I need a little circular saw that’s light and easily handled in awkward places for use up on my lift as well as trimming out gables and what-not in place. (uggghh)
I’m stuck on a regular old 6″ PC Saw Boss corded model, a Crapsman 6″ corded model, but am also looking at the Makita LI 18V.
I really can’t decide if the cord will be a help or a hinderance. On one hand, the freedom of the cordless tools, particularly where I planning on using it, would be wonderful. On the other hand, the cord gives me something to tie-off so it doesn’t end up smashed to smithereens 30′ below me. The strong possibility that it may take a dive is why I was considering a truly disposable trim saw like the Crapsman.
But the 18V Makita LI looks like the cat’s azz. I’d just hate to see a $400 circular saw flying in the wind. Maybe I should get the Makita LI and attach a permanent 4′ tether cord to it with a carabiner I could snap on to my belt? Foolish? Over analyzing? Or a good idea?
As framers we rarely use cordless tools as none of us seem to have the ability to properly maintain a charged battery for the times we actually need the tool. Something worth thinking about I suppose.
Whatcha think?
Replies
I've got the Makita LI 18V and it's the cats azz. But that's a lot of money to drop on it. I didn't know they wanted 400 just for the saw. I was looking to see if I could find it at Tool king and they had teh whole set Reconditioned for $400.0
http://www.toolking.com/
Rock the Tipi!
Uh boy, that's almost impossible to pass up.
I never even looked at kits because all I really want is the saw, but that's the same price for the whole set-up. I've got no problem with reconditioned tools.
I just don't need another cordless screw runner.... in fact I don't even want another one! I've got an 18V Bosch Brute drill driver, a 15.6V Panasonic multi-driver that I've used all of twice, two first generation 12VMakita impact drivers, and a Makita 14.4 V drill/driver, impact driver, flashlight kit that's only about 6 months old!
But at that price..........View Image
I hear ya. I'm up to my freaking eyeballs in cordless drills. It's getting where ya can't buy anything anymore without being forced into the drill.
Noodle around on that site a little I thought I saw a recond Bosch saw cheap.
Rock the Tipi!
http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?cid=485&productid=10851
Rock the Tipi!
I was just looking at that on your tip. Now that's pretty cost effective since I already have a charger and two batteries sitting in the basement collecting dust.
You guys are like a Nascar pit crew when someone comes here looking for the hot tool deals.
I just found a pretty good one myself.... FatMax 30' tapes for $15 and change on clearance over at Amazon. I kill about one a month to the tune of about $30 a pop. Just ordered 10 of them.View Image
This is the most effective think tank ever devised. We're here for you 24/7 Brian just let us know.
View Image
Rock the Tipi!
Edited 6/24/2006 4:57 pm ET by Gunner
Edited 6/24/2006 4:59 pm ET by Gunner
What do you do to kill a tape a month?
I buy the FatMax, too. But I get at least a year or two out of them.
Is framing really that much harder on tapes than finish work?
Is framing really that much harder on tapes than finish work?
Absolutely. If it doesn't get hung up and catch a tear, the mud and wet sawdust will kill them. Once the tape gets a bit worn and you use it on a rainy day, the case fills with wet sawdust and the yellow paint starts flecking off adding to the muck. After awhile they just won't retract anymore. I'm pretty careful with my tapes too because $30/month sucks. But once you get used to that stand-out length on a FatMax, nothing else will do for framing.
It's amazing how much longer my guys get their tapes to last now that I stopped buying them for them. Chalklines too.View Image
have you tried or looked at the extra fat max, or what ever they call it? I guess it stands out more then the orginal, don't know if there are any other benifits
I looked at one briefly at Home Depot one time. I ran it out and I guess it went a little further without breaking it's back, but apparently I wasn't that impressed or I woulda bought one. Maybe they're all gonna be the "Extreme" models now and that's why Amazon is cleaning house? I dunno.
BTW.... I'm so sick of the word "extreme". When I think of extremes I think of climbing Everest, Alaskan king crab fishing, serial killers....... not tape measures, razors, and hamburgers. Way overkill. What's even worse is when they spell is Xtreme. I don't know why, but it really bugs me. :)View Image
OK, might as well get back on track.
I've got the SawBoss, and while it doesn't get a lot of use, it's still handy.
And it's nice and light for those overhead cuts.
I wasn't thinking about all the mud and wet sawdust you have to deal with.
And I'd forgotten about when I had to deal with it.
yep.... it's not the work we do that kills them... it's the conditions. Same goes for my body I think. :)View Image
Yep, we seem to only get 3-4 months out of a tape if it's babied. My Oxys stretched a bit so I went to a 30' and they seem to die faster than the 25' for some reason.
Great tapes.
Same here with the Oxy's. When I first bought mine it was a PIA to get a fatmax 25'er in and out. Three years later and the 30' is a perfect fit. I hadn't noticed the 30 wearing out faster than the 25's. Hmmmm, that's odd. I use both 25's and 30's.... whichever I can find the cheapest when I'm buying them.View Image
It's not so much that the tape hook breaks or the tape itself fails, but the 30' tapes start to reel back in slower and slower each week, even after wiping down the entire blade regularly.
