Circular saws. How big/small/how many?

[Fantapantz]

In a nutshell......circular saws are 136, 160, 185, 210, 235mm give or take a bit for some brands.

Now..I'm a dainty little fella at 115kg so the big ones might be too heavy for me, and if I sleep with a little one unda me pillow I will only be playing with my little one, and not with what counts (or maybe I'll be sleeping on the lounge).

I already have a 235mm 80 tooth blade that has had little use so I tend to be leaning towards the makita 5902B........But in reality the 5007NB (185mm) will get any foreseeable jobs done. The extra weight of the 235mm (almost double) seems considerable. How much better does a 235mm blade cut sheeting (eg MDF/ply) than a smaller blade and what would you guys advise?

[Theva]

Fantapantz,


If you already have a 235mm (app 9") saw with 80 tooth blade, then it is hard to get a powersaw for even more finer cut. My 40 tooth 9" one is doing fine with 7mm ply etc.

May be you are after anothe (saw), a lighter model (HE HE); then it is your choice.

Adjusting the depth of cut to "barely enough" and a low feed rate will give improved results. Blades with fewer teeth are for coarse ripping.

Hope this helps,


Regards,

Theva

[Fantapantz]

Only have the 235mm blade, no saw. Got it a few years back when I used works SCMS to make a coffee table out of recycled blackbean. The timber was 100 year old floor boards and the house had burnt down so my timber was questionable. 140m for $28......The tables (3 in total) are 10 foot long when joined end on end........Quiet a unique but simplistic design but suited the little flat I lived in back then.

[Daniel]

I have two Makita saws, one 9 inch or there abouts and the 7 1/4

Now the 7 1/4 gets used 95% of the time and the 9 inch was only bought for the triton and the occassional large timber section.

It depends on what you were going to use it for but I would look seriously at the 7 1/4, be warned though a good one is quiet expensive so a builder mate of mine said he just bough one after having his 8 inch saw stolen.


Daniel

[Theva]

Fantapantz,

Yep, 9 1/4" and 7 1/4" are the ones to have (if you want more than one).

For renovation type of work, larger one is handy for cutting 4x2 frames without removing the external cladding, 4x3 bearers of decking etc. The 7 1/4" can handle most of the other stuff.

If I have to buy one saw, I will still buy the 9 1/4" first.


Hope this is of some use.


Regards,

Theva

[Sturdee]

I have a Makita 9 1/4 " saw for general use, a 9 1/4" Triton saw permanently in the Triton work centre and a vey old Skill 7 1/4 ".

The old Skill saw I keep for when I have to replace weatherboards 20 ' high ( double storey) but it is hopelessly underpowered for anything else so I suggest go for the bigger saw - it is much safer even if it is heavier.


Peter.

[Robert WA]

I have a 2 big 'uns and a little 'un. The 2 - 9 1/4" is an accident in that I was given a Triton when I already had a Makita. I now have different blade types in those. The little saw, an AEG, is just the thing for jobs that involve carrying the weight of the saw while cutting. I use it often and would not part with it.

[soundman]

It depends on what you plan to use it for.
If you are doing mostly board work the 7 1/4 will be fine.

I you are doing bilder boy stuff youll need a 9 1/4 for the depth of cut.

If you plan to put it in some for of saw benck like a triton a 9 1/4 is a good idea.

I have the hitachi 7 1/4 with dust extraction and its a fine machine.

sold the 9 1/4 ages ago

71/4 machines are cheap for blades

cheers

[Fantapantz]

OK, after looking at what everyone has said, I'll get a 7 1/4 inch (Makita 5740NB). It'll cut up to 64mm at 90* and that should do me cause its mainly going to be used for under 30mm anyway.

Anyone got the Veritas Power Tool Guide System? (p29 Timbecon) It looks ideal for ripping sheets but first hand feedback is as valuable ads it comes..

[Daniel]

Fantapantz

Try and get one of the Japanese 7 1/4 Makita,s if you can, there may still be a few around with a bit of luck. I am not sure whether these saws are made in China or just assembled there. Probably worth doing a bit of research on the topic or maybe someone can help out.

There seems to be a bit of uncertainty about the quality of the chinese manufactured product throughout the building trade, time will tell though its still early days.

