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Thread: Cordless small circular saw

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    Cordless small circular saw

    Any suggestions?

  2. #2
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    Jan 2010
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    LA & SC neither one is Cali
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    When you say "small" do you mean the somewhat standard 6 1/2" cordless saws (vs the newer larger 7 1/4" cordless saws) or are you looking for something even smaller.

    Also are you already invested in any cordless battery systems, if so which ones.
    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

  3. #3
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    Dec 2010
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    How small? I love my 18V Milwaukee 6-1/2" one. https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-263...e+circular+saw But I already had other Milwaukee cordless tools, so their circular saw was an obvious choice. Whatever cordless tools you already have may lead you to a similar decision. If you have none, however, you can do a lot worse than what Milwaukee offers. I've had nothing but great service from the ones I have, drill, impact driver, right angle drill, and circular saw. I built my shed last Summer using mostly that little circular saw to cut everything and was very impressed with it's performance. The tilting base is top notch. Whatever brand you choose, make sure to use a big battery, like 5 ah or larger, with it as they draw a lot of power.

    John

  4. #4
    I like the makita. Like John I bought it because my batteries line up with other tools.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2014
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    My first cordless saw was a Rigid,I bought it because at that time it was the only one with the blade on the right hand side. I now have the new Milwaukee that uses 7 1/4'' blades. I gave my Dad my original Milwaukee with the 6.5'' blade that was on the left side,it works well for him because he is left handed.

  6. #6
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    I have a 3 3/8” makita. Occassional use going on 8 years or so. Maximum depth of cut about an 1”. Great for breaking down plywood, 3/4 stock, etc. If it stopped working, I’d definitely pick up another.

  7. #7
    It’s pretty expensive but also the most versatile solution. https://www.amazon.com/d/Power-Circu...-XL/B00XJZQO4Y I have one and love it. Break down sheet goods anywhere. Very handy with the track too.

  8. #8
    My suggestion is dont waste your money. They are all a letdown in short order. As soon as they get a little weak you'll be going broke buying new blades trying to make it through a couple sheets. Unless you absolutely need to cut material on a sailboat with no solar or battery backup in the middle of the ocean.. you'll be let down. Stick with a cord.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    E TN, near Knoxville
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    Quote Originally Posted by Van Huskey View Post
    When you say "small" do you mean the somewhat standard 6 1/2" cordless saws (vs the newer larger 7 1/4" cordless saws) or are you looking for something even smaller.
    Also are you already invested in any cordless battery systems, if so which ones.
    Yes, more info, less guessing.

    I use a Dewalt 18v, since most of my other cordless tools use the same battery. It gets heavy use around the farm, especially when I'm putting up a building.

    JKJ

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Most of my battery stuff is Makita. I have their latest brushless circle saw and just love it. Gobs of power! With the larger 5 or 6 amp hour batteries it has tremendous run time if using quality blades. Never had it die during use as one battery has finished any project so far. I am sure the Dewalt is a good one as well if that is your current battery line. Milwaukee has lost my support with their decline in quality.

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Bolton View Post
    My suggestion is dont waste your money. They are all a letdown in short order. As soon as they get a little weak you'll be going broke buying new blades trying to make it through a couple sheets. Unless you absolutely need to cut material on a sailboat with no solar or battery backup in the middle of the ocean.. you'll be let down. Stick with a cord.
    well I suppose you have not used the Milwaukee Fuel 7 1/4 saw
    I thought this thing was great when I used 5.0 batteries
    now I have 12.0 batteries this thing is awesome!!!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu3Uvk-xOZg
    Last edited by phil harold; 12-05-2018 at 10:28 PM.
    Carpe Lignum

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
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    MT
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    I don't agree they are a waste of money.

    I have a 13 amp Milwaukee corded saw with the blade on the right that I have had for about 25 years. I am in the middle of building a shop right now, and my go-to saw is my Milwaukee Fuel 6 - 1/2" - even though the blade is on the left and I am left-handed.

    If I have to power through a lot of material I will use the corded saw but I use the battery saw for most sheet goods, and framing cuts and it is awesome when you are hanging on a ladder or scaffold/man-lift, and don't have to fight the extra weight of the saw and cord. Its weight also makes it much easier for me to use right-handed (which I consider wrong-handed ).

    I have told my son who is helping me part-time with the build how amazed I am at the utility of a cordless saw. I keep a fresh battery on the charger but usually don't go through more than a battery a day.
    Last edited by Kris Cook; 12-06-2018 at 12:43 AM.
    Regards,

    Kris

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Bolton View Post
    My suggestion is dont waste your money. They are all a letdown in short order. As soon as they get a little weak you'll be going broke buying new blades trying to make it through a couple sheets. Unless you absolutely need to cut material on a sailboat with no solar or battery backup in the middle of the ocean.. you'll be let down. Stick with a cord.
    I agreed with you Mark until I tried a FlexVolt Dewalt. I love my Bosch worm drive, but didn't have power at the site of a new build earlier this year. I bought the Dewalt instead of messing with a generator, and it worked so well that I bought another. They are different models one left and one right side blade, I prefer the worm saw layout one with the blade on the correct left side, but between the two I didn't plug a circular saw in for the entire house. Large addition and full remodel, so lots of cutting. 175 sheets of sheeting along. I'm a believer, that thing is a game changer.

  14. #14
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    May 2014
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    One of the first things I cut when I bought my Milwaukee fuel 7 1/4'' was ripping a 2x10 12' . Like Steve we use this saw constantly.

  15. #15
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    I have a 6 1/2" Milwaukee M18 that I really like. Ripping 2x4's with it isn't something I'd want to do all day, but in a pinch it will do. Sheet goods are another story. It will cut 3/4" ply or even 1" MDF

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