Any recommendations for a good circular saw for a newbie?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 10:41:06 -0500

Just bought my first house and it has a small workshop shed that the previous owner used to make furniture and what not. Seems like a nice, constructive hobby to pick up so I'm starting to piece together a collection of power tools. My next piece is probably going to be a circular saw. Any recommendations on brands, features, etc I should look for?

Response by Alan K. made Dec 3 at 2016 10:59 AM

Alan K. — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 10:59:42 -0500

Grab a DeWalt 7 1/4 and a Freud blade....Porter cable is good but puts the sawdust in the way. A good 10" chop saw (Makita) will be your next buy if not already. Whatever you buy...Buy it at a building supply and not Lowe's or HD.....You will get metal internals instead of plastic. Big Diff....

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Dec 3 at 2016 11:46 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 11:46:13 -0500

I have had the Craftsman 7 1/4 for almost 20 years. It is a great tool for the beginner and weekend wood worker. You can pick it up for $60-$75

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 3 at 2016 12:10 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 12:10:35 -0500

1st) Most American brand power tools are now made by the same manufacturer(s) in China and just re-labeled. I have never purchased a power or hand tool made in China and not regretted the purchase within two or three hours of concentrated use. My advice, even though they cost more buy German power tools like Bosch. You will never regret buying quality tools.

2nd) Almost all circular saws have basic features, depth of cut and angle of cut. Everything else is a sorry second cousin to what a properly built jig will do. Don't pay for fancy features when a jg will do much better.

3rd) Battery powered circular saw seem like a good idea. They aren't, unless you never cut anything but plywood.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 3 at 2016 1:04 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 13:04:28 -0500

If woodworking is your eventual goal, I think you might be better served with a table saw.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2016 2:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 14:43:45 -0500

Definitely DeWalt, good product and easy to service. Buy at a big chain store (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) for easy replacement or return if needed.

Response by Larry Dirlam made Dec 4 at 2016 1:53 PM

Larry Dirlam — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 13:53:31 -0500

Having bought my Makita 5007 circular saw 27 years ago and it's been used for just about any project I needed to cut. Still running. I do recommend a good quality blade. It will pay you back several times over if used properly. Blades that cost $5.00- $12.00 will not last as long and will give you a lesser quality cut. This is the time of year that tools are being advertised and have seen a $99.99 sale price so check around.
Larry Dirlam

Response by CAPT Dave Woodard made Dec 5 at 2016 9:31 AM

CAPT Dave Woodard — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 09:31:30 -0500

There are generally two options: $$$$$$ + Function - Festool; for most mere mortals, Rigid makes a good 7" circular saw with a case (which is what my son and I have and have used for years). I don't know what Lowe's make but it would be about the same value. probably 50-60$. I would not buy a battery operated version at this time. Be sure to pay attention to the direction of spin on the blade when you change it. There are about three core blades, cross cut, rip, and general . Given the inconvenience of changing blades, unless you are really purpose functioning, get the general purpose. Spend the $$ on a good blade.

Response by Cpl Cary Cartter made Dec 5 at 2016 11:31 AM

Cpl Cary Cartter — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 11:31:01 -0500

Whatever brand you get, make it a worm drive. Direct drives tend to burn motors quicker, which removes a lot of the enjoyment factor from a very enjoyable hobby. And keep a variety extra blades on hand, for different applications. Make sure it's a saw that is NOT full of plastic parts. (see: "enjoyable" earlier in reply)

Response by MSG Robert Prol made Dec 8 at 2016 12:16 PM

MSG Robert Prol — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:16:05 -0500

I'd go for a cheap saw, then get some nice Kreg jigs to make sure you can cut straight lines. You can always upgrade the saw later, but the Kreg jigs will be around awhile.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2016 8:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 20:41:30 -0500

UPDATE: I ended up getting a DeWalt circular saw. It was a model that seemed to constantly pop up towards the top of reviews that I found online without being crazy expensive (like Festools). I found a factory reconditioned model which saved me a few bucks while still giving me a warranty. I also have a miter saw picked out from the same company (CPO Outlet) that I'm going to order after I get back from holiday leave. Thanks for the help everyone!

Response by PO1 Tim Grace made Dec 9 at 2016 8:46 AM

PO1 Tim Grace — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 08:46:15 -0500

When it came time to replace a circa 1981 Craftsman, I went with the Bosch CS10. I liked the fact that I could hook up a shop-vac (with an adapter) to limit the amount of sawdust that ended up on my car, the fact I didn't have to hit a lock switch to engage the saw and the cord length.

Response by SrA Chris Hunt made Dec 11 at 2016 4:52 AM

SrA Chris Hunt — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 04:52:08 -0500

Good choice in hobbies. Wood working is my therapy time. I can completely disconnect and get lost in my projects.
Don't go cheap because you'll have to work too hard to achieve what you're after and won't have any fun at all. That being said, you don't have to break the bank either. DEWALT makes a great introductory circular saw. Bosch is one you will never go wrong with. A direct drive will do most of what you'll want to do. Go with a worm drive if you expect to be doing heavy cuts as in pressure treated and such. Over time you will end up getting a couple of different saws for project specific work. Good luck and happy sawdust days!!

Response by Sgt Lowell Tackett made Dec 16 at 2016 12:42 AM

Sgt Lowell Tackett — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 00:42:33 -0500

Rule #1 - and post this somewhere in your shop - always spend good money on QUALITY tools. There's an old saying, "Poor people always buy twice...", amongst other sage warnings for those who put budget before function. Now, go with a 7-1/4" blade size; that is very universal and very functional. (Just for perspective, an 8-1/4" saw, though much heavier, only offers 1/2" more cut depth - not worth it.) Secondly, I would recommend a worm drive saw. The mechanism is much stronger (whenever you need to add "crank-case" oil to a saw, you KNOW you've got a serious tool...!), and they always have the blade on the opposite side (left-side looking forward vs. right) from "standard" saws, which puts the blade directly in your line of sight, making cuts much more accurately.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jan 9 at 2017 5:19 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 17:19:43 -0500

Table saw is the #1 tool for woodworking. With a good one and Youtube you can do just about anything. I like my fingers, so I'm partial to http://www.sawstop.com they're damn expensive... but like I already said, I like my fingers.