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Circular saw, good value recommendations

cj66

cj66

pfm Member
As the title says, I now need one of these.
My usage is DIY level, mains powered, accuracate and clean cuts, ability to make angled cuts and if possible a straight line guide, either physical or laser.

Cutting into mainly panels of wood/chipboard/medite/plasterboard between 3cm down to 3mm. The odd 2x2 or maybe larger. If it can manage acrylic panels, although I'm guessing that is more blade selection, it would be great.

We can get Makita and Dewalt here and a few other brands but not the same selection as the UK.
Advice on decent/appropriate blades also gratefully received.
 
A gotcha that caught me out is the size of the shaft, which restricts which blades you can use as the arbour hole (central hole of cutting disk) can limit your choice. Take a look at replacement blades and take note of the arbour size of the ones you think you would chose and then check that your choice of saw has that size shaft. You can get spacer pieces (to use disks with a larger arbour size) but they can break and wear causing the blade to move off centre.
 
Quality of cut will be down to blade choice, in part but not only no. teeth. That said, as changing blades is a faff, you'll probably only use a general purpose blade most of the time. You really need specific blade for cutting plastics and composites, and things like melamine-faced boards if you want a decent finish straight off the saw.

For specific advice - browse the website of specialist supplier.

Most blades come with adapters, sometimes as an option, so that most blades will fit most saws.

If you want genuinely straight cuts, forget anything but some kind of guide rail or such like, which can be just a length of heavy-ish gauge aluminium angle, plus two G clamps.

Cutting plasterboard with a circular saw?????? A hand saw is almost as fast and far less messy although normally a score with a craft knife on one side, a crack and then cut the other card face does just fine.
 
Vinny said:
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Cutting plasterboard with a circular saw??????....edit.... although normally a score with a craft knife on one side, a crack and then cut the other card face does just fine.
Click to expand...

That's what I've done up until now but have seen the local lads using a circular and getting a better cut...and I have quite a big ceiling job coming up.( suspended plaster board is the normal here ).
 
cj66 said:
suspended plaster board is the normal here
Click to expand...

Here too.
In current build the only plastering is at the joins between sheets. Traditionally, it was given a plaster skim all over (something like 1-2mm thick). An especially good edge should not be needed as it will be plastered - it just needs to be free of jagged card and the easiest way to do that is to cut a slight bevel with a craft knife.
 
I'm now on my second circular saw.

The first was a skill saw and lasted long enough to install a kitchen before it blew up. Took it back under guarantee - full refund!

The next one came just recently and 15 years later and is one of these

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4576925

It's done everything I need so far and for the price I have low expectations but it's been fine. The only downside is it came with a ridiculously vicious looking coarse blade which I immediately replaced with a crosscut blade which I already had.
 
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I have a Dewalt D23650. Corded and a "bit of a beast" but it does the job. I think the current version is the D23700
 
The cheap track saws are very good, I had the Lidl one (Parkside) but replaced it with the Festool one when I had a bonus to spend.


Pete
 
I just buy Aldi or Lidl if available, if not screwfix own brands various decent guarantee I got a chop saw or mitre saw best toy I ever bought

my circular saw is ancient still going strong as said without a guide no way will get a straight cut

cordless options are decent now and if can share batteries with other tools all the better
 
i use a skill saw,had it 20 odd years a no hassle.
you wont go far wrong with either Makita and Dewalt.
 
I note you're not in the UK.

If you're elsewhere in the EU, i bought a Dewalt DWE576 from Toolstation.nl including a 1.5m rail for about 180 Euros (including delivery to France) when they were doing a deal about 6 months ago - they tend to repeat the deal about every 6 months, so might be worth watching out for another deal.

Oddly Toolstation prices are not the same throughout the EU, but if you live elsewhere within the EU, NO additional taxes, so worth shopping around.
I'm not bothered about it being corded as I'm never using it far from a power outlet, the attached cable is 4m.

As a saw - not cheap but I know I'll have it for the rest of my working days - its a quality product, the base plate is rock solid (cast alloy) not thin pressed steel and doesn't flex or bend at all.
As a tool - superb - have used it for multiple tasks including fitting 2 kitchens (for the family) and renovating our house.The guide is a bonus, but equally almost anything can act as a straight edge guide
As others have noted, occasionally you may have had to change blades for a specific task.
I wouldn't any circular saw on plasterboard as the dust will be toxic, very fine and blown everywhere - finally will knacker the blade.

For PB - score using a 'stanley' knife against a straight edge and snap.

I'm not a professional but a keen DIYer.
 
CORDLESS EVERY TIME!!!!! Over the years I have had several circular saws but a few years ago I saw a cordless one in Aldi. It was 1/3 off so I bought it and it was a REVELATION. It is SO much easier not to have a lead trailing behind you, frequently with the inevitable extension socket. You are able to concentrate solely on the cut you're making without getting the cord tangled round your legs or other obstructions in the workshop.

The first thing I did with mine was build a 15ft x 10ft shed and it was perfect.... That was about 7 years ago and the saw is still going strong.
 
I am still with my (mains 110v ) Porter Cable circular saw. Twenty years of home reno work, scenery building, site and fence building. Loaned it out a couple of "wood butchers" and it still is in great order. Replaced the original blade with some better quality blades - Ultra Fine 60 tooth from Diabolo.
 
I do like Dewalt tools they are well designed robust and reliable and good value IMO
I have a corded version of the Dewalt circular saw and i think its great, but my son swears by his battery operated one so its your choice which Dia you chose 165 or 184mm and corded or cordless
Alan
 
@Operajulian
I see Porter Cable is another B&D brand. We don't have it here but probably under another name.

@337alant
I always go corded if possible, batteries tend to flunk out at the most awkward moments, even if you have two.
 
I'd say that a track saw was essential for getting any straight cuts, and any big brand including Makita and Dewalt should make them. So much easier than using a piece of timber or other straight edge. I use a Festool with a dust extractor which has to rank as the best tool I've ever bought as my sanders, router etc all fit it.
A couple of decent different blades for different materials are worth budgeting for too.
 
337alant said:
I do like Dewalt tools they are well designed robust and reliable and good value IMO
Click to expand...

Agreed, I personally prefer them to Makita. I've also had a couple of quality issues with Makita and they were not supportive in the least. My ancient Dewalt cordless drill is quite superior to a friends very new Makita....I'm down to only one battery though and having difficulty finding replacements at a reasonable price.
 
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