bdeboer
Platinum Member
I bought a new Milwaukee two years ago from Home Depot, around $100. Saw doesn't seem to have alot of slop when ripping, and has plenty of power. One thing that I did notice was the made in China label.
Circular Saw Recommendation
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whiskywizard
Silver Member
The problem I'm seeing more and more is that the new tools don't compare well with the older ones.
When somebody says "my grandfather was a such-and-such and he swears by so-and-so-make,..." it no longer means anything. Sure - the tools grampa had were great, and his recollection of them is probably correct, but they are NOT the same thing you'll buy today!
One brand may offer a good model, but you can't necessarily expect their other models to be good too. You have to look hard at each model, across a few different brands, and you have to do it every time you shop for a new portable power tool.
When somebody says "my grandfather was a such-and-such and he swears by so-and-so-make,..." it no longer means anything. Sure - the tools grampa had were great, and his recollection of them is probably correct, but they are NOT the same thing you'll buy today!
One brand may offer a good model, but you can't necessarily expect their other models to be good too. You have to look hard at each model, across a few different brands, and you have to do it every time you shop for a new portable power tool.
aczlan
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Exactly.
As for what to buy, if you get a pro grade saw, there are many good brands out there. Dad has a Makita that he bought in 1990 and it has stood up well to the abuse that it has received since then.
Aaron Z
JDgreen227
Super Member
My favorite saw considering price/power was a Craftsman Sawmill, Pro grade, that I purchased in 1990. It was stolen from my brother's garage two years ago. Purchased a Porter-Cable to replace it, the PC is lighter, but I actually preferred the Craftsman. However, all the saws they sell today are imported.
Whatever you get, I'd buy both the right and left hand version so you have both. It's much easier to switch between them when they both have the same adjustments and feel. I'm right handed and have found I much prefer a left hand saw because of visibility, but some tasks are almost impossible to do it with the wrong handed saw.
Bartcephus
Gold Member
I agree with those that state that the tools are different now-a-days. You really just need to go look and possibly try some out. I don't know of a big box store that has a "test drive" capability, so that makes trying one more difficult. I have a Porter Cable I bought in 2004 and love it. To me, when I made the upgrade to a professional series saw, I was amazed at the accuracy and power. I would not hesitate to spend some bucks where I am assured the product is quality and produces such good results so easily. I have Porter Cable routers and sanders and really enjoy their accuracy and power as well. Nothing really compares to a quality made tool. I'll never buy Ryobi again as I have had too many problems. The lower end stuff is also out in my toolbox, as I usually don't have the resources or time to "do it twice." (I cut that board twice and it is still too short!)
Bart
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Good Points...
Most of my tools... power and non power, were bought in the 70's and 80's...
I do carry a little Skill sidewinder sold as a trim saw because it takes a smaller blade...
I bought it because it is large enough to cut 2x material and small enough wattage wise that I can run it off my inverter or from my 1000 watt 1980's Honda Generator...
Most of my tools... power and non power, were bought in the 70's and 80's...
I do carry a little Skill sidewinder sold as a trim saw because it takes a smaller blade...
I bought it because it is large enough to cut 2x material and small enough wattage wise that I can run it off my inverter or from my 1000 watt 1980's Honda Generator...
crazyal
Super Member
I've got the Milwaukee with the tilt lock handle. It's only a few years old but I built my house and garage with it including using a Prazi Beam cutter on it. While others may be just as good I have found no faults with it and I like the plastic case it came with to protect the saw and hold a few extra blades.
Not sure if mine is made in China but my Milwaukee porta-band I think is Chinese and it's been a solid workhorse. If anything it's an improvement over the older Milwaukees I have used in the past. Also my corded screw gun is a Chinese Milwaukee and it's also never even gave a hint of being anything less than I would expect from Milwaukee.
Not sure if mine is made in China but my Milwaukee porta-band I think is Chinese and it's been a solid workhorse. If anything it's an improvement over the older Milwaukees I have used in the past. Also my corded screw gun is a Chinese Milwaukee and it's also never even gave a hint of being anything less than I would expect from Milwaukee.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I remodel and repair homes for a living and rely on my tools to make my living. I've tried every brand listed so far in this thread and the only two brands that I would recomend are Makita and Bosch. Without going into why the others are not good enough, I will say that I've been using my Makita 7 1/4 inch saw for about five years now. I bought it at Home Depot and it came with a 4 1/2 inch grinder or a tool belt. I forget which, but if Bosch had been available instead of the Makita, I would have gone with that. I walk out of the stores if they don't have one of those two brands. Too many failures and runs to the store have tought me that lesson!!!!
I use my saw for framing, cutting angles, plywood and OSB. I also use it for Hardi with a Hardi blade, and I use it for cutting concrete with a diamond blade. The power is amazing, and in my experience, it's the best saw that I've ever owned.
Take a chance on the others, or buy quality that will last and get the job done.
Eddie
I use my saw for framing, cutting angles, plywood and OSB. I also use it for Hardi with a Hardi blade, and I use it for cutting concrete with a diamond blade. The power is amazing, and in my experience, it's the best saw that I've ever owned.
Take a chance on the others, or buy quality that will last and get the job done.
Eddie
JDgreen227
Super Member
I have always used my oldest saw with a diamond blade to cut concrete, rather than my good saw. The dust created by such cutting is so abrasive I am sure it will shorten the life of any saw used for that purpose, no matter how well designed and made they are.