The best Power Circular Saws: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

This is on sale right now at Amazon. Excellent saw at a very good price. It will last your lifetime no problem. A little more than you may want to spend but it will do every job around your home and is a better saw than many at that price.

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-5477NB-Amp-4-Inch-Hypoid/dp/B002FBLVAU/ref=sr_1_8?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1488169337&sr=1-8&keywords=circular+saw&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin%3A387625011

No worries! Below is a link to a circular saw by Skill (or you can search “circular saw” on amazon. It’s one of the first results and is just over $60). It’s kind of the bread and butter of circular saws. It’s the one everyone has. It’s the one I have (minus the laser)! Good saw and it can be used for a whole lot of stuff. Different tool than what is shown above, however. The posted tool is a planer which helps make boards a uniform thickness.

skill saw

Edit: After reading your comment again, he’s definitely asking for the circular saw; however, if you’re already buying tools and want to buy more tools, a reciprocating saw would work way better for something like cutting through a wall. It’s a good general purpose tool as well (I’d stick with the circular saw if you’re only getting one though).

reciprocating saw

They come a lot bigger than 7&1/4 too.

Makita 5402NA 16-5/16-Inch Circular Saw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000614UR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xmfhFbEZB399B

7&1/4 is a good size for a first saw. Perfectly sized for most framing tasks. Smaller saws weigh less and are less powerful. Bigger saws are heavier and more powerful.

Worm drive or not: worm drive means one thing mechanically, and another thing in common parlance. The only saw that actually uses a worm gear (I believe) is the skilsaw (both corded and cordless). Worm drive also can be used interchangeably with “rear handle”, Makita uses a hypoid gear in its corded rear handle, its cordless rear handle is direct drive.

Rear handle saws are a little less nimble, a little bigger/heavier than a sidewinder (traditional direct drive) circ saw. For me personally, I like the additional heft. I find that it’s easier to cut a straight line with a heavier saw, either using gravity when cutting downwards, or by pushing the saw through a cut (why a lot of people like rear-handles... the handle placement).

Sidewinders for me take a little more active management to keep straight, but they’re absolutely the best for using above your head, or on a wall.

You def should try both before you decide.

Always gotta check if you can. I picked up DWE575SB on Amazon for $89 a couple weeks ago. CamelCamelCamel is super helpful when you can wait.

Go to a pawn store or craigslist and buy two named brand saw for the price of one good new one. Use one for the driveway/masonry work, the other for woodworking.

To test them, spin the blade/arbor. Is it smooth or are the bearings clunky/shot? Turn the saw on, motor still sounds strong or is it struggling even with no load? What's the condition of the casing/shoe/plate.

If you're dead set on buying new off amazon then whats your price range. Corded or Cordless?

Skil makes a good entry level corded. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BD81BLO/

Personally I'll never use another corded circular saw again.

$15.00 - $25.00

My first one lasted 13 years and looked better than this when the motor burned up.

$ for $ they’re cheaper now than they were in 1990. My original cost $135.00 now they cost 169.00.

SKILSAW SPT77W-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Aluminum Worm Drive Circular Saw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I8MEVHK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_i_aOVlFb59QKBE8

Save some money and buy new.

Use something like this. https://www.amazon.com/WORX-WORXSAW-4-1-Compact-Circular/dp/B00ZFR4GJE/ref=asc_df_B00ZFR4GJE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309807921328&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12614597849890657624&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvd...

It would be difficult to find a better deal than this on a track saw:

https://smile.amazon.com/Makita-SP6000J1-Plunge-Circular-Stackable/dp/B00CHN6L74/

Makita SP6000J1 w/ 55" rail, $377.

https://www.amazon.com/WORX-WORXSAW-4-1-Compact-Circular/dp/B00ZFR4GJE/ref=asc_df_B00ZFR4GJE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309807921328&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5087616304739609547&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvde...

Clamp a long 2"x4" or other suitable straightedge, look down it & make sure it's straight.

Chainsaws are great for cutting beams. One style of beam cutter is basically a chainsaw attachment for a circular saw https://smile.amazon.com/Prazi-USA-Blades-Cutter-Drive/dp/B0000224SA?sa-no-redirect=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CHN6L74/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I snagged this one. My one regret is not buying the 108" track to go with it. Came out of the box just about perfect. I do find the metric depth gauge a little annoying and early on I was having to compensate for the 25.4 mm = 1" but the track adds a few mm to the height and so on, a whole lot. I don't work with much that's thicker than 3/4" plywood so once I got it dialed in, I've mostly left it. I did have an accident where I left it at 45 degrees and set it on my work bench off of the track and it rolled off onto the concrete floor, but it's still cutting true. Much cussing happened that day.

It was a toss up between that and the Kreg. The Kreg looked good, has a riving knife, and the price was better, but the Makita had over all better reviews and the Festool style track. I'm happy with my Makita though.

I just still would use my circular saw and sawhorses in that situation- cut, flip the board and cut. Transferring the marks can be tedious but it just winds up being the best option from a cost-benefit analysis. Other choices are:

• A miter saw like you mentioned might do it (Listed capacity is 3 1/2" x 13 1/2" at 90, so that leads me to believe that at some narrower width (8"?), it would cut through 16/4.
• A beam saw: https://www.amazon.com/Makita-5402NA-16-5-16-Inch-Circular/dp/B0000614UR - pricey enough relative to its one trick pony status in my workflow that I'm motivated to keep transferring lines. (Though this would be fun to have someday lol, if I make it to "money-is-no-object" status).
• Table saw would be really unwieldy for crosscutting long boards unless you get a really big one with a slider, and you'd probably need a 12" one instead of a 10" one, again getting up to way too expensive pretty quickly
• If you have the space and 220, a truck or trailer, and about five strong friends to help you move it, the least expensive option would be keeping an eye out for a used big industrial radial arm saw. (E.g. 2-3hp minimum & 14" blade minimum). RASs have fallen out of favor as being unsafe (so they are often dirt cheap) but if you have the space and power for one and all you're doing with it is crosscutting, this would be the way I'd go.
• Chainsaw and sawzall would work too as u/Sol_Invictus pointed out.

