Circular Saw Reviews What Are the Best Circular Saw
Last updated on January 4th, 2022 at 10:22 am
A round saw is one of the nearly handy and popular cutting tool you'll notice in any craftsman's tool box.
It is i of the start power tools you need to go for yourself if y'all really want to get involved in some DIY woodworking projects around your home.
This is because you can make almost any kind of cut with information technology.
From making simple crosscuts to making large rip cuts, and even making bevel cuts from 0 to 45 degrees, a good circular saw is all you need for a start.
Some other area information technology come very handy is during overhead applications. For instance, if yous're roofing or framing a building or something similar, and you desire to saw off some forest at the top of the edifice, you tin't do that with your table saw or compound miter saw because y'all tin can't elevator them over your head.
What you lot need is a good lightweight circular saw. It'southward the ideal saw y'all demand for overhead applications like that.
Nosotros've reviewed and listed the 10 best circular saws, and from our personal experience, we've reveal what to expect for and how to choose one that will not disappoint you during your projects.
1. Milwaukee 2732-twenty M18 Fuel Cordless Circular Saw
The Milwaukee 2732-xx is ane of the few circular saws that comes with all the features you lot need to get your job done in the workshop and on the jobsite, especially on the jobsite since information technology's cordless.
Information technology comes equipped with a 24 molar 7-one/four inch blade like other similar units but information technology packs more than power and speed producing 5800 RPM, allowing you to cut easily through hard boards.
Equipped with a xv Amp brushless motor combined with Milkwaukee'due south patented M18 Fuel REDLITHIUM high output HD12.0 batteries, the 2732-twenty offers true power, performance and optimum runtime you need to tackle the toughest tasks on the jobsite.
Build quality is pinnacle notch considering both the blade baby-sit and baseplate are made of magnesium which is very strong and lightweight. It will withstand falls and rough jobsite conditions.
Whether you're working on the jobsite or at dwelling house in your workshop, the built-in rafter hook will make storage a breeze.
It too features an electric brake for safety and protection when making cuts.
If you're a construction worker or a woodworker that work with difficult boards and lumber daily, and yous need a circular saw to make your task easier, this is one of the all-time you tin go for.
The only downside is that information technology's a bit expensive especially for the average weekend warrior, then yous can't really go for this if you're looking for a upkeep-friendly unit of measurement.
Related: eighteen Most Useful Dewalt tools For Woodworking
2. Dewalt DWE575SB Sidewinder Circular Saw
If worm drive saws are known for their abominable power and torque, sidewinders are known for being lightweight and being easier to manoeuvre. The Dewalt DWE575SB is one of the most compact and lightweight sidewinders out in that location right now. With a weight of only 8.8 lbs, tackling overhead tasks with it is certainly not going to be an issue for anyone.
Apart from existence lightweight, the DWE575SB also got the ability to cut through dense hard lumber with ease.
An anti-snag lower baby-sit fitted with ball bearings ensures the lower baby-sit moves fluidly as cut through lumber of varying thicknesses. The lower guard will never jam fifty-fifty will all those dust generated in your cuts, and it will always move freely or stay put depending on the thickness of the lumber you're cutting.
One office of corded circular saws that usually suffers a lot during usage are the cords. They get pulled a lot and unremarkably get damaged after some time, depending on the level of corruption. The Dewalt DWE575SB features a tough cord protection arrangement that gives 3x force to the cord and protects them confronting pull-outs and abuse of any kind.
Related: 18 Most Useful Dewalt tools For Woodworking
What I similar nearly information technology
Where information technology can be improved
3. Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 Worm Drive Circular Saw
When information technology comes to making circular saws, Skil makes some of the all-time ones. The Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 is a saw geared to ability through hard lumber effortlessly merely like the Dewalt worm bulldoze saw I talked about above.
Apart from the saw handles which are rubberized, the whole saw comprising the shoe plate and the blade covers are all fabricated of magnesium metal to brand the saw as light every bit possible.
Even with all the gearing and power information technology boasts, the saw weighs merely eleven. 6 lbs. If you've used other worm drive saws before, you'll know that this one is really lightweight, but it withal got the same power.
A adept depth adjustment lever ensures you can adjust the blade according to the thickness of the textile you're cut.
Overall, whether y'all're a seasoned carpenter or a uncomplicated homeowner looking for a premium quality saw to encounter your needs, the Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 is a very good selection to consider. It's got the power, the precision and it's made to withstand heavy duty use.
