Which size of circular saw do you use most often?

[Administrator_JSVN]

I realize that a fair number of our forum members have a TS 55/65/75 track saw. But, how many of you use a fixed blade circular saw on a regular basis? I would appreciate you selecting the size of saw you use most often, or would use, based on the options in the poll at the beginning of the thread: 6½", 7¼", 8¼", or greater than 8¼". Also, please share your typical applications and uses.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[tjbnwi]

My primary is a 6-1/2" Skillsaw worm drive. For what I do I find the weight and size to be the best choice. Basic framing.

I do own a 7-1/4" Bosch Mag worm drive (Bosch bought Skillsaw years ago) and a 8-1/4" Skillsaw worm drive for those times I need them. Roof and I-joist cutting.

Tom

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Actually, I changed the poll to make it possible to select multiple sizes for those who have more than one.

Thanks for the quick response, Tom.

Shane

 

[Kev]

Apart from my TS55 & TS75, I have Hitachi circular saws (185mm and 235mm ... they'd be 7.25" and 9.25")

I recently got rid of a little Hitachi 18V cordless circular saw, but I think the blade it came with was it's real failing.

Till moving across to Festool the 185mm would have been the saw I used the most. In transition I still went to the Hitachi's, but now I'm thinking more Festool process and got to the Festools first and most often.

Plus I've got a sword saw now ... so the big Hitachi's probably a dinosaw [wink]

OOPs forgot, uses ... I'd use the 185mm (7.25") for sheet work and the 235mm (9.25") jumped in and out of a Triton table and sometimes got used on things like sleepers or anything else I couldn't get in the SCMS.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I have a 5-1/2" battery powered and a 7-1/4 corded. Both get used about an equal amount of time, only the occassional outdoors cutting.

 

[Emer Construction]

ts55
makita 6 1/2 cordless
bosch 7 1/4 worm drive
bosch 10 1/4 bigfoot worm drive

probably going to add the new SKIL MAG77LT...havent seen it yet though

 

[elfick]

What? No 5.5" in the survey? I have a beater 18v Ryobi 5.5" that I pull out whenever I just need to make a cut or two and I don't feel like pulling a cord. It is just big enough to cut 2x lumber. I'll probably replace it with the TSC55 if/when that comes to NA. The TS75 gets used the rest of the time. I also have a corded Ridgid 7.25" that I keep around if there is something I don't want to cut with my TS75, but it hasn't been touched since I got the TS75.  [wink]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Added 5½" to the options. Sorry for missing that.

 

[pettyconstruction]

7 1/2" mag/skill saw
15"makita beam saw
For plate layout and some header cutting,I use a skill worm drive/Bigfoot converted saw. It a worm drive with a bigger blade & guard .
I think 10"blade.

 

[shed9]

Appreciate it's not an option up there but I have stopped using fixed blade circular saw's altogether.

Compered to plunge saw's I find them far too dangerous now and shudder at the risks I took with my old one.

 

[ccarrolladams]

In 2006 when I bought my first TS55, I still owned several circular saws going back to 1959, including at least 2 worm drive. I remember buying an inexpensive Mankita 7 1/4" in 2002. I am sure that was the last such conventional saw I used early in 2005.

The ATF65 was still available, but since I wanted to cut plywood, I did not also buy one of those. When the TS75 became available I bought one, by which time I had 2 additional TS55.

As I started to hired my core staff of master cabinet makers for my new shop, I offered them all of my older circular saws.

Perhaps I use a TS75 once a month. I still use a TS55 most days.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Thanks to all who have responded and voted so far.

I see there are a lot of views on the thread, but not so many votes in the poll. I guess most of you have converted to the TS track saw and don't use conventional circular saws so much. I guess that's representative of the type of tradespeople we have there on the forum: those who work with precision and accuracy rather than rough construction.

Shane

 

[jacko9]

I mostly use my Porter Cable model 314 which is a 4 1/2" worm drive trim saw.  It's light weight and cuts through 3/4" ply quite easily.  For heavy duty carpentry I use my 6 1/2" Skill worm drive skill saw.

Jack

 

[ah388]

I use an old craftsman 7 1/4" circular saw in situations where I cannot use my TS55 easily, which is not very often anymore.

 

[wow]

I prefer the 7.25" due to blade cost and availability, cutting depth, etc. but I most often use a 6.5 " blade because I can't find a cordless in a 7-1/4" I voted for both due to that reason.

A cordless 7-1/4" saw has been my 'holy grail' ( vs Holey Rail? ;-) for years. I really wish someone offered one...hint, hint!

 

[Sparktrician]

The TS 55 is the saw used most frequently.  Alternatives include the P-C 645 (6") and 843 (7-1/4"), a 24-volt battery-operated Bosch B1660 (6-1/2"), and an elderly Skil 77 (7-1/4") which sees the light of day only for the rare framing jobs using PT lumber.  The second most used saw is the P-C 645.  Since the TS 55 arrived, the other kids don't get to play so much any more. 

 

[skids]

I can't see the poll on TPT. But I use the 5 1/2 every time I need a circular saw.

 

[GarryMartin]

I have a Makita BSS610Z 18V cordless that uses a 165mm (6.5") blade, but it only gets used when I *need* something cordless. Otherwise it's mostly the TS 55 with an occasional use of the TS 75.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=11pt]

Six year old 184mm Dewalt. Used for heavier work and preliminary cutting of recycled timber.

Shane, is the real point of this survey, to gain some idea as to whether Festool US should import what in the recent past was a  Protool circular saw?

[smile]

Also Shane voting is not operating!

Sorry, working after I hit refresh?  [smile]

EDIT

Thanks Peter for your Reply (#19) below.

 

[peter halle]

I unlocked the poll.

Shane isn't on line right now.  But a similar question was asked in the poll about what size miter saws members use.  Here is what Shane replied in that thread:

"Paul, there have been a lot of threads in the past about how folks wished there was a 12" Kapex. I'm not involved in product development at all. But I know some of those at HQ in Germany read the forum and have their finger on the pulse of the FOG. Please don't let this thread imply that a new or additional model of the Kapex is in the works, because to the best of my knowledge that's not the case.

Shane"

I would imagine that this is a similar situation.  Shane will certainly correct me (again) if I miswrote. 

Peter