circular saw?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St. Louis, MO
circular saw?
I am looking to be getting a circular saw in the next few weeks. Any advice on brands/models? I am going to be wanting to spend around $75 at the most. This saw will be used for light duty, around the house type cutting. Definately not an every day, commercial type use. Will probably be cutting 2x4s, plywood, etc. Thanks for any suggestions/advice.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Brighton, Co
If you look around, you can find a nice Skill for about $130. I know that's more than you want to spend but the saw will last forever. I went through the cheapies for a while and finally decided to buy the more expensive Skill. It cuts straighter and is much easier to adjust than the cheap-os. You'll be happier in the long run with that one.
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Oregon
Porter Cable makes a good one. I tend to always grab my big, heavy, old worm drive Skil saw. That weight makes it controllable for me and it powers through anything. The pawn shops usually have good saws cheap. (Who knows, you might be buying one that was stolen from me!)
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: The County
For a affordable skillsaw,my skil works great.I'v had a few different ones,but they way they are used usually tends to make a difference on how long they last.Try to find one that seems to have good balance when you hold it.Not everyone likes the same weight of the saw.Makita,Porter Cable,Milwaukee,all have the $75 versions,but they tend to be the chuck save a buck saws.The contractors series is expensive for those name brands.My Skil and Craftsman $75 ones work fine for general purpose uses.I'll get blasted for this but I have a Black and Decker skill saw that I use quite a bit that works a good as any of them.It's about 10 years old lol
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: SouthWest Ohio
I liked my old...fairly inexpenssive Skill saw, but after years of use the bearings were getting worn out. I didn't want to spend the money for a Porter Cable or Milwaukee, but wanted to up-grade a little from the Skill. I wound up buying a Bosh. Looks like the Skill, but with upgrades. Kinda like a Pontiac is to a Chevy. It works well for the occasional use I put it to, and it was less than $75...How much I don't remember.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: WA
Originally posted by MROLDV8
I liked my old...fairly inexpenssive Skill saw, but after years of use the bearings were getting worn out. I didn't want to spend the money for a Porter Cable or Milwaukee, but wanted to up-grade a little from the Skill. I wound up buying a Bosh. Looks like the Skill, but with upgrades. Kinda like a Pontiac is to a Chevy. It works well for the occasional use I put it to, and it was less than $75...How much I don't remember.
I liked my old...fairly inexpenssive Skill saw, but after years of use the bearings were getting worn out. I didn't want to spend the money for a Porter Cable or Milwaukee, but wanted to up-grade a little from the Skill. I wound up buying a Bosh. Looks like the Skill, but with upgrades. Kinda like a Pontiac is to a Chevy. It works well for the occasional use I put it to, and it was less than $75...How much I don't remember.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St. Louis, MO
Okay, now I am reconsidering. I was originally thinking of buying a middle of the road saw, such as this craftsman:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00910860000
Now I am wondering if I would be better off buying a heavy duty saw one time and having it last, rather than just buying two cheaper saws over the same time period. I was thinking of the Milwaukee. It seems to be getting good reviews and if it can withstand the abuse of contractors, it won't have any trouble holding up to what I would use it for. Any thoughts?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00910860000
Now I am wondering if I would be better off buying a heavy duty saw one time and having it last, rather than just buying two cheaper saws over the same time period. I was thinking of the Milwaukee. It seems to be getting good reviews and if it can withstand the abuse of contractors, it won't have any trouble holding up to what I would use it for. Any thoughts?
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: SW Michigan
I'v had three Milwaukee saws in 32 years.I use them almost every day.My old saw fell to many times the shoe wasn't square .I still use it to cut siding on my cutting table. If I by another it will be a Milwaukee. SAV
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Joined: Feb 2004
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The first thing I want in a circular saw is good balance and feel. I know you get used to one design with use but my Skil saws just seem to handle better compared to the Craftsman ones I've used. I know both of thes are on the low end of the price scale but my point is that a high end saw that doesn't feel right won't get used as much as one that does. I've used a worm drive saw and that is the right tool for some jobs but the standard circular saw is something found in nearly all shops. Would anyone care to add their thoughts on how some of these other models handle?
thanks
Bryan
thanks
Bryan
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Greenwood In. USA
My only problem on the low end saws is shaft end thrust.
On most of the lower end sleeve bearing saws the blade will wiggle quite a bit. The higher end roller/ball bearing saws have a tighter tolerance. My .02
On most of the lower end sleeve bearing saws the blade will wiggle quite a bit. The higher end roller/ball bearing saws have a tighter tolerance. My .02