Related: The Best Skilsaw Circular Saws For Craftsmen And DIY Enthusiasts
What we like nearly it
Where it tin can be improved
4. Makita 5477NB Hypoid Saw
The Makita 5477NB hypoid saw is a variation of the pop worm drive circular saw. However instead of the common worm gearing, Makita fits the 5477NB with a hypoid gear which increases the contact surface between the gearing and thus results in the manual of more torque to the blade.
It's the ideal saw for you if you ever deal with dimensional and engineered lumber, like plywood, OSB, LVL and the remainder. If you're looking for a saw to build a deck, frame a edifice, roof a building or even build a hardwood floor that requires you to cut and employ engineered lumber, then I'd advise you consider choosing the Makita 5477NB for the task.
What I like nearly information technology
Where it tin be improved
To remedy this, don't get-go the saw on your cutting line. Start it away from information technology, and then once the blade starts spinning, you lot can and so slide it into the stock y'all're cutting.
5. Bosch CSW41
The Bosch CSW41 is a tool built but to rip woods apart with great power and precision.
Just like all other Bosch tools I've seen, information technology'due south made with parts that are precisely engineered to last. The whole gear housing and shoe plate is constructed with magnesium metal, which is not only tough, simply also lightweight compared to other metals used for tool construction, and it's also resistant to corrosion.
The worm gearing ensures the saw e'er have enough torque to rip through whatsoever wood hands and precisely only like a hot pocketknife slices through butter.
It's a jobsite saw ideal for cutting lumber used for framing, roofing, siding, deck building etc. It's more than enough and capable to tackle all your home improvement or DIY projects if that's what you want to use it for.
What we like about it
Where it tin can exist improved
Related: Height ten Best Reciprocating Saws For Your Projects
half dozen. Dewalt DCS577B Cordless Worm Bulldoze Circular Saw
The Dewalt DCS577B is a worm bulldoze round saw, simply information technology'southward quite dissimilar than the ones I've reviewed on this article.
Almost of the worm drive saws out there are all left hand circulars saws, which makes it difficult for correct hand users to see the cutting line when making a cut. This 1 however is a right hand worm drive saw. Which means the line of sight trouble is solved for right hand users.
Autonomously from that, one more than reason why this Dewalt DCS577B is special is because it'south cordless. Information technology'southward kind of hard to imagine that a powerful beastlike saw similar this tin run continuously on batteries successfully.
However, with Dewalts 60 Volts Flexvolts batteries, whatever tool can run on batteries these days. The DCS577B runs on Dewalts 60 Volts Flexvolts batteries, which you lot actually have to buy separately from the tool.
You'll discover this very useful whether you're framer, general contractor, carpenter, a quality tool-loving homeowner looking for a top-of-the-line round saw to go the job done.
What I like most information technology
Where it can exist improved
Related: 10 All-time Tabular array Saws For Woodworking And DIY
vii. Makita 5007MGA
The sidewinder circular saw that properly describes the words, potent, tough, powerful, lightweight and feature-rich is the Makita 5007MGA circular saw.
From a design perspective, you can speedily tell from the moment yous unbox information technology that the Makita 5007MGA is well-constructed.
A lot can be said about any round saw when you agree it in your hands for the kickoff fourth dimension. The way the handle feels, the clearance betwixt the handle and the bract housing are all things to consider.
The Makita 5007MGA has a very good rubberized handles that allows you to grip the saw firmly with comfort. There's as well enough clearance between the saw rear handle and the bract case, which really makes information technology like shooting fish in a barrel and comfortable for anyone no thing the size of your hand to concord the bract properly without your knuckles rubbing against the blade comprehend.
The ducting design of the blade housing also helps to blow away wood dust away from the cutting line as you lot brand your cuts.
What nosotros like about information technology
Where it can be improved
eight. WORX WX427L Compact Round Saw
The WORX WX427L is a meaty or mini circular saw you that has just one handle. That means you lot can operate and guide it through cuts with just ane hand.
Considering it'southward so small, it'due south also very lightweight, making the one-handed operation very easy for the user.
It's a corded circular saw with a powerful brushless motor that delivers up to 4000 RPM, allowing you lot to cutting through not only wood but other materials such as stone, bricks, aluminum sheets, ceramics, PVC then on.
The WORX WX427L is capable of making plug cuts, straight 90 degree crosscuts and bevel cuts, with a crosscut depth capacity of i-eleven/sixteen inches and a 45 caste bevel chapters of 1-1/8 inches.
