Need a new circular saw for cutting plywood

I’ve just got a simple Skil circular saw with the laser on it. Laser is worthless most of the time since I use a straight edge when cutting plywood. Works great, no complaints with it at all. Best of all it’s well under a hundred bucks. Lots of others out there in the same price range. But, if you’re made of money you can get a Festool for a few hundred. :-)

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

I always 1/2, usually 1/4 full sheets with a circle saw, trim on table saw. My saw of choice is the Skill worm-drive 77, this could be due to me being south-pawed. The blade on left allows better view and the power factor seems to keep it on line for long cuts. I do own several sidewinders, currently a Makita is my go to, replaced a DeWalt that fell, both fine great saws, no major differences. A co-worker swears by PC, I’ve tried it, very nice, still no major difference. I really think any name brand will do, the blade will be the ultimate factor. But I have noticed, as of lately, a growing allegiance to PC on sites.

-- Ciao, gth.

Not to be nosey, but you say your Craftsman lasted 20 years & now your looking to buy a Porta Cable saw? Why not stick with Craftsman. If the first one lasted 20 years, why not. I have a lot of Craftsman tools & other brands as well. I don’t endorse one or the other. But, with Sears brand I can buy locallity & it it goes bad all I have to do is take it back to the store to get it repaired or even replaced. Thinking about that, why don’t you take your old saw back to the store. Maybe you’ll get something for it. Sears use to have a lifetime policy on their tools. So just maybe, who knows?? Okay??

I am looking at buying a 6 1/2” dewalt or makita, not sure wether to get the corded or cordless model.

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

I have 2 Skill worm-drive and they have both lasted 20 years, 10 years of that was on the job hard use but many workers. They are heavy as a lead brick but cut true. The triger on one needs to be replaced (or maybe just cleaned out) now but I have been very happy with them. I bought a small (cheep) battery saw for fast cuts last year. I use d that a lot also.

-- "so much to learn and so little time"..

I have the Craftsman Mini circular saw for cutting plymood panels (I did a review of it in the tool review section) The depth of cut is 5/8 max so it great for cutting 3/4” and below stock, I’m really pleased with it.

-- Todd, Richfield MN

I’ve had 2 makita 5007’s for over 20 years. I loaned one to my son and it prolly aint coming back so while at lowes the other day I picked up a milwaukie. its a nice saw for 69.50 [half price clearance] but it certainly is NOT a makita. it cuts strong and strait but it isnt smooth like the makita’s are even after 20 years of hard on the job abuse. If you dont mind spending around 120 dollars I would recomend the makita. drive around construction sites and see what the pro’s are using.

fred

-- hey honey! watch this!

My “cut down” saw is a a 6 1/2” 18v DeWalt cordless with a Matsushita fine cut carbide blade. I bought the saw on eBay for $35, but I already had a bunch of batteries.

Cordless circular saws are extremely handy. They won’t keep up with a corded saw for continuous work, but for quickies and one-offs… The carbide blade increased the battery life at least 2-3x over the stock blade.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

I have been pleased with my Hitachi C7582.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

I have a worm drive Craftsman saw. Looks just like the Skill. I’ve had it for about 14 years and it’s still going strong.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

I’ve own 4 circular saws and grab the dewalt whenever I need to make a cut. I’m right handed and really like having the blade on the left. It’s lighter and better balanced than the skill screw drive.

http://www.tylertool.com/dwheavdut7141.html

-- DaveH - Boise, Idaho - “How hard can it be? It's only wood!”

I like my Milwaukee.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I like my DeWalt DW364 with a Diablo 60 tooth 7 1/4” blade, it makes some of the straightest smoothest cuts I have seen. I use it all the time to breakdown my plygoods.

-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"

Didn’t think about taking the saw back to Sears. Yea, it’s 20 yrs old, but hasn’t been used regularly. Just a project here or there and from what I have read, Craftsman power tools are less quality than they used to be, but thanks for the suggestion. Might save me a few bucks when I all I need is a straight cut on plywood for most projects.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

-- "I don't know, we haven't played Alabama yet." -- Vince Lombardi after being asked what it felt like to be the greatest football team in the world just after winning the '66 Super Bowl.

If that’s all you use a skillsaw for why buy one at all. Sit down & draw up a cutting plan & when you purchase your sheet goods have your retailer do the cuts with their panel saw. Most will allow up to 5 free cuts & if where you buy wont…change outlets.

-- Lee

LeeinEdmonton,
I may have mis typed those statements. I have used the saw plenty and defintely use it enough to need one, can’t stand the thought of someone else cutting my wood and besides the hardwood place I buy most hardwood from also sells sheet goods cheaper than HD or lowes.

-- "I don't know, we haven't played Alabama yet." -- Vince Lombardi after being asked what it felt like to be the greatest football team in the world just after winning the '66 Super Bowl.

I’m a Festool guy myself, and after showing it recently to a friend he asked “why would anyone buy anything else?”, but I’d go for something with an integrated rail system, especially if you’re using it primarily for cutting sheet goods. No sense in having to make two cuts where one will do. Hilti now makes a saw that’s interchangeable with the Festool rails, and I haven’t used ‘em, but lots of people say positive things about the EZ Smart rails.

And, yeah, you can complain all you want about the price of high end tools, but I just paid $50 a sheet for some fairly cheap veneered plywood (because the place with the good plywood isn’t open on weekends). If you go through two or three sheets of plywood a weekend, the capital costs of the tool that’s gonna last for a decade or two, or more, quickly disappear.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

I just had to replace my Dewalt Circular saw since my batteries died, and I wanted to get something more heavy duty to run a longer time while on projects (hate it when in the middle of a project you have to wait for the batteries to charge…lol)

I got the Porter Cable 324 and am very very pleased with it – especially because it has a tool-less blade change nut, and more important- it has a dust collection connection – the only one in this class with this feature (not sure why – it’s the most useful of all features) . it has a metal shoe as opposed to other plastic versions, and does a great job so far. highly recommended!

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

For what you use it for get another Sears or Skil. Skil and more expensive ones like Porter make left and right handed models if you care.

-- Regards, Steve2

interesting point about being a southpaw… i’m one too and in the market for a circular saw atm – and wishing they’d make one with a reversible grip bar or something… guessI’m just going to have to shop around for a comfortable one :D

-- aspiring jack of all trades