RJsumthn Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 My Craftsman circular saw has officially died. It will get about 4 inches into a cut and then it bogs down and stops. I would like get a new one because making cuts on plywood with my contractor table saw is just about impossible. I know that everyone is going to suggest a track saw but that is just was too far over budget. I can only spend about $100, max. Suggestions on a normal circular would be greatly appreciated. Thanks - RJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 here's the home depot web site, buy the saw that has the most amps closest to your price range http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc28l/h_d2/Navigation?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#/?c=1 . I'm a worm drive saw guy I always have a Skill model 77 because I'm a carpenter by trade, and thats just what I'm use to but now your talking $160. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I received a Ryobi as a gift from the Depot. It works great to make a cut using a guide like a piece of angle iron or free hand. I basically cut 1/2" over what I need and final size it on the table saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid-woodworker Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 My craftsman saw died a few years back (early 1950s model) And I bought a Skill brand from Lowes. It has a plywood blade in it and I don't use it for anything else. It has worked fine for that purpose. BRuce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 My Makita is a workhorse. I don't use it for much more than construction stuff anymore, but it's been a reliable saw. Can't remember what I paid but I doubt it was much more than $100. I'm often drawn toward Makita when buying contractor-grade tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsiard Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I've had my milwaukee 7.25" for over 20 years, had to replace the cord about 5 years ago but other than that no issues. It's seen plenty of use and abuse (not intentional) and is still going strong. Funny thing is I didn't really like it when I bought it but needed it and couldn't pass up the deal, 40% off store closing. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat maybe go with the left blade model instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwood Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Try and find something with a rear pivot adjustment. Make you a rip jig, (look up one in Marcs videos). If it trys to track just a little off, the rear pivot and be adjusted to cut straight. I was thinking the DeWalt DW 364 but it is $169.00 and out of your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dlhunter Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Under $100 go with a Mikita. If you can afford it I would recommend a worm drive. They have more power and are designed tp be pushed from behing as opposed to on top like a standard circular saw. but they are $160 plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjeff70 Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Your worm drive saws will be more expensive, starting around $160 or so. They're the most durable but unless you're a contractor by trade I wouldn't bother. I'd search Amazon.com and look to the comments with saw features you can live with. Cost depends mostly on how much power you want, 13 or 15 amp. Saws suck power more than any tool I know so I don't recommend battery operated saws. Milwaulkee and Dewalt seem to win the most in tool reviews. Go with the one with the best warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjeff70 Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Good call Hunter, I wouldn't have posted had I known you were going to post that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid-woodworker Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Between the time my old Craftsman died and I bought my Skill, I used my Milwaukee cordless. As long as you don't want to cut for a long time it is fine. I have broken down 2 sheets of plywood on one charge. No, it doesn't have the power of a corded saw but it can do the job. BRuce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 +1 for Makita ! Mine has only been used with a straight edge and lives in its case so it has kept its accuracy. Great saw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT Proctor Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 If your a righty I would recommend getting a left blade saw, you can watch the blade cut through the line without looking over the saw. I know it's a little over your budget but Amazon has the Bosch CS5 for $117. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 here's the home depot web site, buy the saw that has the most amps closest to your price range http://www.homedepot...eId=10051#/?c=1 . I'm a worm drive saw guy I always have a Skill model 77 because I'm a carpenter by trade, and thats just what I'm use to but now your talking $160. Out of curiosity what are the pro's and con's of a wormdrive in the shop? From a design perspective, they look like they'd be more accommodating to my crazy left-handedness, but I don't tend to see that type of saw typically in shops. Not sure if there's a reason or not and never used one. Looking to replace my crappy (and cheap I got what I paid for) Skillsaw myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 The worm drive is just a more substantial saw, it holds up to heavy useage like what would happens on a constuction job site. The worm drive has a high amp motor which makes the motor last longer, it also has more power, and doesn't bog down in a cut they really can take alot of abuse and keep working. The Skill model 77 worm drive saw has been the saw that you will find on almost every job site, I use it because it's what I'm use too I've been useing one since I was 17 yrs old and first got in construction. The one thing that would make it not for everyone is the fact that it weighs alot more than a smaller side winder home owners saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 the heavy-duty is the 77 worm-drive. i just eBayed mine -- not a contractor and get's too heavy. also have the makita -- it's a good saw, but it's not the makita of yesteryear --- I've got one that's about 15 years old and it's amazing -- folks have offered me $300 for it. the new ones are OK, but exist off their old reputation. One thing to consider is battery-powered. I use a TS55 frequently, so my circular saw use has dropped to zero -- I've only kept one battery-powered saw because i'll never do more then 10 minutes a quarter on the thing. the bosch 18v battery tools are good. so if you plan to get more tools in the future, think cordless and start purchasing into a system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junebug Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 I picked up a Skil HD5687M and couldnt be happier. I have yet to bog it down (even cross cutting pressure treated 4x4's). Fairly light weight (I suppose its due to the magnesium base). It will come in under your $100 budget. Leave the worm drives to the framers, I think they are too heavy for general and shop use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 The one thing that would make it not for everyone is the fact that it weighs alot more than a smaller side winder home owners saw. I'm a big guy, that is not a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 My favorite "fine woodworking" circular saw is my 18V DeWalt 6-1/2", with a Matsushita blade. The $20 blade turned it into an entirely different tool, possibly tripling the battery life http://www.coastalto...matsushita.htm Sheet goods do not take much power to cut, especially with a good, sharp, blade. I've also added a shop-made zero clearance foot. The tool's size and shape, as well as the lack of a cord, make it awesome when kneeling on sheet goods placed on 2" foam. If you already have an 18v DeWalt tool, I see these all the time on eBay and in pawn shops, BRAND NEW without a battery, for ~ $40. If you're building decks, framing houses, etc... that's different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 1, 2012 Report Share Posted December 1, 2012 Yea my Makita is 1986 vintage quality stuff, not sure about the new ones. I put a $ 40 blade on it and get near tablesaw type cuts. Might consider looking for a good used saw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJsumthn Posted December 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 I picked up the Ridgid. http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Power-Tools-Saws-Circular-Saws/RIDGID/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc2dcZ18g/R-100618252/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UMwWz6U1ZSU I've only made a couple cuts with it and it works good. I got a Diablo 40 tooth blade for it and didn't even bother with the factory blade. This should serve me well until i get a Track saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuilderBill Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 My framing crews use nothing but the 5007 Makitas. 'Way back when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth and I was toting tools for a living I went through Skils, Bosches, Milwaukees, Dewalts, Porter Cables, you name it. Always went back to the Makita. The Hitachi was a close second but all the others were nowhere close in power, handling and build quality. Right now we have the 5007s, a couple of the 16" and one of the 10" saws, used every day in production. All hold up well, occasionally they'll need brushes and a switch but that's about all. We do have a couple of the Bosch sidewinders, they're fitted out with the Prazi beam cutters for the 8x stock that the big Maks can't cut in one pass. I still have and use a couple of the 5007s for the shop. Works fine, lasts a long time. HTH, Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbmaster11 Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Festool TS55... if you can shell out the money! I have the TS55 and a makita with a fine blade in it EDIT: I have the same one My framing crews use nothing but the 5007 Makitas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuilderBill Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Festool TS55... if you can shell out the money! I have the TS55 and a makita with a fine blade in it EDIT: I have the same one I have the TS55, love it! But the OP said a track saw was definitely not in his budget. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbmaster11 Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Sorry, I missed that. Then the makita gets my vote! It is in my shop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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