It features a good dust port at the right paw side of the blade to which you can hook your vacuum and so the dust become collected as you work.
Also featured is a light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation light that lines up the cutting line, thus increasing visibility and accuracy.
Overall, the WORX WX427L is a very skilful multipurpose saw that can be equipped with half-dozen different types of blades you can use to make different types of cuts on different types of materials. It'south one saw y'all can utilize to practise a lot on the task.
The only limitation information technology has is the small four-1/2 inch blade which ways you can't actually cutting through really thick materials thicker than i-1/2 inches.
9. Porter-Cable PCC660B Cordless Round Saw
The ease of using a battery powered tool is farther amplified with this Porter-Cablevision PCC660B cordless circular saw. It's a combination of high performance and ingenuity in terms of design quality and tool material.
Precision and cut quality is top-notch for the Porter-Cable PCC660B fifty-fifty with the manufactory fitted bract that comes with it. Replace that with a top quality lx tooth finish blade, then you tin redefine precision with this tool.
If you're tired of the extension cords, this Porter-Cable PCC660B is a good choice for you to go cordless.
What we like virtually it
Where it tin can be improved
10 Hammerhead HACS120 7-one/4 Inch Electrical Circular Saw
I oasis't really got the chance to review any Hammerhead tools even though I've heard about them in the past. This Hammerhead HACS120 corded electrical round saw gave me a chance to review first hand one of their tools, and performance-wise, information technology didn't' disappoint.
Build quality is okay merely information technology tin can definitely be improved, because I'm not really a fan of stamped steel shoe plates in round saws.
The HACS120 comes equipped with a 12 Amp rated motor that produces a no-load speed of 5500 RPM, allowing you to cut through boards with the 24 tooth 7-one/4 inch blade it comes with.
With the 7-1/4 inch blade, you lot can brand straight 90 degree crosscuts through two-i/2 inch boards with ease and cut through 1-three/iv inches when making bevel cuts.
This Hammerhead sidewinder circular saw features a double trigger that prevents the saw from starting accidentally due to poor handling, thus increases the safety of the saw as you have to printing both triggers for the blade to spin.
It's corded, then y'all have to plug it into a ability outlet, which may non exist convenient for jobsite utilize, unless yous take good power supply. Overall, it'due south a very good affordable saw you lot can get for less than fifty bucks.
How to Choose the All-time Circular Saw
Round saws come in unlike types, designs and sizes. They are too manufactured by unlike power tool companies. The question is, how do you choose the correct one for your project?
Well, outset of all, let'due south talk about the different types out there. And so we'll talk most what you lot should expect for when making your pick.
Types of Circular Saws
There are two types of circular saws. The worm drive and the sidewinder circular saw. The deviation betwixt the two types boils downward to the gearing or how the motor is continued to the blade.
Worm Bulldoze Round Saws
With the worm drive round saw, the motor sits simply behind the bract and ability is transmitted from the motor to the blade through the aid of a worm gear.
What you need to know nearly this type is that, they are heavy due to the worm gear transmission inside the saw. So, using this type may crave some experience on your part.
To brand certain that they are handled finer, good worm drive saws are usually fitted with rafter hooks, and so that you can easily shop them safely and relieve your manus from tension and weight when they are not in use.
Where a worm drive circular saws shines is in the transmission of torque to the blade. They are more powerful, because the worm gear transmits more torque to the bract. Hence they are very efficient and excellent when information technology comes to cutting wet, dense, hard and fifty-fifty engineered lumber with ease.
That's why they're usually preferred by experience building framers and construction workers.
The position of the motor behind the blade also means that the handle will be situated backside the motor and far behind the bract. This handle position plus the weight of the bract also makes it possible for the user to handle kickbacks effectively.
This longer and narrow design also gives the user more reach when making long rip cuts.
Sidewinder Circular Saws
Sidewinder circular saws are also known as direct bulldoze saws. If you read between the lines, the name sidewinder tells the whole story.
Here the motor is placed side-by-side with the bract, and power is directly transmitted to the blade with the aid of a spur gear. The blade is either on the correct hand side of the motor or on the left hand side.
Unlike the worm drive saws, the sidewinders are weighs less, hence are easier to handle and maneuver all solar day.
Information technology is usually the nearly common blazon of circular saw amongst beginner woodworkers and professionals akin.
