need recommendation for cordless circular saw

[pettyconstruction]

I have built 3 full houses with a makita 36v saw.
Great saw , I don’t carry my corded saw anymore.
I also have the tsc-55 and hkc saws, love the rail saw and am getting used to the hkc saw with rail.
Other than my compressor, my entire job is cordless.
They all have their place.
Charlie

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[Rob Z]

This saw is mostly to be used to cut 2x material and occasional pieces of plywood so they are more easily handled when loading at the lumber yard or HD. 

I kept my TS-55 (corded) and would really like the HKC except that I have no Festool 18v tools and I wouldn’t use it enough to justify spending $800+ for the set with the rail and the batteries. 

I did stop at HD the other day and saw a DeWalt saw (don’t recall the model number) and it felt pretty good in the hand.  I didn’t like the way the Makita and the Milwaukee models felt although that is purely a subjective evaluation and maybe I would like them if there were an opportunity to use them before deciding.

I did go old school not long ago and I was set up in the parking lot at the lumber yard, and cut down some primed 1X material with a handsaw.  I looked up and saw two young employees looking at me, with that same look on their faces that my son had one time with he saw my old vinyl albums for the first time. 

Uhhhh, whats that man?  [big grin] [big grin]

Thanks again for all the suggestions so far.

Are you looking for rail ripping use, or freehand?  I've got the 1st generation Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7.25" saw, and the Dewalt FlexVolt tracksaw.  I like the flexibility of them being cordless, so I can bring them to the big-box store to cut down wood to fit in my vehicle, and have done that for both dimensional lumber and sheet goods.  The Dewalt is kind funky though with it's parallelogram plunge mechanism, so off a track it's a little awkward to plunge and keep straight.  It works, just not as smoothly as the pivot on most other brands.

Even a 5-3/8" blade saw can crosscut nominal 2x lumber, so that's not a limitation for your needs.  Would you be taking a track to the store too, for more accurate crosscutting/ripping?  Lowes and Home Depot both generally have panel saws, so that should be unnecessary.  Menards, and other non-national chains may not be so equipped.

 

[Bob D.]

"Uhhhh, what’s that man?  [big grin] [big grin]"

It's the latest innovation in cordless tools. Look Ma, no batteries! 

 

[CADru]

I need a cordless circular saw and see there are about a zillion options on the market. [scared]  I'm not locked in to any brand because of existing batteries (my only cordless drills are old Festool 14V) .  Any recommendations or any strong dislikes? I need this saw to do nothing more than break down lumber and sheet goods at the store so I can fit material in my vehicle for the ride home.

Been using a Milwaukee Fuel 18v 7 1/4 circular saw (2731) for a while now. I prefer my sidewinder blade on the right side of motor. Plus this saw is a work horse, no issues, no complaints. I still carry my.... wait for it... yes, my B&D 8 1/4' Super Sawcat corded circular saw. Its my final build of parts from 2 other Sawcat saws. This baby has some miles on it it but, only gets used on 4x4, 4x6, 6x6 landscape ties. That's like maybe 3x/year.

Milwaukee owns the battery tech, for that IMO they are the leader in the portable battery tool market. I own Dewalt as well but Milwaukee is my fav.

 

[epicxt]

Wow, was over doing some little projects at my parents place (100 mi away) and needed to cut some metal track for some barn door hardware. Realized I had left my old early ‘90s Makita worm drive saw with an abrasive cutting disc in it from the last project. Just about fell over when I grabbed it. Not sure how I heaved that saw around for so long. Must weigh close to 20 lbs. Got the job done, but reminded me of how spoiled we are now!

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[Cheese]

Just about fell over when I grabbed it. Not sure how I heaved that saw around for so long. Must weigh close to 20 lbs. Got the job done, but reminded me of how spoiled we are now!

