Circular saw frustration

[Rosco]

So, I'm on the hunt for a new circular saw. The trouble is I'm not finding something suitable.

Recommendations are welcome!

Please bear with me as I try to explain.

I already own a 18v cordless makita (not much good for anything that requires some guts). I also have a TS55 and rails for sheet conversion and finer cuts.

I'm after a saw to use on site. Decent depth of cut of 2 to 3 inches but don't want a big cumbersome saw. Decent power.  Probably 190mm blade. Used for general carpentry; from rafters and 2 x 4  to floorboards and sheet goods.

Would like soft start and electric brake preferably.

I want a decent quality tool that's accurate and well built.

There's tons of dewalt, makita and hitachi etc. Trouble is they are so hit and miss.

Some problems I have with them when using other carpenters saws in the past :

-Bevel/angle adjustments inacurate

-inaccurate 90 degree cuts

-no soft start, so blade goes from standstill to a million miles an hour (dangerous, and inaccurate)

-no electric brake (dangerous and time consuming)

-sturdiness ie, inadequate base that will break, flex or move

-Plastic build quality

-underpowered

I live in the UK. Hilti make the WSC 7.25 in the US not here unfortunately. This could have been a contender. However the saws' base has an angled cut away. I imagine, this could make using a speed square, or straight edge,  with the saw a nightmare. The UK version lacks some of the features also.

Mafell and festool either do a 55 or 85mm depth of cut with their saws. So one saw is too big and the other too small. Otherwise might have considered.

I live miles  away from anything to be able to demo tools. Anything from Screwfix is not up to the task it seems,so I'll be buying over the Internet.

All brands considered if come recommended

Please help and thanks in advance!

Cheers

Rosco

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

I have the Makita rear handle circular saw. It's excellent. Well built, more power than any battery powered saw I have ever used. Not sure what the model number is for the UK but here is the US webpage:https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSR01PT

It can be bought in a full kit or bare tool since you already have batteries.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Mafell makes a 65mm saw.

The older version is the KSP65f, and the newer version is the K65cc. Both were available in both 110v and 220v. The older version Has been discontinued but still seems to be available some places.

One note though, the two saws use different blade sizes. The older saw I believe uses 190x30 blades, and the newer saw uses 185x20.

There’s also the the Mafell KSS60cc which has the spring loaded cross cutting guide like the Festool HK saws.

Virutex makes a 200x30 bladed saw, the SR90J. I presume it would be solid given the market Virutex manufactures for, and Virutex does seem to have a UK distributor, although I don’t know whether it’s what you’re looking for, and soft start wasn’t mentioned in the description.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

The Mafell KSS60 is a great saw.
It was too heavy for me with the cross cut rail (I had the 770) and my infrequent need of that size saw. But quality of build, cut and power was superb. My unit was corded.

The cordless version of that saw is 36V. Bosch batteries - which seem to have been updated.

Anything smaller from Mafell is 18V. I have the KSS50 and 40. Both great saws but not what you are looking for.

 

[McNally Family]

The Mafell KSS60 is a great saw.
It was too heavy for me with the cross cut rail (I had the 770) and my infrequent need of that size saw. But quality of build, cut and power was superb. My unit was corded.

The cordless version of that saw is 36V. Bosch batteries - which seem to have been updated.

Anything smaller from Mafell is 18V. I have the KSS50 and 40. Both great saws but not what you are looking for.

+1

Here is a link for the product brochure:
https://www.timberwolftools.com/documents/KSS60.pdf

 

[retfr8flyr]

Here is the saw you are looking for.

 

[Lbob131]

The saw Roscoe wants  doesn't exist. You can't have a saw that cuts  3"  and not be big and cumbersome.
That said I have a HK 85 and can easily use it one handed. And yes I've had it up on roof tops.

I also have a big Makita  5103R  with a 100mm depth  of cut capacity  and use that one handed also  when  required.

 

[Rosco]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. What I meant is a saw with a cutting depth somewhere between 60 and 70 mm. I don't want anything bigger than that as I don't do enough work to require it. A saw with a blade bigger than around 190mm to 210mm would be too cumbersome for my needs.

This saw isn't that cumbersome and apparently cuts to 3 inches : makita 5008mgj

For reasons I stated in my initial post however, I don't think it's for me. Unless someone has it and can tell me otherwise.

Please keep the suggestions coming though folks. They are much appreciated!

 

[J373]

Looking for the same I think and the nearest is that rear handle Makita and unfortunately it looks like it isn't available in the UK . If it does come up I think I'll be buying it

 

[Mort]

I have the Milwaukee that is listed above, and I don’t find it overly cumbersome. Of course I just bought it and haven’t used it, but I’ve checked it over and even with a 9.0ah battery it isn’t overly bulky.