Sidewinders has more blade speed in RPM compared to the worm bulldoze circular saws, just they take less torque, less power. Similar I said earlier, worm drive saws accept more torque and are more powerful for treatment tougher jobs, even though they have less speed in RPM.
The Verdict: Sidewinder circular saw VS worm drive circular saw | which is best?
Actually, no one is meliorate than the other. Information technology really depends on your choice and personal preferences when it comes to choosing betwixt a worm drive saw and a sidewinder circular saw.
For long rip cuts through engineered lumber, one might opt for a worm drive saw because of the power and weight assisted cut that the worm drive circular saw provides.
On the other manus, when looking for a saw that tin be hands maneuvered, especially for overhead applications, some other person might get for a straight drive saw because it is lighter. So, he volition not feel tired when raising the saw up for overhead work.
So, none of them is amend than the other.
Only become with the 1 that you're comfortable with, and feels meliorate and balanced in your hands.
If you lot're hung up on the determination betwixt the two, you lot tin purchase both and run across how it goes. Having both of them in your toolbox will give you lot more options in your power tools.
You'll have the chance to feel the power and shine cutting of the worm drive saw, while as well experiencing the easier maneuverability of the direct drive circular saw.
Generally, direct drive saws are normally cheaper than worm drive saws. You tin get a direct drive saw for less than 50 bucks. They usually range between 40 to 200 bucks.
On the other mitt, worm drive saws ordinarily sell to a higher place 100 bucks. They range between 100 and 300 bucks.
Whether yous're going for a worm drive circular saw or a directly drive, note that cheaper is not better. So, invest your coin in a amend quality tool that will last for a long time, and all the same be in skillful condition when you are ready to hand it down to someone else.
Some proficient worm bulldoze saws you can check out include the Skilsaw SPT77WML, the Dewalt DWS535 and the Makita 5477NB.
While some good sidewinders y'all tin can choose from include the Dewalt DWE575SB, the Makita 5007MG and the Skil 5280-01.
Features To Wait For When Choosing A Circular Saw
Whatever your choice of saw type is, whether worm bulldoze or sidewinder, in that location are certain features you need to put into careful consideration when choosing circular saws in general.
Considering these factors will ensure that you get the best for your money'southward worth.
Ability
Evidently, power is a big deciding factor when information technology comes to tools similar this. Without good muscle, a tool is not even qualified to be called a ability tool in the first place.
So, when shopping for a circular saw, make sure to check the specs advisedly. Check the amps rating. Brand certain it's up to 15 amps. Bank check the RPM (revolutions per infinitesimal) besides.
Check all these, to ensure that the one you get has enough torque to slice through the materials you want to cutting with it.
Weight
Without being told, information technology is very obvious that weight matters a lot when information technology comes to handheld tools. For a round saw, it is non different.
Even though the cutting power comes from the saw itself, you still take to lift the saw from where you store information technology, and push button it through the forest you lot are sawing. And information technology requires power from your hand to be able to handle the weight of the saw.
Too much weight, means you're going to tire out pretty quickly. So, try to compare the weight of the saws, and see which one you tin can comport easily with i hand without breaking a sweat, specially if y'all are a lady.
This is where you accept to decide whether you lot go for a worm drive round saw or a sidewinder circular saw. Because by and large, worm drive saws are heavier than sidewinders, but they also have more than power.
And so, the decision it's upward to you. The signal is, selection a saw that is not going to wear you down.
Blade Visibility
When using a round saw, it is important that you can see the blade when making a cut, and so that you can hands directly the saw along your mark.
This is where the decision or debate between correct hand VS left hand circular saws comes in. You lot may ask, what's the divergence between the two?
A right paw round saw is a saw that has the saw blade on the right hand side of the motor when y'all hold the principal handle with your right hand, and the auxiliary handle with your left manus. No easily or arms cross over each other in this position for a righty.
On the other hand, a left hand circular saw is a saw that has the saw blade on the left hand side of the motor when y'all agree the primary handle of the saw with your right hand, and the auxiliary handle with your left hand. In this position, your left paw will cross over the blade when holding the auxiliary handle, which is less than ideal.
Notwithstanding, this position affords yous greater visibility of the blade. When holding a left handed saw, you lot take more view of the blade and cutline, and you lot can see where you are cutting better.
Ideally, right handed saws are for righties, and left handed saws are for lefties. This is because, for a righty, when holding a right handed saw, yous can easily hold the saw steadily with your right manus, and the auxiliary handle with your left manus, with no arms crossing over each other. The saw is more balanced this way.
The same affair goes for a left handed saw.
