All Replies on Which Saw Should I Buy

They both have about the same review status. I’d buy the one that would have the greatest blade options.

They both have about the same review status. I d buy the one that would have the greatest blade options.

- dhazelton

the 6-1/2” one?

Hate to say it, but my advise is “neither one”.

I’ve owned 2 Porter Cable models, a 19.2 V and the newest an 18V.
IMO they just don’t have the power or rpm’s to stand up to even moderate use.

I wouldn’t expect any more from an 18V Ryobi.
I would venture a guess most battery circ saws are in the same boat with the possible exception of 24V maybe.

“If your budget allows, I recommend a corded saw, maybe something like this one.

-- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!!

If your budget allows, I recommend a corded saw, maybe something like this one.

I ve owned 2 Porter Cable models, one a 19.2 V and the other 18V.
They just don t have the power or rpm s and I would venture a guess most are the same way.

I wouldn t expect any more from a Ryobi.

- rwe2156

I can buy this saw but i prefer cordless
i have a corded saw but i want to upgrade to a cordless one

Cordless? I’d choose a pre-war Disston D-8 or D-23. Better yet, one of each, rip and crosscut.

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive --

Unless you HAVE to have a cordless circular saw I would not suggest any of the lower end cordless ones. They make some very good cordless circular saws but they aren’t cheap. You can get a much better corded circular saw for the money you spend an a low end cordless bare tool.

Unless you HAVE to have a cordless circular saw I would not suggest any of the lower end cordless ones. They make some very good cordless circular saws but they aren t cheap. You can get a much better corded circular saw for the money you spend an a low end cordless bare tool.

- AHuxley

I have a corded makita circular saw and i want to buy another saw to be a portable one and i know there are better saws out there.

The 6-1/2 will have more blade options and generally leave a cleaner cut, due to higher rim speeds. It will also allow you to cut through a 2x or two sheets of stacked 3/4 ply at 45 degree bevel—that may or may not matter to you. The 5-3/8 will probably have a little longer run time, due to spinning a smaller blade, but less cut depth.

If it were me, I’d opt for the 6-1/2. I have a DeWalt 18v that size and it gets used far more than my corded saw. You can’t run it all day long, but for just a few quick cuts of 2x’s or breaking down a sheet of plywood, it works really well.

Yes, Smitty, my “cordless” Disstons get used frequently, but not for plywood or treated lumber ;-)

-- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson

The 6-1/2 will have more blade options and generally leave a cleaner cut, due to higher rim speeds. It will also allow you to cut through a 2x or two sheets of stacked 3/4 ply at 45 degree bevel—that may or may not matter to you. The 5-3/8 will probably have a little longer run time, due to spinning a smaller blade, but less cut depth.

If it were me, I d opt for the 6-1/2. I have a DeWalt 18v that size and it gets used far more than my corded saw. You can t run it all day long, but for just a few quick cuts of 2x s or breaking down a sheet of plywood, it works really well.

Yes, Smitty, my “cordless” Disstons get used frequently, but not for plywood or treated lumber ;-)

- JayT

Thank You

What he said. I have a 20 volt cordless DeWalt and it does 2 by material like nothing. Before that I had an 18 volt Black and Decker Firestorm which was great for cutting 1 by material and trim with a good Freud blade. A friend has all the Ryobi stuff and does a lot of handymannish stuff with it. Sometimes it isn’t worth it to haul extension cords etc and even the cheaper cordless saws can be a godsend.

i have a corded saw but i want to upgrade to a cordless one

- ofektal8

Okay I get what you’re saying.

It’s not an upgrade performance you’re referring to, but convenience.

-- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!!

i have a corded saw but i want to upgrade to a cordless one

- ofektal8
I wouldn t consider going to a cordless saw upgrading.

im not going to throw away its just nice to have a protable one to make small cuts

- rwe2156

One time I was using a corded saw on a spendy piece of ply and at the last few inches of cut the cord caught and turned the blade and ruined 68 $$ worth of ply. I went and bought a Makita 18V and have not looked back. I gave my #@tty corded saw to my son-in-law. Just to make sure that I never had a cord catch again.

-- Love thy neighbour as thyself

^ Where’s the love for the SIL, Ex? I’d think you’d go out and buy him a Makita 18V too! :-)

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive --

I have the 18volt DeWalt and I love it!
.

-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward

Joe the DeWalt looks really nice … I think that DeWalt is really coming on strong with the cordless tech they have now. I recently got a 15Ga cordless Dewalt nailer and really like the way it works.

-- Love thy neighbour as thyself

I’ve had this DeWalt for about 2.5 years and I’m surprised at just how much it can do !

-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward