Which Circular Saw: Why do power tool manufacturers offer so many variants?

[Erie Fred]

I don't know why they offer special many.
Bosch must have at least 10 variations of much the same thing.
Mind you, they have about 50nversions of the drills as well.

My guess is, once you have designed a tool and set up a production line it's pretty easy (cheap) to make minor alterations/small parts changes and create a 'new' model with little extra effort.
The more choices you offer, the more likely you are to find a buyer that's looking for a particular specification hence more sales.

Some things are ridiculous though.
Example, the bosch leaf blower. There are at least 3 models (new, newer & newest) all identical apart from an increased lpm of about 1% then 2%.
Then there are another few variations of each model which come with different accessories..

"New & Improved"
"Now With Retsin"
"Contains Z-7"

 

[dobbslc]

I'll have to check what my little 12v Bosch one is

Yep the handle is on the left side so I can always see the blade, must be why I find it so useful.

 

[roblane65]

In the good old days lots of people didn't know there were left and right handed saws , I often used ask why are using a saw that's blowing all the s***e in your face instead of the opposite way and a lot still are .

 

[brightspark]

When I was younger I was a professional Carpenter, so this is my advice.......

If you are "Left Handed", the saw you are interested in would be ok.

If you are "Right Handed", get a saw with the "Blade on the Left Side" of the saw, otherwise you will be crouching looking over your shoulder to see the line you are trying to cut along.

i have same problem with circular saws dangerous because if it kicks back im directly behind the blade same as a chainsaw as said the krap blows up in face as well

 

[brightspark]

In the good old days lots of people didn't know there were left and right handed saws , I often used ask why are using a saw that's blowing all the s***e in your face instead of the opposite way and a lot still are .

petrol strimmers and hedgecutters i cant use the exhausts blast me in the face

 

[roblane65]

that I can't help with I'm afraid ......

 

[Rannsachair]

When I was younger I was a professional Carpenter, so this is my advice.......

If you are "Left Handed", the saw you are interested in would be ok.

If you are "Right Handed", get a saw with the "Blade on the Left Side" of the saw, otherwise you will be crouching looking over your shoulder to see the line you are trying to cut along.

I really appreciate the advice, you have got me thinking: I am right handed though border on ambidextrous with tools as I had a number of the nerves to my right shoulder severed during surgery 5 years ago, so I often swap hands as I sometimes struggle with my right. I see the majority of saws on the screwfix site have the blade on the right, if you are right handed and use a left hand blade, will that mean you get sprayed with sawdust when cutting? I am guessing its a compromise, the only saw I have used is blade on the right. so I am struggling to get my head round blade on the left.

I will have a chat with my boatbuilder friend, he will likely have a view on blade side as I am struggling to decide what will best suit me.

 

[brightspark]

buy the rechargeable one and also a 240v electric one for fencing and bigger stuff . leccy is better if your on one job and a lot to do

 

[Rannsachair]

buy the rechargeable one and also a 240v electric one for fencing and bigger stuff . leccy is better if your on one job and a lot to do

Unfortunately I will have no access to mains power most of the time.

 

[Agrismith]

i have same problem with circular saws dangerous because if it kicks back im directly behind the blade same as a chainsaw as said the krap blows up in face as well

Chainsaws should never be used reverse. I understand it's awkward but it is revised over and over in the user manual and all training that left handers just have to use them right handed. All the safety features are designed that way round.

 

[gaz1]

Unfortunately I will have no access to mains power most of the time.

id be looking at a genny instead as it will do most jobs of any power tools that are plugged into mains powered

+ you can recharge batterys on the job at the same time if you have no power on sites otherwise its buy loads of batterys for most tools just to keep them running all day long

 

[gaz1]

i have same problem with circular saws dangerous because if it kicks back im directly behind the blade same as a chainsaw as said the krap blows up in face as well

im right handed and blade is best on the right not on the left side as quoted above

you should not be behind any circular saw if you are then yourself in danger and wrongly using the saw

as goes for sawdust you dont get much in your face as long as the winds not blowing at you but most of the time your looking above the saw watching the v mark when cutting even when using a tracksaw

 

[Farside]

Too small ^^^^.....No tractor needed, portable:

"It's a bit short."
"That's ok, how many of them?"
"Umm... 90 of them."
"Rufk."

 

[brightspark]

you should not be behind any circular saw if you are then yourself in danger and wrongly using the saw

as goes for sawdust you dont get much in your face as long as the winds not blowing at you but most of the time

you are obviously not left handed and as for the outlet for the sawdust it blows out to the right all over your body

 

[Farside]

When I was younger I was a professional Carpenter, so this is my advice.......

If you are "Left Handed", the saw you are interested in would be ok.

If you are "Right Handed", get a saw with the "Blade on the Left Side" of the saw, otherwise you will be crouching looking over your shoulder to see the line you are trying to cut along.

All the time I've used a circ saw it never occurred to me that might be a thing.
Can't say it's ever bothered me, now that I know it's been arrse for elbow for years.

 

[gaz1]

you are obviously not left handed and as for the outlet for the sawdust it blows out to the right all over your body

if its a right handed blade you should be ontop of the board to cut it and viewing the v of the cut whilst the sawdust is blown behind you and to the right

the dominant hand should be on the trigger whilst the left hand should be on the front handle most dont so the dominant hand has to push as well as push downward on the saw

however kickback is possible this and it will kickback even if you think your strong enough to stop it

there is left sided blades and they are also for left handed people but most saws are right handed cutting

tracksaws make the job easier to cut a board straight however they should be handled the same way you can still cut offside with a board or 3x2 used as a straight edge as theres 3 facto9rs involved with that method keep the tool to the board whilst also pushing against the straight edge its not that easy to do

 

[MetalMonkey]

I'm sure one of the TeamRed chaps will be able to give you some recommendations but generally with the Milwaukee stuff it goes in order of brushed-->brushless-->fuel.
With the fuel being the top end brushless tools.

On some tools it doesn't make much difference, but a circular saw is something you definitely want to go brushless on, and maximum power so I'd suggest looking at the fuel models.

 

[GaryS65]

The one you've linked for £200 is the one to have. The FCS552. 55mm depth of cut. 165mm blade. About £18 for a good dewalt blade. I use the 40T and it's good all round.

The non "fuel" saw is useless, really not enough power for the job.

The rear handle saws are big and powerful, but too heavy for making lots of cuts in thinner materials not an all rounder really.

You need a 5Ah battery with it really. Or the High Output batteries.

With the 5.5Ah High Output it's a different beast compared to the 5ah standard red lithium battery.

The only thing is the blade cuts upwards towards you. Gives a good finish, but certain materials that splinter, you will need eye protection. It suits a right handed person because you can see the blade easily.

 

[GaryS65]

The next model up, the FCS66, is a bigger saw, which is compatible with milwaukees track. It's much heavier and bulkier though. It's still a general purpose but much heavier.

Cuts 66mm deep but costs an extra £100.

 

[oldbikedavey]

"New & Improved"
"Now With Retsin"
"Contains Z-7"

Snake oil has a very distinctive smell.....