Like I've said earlier, the downside in using your paw type of saw is that, you're not able to see the blade or cutting line clearly enough. You have to plow your head a little to actually see the blade.
That to me should not be a big problem, because circular saws tin be quite dangerous if not handled properly. And then information technology is better to hold the saw in a very steady and counterbalanced way, than to compromise residual because you want a better view of the cut line.
Furthermore, in most quality circular saw, there is a fissure or window between the saw auxiliary handle and the bract that allows you to conspicuously see the blade line from the elevation position.
Then, there is no demand for you to get a left handed sidewinder when yous're a righty.
The exception to this are worm drive saws which are mostly left handed.
Balance – Ergonomic Design
If you lot're buying from a local store, this feature is like shooting fish in a barrel to check. You lot need to hold your saw and feel how rest information technology is in your hand.
Just similar a good samurai sword, your circular saw needs to be similar something made exactly for your paw. The more balanced a saw is in your hands, the more easily y'all tin can maneuver the saw to do what you desire.
About probable though, yous'll be ordering your saw online. So, what y'all should check for are saws with rubber grip handles.
From looking at the saw pictures online, y'all tin can see that most of these saws accept their handles fitted with blackness soft rubber. This rubber fitting is actually practiced considering it provides more than grip between your hand and the saw handle.
The size of the handle is besides very of import. Small handles are not recommended. And then, make sure the handles are large, if possible over-sized, especially for people with big hands.
Precision
Precision is fundamental when dealing with circular saws. It is important that your saw exist able to cut straight and square all the time.
To ensure this, you need to accept skillful blades. A 50 dollar saw with a very good top quality blade can best a 200 dollar saw with a crappy blade.
And then, afterward ordering your saw and testing it, if you call back it's non cutting precisely enough, consider buying a top quality bract.
Notation that when information technology comes to saw blades, the more the teeth, the smoother and effectively the cuts will be.
And so, get the right blade in order to become more out of your round saw.
Depth and Bevel Adjustments
Circular saws comes with levers for adjusting the depth and bevel of the bract.
The levers should be big enough so that adjustments tin can be fabricated hands. Small levers can be hard to accomplish, and therefore difficult to make depth adjustments with them.
Additionally, the depth and bevel scale should too be piece of cake to read. So check that the depth and bevel scales are either engraved or casted on the saw, not fastened to it with a sticker which can easily come up off.
Shoe – Baseplate
No matter how careful you are, you might driblet the saw accidentally, sometimes from a considerable meridian, and it volition autumn and brand touch on with the ground.
The part that commonly gets affected most is the shoe or baseplate.
The baseplate or shoe is that rectangle-similar base that sits on the wood and helps to guide the blade forth the wood as a cut is being made.
So, you need to make sure that you pick a circular saw that has a strong and solid shoe in order not to bend out of shape when yous mistakenly drop your saw.
Some baseplate are made with stamped aluminum, while others are made with cast magnesium or aluminum.
As you lot may have guessed, the case aluminum or magnesium are very hard and strong. Therefore, they don't bend easily.
On the other hand, the stamped aluminum bends easily when you mistakenly drop it. Even applying likewise much pressure level on it can bend it.
So, check the the material of the baseplate and ensure it won't bend on you.
Blade Change
Your circular saw blade will get wearisome, or y'all may desire to cutting another kind of textile with the saw. Then y'all have to change to the blade to a blade suitable fo rthat material.
That's why information technology's important that swapping or irresolute the blade of your saw is as easy every bit possible.
A spindle lock is one feature that makes bract modify very easy.
Related: eleven Essential Circular Saw Safety Tips You Need To Know
Safety
Whatsoever power tool can be very dangerous if non handled advisedly. Worse nevertheless, information technology can fifty-fifty go more dangerous if the parts are not working as they're supposed to work.
The circular saw part primarily made for safe using of the saw is the blade guard. So brand certain that your blade guard is in identify and is working properly before using any circular saw.
Additionally, some manufacturers include an electronic brake that stops the bract within seconds equally shortly every bit the saw trigger is released.
The Dewalt and Makita listed above are practiced examples. There are electronic breaks in the Dewalt DWE575SB, Makita 5007MGA, Dewalt DCS570B, Makita 5008MGA.
It is not compulsory that a circular saw come up with an electronic interruption. Nonetheless, it'south just one safety feature yous tin cheque out also when buying one.
Source: https://craftsmanprotools.com/best-circular-saw/
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