Circular Saws

This review compares eleven sidewinder circular saws, advising that worm-drive and hypoid saws are more powerful but heavier and apt to be unbalanced. Tests here find that all eleven circular saw models cut… well, but ratings are more mixed for accuracy and ease of use. Only the Milwaukee 6394 circular saw gets a perfect 5-star rating, and some pro-brand saws get 2-star ratings right along with the budget circular saws. For the best budget choice, editors prefer the Skil 5755-01 to the Ryobi and Black & Decker Firestorm saws, though all three made accuracy difficult.

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This review is basically just a summary of the same information published in Taunton's 2007 Tool Guide, which in turn was based on tests published in the Dec. 2005 issue of Fine Homebuilding. A later… in-depth review of the Makita LXT cordless tools in the May, 2006 issue of Fine Homebuilding concludes that the Makita LXT circular saw would have taken first or second place had it been reviewed alongside the other tools, and an August 2005 review praises the Milwaukee V28 lithium-powered circular saw as capable of replacing a corded model. Both are left out of the 2008 Tool Guide.

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This review compares eight pro-level 7.25-inch sidewinder circular saws for cutting framing and trim lumber. Tests show all eight have plenty of power, so the main comparison is for ergonomics, quick… braking, and bevel capacity. The top-rated circular saw is the Bosch CS20 (though it lacks a brake), followed by the DeWalt 369CSK (praised for its balance) and the Milwaukee 6394-21 (like the 6394-20 but with a brake). The Ridgid R3200 gets some attention as a budget choice. Earlier roundup reviews at this site test worm-drive saws and cordless saws.

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We'd rank this comparison review higher if it were more recent, since testing is well documented. The editors of Wood Magazine rate eight 7.25-inch sidewinder circular saws. Well documented testing is… performed on each, in addition to a month of actual use. The Milwaukee 6390-21 is top rated for straight tracking, power and handling. The DeWalt DW369 is the runner up. It is slightly less powerful, but offers convenient bevel stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees. Porter-Cable gets high marks for dust control.

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This informal comparison review is based on field tests with three female employees at Toolbarn, looking for cordless power tools with good ergonomics for people with smaller hands and less upper-body… strength. Although the review focuses on cordless drills, it also recommends a Makita lithium-powered cordless tool kit that includes a circular saw. Another review here praises the Festool TS 55 EQ circular saw for its plunge-cutting ability.

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A professional team of builders reports on its use of nine 7.25-inch saws on job sites for two weeks. The left-bladed Porter-Cable 743K (now the 423MAG) is rated best for sightlines, balance and handling.… The right-handed Porter-Cable is testers' second choice only because of reduced visibility. As in another work-crew review, some members prefer the Hitachi C7BD (now the C7SB2) for its lightweight comfort. The DeWalt DW378G hypoid saw is praised for ease of handling.

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This review recommends corded sidewinder circular saws in three price ranges, plus one cordless circular saw. Though brief descriptions give reasons for each choice, it's not clear that any comparison… testing or even actual use was done. The recommendations are part of a larger article not only reviewing portable power tools, but also summarizing recent developments with cordless batteries, including pros and cons for "dual-platform" tools that can use both lithium-ion and NiCad batteries.

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The Home Depot publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of the circular saws sold here, but so few brands are sold that the ratings aren't of much value for comparisons. Overall, though, cordless… circular saws get lower ratings than corded models, and the top-rated circular saws are the worm-drive or hypoid type. A separate section of the site publishes reviews and ratings of cordless combo kits that include circular saws, but only a few kits have accumulated reviews.

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