So my last package for the day just showed up. There should be a few more over the coming days but for now lets talk about my new circular saw. As I said in the last episode I need to retool my shop for making cabinets. Since I cannot fit a large table or panel saw in my shop I will have to cut my sheet goods with a circular saw. I am replacing a very old Black and Decker that looks like hell and cuts even worse. I believe I have more chance of cutting a perfect circle than a straight line.
After quite a bit of research online and trips to the box stores to see how different saws felt I decided to go with the Bosch. The main reason I choose this saw is the blade is on the left. Being right handed I have always hated using saws with the blade on the right. I always ended up using the worm drive that had a left handed blade.
In one of the next orders I have a set of straight line clamps to help with the cutting of my sheet goods. I hope the combination will be what I need.
As before, I will write a formal review once this bookcase project is done and let everyone know how well it has done. I have high hopes for it.
Thanks,
Joey
-- JoeyG ~~~ http://www.facebook.com/JHGWoodWorks
10 comments so far
jaykaypur
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2499 posts in 577 days
#1 posted 481 days ago
Nice saw…..I may have to get one of those as I have the same complaint you do.
-- Use it up, Wear it out --------------- Make it do, Or do without!
JoeyG
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1161 posts in 795 days
#2 posted 481 days ago
I got a really good deal on amazon with no shipping cost. I think I lucked out. Plus I could find it at a price I was happy with in a store close to me. I let you know how it does.
-- JoeyG ~~~ http://www.facebook.com/JHGWoodWorks
JoeyG
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1161 posts in 795 days
#3 posted 481 days ago
I almost forgot. I did spend a few dollars on a a good blade. I picked up this 7 1/4 thin kerf plywood and melamine blade.
-- JoeyG ~~~ http://www.facebook.com/JHGWoodWorks
Roger
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9191 posts in 973 days
#4 posted 481 days ago
new stuff is always nice. Merry Christmas in January
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net
lanwater
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2419 posts in 1103 days
#5 posted 480 days ago
Good luck with this saw Joey.
I have been debating between the regular circular saw and the worm drive kind.
I have not done any meaningfull research yet.
What’s your take?
JoeyG
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1161 posts in 795 days
#6 posted 480 days ago
Hey Ian, I guess it depends on what you are going to be cutting. If you will be doing a lot of framing with 2×6 or larger or post work with 4×4 or larger I would recommend a worm drive for the power. If you are cutting sheet goods and stuff like that I would go with a regular style saw. The worm drives are a lot heavier. At least they were the last time I used one, which I must admit was probably a decade ago. Man that makes me feel old. LOL.
I decided when I first started looking that I wanted the blade on the left of the saw. That way when I am stretching across a sheet of plywood I can see exactly where my blade is cutting. It did limit what I could buy. As far as I know only Milwaukee and Bosch have full sized saws with the blade on the left. I know that a lot of the smaller bat powered trim circs have left handed blades but I also didn’t want to deal with changing batteries. I already have a Porter-Cable kit that has one of these saws, but I don’t think it has the power or battery life to cut plywood all day.
I hope this helps when you go to buy one. I suggest figuring out what you are mainly using it for, and then go to a store and handle the different makes until you find a couple that are comfortable for you. Just like with any other tool. A hundred people may rave about a certain tool, but if it is uncomfortable for you then you will not enjoy using it.
Good luck in finding the right saw for you
Joey
-- JoeyG ~~~ http://www.facebook.com/JHGWoodWorks
lanwater
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2419 posts in 1103 days
#7 posted 480 days ago
Thanks Joey.
It will be mainly for small cut here and there.
I bought a festool ts 55 EQ with the track very early on when I started this hobby.
I needed to build cabinets for my garage and it did a great job. It is havy and not convenient for “construction” kind of work. That’s why I am seriously thinking about a circular saw.
JoeyG
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1161 posts in 795 days
#8 posted 480 days ago
Then I would go for reliability, comfort, and price. I look at the festool, but that is way out of my price range. I did get a set of clamps from Rockler I will be posting once they arrive. Should be here on Monday along with the lumber and sheet goods for my bookcase job. Then I get to play with all my new toys. LOL I feel like it’s Christmas but I am grounded and cannot play with my toys. LOL
-- JoeyG ~~~ http://www.facebook.com/JHGWoodWorks
lanwater
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2419 posts in 1103 days
#9 posted 479 days ago
I hear you. I have the toys but to many projects I wanted to do and no time…
Knowing what I know today I would have bought a cheaper saw.
The festool is really good but it’s getting very little use.
JoeyG
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1161 posts in 795 days
#10 posted 479 days ago
I understand about the no time part. I doubt I will use mine every day but it will be used anytime I have sheet goods to cut. I did run into one problem with the left handed blade. There was no guide plate made for them that goes with the straight edge clamp. I was wilingl to overlook that in hopes that once the clamps get here I will be able to make one. I guess it depends on what kind of channel the straight edge has. It’s always hard to tell when looking at the pictures. I will let ya know how it works out. I don’t think I’ve seen a jig for that. LOL
-- JoeyG ~~~ http://www.facebook.com/JHGWoodWorks
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