the rafters.


Do you still have the dust chute for your Ryobi? I would be interested in buying it off you if you do!

[docrowan]

I have the part that attaches directly to the saw I know. The piece that connects the chute to a shop vac may be in the case. My shop is in total disarray. I'll try to gather up everything and post it on member classifieds to part out, but I'll PM you first. It's a good saw other than the base plate pivot point being bent.

Thanks.