Small Circular Saw

[Mike Goetzke]

Was having a guy put siding on our house and he had this small Milwaukee circular saw with a rear handle. Looked like a 4-1/2" blade.

Ha- have to have one now but my shop is full of Makita 18V LXT and Bosch 12V batteries. Anyone know if Makita has one? (I see Bosch on eBay does but not any retail stores)

Thanks

 

[Bob D.]

Makita makes the SH02Z 12V Max saw with a 3-3/8" blade.

 

[Birdhunter]

I searched Amazon for “small circular saw” and got over a dozen hits.

 

[jaguar36]

Bosch makes a little 12V saw, takes a 85mm blade.  Might be a little hard to find in the states.

I have a 12V Milwaukee that takes a 5-3/8 blade.  It's fantastic.  Plenty of power and battery life to cut 3/4" material and its super lightweight.  I've even used it in a pinch to cut 1/2" thick aluminum.  Only caveat is that it needs the bigger 12V batteries, like the 6Ah ones.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

In the Makita 18V LXT platform, they offer a 5-3/8" circular saw that seems like it'd be a great little "daily driver".https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSS03Z

For myself, the KSS40/KSS300 just can't be beat for a small (4-3/4") saw. My KSS40 is the only handheld circular that has a permanent place in my van, and I use it for everything from framing decks to installing trim/millwork (swapping blades as needed). I call it my "Mighty Saw!"....
https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-kss-40-18m-bl-cordless-cross-cutting-system

 

[Packard]

I was installing vinyl soffits to my eaves.  I wanted to open up the plywood soffits to allow better ventilation.  My circular saw was too bulky and heavy for that application.

I bought a small circular saw that on paper looked ideal.  But in practice, the safety interlock for the trigger switch made overhead use impossible.  I ended up using a jig saw. 

In any event, before buying any circular saw, check to see how they have implemented the safety interlock. Some of the systems are just a nuisance; others are an impediment to its utility.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Thanks for all the input.

The Makita XSS03Z would use my current batteries but that KSS40 is very attractive.

 

[Bob D.]

I was installing vinyl soffits to my eaves.  I wanted to open up the plywood soffits to allow better ventilation.  My circular saw was too bulky and heavy for that application.

I bought a small circular saw that on paper looked ideal.  But in practice, the safety interlock for the trigger switch made overhead use impossible.  I ended up using a jig saw. 

In any event, before buying any circular saw, check to see how they have implemented the safety interlock. Some of the systems are just a nuisance; others are an impediment to its utility.

Good points and something that could be easily overlooked when making a purchase, especially online where you don't get to handle the merchandise.

 

[Packard]

I have two full-sized circular saws.  One for line voltage and other battery.  I was surprised (and annoyed) to learn that the battery powered (and newer unit) had the safety interlock. 

It never seemed to me that the interlock was necessary.  I forget what model I bought for the soffits.  I only tried to use it that one time.  And I forget how they implemented the interlock.  I only remember that I could not master it overhead.  I will look back and see if I can find it.

 

[Ajax]

I bought one of these from Amazon UK several years ago and they shipped it to the US.  I have no clue why Bosch doesn't sell it in the US

It is single speed but works well on sheet goods.

Bosch Professional 06016A1001 GKS 12 V-26 Cordless Circular Saw (Without Battery and Charger) - Carton, 33.8 cm*21.0 cm*13.2 cmhttps://amzn.eu/d/51G3LBD

 

[Holzhacker]

I have a Makita 4100KB. 5" blade. Its marketed as a tile saw, that's mostly what I use it for but I have had regular blades in it for other uses. Fairly small, at least to me, has a dust port to hook up a vac. Works very well.
Its a corded tool so maybe not to a lot of people's liking. I tend to buy corded versus battery.