Circular saw advice

[Chris Johnson]

I was chosen to pick out a circular saw as a Christmas gift for my bro in law, and am not sure what to advise. I personally have the PC left blade model, and love it but I think that saw is a little more than the giver wants to spend. Under $100 preferably. Does anyone have a ryobi, the price is good and I like their other tools. Thanks ahead for any help.

[Anthony Anderson]

I would try to make sure that you choose one that has a blade brake on it. I bought a Milwaukee that does not have one. I like everything else about the saw. But I put a zero clearance pad on it to cut plywood, and I have to wait until the blade stops spinning to set the saw down. Sometimes I forget and set the saw down when the blade is still spinning, and I have a rude reminder when it makes that sound of carbide hitting concrete. :eek: But anyway, a blade brake would be a nice feature. HTH, Bill

[Peter Pedisich]

Skil makes quite a few under $100.
I bought a Ryobi before my Bosch and had to return it due to a defective clamshell case and switch. HD took it back no problem.


Pete

[Corey Hallagan]

I believe the Craftsman CS are made by both Skil and Ryobi, just depends on which one. They have several decent models under 100.00 as well.

Corey

[Dino Makropoulos]

Skil makes quite a few under $100.
I bought a Ryobi before my Bosch and had to return it due to a defective clamshell case and switch. HD took it back no problem.


Pete
Peter.
You must have a bad unit.
I like the Ryobi for few reasons.
A. $69.00?
B. low noice.
C. Strong and smooth motor.
D. The blade stops faster than any other saw without an electric brake.
E. Good ergonomics.

If they spend few more bucks on the base and the dust port, (at least they have one) they have a winner.
The next one up is Hitachi.$89.00?

[Peter Pedisich]

Dino,

Yeah, I got a bad one. And I agree the ergonomics on the Ryobi were better than the bosch that replaced it, but this was 5 years ago and it did not have a dust port like the newer 131 has.

Pete

[Dino Makropoulos]

Dino,

Yeah, I got a bad one. And I agree the ergonomics on the Ryobi were better than the bosch that replaced it, but this was 5 years ago and it did not have a dust port like the newer 131 has.

Pete

Peter.
This is the one that I test.

7-1/4 In. 14 Amp Circular Saw with Laser

Model CSB140LZK

[Kelly C. Hanna]

It's hard to beat a Skilsaw when it comes to price and quality together. I've never had bad luck with one.

[James Ayars]

I've got a 10 year old Craftsman 12 amp that does anything I've asked it to. I've cut all types of wood plus angle iron with it.

Last year I bought one of my employees a B&D 13amp and he likes it fine.

My experience has been that a sharp blade makes more of a difference than what brand saw I'm using.

I want to get one of the Skil black and grey saws just because I grew up seeing them on job sites.
James

[John Blevins]

Peter.
You must have a bad unit.
I like the Ryobi for few reasons.
A. $69.00?
B. low noice.
C. Strong and smooth motor.
D. The blade stops faster than any other saw without an electric brake.
E. Good ergonomics.

If they spend few more bucks on the base and the dust port, (at least they have one) they have a winner.
The next one up is Hitachi.$89.00?

Hi Dino. I am new to this sight and I am very interested in the EZ systems. I plan to purchace a dedicated saw for the EZ this week, then order a smart table kit next week, followed by an EZ smart guide and fence square within the month. I am on a bit of a budget and only want to spend 100 or less for a circular saw (my 20 year old Makita is a more than a little worn). I was wondering if the choice was yours, would you go for the CSB141LZX Ryobi at the Home Depot or the C7SB2 Hatachi at Lowes. I have enjoyed the EZ Forum and find your systems very inovative and the smart bench designs of Burt and others have inspired me. Thanks, John Blevins

[John Revilla]

Try the Craftsman 14 amp 7 1/4 CS. I had mine for 2 years and encountered no problem whatsoever. Godspeed.

[Jim O'Dell]

I got the Hitachi C7BD2, it has the brake. Watch Amazon. I got mine for 99.95, free shipping and no tax. It was higher last time I looked. Blad brake could perform faster, but it's better than none at all. Smooth and powerful. And comes with a pretty decent blade. Jim.

