Portable generators

Kenneth in Texas · Mar 8, 2016

Looking for some real world experience with a small portable generator. I have an old house that I will have to do some work at soon, no electrical there at the moment and didnt want to do anything temporary like a elec pole since its in a city. So what I need is the ability to use my circular saw and reciprocating saw, not at the same time because its just me doing the work. I will only fire up the generator while i am actually sawing, dont need lights either because i will only work in the day time.

Im looking for the smallest/cheapest generator that will work and I will buy it from Amazon more than likely. Dont want to go the cordless saw route because I dont want to mess with batteries plus just never seem to be happy with cordless tools and they always running down.

So how many watt generator will get me by?

2ndhalf · Mar 8, 2016

You could get buy with a 2,000 watt. Avg. Circular saw is around 1400 which would leave a little for lights if for some reason you decided to work at night. I would first look on Craigs List for a used one. Generac makes a very good generator. Should be able to pick up a 2000watt generac for under $250. I wouldn't buy an el'cheapo if I were you. I have worked in old hourses and you will probably want lights in places where corners are dark.

Honda also makes very good ones https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/5470678119.html

newbury · Mar 8, 2016

Kenneth in Texas said:
Looking for some real world experience with a small portable generator. I have an old house that I will have to do some work at soon, no electrical there at the moment and didnt want to do anything temporary like a elec pole since its in a city. So what I need is the ability to use my circular saw and reciprocating saw, not at the same time because its just me doing the work. I will only fire up the generator while i am actually sawing, dont need lights either because i will only work in the day time.

Im looking for the smallest/cheapest generator that will work and I will buy it from Amazon more than likely. Dont want to go the cordless saw route because I dont want to mess with batteries plus just never seem to be happy with cordless tools and they always running down.

So how many watt generator will get me by?

A 2KW should do, but instead of just Amazon, if you want low price, look at HF. They have been getting good reviews.

However, although you wrote

Dont want to go the cordless saw route because I dont want to mess with batteries plus just never seem to be happy with cordless tools and they always running down.

The new generation of batteries make them run a long time. I can run my DeWalt reciprocating saw for about a full hour of cutting bamboo before swapping batteries.

a69reddog · Mar 8, 2016

The Generac 2000 inverter would work well. It's pretty quiet and has a Eco switch that saves fuel. It may be a little more than the harbor freight ones but they are well made and a warranty and if you would resale it later. It is also ok to use with electronics should you have a power outage. Sometimes you can also find them in a pawn shop.

Sawyer Rob · Mar 8, 2016

My circle saw pulls close to 15 amps with no load. My cheapo one pulls 10 amps (no load) NO 2kw gen set is going to run it properly...

Better look at your circle saw and see how many amps it pulls. Then buy one that can make a few more than that!

SR

2ndhalf · Mar 8, 2016

Here is a pretty good table... Buying a Portable Generator - Tools of the Trade Page 1 of 3

4570Man · Mar 8, 2016

I have a Generac 2000 watt inverter generator. It is only 1600 continuous watts ( the legendary Honda is the same way ). In theory it could run most circular saws, but the starting load is too much for it. Also these inverter generators seem slow to recover from a high starting load. I recommend a 3,000 watt generator that can do about2,400 continues watts.

a69reddog · Mar 8, 2016

The Generac 2000 should be 2000 with a 2200 surge, according to the spec sheet. I agree the Honda 2000 is 1600. They are misleading. The Honda 3000 is really only 2800. Generac also makes a 3250 that is fairly quiet. I have used it to run a jack hammer and a rotorry hammer drill at the same time with no problems.

grsthegreat · Mar 8, 2016

Go to home deoot snd get a 6,500 watt gen for about $500.

You wont regret it. Some day youll want to run an air compressor.

They always regret going small. A 2,000 wont start up a scroll skilsaw. My old 3,590 had trouble with that at times,...especially on cold day

4570Man · Mar 8, 2016

a69reddog said:
The Generac 2000 should be 2000 with a 2200 surge, according to the spec sheet. I agree the Honda 2000 is 1600. They are misleading. The Honda 3000 is really only 2800. Generac also makes a 3250 that is fairly quiet. I have used it to run a jack hammer and a rotorry hammer drill at the same time with no problems.

We must be talking about different Generac generators. My Generac IQ2000 is only 1600 running watts.