See if there’s a makerspace near you, it can be hit and miss finding one with enough decent equipment that’s not too busy to actually build things.

Generally look for the ones with an entry fee as that helps curb people’s enthusiasm- it’s still going to be way cheaper and more practical than buying all the machines yourself.

Other then that, be very selective about what tools you use - a cheap circular saw or track saw and a decent drill/driver set will take you a long way.

Ha ha, I like the option 1, as in, the original circular Starlink being a widely distributed advertisement for it's baby sister Rectangular Dishy... ;)

For me, the first thing to spring in my mind when I hear "circular" is something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-5402NA-16-5-16-Inch-Circular/dp/B0000614UR

We use a 10 1/4" saw for cedar beams and the like, but I just looked up the 16" Makita saw and the picture of the guy holding it is hilarious. I'm dying laughing over here.

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-5402NA-16-5-16-Inch-Circular/dp/B0000614UR

Not bad for $140 if you have the Skilsaw already: https://www.amazon.com/Prazi-USA-Blades-Cutter-Drive/dp/B0000224SA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=prazi+beam+cutter+12&qid=1610413043&sprefix=prazi+beam+&sr=8-4

Deal link: Amazon

^^Note: ^^Get ^^instantly ^^notified ^^on ^^Telegram ^^when ^^there ^^is ^^a ^^new ^^deal ^^in ^^"Home ^^Improvement ^^and ^^Decor" ^^category. ^^Join ^^our ^(Telegram channel)

I've never had that problem. Or I'll get an 8'x4' sheet and have them cut it down into four 2'x4' which makes it fit in my car and easy to cut when I get home.

To the OP though, it is easy. Go buy a circular saw and read the instructions. Place your wood on a surface that makes sense, use a tape measure to mark it up, and just cut the damn thing, Maybe even look into one of these little 4 1/2" blade circular saws. I got an open box one of those on amazon for 30 bucks and really enjoy it for quick cuts where I don't need much power. Plus, you don't need perfect cuts for cutting down for the laser. Just close enough so it fits and you aren't wasting material.

There's a Makita deal going on Amazon right now where you get $25 off every $100 you spend, so you can get this Makita track saw for $100 off of the normal price right now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CHN6L74/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Here's the Ironton on Ebay for $30 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Inch-Electric-Cut-Off-High-Speed-Power-Saw-Grinder-Metal-Cutter-Garage-Tool/253537007326

Also was recommended the Worx 4.5" - https://www.amazon.com/WORX-WORXSAW-4-1-Compact-Circular/dp/B00ZFR4GJE/

Not sure what the best size is for general use with small things.

Apparently these things are cheap enough that I'm good with buying a new one. I was looking at this guy:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BD81BLO/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

Is rigid foam insulation something I can get at HD? I just have a cheap Ikea desk I was going rest the 2x4s on to cut them.

Why is there a rubber wheel on a circular saw?

I have one of these and haven't ever regretted buying it.

Regarding pricing, Honestly I can't actually quite tell. the TS 55 REQ is 660 on amazon, but I can't tell if it actually comes with the track? Meanwhile, the Dewalt is 517 with a 59 inch track.

If the Festool comes with a track, which it probably does (thought I'd like to be certain...) then it's maybe just barely worth paying the premium. But it's over 100$ so....I dunno.

I ended up getting this: https://www.amazon.com/Makita-5477NB-Amp-4-Inch-Hypoid/dp/B002FBLVAU/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1489165818&sr=8-9&keywords=makita+circular

"Hypoid" is Makita's version of worm drive. The saw is really nice in terms of adjusting depth of cut, angle, etc, and it's very comfortable to use, and use accurately.

Nice! Pretty piece of wood!

Next time buy one of these though. You'll never regret it!

http://www.makita.ca/actionimages/5402NA_act_1.jpg

(Ha, just kidding...although it would be great to show off)

Here is another option:

https://www.amazon.com/Prazi-USA-PR7000-Cutter-4-Inch/dp/B0000224SA

Ok, done now...

I did a bunch of research a few months back and landed on this one as well. The electric brake is awesome. It's $125 right now but I think I paid around $105 when I got it.

Having just put in a raised garden in the last 3 weeks, I used this saw and just about any cordless drill will get the job done for drilling pilot holes/driving screws.

You could get a speed square, as mentioned, for straight cuts with the saw. I'd recommend it as they're cheap enough.

I used deck screws because why not. The garden was for my wife and I got extra points for using higher quality screws.

You hear correctly. I have this and can't imagine why I'd need to spend any extra money for something else - it's freakin' awesome.

Thanks for the suggestion, really appreciate it. Out of curiosity what is the difference between the Makita 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Hypoid Saw and the Makita Magnesium 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw (Hyoid vs Circular)? Is it just the ergonomics? It seems like the like the circular saw is smaller than the hypoid.

Are you only looking for compactness in size or maybe just weight? I got the DeWalt DWE575SB circular saw for Christmas and it's awesome. It's 7-1/4" but only eight pounds or so. It's really light and cuts like a dream. It also has the electric brake so the blade stops spinning really quickly.

Amazon Link