[Jason White]

I just bought a Bosch worm-drive and absolutely love it!

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Limited-Worm-Drive-Construction/dp/B00005RHPB/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-9976989-1003330?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1191282558&sr=8-1

JW


I was chosen to pick out a circular saw as a Christmas gift for my bro in law, and am not sure what to advise. I personally have the PC left blade model, and love it but I think that saw is a little more than the giver wants to spend. Under $100 preferably. Does anyone have a ryobi, the price is good and I like their other tools. Thanks ahead for any help.

[Matt Vallad]

I cannot speak of the ryobi saws, but I bought a $50-$60 skill and I'm very disappointed with it. The locking mechanism on the base plate has spun (internally) and it will only lock at depths of 1.5 inches or less. It was barely used when it failed. I'll fix it someday, but I shouldn't have to.
I recently bought a PC MAG324 and I love it. I got it for $60 on the lowes clearance table. You might want to check out your local lowes on sundays, that's when they really chop the prices.
Just my $.02...

[glenn bradley]

Peter.
This is the one that I test.

7-1/4 In. 14 Amp Circular Saw with Laser

Model CSB140LZK

I'm not an EZ fan per se, but if Dino likes a particular Ryobi model for the EZ system, I would feel pretty good about the recommendation on the saw.

[Bill Wyko]

Keep an eye on Amazon .com they have had some great prices that can change daily though. Myself, I like the Skill worm drive.

[Bill Wyko]

I just looked on Amazon and they have a Makita wormdrive model 5277nb for 129 bucks. That'd be a great saw for the money.

[John Blevins]

I got the Hitachi C7BD2, it has the brake. Watch Amazon. I got mine for 99.95, free shipping and no tax. It was higher last time I looked. Blad brake could perform faster, but it's better than none at all. Smooth and powerful. And comes with a pretty decent blade. Jim. Thanks Jim, I think I am going to order the Hatachi, John

[Jim O'Dell]

Since you are doing this as a Christmas present, I wouldn't order right now. Use this site: http://www.frozenwarrior.com/~pricewatch/ (http://www.frozenwarrior.com/%7Epricewatch/)
watch the web sites, and watch Amazon. They are famous for running something on sale for a few hours. Right now, they only show this saw coming from other vendors. My thought is that they will get it back in stock before Christmas, and will offer the free shipping again. Did I mention it has a 5 year warranty?? :D Jim.

[Randall Davis]

It's hard to beat a Skilsaw when it comes to price and quality together. I've never had bad luck with one.

you got it! if you dont use it daily to make a living you cant beat it.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello Chris,
I have both the Ryobi and a Skill.
The Skill is the better of the two as well as being cheaper.
I've not had a great deal of luck with Ryobi in general.
IIRC, I have 3 of their products - a CMS, the circ saw and a router/router table.
While they all do most jobs, they all suffer from a lack of any form of real accuracy.
(plus the circ saw doesn't "bounce" well if you drop it:eek: )(I believe you could "dribble the Skill w/out much damage though - as pointed out above, they come pre-"damaged")

Even prior to taking a tumble, my Ryobi tended to "wonder" (<--not a misspelling - "wonder" as opposed to "wander" because you always wonder where it's going to go)on cuts.

[Dino Makropoulos]

Hi Dino. I am new to this sight and I am very interested in the EZ systems. I plan to purchace a dedicated saw for the EZ this week, then order a smart table kit next week, followed by an EZ smart guide and fence square within the month. I am on a bit of a budget and only want to spend 100 or less for a circular saw (my 20 year old Makita is a more than a little worn). I was wondering if the choice was yours, would you go for the CSB141LZX Ryobi at the Home Depot or the C7SB2 Hatachi at Lowes. I have enjoyed the EZ Forum and find your systems very inovative and the smart bench designs of Burt and others have inspired me. Thanks, John Blevins

Thanks John.
Hitachi with brake is a good saw.

The best of all sidewinders circular saws today is the new
Makita 5007MGA
...If you like to spend more money. $150.00
You can see the new Makita in action at youtube.com
search for eurekazone and makita.



Thanks