If your 30' tapes are holding up well, maybe the sluggishness is related to something we're exposing the tapes to that is gunking the spring up.
All your fault.
Had to order one.
"Citius, Altius, Fortius"
Good I need the commision. :)
Rock the Tipi!
How big is 'little'? Does it need to cut a 2x? The PC trim saw (4.5" diam. worm drive) is fairly light, but won't cut thru much beyond 3/4"
I don't have the Makita LI tools. Yet. I've be contemplating seriously, though, for about a week. If you're going to spend $400 on the saw alone (is it really that much?) you might as well pump in another $200 and get the kit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EDPSS2/qid=1151180343/sr=1-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-5957622-4067033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013
You can save 10% on it until July 4, and has a mail in rebate for the recip saw.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
whoops... I thought the kit came with a recip?
guess not... HD had an offer a little while ago for a free recip rebate, wonder if they still have it?
There are two kits, the one you're thinking of comes with a recip saw and the impact driver is the rebate tool.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EDVTQ2/ref=sr_11_1/103-5957622-4067033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I like the looks of that little PC wormdrive, but as a framer I should really have something that'll cut a 2x. That's why I was looking at the 6" SawBoss.
You're right about the kit. I wasn't even looking at them since I only need the saw. But they really do seem to be the best 'value', don't they? And LI does seem to be the way to go.....hmmmm.....View Image
Oops. Didn't see this before I recommended the same saw. Buy it anyway Diesel. You're on a roll, don't stop.
"With every mistake we must surely be learning"
I'm gonna get the $44 reconditioned Bosch 18V saw body. Seems like a good idea. I pretty much never use my 18V Bosch drill, so I'll steal the batteries and charger from it, throw it all in a tool bag and consider it done. Can't get much cheaper than $44 and it'll serve the purpose just fine.
Thanks to all for your recommendations, and a big thanks to Gunner for finding me such a deal. Sweet.
Guess I should pop in over in the "What tool did you buy today" thread and make it all official. ;)View Image
I'll meat you over there........... Errrrr I meant Meet.
Rock the Tipi!
I was gonna offer you the PC 6" SawBoss I have sitting around that hadn't really seen any use at all for $70 but the Bosch should do the trick for you.One thing I'll mention is that I own that saw and it is the one peice of my combo that I'm not all that happy with. Not sure how to describe it, something about it makes it very uncomfortable in use. Maybe it's too high or tall, definitely has crappy balance though.Working up high - might be a good idea to put a tether on it though.JT
I read other reviews that agreed with you... that the Bosch wasn't the most comfortable saw to use. But for 44 bucks and the few cuts it'll make I figure it'll do just fine for awhile. And if it does meet and untimely death I won't feel so bad. At least that's what I'm telling myself anyway! No intentions on this being a daily driver of a saw.View Image
For $44, it's a no brainer. I use mine a lot and it does the job - just not that smooth to use.One thing to watch out for is to not use it for extended long rips of 2x. Aparently there's a solder connection that can heat up enough to melt the solder if the saw gets too hot. Happened to my saw - they fixed it no problem.The numbered depth engravings are handy and the dust port works ok if you need it (with a vac)The real gem of the Bosch 18 volt lineup is the cordless planer. It's like the Multi-master - you'll keep finding ways to use it. Scribing an edge, flattening a stud, customizing a jamb extension... all with very little mess (with dust bag) and smooth as silk operation (only has 1 blade!)If you can find one seperate at a deal like the saw - highly reccomended. Cordless Jig saw and recip saw rocks too.JT
can I get in line for that saw!
I was gonna push Diesel toward it ... even though I am eyeballing the new makita to match my new makita drill/driver ... but ... that saw boss is a great little saw.
I'll either send U the $70 ... or all that dewalt cordless 14.4 stuff I was talking about ... plus the dewalt analog tune radio .... figure if I'm dumping the dewalt tools ... may as well step up to a job site radio with CD player while I'm at it?
Let me know if the deal is still on the table.
Hey Diesel ... let us know if U officially pass on the $70/saw boss deal ... yer first in line!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Just so we are on the same page - it is the Saw Boss model #345. I bought it new and mounted it to a sled and used it on a saw guide for a few jobs, but switched it out with a 7 1/4 PC to get a better depth of cut. It's a lefty - are they all?So it has a couple holes drilled on the bottom, but is other wise in clean shape. The stock blade sucks for anything finish, but is still on the saw. Have the manual and box, not sure about the dust 90 degree tube and the wrench.What's your zipcode?JT
Yup ... that's the one.
15211
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I officially pass my friend. The good fortune is all yours. View Image
Anybody tried the Skil 5-1/2" trim saw? I know that most Skil is junk, but for the price, I'm assuing it to be pro quality. I've been looking at either that or the PC 6" Sawboss. Menards sent me a $100 rebate check for buying some roofing shingles so I've got to blow it in the store. They carry the Skil for $110 but don't carry the PC. Also if anybody has it, how hard is it to get a decent blade for it?
