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Circular Saws

7K views 66 replies 45 participants last post by  LesB 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi,

I think it's time for a new circular saw. I have an old cordless Ryobi 18v. Sometimes even with a fully charged battery, it will not make it all the way through a cut. I need a saw with more power.

What do you think? Does anyone recommend another cordless.? (My entire battery set is based on Ryobi) or is ti good to also have a corded one in the tool collection?

Thanks
 
#6 ·
I have a few
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Honestly while there's a few cordless ones buried in there, I'll grab the DeWalt or 7 1/4" Makita out of habit nearly every time. They perform excellently, have more power than 99.9% of cordless saws and they're light. Unless you really need the cordless feature, it costs more and performs less.
 

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#7 ·
Have you determined if it is just the batteries or the saw at this point? It sounds like the battery if failing during the high demand of the saw. Unfortunately spare batteries cost about as much as the tool + battery. Some of the battery shops like batteries plus will "rebuild" battery packs for a reasonable amount.
 
#9 ·
DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee can't be beat. I waited until I found a good sale and it happened to be for a Milwaukee M18 drill driver kit. I've since expanded to other tools in that line. Always going for sale prices.

One was the 6 1/2" circular saw. It has no problem cutting through 8/4 hardwood, even with the 60 tooth blade I keep on it for clean cuts. If you want to spend more, Milwaukee has their Fuel line that includes a full size 7 1/4" circular saw with even more power.

Keep an eye out on eBay. I got the drill/driver kit that retails for $299 for just over $200, new in the box with free shipping. Same deals can be found on batteries and other components. I only paid $60 for my circular saw, again new in the box with free shipping. That's half of what you'll pay at Home Depot.

Sit back and watch. When you see a deal on an 18 or 20V kit from one of those three companies, jump on it
 
#10 ·
#12 ·
They aren't for everyone but, I love my Skill 77 worm drive. Like yeti, I have a few others but, that 77 just fits my hand.
I work mainly with live edge mesquite slabs and have built my own track saw using t track. The 77 is fitted with the t track insert and, that's how I prepare the slabs. It's great for breaking down plywood, too.
My framing days are over but, that old 77 has cut a lot of two bys. It's about 40 years old and not a lick of trouble.
 
#13 ·
I'm old enough now that I think I will have no more battery powered tools. I know they are convenient but I still own and use the original power drill my dad bought me for Christmas, over 50 years ago. I have used up a lot of battery powered one in that time. I work a lot slower now, I can move cords around.
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
They aren t for everyone but, I love my Skill 77 worm drive. Like yeti, I have a few others but, that 77 just fits my hand.

- Gene Howe
For sure, Gene. I have a Mag 77 I bought back when they were still made in the good old USA. I use it when I rip 8/4 mesquite with natural edges to get a clean line.

By the way, I hired your law firm. You're with Dewey, Cheatam and Howe, right? Such stooges. (Young people might not get that one).
 
#15 ·
I just scanned through most of the posts and didn't see batteries being addressed. A lot of the time lack of power in a cordless saw can be attributed to poor quality or low amp hour batteries. As an example, I have an old B&D drill that won't run more than a few minutes with the battery fully charged, the problem is that the battery is actually pretty worn out. On the other hand, My 20v Dewalt Circular saw won"t go long enough to charge the other battery that came with the kit. The problem here is that the kit I have came with 2, 2 amp hour batteries and they are just don't have enough juice to run a saw for very long. They'll run the drill and driver quite well though. So I picked up some 4 amp Hour batteries for the saws (circular and Reciprocating) and things work great. I can go long enough for the back up battery to fully charge at least. I recommend figuring out what the amp hour rating of your current batteries is and seeing if Ryobi has something larger that might last longer.
 
#20 ·
Grandson needed a circular saw to frame in his "Man Cave" remodel…..he walked into Lowes, and walked back out with a brand new Craftsman 7-1/4" saw…..works like a charm…

I'd have to call him up, and ask what model number it was…I think he paid…about $80 for it?
 
#21 ·
fan of corded saws, but the battery units do have a place, but imo, not for the work horse stuff.

I wore out a few 77s when framing back in the day, my all time fav is the normal saw, porter cable if one can find the older ones with wide base, but the new makita did find a spot in my shop, hehe,
bought a track saw, but found i was not all that fond of it, a 8ft level and a couple clamps or a 4ft level with clamps seems to work just fine if i cant get it on the big table saw.
best of luck with new dust maker, lots to choose from.
Rj in az
 
#22 ·
+1 dump the battery saw unless you absolutely need to use one away from power outlet.
+1 Worm drive if your serious and use it every day.
+1 Milwaukee

Have a close friend who manages several teams of home builders here in PHX, and has been a carpenter all his life. When I asked him for a recommendation on best circular saw, he told me:
Hands down, get Milwaukee. Even the worst performing model is better than top of line Dewalt
He joked, have all the brands on trucks, as monkeys are always running over them, leaving them in monsoon rain, stepping on them, dropping lumber on them, and constantly need repairs/replacements. He buys Dewalt saws like kids buy candy. Needs to replace one almost every visit to BORG. The Milwaukee saws rarely need replacing, and even with rough handling they keep working. On rare chance one fails, they have a 5 year warranty.

After looking at his abused saw collection in work truck, I was sold?

The 6390/6391 model was highly rated by CR and some other folks at the time; so I bought a 6391-18. It's left handed version of 6390 posted above. Current model is 6391-21. If you are right handed and never used a left handed saw, should try it. Much better visibility of cut line, and doesn't force me to lean over saw & place my crotch behind flying saw dust to see cut line. :-0)
I keep a 60T Diablo blade in it for hardwoods and plywood. They can be found for $10 each in two pack from BORG. Cheap enough you just swap a new one when they get fouled with pitch.

YMMV
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
Buy a good cord saw and you can give it to the grandkids.

- Fresch
Truth right there. Even the cheaply made new variety, they either flame up in a few weeks, or are good to go. I'd go corded in Milwaukee, Bosch, and if it was half the price DeWalt.

Tom Silva has some thoughts here about taking you basic circular saw, and making it as accurate as a track saw for rips and crosscuts. Super easy design lends itself to making different lengths for different sized work pieces.
 
#26 ·
They aren t for everyone but, I love my Skill 77 worm drive. Like yeti, I have a few others but, that 77 just fits my hand.

- Gene Howe

For sure, Gene. I have a Mag 77 I bought back when they were still made in the good old USA. I use it when I rip 8/4 mesquite with natural edges to get a clean line.

By the way, I hired your law firm. You re with Dewey, Cheatam and Howe, right? Such stooges. (Young people might not get that one).

- Rich
Hey, thanks for the business, Rich. I retired but the firm still uses the name. Historic value ya know.
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