Battery powered circular saws

[paccool]

Any of you guys use a battery powered circ saw such as the Dewalt? What is your opinion as to speed of cut, battery life, etc? I'm thinking of getting one for notching siding, etc. (18 volt)



Is there a better one out there? The Dewalt, by itself, is real expensive. They like to sell the whole kit rather than just one tool.



On the dewalt, will the 18v battery from the drill fit the 18v saw? I have the drill kit and that is why I'm thinking of the Dewalt.



Stan

 

[illflem]

I've used a few different brands and haven't been impressed, would rather use a 110v unit. Would be great if all you did was thin, short cuts like trim work. Charge just doesn't last long and the speed isn't there for much more. A cordless saber saw or sawzall is much more versatile and would work better for notching.

 

[nickleinonen]

i have an 18v maketa one at home and a 18v ryobe one at work. the maketa one is great. if you remove the blade guard, standard 7 1/4" blades just fit. running those kills the battery quick, but the super thin blades designed for the 6. 5" which my maketa is does nicely. i had 3 batteries, but 2 of them are no good anymore [they were 2 years old charged 2x per day] the ryobe one at work is ok, but i don't think it has enough blade speed to cut wood well, but it does the job [it has very light duty use]



my maketa was a kit with a 18v drill. it was when the 18v came out first so it was expensive. the ryobe at work was a kit too, $249. 00 canadian for an 18v drill, circular saw, sawzall, and flashlight. great deal for the do it yourselfer that doesn't need the pro level quality.



dewalt also has 24v stuff. i like that. i really like the drill with the 3 spd range box on it.



the 18v battery drill you have should be compatable with the saw. just copy down the battery model you have and compare it to the one that is on the saw. if they are the same, they will work for sure together

 

[Arcticat]

If you go to a DeWalt dealer, ask to look through their catalog and see if you can get them to order you the saw body without the batteries and charger, which will knock quite alot off the price. This would work if your 18v drill already has two battery packs.



If your willing to buy a different brand saw, my vote goes to Panasonic 15. 6volt. The saw is only 5 3/8, but it will cut nominal 2X lumber, which is as big a job as any of these cordless tools are really designed to tackle. It also has a smaller motor, but it makes up for this with the use of a extremely sharp thin kerf blade. As a result it will cut faster than just about every other saw out there. I have owned the DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, and Panasonic cordless drills and saws and IMO the Panasonic runs circles around all of them. Much lighter and more convenient and literally twice or more the battery runtime - 3Ah battery compared to 2 or 2. 2Ah for the rest, and the motors consume less juice to begin with.

 

[paccool]

Interesting comment Arcticat, I didn't even know Panasonic made a saw. Where do you find them at? About the only ones I have seen around here are the Dewalt, Milwawkee, Riobi, and Makita. I'm sure there are others, just haven't noticed them.



Stan

 

[MDW]

I have Dewalt. What I don't like is the price of the blades on these saws (all of them).

 

[Arcticat]

Yeah, the blades are steep. Good incentive not to use the things unless you really need them. Paccool, you can get Panasonic from a bunch of different places. Tool Crib of the North and Tools on Sale/7 Corners Hardware are probably the two biggest mail order outfits, and I know Woodworkers Warehouse carries Panasonic if you have one of thse in your area. It is kind of odd that a stereo company makes cordless stuff and no other tools - I was looking for the "mega-bass" switch on mine after I got it

 

[rbagley]

I bought the Dewalt 18v kit/set. Has the circular saw, reciprocating saw, 1/2" drill, and light. The circular saw is great for what I use it for, working on stuff up at the deer lease. Cuts good and is supposed to be able to make 80 2x4 cuts on one charge.

 

[Rob Thomas]

I have a Porter-Cable 19. 2v saw, very nice, holds a charge quite long, and cuts many 2X material without effort, well balanced and comfortable, unsure of seperate price as I bought the kazillion tool package.



Later, Rob

 

[marksmith]

I would have to give another vote to Porter-Cable

I have one that I bought in the drill saw combo. Its a 19. 2 volt and it is really handy. I used the heck out of it and can cut 2x4's with it and by the time the battery is dead the other is charged up. (I would have to say about 70 or 80 cuts) I am really impressed with it. I will buy another when I get this one worn out.



Later

Mark

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by MDW

I have Dewalt. What I don't like is the price of the blades on these saws (all of them).

i purchased the 3 pack of dewalt branded carbide blades for my maketa. it was like 19. 99 canadian for the 3 blades, one rough tooth one and 2 finer tooth'd ones. not too bad for price. now, a carbide 8. 5" blade is a lot of $$$ like $80 canadian

 

[dseabaugh]

we have 2 craftsman 18v and one dewalt18 v. Been very happy with craftsman and extended warranty. ( you can buy saw, charger, drill, light , 2 batteries and warranty for same price as Dewalt saw. We build decks and have 6 batteries for craftman and 2 chargers. we have 2 batteries and 2 chargers for dewalt. Dewalt and craftman have same motor inside ( I took them apart) Dewalt will cut through 2 inch material but will not run as long. Craftsman will cut unlimited # of 2x4 crosscuts etc. but will smoke if yoy cut legthways material and will only go through 1. 5 inches. Smoke a craftsman and take it back for a whole new kit. Smoke a Dewalt and eat it. If the economy would pick up I Would like to try a MIlwaukee. We have 2 millwaukee 14. 4 drill that have run every day screwing decks together for 5 years and we have only had 1 battery go bad. They have been dropped in ponds, on concrete. Lot's tougher than Me. The Milwaukee cordless saw is a new Item.

 

[paccool]

Wow, lots of good replies here! Thanks everyone for the information. Now all I have to do is decide which one to go with. The decision would be easier if I wasn't such a tightwad. I always look for the "good" deals!(sometimes those don't turn out to be such a good deal in the end though! )



Stan