need recommendation for cordless circular saw

[Rob Z]

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.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[PaulH99]

Makita makes several models of circular saw that might be worth considering. There's a brushed model that is available for $99 (tool only) but takes smaller 6.5 inch blades. The brushless version is usually around $199. Their dual-battery "36v" saw is brushless and will accept the more common 7.25 inch blades, but it's considerably larger, heavier, and of course, more expensive.

I started buying Makita's battery tools 10-15 years ago when they first brought out Lithium batteries. The other vendors, notably DeWalt and Milwaukee have higher capacity and/or higher voltage batteries, but my basic 18v system from Makita is still chugging along with no issues at all.

 

[nvalinski]

Followup on the Makitas, if you need it for ripping sheet goods with good portability, their new saw has the ability to ride on tracks. Model number XSH08Z.

 

[PaulH99]

That's interesting! I wasn't aware of that model and its ability to ride on a guide rail. It's a pretty big price difference though; The regular 36v 7.25" XSH06Z is under $200.

 

[RKA]

That's interesting!.  The only thing they missed is no provision for a bag to catch the dust. 

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I have the 18 volt and 36 volt Makita brushless circular saws, mine get used frequently, and worked hard quite often and I can’t fault them.
I’ve heard good things about the Milwaukee 18 volt but, no first hand experience of it, only the Makita’s.
They will both operate with a rail but, the adaptors are very expensive for what they are.

 

[pixelated]

I have the DeWalt 20v 6 1/2 in. saw, it has worked well for me. I've used it with the blade completely buried in 4x4's to cut and notch them. Reasonably accurate long cuts aren't difficult if you're using it with a suitable guide. It has no provision for dust  collection, but I don't think any of the small battery saws do.

 

[epicxt]

I’ve had the Milwaukee 18v Fuel circular saw with a 6 3/4” blade for the last year or so. Haven’t pulled out my older slightly larger corded framing saw since I made the switch. It fits in a Sys II with a spare battery and charger and I can frame all day if necessary with that setup. I picked up the Fuel Sawzall and the Surge hydraulic impact driver at the same time. It’s my go-to system for rough work.

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[Rob Z]

Thanks for the opinions posted so far.  [smile]

I had a cordless Milwaukee circular saw years ago, and its was just OK as far as the cutting power. It sounds like cordless saws have come a long way since then.

 

[epicxt]

Yup, advancements in battery tech and the emergence of brushless motors has really changed how site work is performed.

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[Pnw painter]

Even though you’re only looking for a saw at the moment, it’s probably wise to partially base your decision on the entire range of tools that a  mfg’s battery platform offers.

If you don’t already have a track saw, it’s seem like the Makita XSH08Z would be a great choice because you could use it as a track saw or a circular saw. I haven’t tried one, but it seems like a great concept.

A friend just bought a Milwaukee Fuel circular saw (I’m not sure which model). It looked like a well designed saw and I liked that it had an integrated rafter hook.

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[Jiggy Joiner]

Just to clarify, both of my Makita circular saws have dust ports and rafter hooks.

 

[cubevandude]

This saw would be another option:Makita DHS680Z 18V LXT Brushless
Has the brushless power and the track options too.

 

[polarsea1]

I have an 18v Bosch I bought only because it was on sale and I have many of those Bosch 18V tools. I hate the right hand blade and don't recommend the saw at all. If I weren't so cheap I'd toss it and find another solution.

 

[72chevy4x4]

I'll share my poor experience w/ the 18v Milwaukee fuel-it's a great saw when it works but the electronics are wonky.  Sent the first one back and the second one came back doing the same as well as a second saw I purchased did the same   I can feather the switch and sometimes get it going but othertimes it works 100%.  Think it's a heat issue, when it's hot outside it's more likely to mess up and when it's cutting difficult materials (like wet PT) it's cuts out. 

 

[demographic]

I sometimes seem to spend my time on here saying that not all Festool drills are brilliant blah blah blah but this is one time I would say go for the Festool HKC, possibly just the saw then upgrade to the crosscut rail eventually.
It really is a revelation compared to whatever Makita, De-Walt, whoever else has to offer.
Its a rare few days when it doesn't come out of my van and many of the guys I work with really rate it above normal circ saws.
Its been worth every penny I spent on it.

 

[Samo]

I would use a hkc as my full time off the track cordless saw if it was available in a blade left version.

 

[demographic]

I would use a hkc as my full time off the track cordless saw if it was available in a blade left version.

I bought the basic version without the rail but just as a stopgap til I bought the 420 crosscut rail, it is far and away my most used saw now. I have a TS55 and it hardly ever comes out of the van nowadays.
I hardly use it off the tracks, just the odd time.
Long cuts are done on the old style FS1400 rails and less than 420mm cuts on the FSK420 rail which is a total gamechanger for me.
Doubt I'll ever buy the 250 rail and the 670 rail doesn't look likely either.

 

[mlindholm]

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.

 

[Cheese]

Here are a couple of recent threads that talk about the TSC & HKC. They may be of some interest.

I've cut a lot of cement board with the HKC. Real nice saw. HKC vs TSC that's a close call. [smile]  Corded TS...that's dead last compared to these cordless models.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...sc-55-li-battery-vs-cord/msg579507/#msg579507
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...-marks-in-aromatic-cedar/msg579310/#msg579310