If you’re ambitious, you might want the same saw the pros use. Contractor-grade saws can have the blade on the left or the right of the motor. Corded models have motors that draw as much current as 15 amps. The saw rides on a larger, more damage-resistant shoe and is equipped with a big, tough trigger switch, larger and tougher bearings, and a thick but highly flexible cord.
The DCS512 12V MAX 5-3/8-in Circular Saw, part of DEWALT’s XTREME(TM) Sub-Compact Series, delivers powerful and accurate cutting performance across a wide range of materials. Alongside its lightweight and compact dewalt drill design, this saw incorporates an enhanced feature set on a 12V MAX lithium ion battery platform. Circular saws are powerful tools that crosscut wood (cut across its grain) and rip it (cut with the grain).
If the saw moved off the square (and the cutline), we knew something was amiss. The most common cause is a saw motor and body that makes a slightly sloppy fit with the shoe on which it rides. Read on for quick info on the best circular saws from our testing, then scroll down for buying advice and in-depth reviews of these and other models. I tried it on cutting scabs for shimming out receptacles using 2×4’s and this little saw ripped through them with no issues.
Of course, probably doing most of your day’s work on a single charge of its whopping 9-Ah battery. The saw is well designed, with a comfortable handle and a magnesium shoe with about as much friction as a melting ice cube; for such an unwieldy saw, it slides pretty nicely. dewalt drill We use each saw to cut across and with the grain, the blade perpendicular to its shoe and at an angle to it. We’re confident of the quality of our products and we’ll repair, without charge, any defects due to faulty materials or workmanship within the specified warranty.
You can’t help but be impressed by this Milwaukee saw’s cutting power and longevity. Slide in a massive 12-Ah battery and you’ve got several hours of carpentry capability unencumbered by a cord. This petite saw weighs a mere 8.6 pounds, yet we found it to be unusually capable. Equipped with a 7.25-inch blade, it made short work of 4 x 6 pressure-treated lumber, 2 x 10 Douglas fir, 3⁄4-inch plywood, and laminate flooring.
Whether you are a professional carpenter or a hobbyist, a circular saw is an essential tool that can help you achieve your desired results efficiently. Blain’s Farm & Fleet carries quality power saws from DEWALT, Milwaukee, FESTOOL, and other trusted brands. The Makita’s combines light weight, robust cutting power, and outstanding industrial design—ideal if you need a lot of cordless muscle, but don’t want to compromise accuracy or stability. Everything about this saw is comfortable and easy to handle, from the well-shaped trigger to the push lever of the spindle lock.