Daniel

[Fantapantz]

No Japanese Makita's available, a salesman told me they were too expensive and noone was buying them, although salesman are reliably unreliable I believe him cause I went to 4 different suppliers and none were available.

The big question is........How much power is needed in a 7 1/4 inch saw.

Makita 5806 B @ 1050W (3.5kg, 66mm cut) = $179 (steel base plate)
Makita 5007 NB @ 1500W (5.0kg, 60mm cut) = $278 (alloy base plate)

Buying tomorrow morning so comments appreciated.

[Red neck]

Hitachi C7SB2 with a 1710 watt, yes that’s right1710 watt, motor. Definitely not for wimps. Also has a rigid nickel alloy base that will withstand the knocks meted out by ham fisted sawyers.

[Daniel]

Fantapantz

My 7 1/4 Makita is a 5800NB, its a bit hard to read the wattage but it is certainly under 1000, I am pretty sure it is 900 watts.

This saw has plenty of power, when I first bought the saw it was used for installing stairs and would regularly cut 35mm thick hardwood winders down to size.

Buy the smaller one.

Daniel

[Fantapantz]

Once again....there's nothing like a bit of advice to confuse me even further.

I actually looked at the Hitachi C7SB2........$239.............. The base plate is a hell of a lot sturdier than the Makita....and the edges are machined flat instead of comming straight off a guilotine...............

The salesman at Tradetools even said that the electronics are better than the Makita......

I was trying to convince myself for Makita 5806B cause the full size handle seems convienient, and the 5007NB I can make a second handle extention fairly easily with a bit of design work. The Hitachi has a little knob that looks like a pair of balls in a tight sac (in the just tools website photo).....And that is difficult to design a secondary handle for.......

Will have another good look tomeorrow morning......looks like I'm buying from Tradetools cause there cheaper and they have both so it could be a spontaneous decision........

Any other input appreciated.........

[Red neck]

Fantapantz

Twenty years ago I bought a Makita 5800NB rated at 900 watts. Still have it and find it a useful lightweight saw. A few years later I bought a Hitachi C9 rated at 2000 watts. Ignoring their respective sizes I would have to say that without doubt the Hitachi is a much better quality saw. It has a more substantial base, better attachment of the frame to the saw and superior quality adjustment mechanisms. At the time I considered the Makita 5900B but the Hitachi had more grunt. Don’t underestimate the benefits of a powerful saw. When the Makita has its 180mm blade buried in a 4 x 4 fence post it is working hard to the point of bogging down. In contrast the Hitachi will sail through hardwood with its 235mm blade buried to the hilt, like a hot knife through butter.

Both saws are reliable although I did loan the Makita once and the borrower managed to break it … don’t know how or what as it was returned fully repaired and I didn’t embarrass him by asking the details. I find the Makita handy for quick lightweight jobs but where I need to set-up for the cut and spend some time in achieving accuracy I prefer the Hitachi, regardless of timber thickness. It just feels better!

[Fantapantz]

As I said the only thing steering me away from the Hitachi is the shape of the handle.....

It doesn't look like its a good shape for double handed use.

[Theva]

If you are planing to use the saw for light work and cutting boards, base design is an important factor to consider.

Sturdier base will stay true longer; an advantage for "fit out" type of work (and others).

My mak got it's share of knocks (dropped from ceiling a few times :mad: ); needed some straightening out afterwards.


Regards,
Theva

[Fantapantz]

Well I got the Hitachi........Nothing to compare it with apart from my dads old skill that kicks like a mule, but 60mm through a piece of gum thats as heavy as a pile of bricks and its like cutting butter. Glad I got the 1710W instead of a little-un.

Thanks for the advice guys and gal much apreciated.........

Now to ponder the next purchase in a couple weeks...

[TOMARTOM]

I am a big fan of the Makita 160mm saw although it is the same price of the larger 71/4", but the smaller saw will adaquately cut most of your needs. It is a little beauty easy to handle, manouvre and great on sheet material.

Regards Tony

[Daniel]

Fantapantz

When my Makita dies then I will certainly have a good look at the Hatachi.

The Hatachi HR12 that I have is certainly a good unit.


Daniel