Thanks,John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I looked at that saw pretty hard yesterday too. The reviews on Amazon for it were great, saying that it was built more like a 77 than the other Skil crap. Most said it had a surprising amount of power for such a little saw and many who had used both preferred it to the PC SawBoss.
What steered me away from it was that it can't make it through a 2X at 45 degrees. But if it were to be used strictly for 5/4 or 1x or sizing up sheet goods, it looks like a pretty good saw.
It was also mentioned that blades were a bit hard to come by for a reasonable price. That's something to think about too. I noticed it just comes with steel blade.View Image
I read the Amazon reviews too. I lean toward PC when I can because most of their stuff isn't junk. But with the rebate check I have ($100), I'd be paying $10 for the saw (+ tax) and it would basically stay in my shop 90% of the time to cut sheet goods and mostly 1X that I don't want to put on the tablesaw or chopsaw. I just wanted to hear from someone that had it that I wasn't paying $10 for a saw that was worth $10 and also that I can find decent blades for it. Menards had like 2 blades that were ultra thin kerf and only 1 was carbide. For cutting 2X I'll put out the old Skil wormdrive.
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I thought you had a Bosch 18V cordless kit...?
Guess not.
I haven't used the Mak LI, but it does look like a sweet kit... why not spend an extra 240 bucks and buy the whole kit, cordless recip, impact, and drill, with the saw. That's a lot more tools for very little extra money.
That said, I have 6" saw boss, and love it, it was my first circular saw somewhere around 13 years ago or so and still going strong. I could see how the cord would be a PITA 30' up
I just have an 18v Bosch Brute drill/driver. Never owned anything cordless other than impact drivers and drills.
I'm really leaning towards one of those kits. But damm if that little 6" SawBoss doesn't seem handy, huh?View Image
buy both?
hell, buy the kit and sell the cordless drill and impact on ebay to off set the cost
Edited 6/24/2006 4:45 pm ET by CAGIV
Come on buddy... follow that link Nick just posted for 589 for the whole kit and break out the CC...
You know you want to...
Chicken?
It also looks like you can only get the standard drill/driver by itself, it doesn't appear to come in either of the kits. They're pushing the hammer drill for some reason.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I've never understood why folks would not want the hammer function on their drill? In most cases, the weight difference between hammer drill drivers and non-hammer drills is minimal, and even if you don't think you'll need it - nice to have in a pinch, right?If the opinion is that a cordless hammer drill doesn't work that well - then I'll say it's no rotary hammer - but it saves a bunch of time for a few holes here and there.JT
Diesel,
There is a time for good tools (Which is most of the time) and there is a time for cheap disposable tools (like when there is a good chance the tool will meet a premature death or get stolen). I've seen a lot of guys lose good tools to freak accidents. Buddy of mine thought he was being smart when he attached a lanyard to is new 18v Mil drill then to his belt when we were doing some work on a dock, it didn't help him much when he went into the drink tool belt and all. Same thing happened to me a few weeks later but I only lost a $60 craftsman drill which I was able to replace under warranty. While a $400 saw may work better than a $100 saw, they both work the same after taking a 30 ft fall and the $100 one is easier to watch on the way down.
My point is, while I know that I am disagreeing with everyone else here, I say buy the cheap disposable crapsman and that 2yr extended warranty they try to sell you so when the cheap batteries crap out or the saw takes a dive off the high board you get a new saw. If the thing is still kicking after a year and a half it might need to take an untimely fall off your truck bed... you suddenly have a new saw and a new 2yr extended warranty for $15.
Day
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.
Corded Porter-Cable 4 1/2" worm trim saw. Max cut is a 5/4". Might be too light for you. Nice saw though.
We drop a Dewalt almost daily..LOL. Really, they take a drop pretty well.
I was doing crown, fascia and boxgutter just a few weeks ago, we keep a charger in the manlift or inverter in the trucks..tween Dale and I we have about 10 batteries or more.
That 6 pc set on sale often is a real deal wit the 7th free tool.
I just got 2 new batts for 99.00 ( half price) at HD Thursday.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
There is no cure for stupid. R. White.
I dont know wether they are available in your country but an offshoot company of Festool called Protool have an excellent trim saw corded it also has a guide rail system I have owned one for three years still happy.
Regards John B from OZ
You can make it fool proof but not idiot proof
Like several other guys, the pc 6'saw boss was my corded saw of choice for over 10 years. Now I have the lefty 7 1/4 pc and the bosck 8 1/4 for my e z smart and the makita 18v LI set . That set is best 'tool' I have bought in a longtime. Tkhe bosch ils strictly for sheet goods and the guide. the 7 1/4 rarely comes out now. The 18v is very light but cuts everything I put in its way. It is especially great on a ladder or lift or roof. The kit is expensive but it will pay you back in usefulness.
Paul