Circle Saw's anyone?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Ya I know this may seem a little strange from a guy that just had a hand injury........

That being said I'm in need of a new circle saw for my kitchen project. The table (shoe??)is so bent on my old one that you cant cut anything accurately anymore. Most of my tool experience is w shop tools not carpenter tools. My Milwaukee sawzall and drills have done me pretty well. I have Makita grinders that wont quit. My Dewalt cordless impact that has unreal power for a cordless.

Rigid - good warranty, but you will need it! Royobi about the same a Rigid just not as good a warranty.

I don't mind paying a little more for the right tool. My last saw I've had for 25 years. granted USA made... don't think that even exists anymore. ??
I'm looking for the right combination of power/weight/ durability. And something with lights to follow the cut line, electric brake would be good too.

I've been reading reviews on Amazon... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :dontknow:

 

[bigowhiteboy]

You lookin to get a worm drive or side winder type?

 

[Dako]

Worm drive is the way to go. You are behind the saw vice on top of it. Cuts are much straighter and it doesn't kick back like a winder type. They do weigh more, but the cutting/ control difference is night and day. Currently I'm using an old metal bodied Skil. I'm staying with this worm drive until I'm too old to lift it...then I'll replace it with a new light weight (Dewalt or Milwaukee?) one.

 

[Budnicks]

I have several old "Skillsaw" {one is 40+ years old} brand Circular wormdrive saws 7-1/4" & 8" {newest} also a 5" side winder... Milwaukee use to be good too but haven't purchased any in quite a while now... I have just about everything power tool wise, made by Millwaukee, when it was still made in the USA, before everyone started outsourcing all that type stuff, because the USA couldn't compete in cost/price especially with the Union Labor costs or have to have a UL listing on everything... I've had really good luck with some of the Mikita stuff too {Japanese made originally, some were assembled her in the USA}, especially the cordless stuff, I think I owned just about every cordless tool they made up-to 2000, haven't purchased much since then... I've had Mikita, Dewalt {Stanley}, Milwaukee, Craftsman, Skillsaw brands, but the best overall for a circular saw, were all Skillsaw... I like my old Mikita Chopsaw the best of my chop/miter/radial arm saws... I think I've had about every brand made at one time or another, but none of the new chit lately... I use to buy them buy the dozen for my old crew....

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Intrestingly (or maybe NOT?) I'm getting recs from lots of folks w older stuff! Dont get me wrong... My Milwaukee' stuff and my Makita stuff is USA and Japan respectively so you know its older! And good stuff. I've yet to have anyone with a RECENT purchase recomennd anything. CHINA CHINA CHINA...

The only fairly recent purchase I've had is my Dewalt (Porter Cable) cordless impact gun. Its been great, unreal torque for a cordless. But a saw ?? Lots of adjustments... lots to go wrong..... did I mention CHINA?

 

[747mopar]

I've done a ton of carpentry and have used the DeWalt's, Skills, Black&Decker, Craftsmen, and Milwaukee, the Milwaukee is my favorite. It has a nice design, the guard actually moves out of the way without grabbing the lever and helping it, it has an adjustable handle for operating from behind or above and most importantly you can clearly see where your cutting on either side. I will never buy a Black & Wrecker, Craftsmen or Skill the quality isn't there but DeWalts are pretty nice.

 

[bigowhiteboy]

I've built houses for years and am also a tool junkie. As far as newer tools are concerned they are all fairly similar, it really comes down to personal preference.
Worm drives are great for framing and ripping, but I love a light weight side winder for trim or working in tight spaces.
I have a small Ridgid 6 1/2" saw that has been put through the ringer over the last few years and is still going strong. I am not a big fan of Ridgid tools, but it has done me well.
I also have a worm drive Makita I love for framing, it's got tons of power and is lighter than alot of other worm drive saws.
I have always had good luck with Makita, Dewalt and Bosch saws. I still find it comes down to what feels best to you, they all have decent warranties, and apart from the occasional lemon they all seem to work pretty good.

 

[Budnicks]

Intrestingly (or maybe NOT?) I'm getting recs from lots of folks w older stuff! Dont get me wrong... My Milwaukee' stuff and my Makita stuff is USA and Japan respectively so you know its older! And good stuff. I've yet to have anyone with a RECENT purchase recomennd anything. CHINA CHINA CHINA...

The only fairly recent purchase I've had is my Dewalt (Porter Cable) cordless impact gun. Its been great, unreal torque for a cordless. But a saw ?? Lots of adjustments... lots to go wrong..... did I mention CHINA?

The old metal cased "made in the USA" stuff really lasted, that's why I haven had to buy anything newer... just keep the oil in it & the brushes replaced every so often, if it's used allot, I have some old USA made power tools older than I am, I got from my granddad's estate, I'm 54...

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Well I pulled the trigger on a new Makita today. I liked the "hand feel" just a tad more than on the Milwaukee. My old saw is about 30 years old... still works , but the table is bent bad and the cord is a safety hazard. doubt I'll get 30..........l

 

[satman72]

Don't know what you may think of this, but I've been very happy with Ryobi power tools.

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

My experience with Royobi in the shop has not been good..........