Ya that's funny... [smile]  I've had a diamond blade mounted on my Milwaukee 8 1/4" worm gear for the last 15 years for cutting small stone projects. The other day I was cutting drip kerfs in bluestone caps and was amazed by how much the thing weighed. Actually I  was shocked at how heavy it was. I used to one-hand that thing all the time. What happened?  [eek]

 

[rst]

I'm with Cheese on pickup shock, my 8 1/4" is a 30+ year old Skil.  And like his a diamond blade lives in it.  Used it last year to cut out block to enlarge a commercial steel door and frame.  Holding that beast vertically is definitely masochistic.  Bought a dust collection attachment to reduce the dust level but still went home looking like a baker that fell into the flour.

 

[BoulderAv]

The big thing with battery tools is picking one platform and sticking with them. Once you get a few batteries you can start buying bare tools which will save you a ton. Pick whatever feels good in your hand and see if there are good combo deals going on. The newer brushless drills are great and worth picking up at the same time to take advantage of their discount in a combo. Personally, everything is Milwaukee for me, but any of the major brands are great.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I didn’t like the way the Makita and the Milwaukee models felt although that is purely a subjective evaluation and maybe I would like them if there were an opportunity to use them before deciding.

Rob, just a thought, did the saws that you picked up have batteries fitted, or were they bare units?
Our 18 v and 36 v brushless saws are stored on the vans without batteries, and when I grab one from the van, it feels odd and unbalanced. As soon as the battery/batteries are added, it’s a different story and they’re very comfortable. It’s obviously more noticeable with the 36 volt.

 

[Rob Z]

Wow, was over doing some little projects at my parents place (100 mi away) and needed to cut some metal track for some barn door hardware. Realized I had left my old early ‘90s Makita worm drive saw with an abrasive cutting disc in it from the last project. Just about fell over when I grabbed it. Not sure how I heaved that saw around for so long. Must weigh close to 20 lbs. Got the job done, but reminded me of how spoiled we are now!

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I still have and occasionally use my grandfather's old-old-old Skil Model 77.  Built like a bulldozer and weighs about the same LOL.  I've yet to bog that thing down as long as I keep a sharp blade on it.

 

[Rob Z]

Hey there Jiggy

Sorry, I missed your question.  I would say that most had a battery attached, although definitely some were "bare" and you're right: they do feel odd.

I ended up buying a 6 1/2" DeWalt, if for no other reason than there is a HD about a mile away and I will be able to grab a new battery if I need one.

I didn’t like the way the Makita and the Milwaukee models felt although that is purely a subjective evaluation and maybe I would like them if there were an opportunity to use them before deciding.

Rob, just a thought, did the saws that you picked up have batteries fitted, or were they bare units?
Our 18 v and 36 v brushless saws are stored on the vans without batteries, and when I grab one from the van, it feels odd and unbalanced. As soon as the battery/batteries are added, it’s a different story and they’re very comfortable. It’s obviously more noticeable with the 36 volt.

 

[Bob D.]

I still have and occasionally use my grandfather's old-old-old Skil Model 77.  Built like a bulldozer and weighs about the same LOL.  I've yet to bog that thing down as long as I keep a sharp blade on it.
[/quote]

I just used my old 77 the other day. I was building a EP Henry double-sided cast stone wall and needed to cut the 2" thick cast stone wall caps. I've had it for over 30 years and it's still going.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Hey there Jiggy

Sorry, I missed your question.  I would say that most had a battery attached, although definitely some were "bare" and you're right: they do feel odd.

I ended up buying a 6 1/2" DeWalt, if for no other reason than there is a HD about a mile away and I will be able to grab a new battery if I need one.

I didn’t like the way the Makita and the Milwaukee models felt although that is purely a subjective evaluation and maybe I would like them if there were an opportunity to use them before deciding.

Rob, just a thought, did the saws that you picked up have batteries fitted, or were they bare units?
Our 18 v and 36 v brushless saws are stored on the vans without batteries, and when I grab one from the van, it feels odd and unbalanced. As soon as the battery/batteries are added, it’s a different story and they’re very comfortable. It’s obviously more noticeable with the 36 volt.

Thanks Rob