Thread: Circular saw - what to buy

Originally Posted by silverman

I am going to buy a circular saw but there are so many choices. I'll be using it maybe once a month, prefer some thing easy to control, blade diameter 185mm or less. Something not too expensive but definitely avoid cheapy one. Can someone recommend something in the middle of the range?

Thanks.

Protool CSP 55-2 On sale at Vektools for $150 (rrp $270)

Hitachi 190mm Circular Saw. #C7MFA $180

Hitachi 184mm(7¼'') Circular Saw. #C7SB2 $240

Makita 184mm(7¼'') Circular Saw. #5740NBSP $190

Makita 184mm(7¼'') Circular Saw. #5007MGK $260


Go for one with a cast alloy baseplate if you can.

The protool also has a riving knife which i personally find useful, as well as a ready-to-go 'circular' dust port. The others, you have to use an adapter to connect a hose to.
Umm - also check for available blades, you may want a finer tooth one for laminates etc.

There's also a Festool TS55ebq for sale $300 on ebay (in syd)

Maybe try to go to a specialist tool dealer and have a looksee - find what's comfortable to hold etc.

I've got a little 7¼" Makita that I bought in 1984 that is still going strong. Only issue I've got with it now is that the base plate has warped, but for a 25 year old saw, I can hardly complain I suppose!

I picked up a "green" makita 185mm blade on special at Big B last weekend for $109. I thought that was a pretty good compromise between quality and price, as I'm also an infrequent user.

its still listed in the latest on line cat. about page 8 or so. bottom of the right hand page.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/our-produ...catalogue.aspx

cheers
topm

As Ioric said, cast alloy base is the go. I really think you can't go past the Makita http://www.justtools.com.au/prod18.htm Comes with 2 blades & a good alloy base. I got mine from Glenfords for $176 a few months back.

Hi Silverman, get a makita, you won't be sorry, great for general purpose use.

If you are going to cut large sheets of plywood with it and use a straight edge try to find one with a good clearance space between the base plate and the motor.

I have an old Ryobi that has minimum clearance and as a result do not really have a clearance I can run the saw along with confidence it will stay aligned with the side fence.

I have been checking other saws in case I need to replace mine. it goes ok, made in the USA so I will stick with it till it dies.

I have noticed the cheapie Ozito has a much better clearance and seems to have a stronger base plate then some of the higher priced ones. I am still continuing my research.

Being a tight wad, I start at the bottom and work up.

Dewalt 184mm(7¼'') Circular Saw. #D23620-XE

$189 incl GST
• 1150w Circular Saw.
• compact, well balanced and easy to use circular saw with 65mm depth of cut, quick and easy depth and angle adjustment.
• High torque motor gives durability and power for cutting job site and joinery materials.
• Fitted with a pressed steel shoe for strength and durability, an efficient dust extraction port to minimize airborne dust particles when connected to an extractor unit.
• Gears and drive spindle mounted in a durable cast aluminium housing, guiding notches at 90 and 45 degrees give good cut line visibility.
• A large retraction lever for safe operation of lower guard.
• Power output: 570w.
• No load speed: 5000rpm.
• Blade diameter: 184mm x 16mm bore.
• Bevel capacity: 50°.
• Maximum depth of cut at 90º 65mm.
• Maximum depth of cut at 45º 45mm.
• 18 tooth SERIES 30® saw blade.
• Rip fence.
• Blade spanner.
• Size l x h: 315mm x 250mm.
• Weight: 5.1kgs.


I have an 8.25" model

I vote for the DeWalt with a couple of proviso's.

Fit a descent blade. The oem is okay for breaking down rough stock but if you're going to be cutting plywood to size or laminated sheet or board stock then a high quality carbide blade is an essential upgrade.

Make yourself a zero clearance base for the quality blade. I made mine from masonite and it also doubles as the attachment point for the saw guide that rides in the alloy clamp from LV. The regular plastic base and guide don't like the DeWalt for some reason!

I just purchased a:

Makita 184mm(7¼'') Circular Saw. #5740NBSP $190

and love it. I bought a Ryobi initially and it broke very early, so took it back and proceeded with above. The Makita is miles ahead in terms of quality (machine and stock blade), accuracy, lighter, quieter, neater ..........

I opted for the 5740NBSP with aluminium base plate over the 5806 (and the green copy version) which both have a steel base plate. Bigger footprint is nice to work with and i think it has a fraction more clearance to motor. It is also the current model of the two and the only 1050W on the official makita website. Would imagine all the makitas are good though.