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

[Craig-SM]

I concur with this - I invested in a plunge saw and track a couple of years ago as only ever had a corded circular saw before - not only have I found it's great for cutting hatches in flooring, etc - but I've been surprised how many jobs I do with the track saw now that previously I would have set up the table saw for.

Plunge saw got my wife’s seal of approval when she’d seen it in use. I've since invested in track square, repeat stops and parallel guides. Making repeatable, perfect cuts has never been easier. Not cheap but still worth it.

 

[MattF]

You're just a tool whore though.

 

[TEO]

I got the Bosch one as I already had the drill and batteries. Great bit of kit, my old corded one was bigger and more powerful but haven’t really found the battery one wanting.

I was told that some of the newer Bosch machines will recognise the procore batteries & develope more power. Also told that the cordless mitre saws need 8ahr min! Seem to be fine on 5 since the 8 died.

 

[Craig-SM]

You're just a tool whore though.

Quilty as charged

 

[MattF]

I was told that some of the newer Bosch machines will recognise the procore batteries & develope more power.

Their Biturbo range.

 

[chrismac]

All this talk of a track saw handling work a table saw could do is not helping my resistance or hesitation to buy,
I know this debate does not help @Rannsachair, but all very interesting thoughts and discussions, I am sure @Rannsachair will get all he needs from his circular saw.

 

[TEO]

Their Biturbo range.

Either of you found a good source of knock off batteries for Bosch? I've cheap Makita knock offs that have been as good as the originals but never found any decent Bosch compatible ones. Tried some 8's of Ali express but they started melting the casing they had the choice but not necessarily applying it in the right manner

 

[MattF]

I never buy anything but OEM batteries. They're worth their cost for peace of mind, if nowt else.

 

[daleyd]

Either of you found a good source of knock off batteries for Bosch? I've cheap Makita knock offs that have been as good as the originals but never found any decent Bosch compatible ones. Tried some 8's of Ali express but they started melting the casing they had the choice but not necessarily applying it in the right manner

Screwfix were doing 2 x 5ah plus charger recently for £100. I haven't had the need for anything bigger, I'm just a DIY ist!

 

[TEO]

I never buy anything but OEM batteries. They're worth their cost for peace of mind, if nowt else.

Having done well with fake Makita I've no qualms about giving them a go just haven't found the right ones yet. 12v fake Bosch not a problem but I can't find the 18's

 

[TEO]

Screwfix were doing 2 x 5ah plus charger recently for £100. I haven't had the need for anything bigger, I'm just a DIY ist!

The 5s I have are good too

 

[daleyd]

The 5s I have are good too

Cordless grinder is the biggest guzzler I find, but ive got 3 x 5ah and 3 x 4ah (2 Pro core)so I've got enough to swap out and keep them on charge if I really need to.

 

[MattF]

Cordless grinder is the biggest guzzler I find, but ive got 3 x 5ah and 3 x 4ah (2 Pro core)so I've got enough to swap out and keep them on charge if I really need to.

Planer is another tool which eats batteries.

 

[daleyd]

Planer is another tool which eats batteries.

I've only got a b and q corded one, maybe that's next on the list!

 

[MattF]

I've only got a b and q corded one, maybe that's next on the list!

You need a cordless planer.

The little 12V Bosch planer is deceptively good, for lighter tasks. Its small size & weight make that thing a pleasure to use.

 

[gaz1]

I don't see how or why you would use a recipe saw for framing work recips are demolition tools with bad vibrations. You could never do a a full days work fencing or framing with a recipe saw without exceeding your allowed vibrations.

recipe saws have there uses more so when your on top of a dormer 3 storeys high and trimming the beams shorter

h&s hate circular saws cutting them shorter really hate chainsaws cutting those beams shorter whilst the chainsaw can be great to cut quickly enough through the beam it takes practice to cut straight while off side and holding that chainsaw

though the new aditions of the electric chainsaws are way better there just expensive

though there is an adaptor that changes circular saws into chainsaws

 

[Robotstar5]

that is maybe part of the whole track saw debate, you dont have to follow a line, just push the saw,

It would be nice, I just can't justify a track saw for the limited use it would have.

 

[GaryS65]

I wouldnt entertain a "freehand" circular saw for anything other than rough work, and TBH, for rough work a recip saw is more useable.

Freehand circular saws will not give a nice straight edge unless you use a guide, and more importantly, tend to give a rough cut no matter how many TPI the blade has. If you want a circular saw for anything that needs to be nice ....... indoors paying work for example, you really need a plunge/track saw. They cut straight, and give a nice finish, even on plywood. Can even take the place of a table saw for a lot of things.

I wouldn't have a battery one either, they do not have the power or the RPMs

I think thats a bit over the top. We rip 12mm and 18mm chipboard all day freehand with cordless battery Milwaukee and Makita saws freehand. Maybe you need a bit more practice?

 

[GaryS65]

To be fair we've had good results from the Milwaukee blades, 165x40T and I think it's a 22T blade on the M12 circular saw.

The Dewalts just seem to be cheaper.

 

[brightspark]

there easy to touch the tips up on a green stone on the grinder getting a few bites of the cherry even though there cheap ideal for just ripping crappy wood up or floorboards with nails and crap in the tongues